Ithica 37

[usp_fan]

Ithaca 37

I just got back from lunch and have a question. I've been looking at used 12 gauge pumps for the last several months. 870's have really been my focus. Today at lunch, I found a used Model 37. It currently has a deer barrel with a rear rifle sight and a bright orange triangluar front sight. The barrel is marked 2 3/4 and 3". It is supposed to have a second barrel with several chokes. The finish is worn, but I didn't see deep rust, just some speckling. I checked, and this gun doesn't have the disconnect. The finish doesn't look like blueing, more like parkerizing. It is priced at $259. The forend is a corncob style.

I know nothing of these guns. What are the pro's and con's? Is the price fair? I understand I'm not going to be putting a mag extension on it b/c of the barrel attachement method. Are replacement barrels available and affordable? What else should I be asking or should I know?

Thanks,

--usp_fan

 

[foghornl]

Ithica is one of the "Big 4" of shotgun makers. Remington, Winchester, Mossberg and Ithica [in no particular order] comprise the Big 4.

A good, solid shotgun, prefered by some shooters for the bottom feed/eject and safety placement. Some LEA's issue them as their duty shotgun. Ithica is still in business, so extra barrels & parts should be readily available.

I can't say about pricing, I haven't looked at them in a while.

Others here can certainly give you more info, but it doesn't look like a bad deal to me, particularly if you get the other barrel with it.

 

[homeka45]

Sounds like a good deal, Ithacas are quality guns, certainly nothing to be hesitant about.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Sounds like a good deal if that extra barrel and chokes materialize. Not much goes wrong with M37s, if overly worn the timing can get 'off' and will dump live shells at the shooter's feet when the slide is pumped. But the company is up and running and can fix it if a local 'smith can't.

Good luck with the deal,

lpl/nc

 

[JeremyIA]

Ithaca makes a great gun but their customer service BLOWS! You can't get anyone to help you and nobody can answer the question except "the gunsmith" and the gunsmith is always "out" or "busy". Customer service questions relating to a mechanical problem will leave you high and dry. I paid $50 for a problem that Ithaca should have fixed for free.

 

[romulus]

Being an 870, Mossie 500, Savage 67, and Ithaca 87 (sic. same as a 37) owner, my feeling is the Ithaca pump has no peer. As Lee suggested, with an extra barrel and chokes, this is a sweet deal, assuming the gun overall is healthy

 

[sm]

Great guns!

Deerslayer bbls were some of the most accurate ever made, with an extra bbl and chokes - agree with above- buy it.

 

[KarbineKrazy]

If I was in your area, I would buy it right now!!! I bought an old '50s waterfowl edition last summer. It's a fine gun, but the stock is cracked and I'd like to find another barrel for it. Been thinking about just buying another Ithy. If I was in your neck of the woods. I would buy that gun right now. Especially if it is a 3 inch chamber and has the two barrels.

 

[mod12]

if you don't want it pm me. i'll drive cross state any time for a deal like that!

 

[Dave McCracken]

$260 is on the higher side for a much used Deerslayer, but not a ripoff. Add a tubed second barrel and it becomes a great deal.

And for the record, it's spelled Ithaca.

The 37 will outlast all of us, is a JMB design, and carries nicely.

Buy it....

 

[usp_fan]

Well I went in today to put it on lay a way and they couldn't locate the second barrel. I'm calling back later to see if they found it or if they will lower the price. What would be a good price for just the deer slayer barrel?

And how hard and expensive would it be to find a used barrel threaded for chokes?

Thanks,

--usp_fan

 

[mbs357]

Ithaca 37s are a Browning design, I'd buy one in a heartbeat. =D

 

[bean357]

Yeah! great guns!
does anyone know, is there a way of determining if a barrel that is advertised will fit a model 37 that you own? Possibly by serial number or ??? Please correct me if this is wrong, but I have been told that barrels are different on earlier models of the 37

 

[boohsdad]

Great guns, the newer models you just replace the barrel older model must be replaced at the factory. Will try to find serial number for you. Or go to their site and it is on that site or at least was a few years ago.

 

[reddogIII]

Great Guns!

Early Ithaca Model 37s were some of the finest shotguns made. Early guns were only chambered for 2 3/4" - had one when I was younger, 30" barrel, full choke, shot a lot of ducks with it! Then steel shot came along - traded it in on a model 870, been sorry ever since. Currently have 2 factory riot guns, 8 shots, pistol grip - handy for self defense, one in shop, one in house. Model 37s were discontinued for several years. Have recently been re-released with a 3" chamber. Great left-handed gun due to bottom eject. Can't go wrong with a Browning design! Going rate is about $250 for a good quality gun.

 

[Ithacaman]

Solid firearms

Better late than never. Obviously, I must reply. I've had Ithaca 37s for about 46 years. Have shot everything from whitetails to rabbits and squirrels. Never had one to a gunsmith. Good design and craftsmanship of a bygone era. For that price you can't go wrong.