New Ithaca Defender. Opinions?
- Thread starter BIG45-70
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Slugo
member
they're excellent guns. I like the Defender with walnut furniture. Thinking about getting one myself...
Milkmaster
Member
Because of new rules in recent years, I don't believe the new Model 37's will slam fire like the old models. The defender models i have seen look nice. Seems I remember that the barrel is not removeable on the new defender models as it is on the hunting 37's. I think you can read all about that on the Ithaca website. Good Luck!
Grousefeather
Member
Ithaca
While back, a friend gave me a older 37. It has the older threads and will "slam fire". I need to make the stock a bit longer, (it was cut down a bit)and change the safey back to right hand. But it is sound. I may cut the barrel to 20" and use it as a rainy day gun.
While back, a friend gave me a older 37. It has the older threads and will "slam fire". I need to make the stock a bit longer, (it was cut down a bit)and change the safey back to right hand. But it is sound. I may cut the barrel to 20" and use it as a rainy day gun.
Youngster
Member
They seem to be very well made, and are nitrocarburized {think Melonite etc} from the factory.
However the lack of a removable barrel would make cleaning a major hassle as you'd basically have to detail strip it just to clean the barrel, and it doesn't look like you could get at the chamber to any real degree.
However the lack of a removable barrel would make cleaning a major hassle as you'd basically have to detail strip it just to clean the barrel, and it doesn't look like you could get at the chamber to any real degree.
Milkmaster
Member
I wouldn't worry about the cleaning. It would be kind of like cleaning my Win 30-30 where disassembly is not a regular event. Just point the muzzle down when you spray the barrel so nothing runs back into the bolt area. Open the bolt, spray a little CLP down the chamber/barrel, and let it sit for a bit to loosen the plastic and crud. Then pull a bore snake through it a time or two and it will be clean and slick. Then use a rag to wipe out the receiver. Do a full disassembly and detailed cleaning once a year if you think it has to be done.
Youngster
Member
You'd still likely going to have to take off the stock and pull out the trigger group and guts, along with releasing the forend, just to be able to feed a boresnake in there at a usable angle.
Milkmaster
Member
Sorry Youngster, but that isn't the case on my existing M37. I often clean it without removing the barrel after shooting clays. It isn't hard.
As an owner of an old Ithaca m37, these shotguns don't get dirty. I actually just detail stripped to replace a 50 year old shell stop spring last week. I was planning on using the opportunity to clean everything out. The truth us it didn't need it. The barrel had plastic and powder following sure. That gets cleaned after every range trip. The chamber, carrier and bolt were all clean. My 870 needs it after every couple hundered shells.
I don't see a problem cleaning a shotgun from the muzzle as long as some care is used.
I don't see a problem cleaning a shotgun from the muzzle as long as some care is used.
Youngster
Member
I don't like the idea of cleaning from the muzzle on these guns with the barrel still attached as you're running the risk of having oily crud getting under the right hand shell stop and causing problems.
I agree that these guns aren't too fussy about cleaning for the most part, in fact I don't think mine was cleaned in decades when I bought it! However if that RH shell stop channel gets dirty or rusted its trouble, and that's probably why so many owners experience dumping live rounds and double feeds.
I agree that these guns aren't too fussy about cleaning for the most part, in fact I don't think mine was cleaned in decades when I bought it! However if that RH shell stop channel gets dirty or rusted its trouble, and that's probably why so many owners experience dumping live rounds and double feeds.
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