Has anybody tried an Ithaca 37 defense yet? I am kind of nostalgic for a 37 but I don’t think it will do anything better than my Mossburg 500 and can’t justify it.
I have not used the new Ithacas, but a couple of years ago I bought an Ithaca model 37 12 ga made in the early 1960s. I took it to a gunsmith and had it shortened to 18.5 inches. It is a very light and handy shotgun, and feels a lot nicer than many new production shotguns.
I’ve owned 2 Ithaca 37’s. Sold one, kept one. For what ever reason my 37 feels lighter and better balanced than my 870.
I’ll say that it is easier and cheaper to get spare parts for a Mossberg or 870. Spare barrels are also hit or miss, some fit fine others need fitting.
It always seemed to me that the Ithaca pump was easier to short stroke than other brands. My old one sure was light and handy, though. I had a Singlepoint on it back in the mid 70’s. Very gee-whiz set up for the day.
Ithaca is less likely to get dirt in it because it has one less “hole”. The side is solid instead of an ejection port which can let dirt in. On the other side of it, one needs to be sure it’s well maintained and to stroke it properly because of the “juggling” that takes place to allow one to load through the bottom as well as ejection.
On the whole, I like them and kick myself for not buying a satin nickel one at a gun show last year.
can’t speak about the new ones, but i can tell you this we still have m.37’s on the streets of NYC till this day. mind you some of these guns are older the most of the members of this board, they still run fine but they look like shit. if the new ones are built anything like the old ones they should be good.
LA Sheriff’s Department still fields some Model 37s. They are slowly being replaced by 870s.
I handled one at the local gun shop the other day (already sold). It had a 20" barrel with the shorter five shot magazine tube, and wood furniture. It sure felt a lot lighter than a Remington 870. I was very inpressed with the fit, finish, and overall quality. Also, there was NO trigger disconnect! :big_boss:
I ordered an exact one, but with an 18.5" barrel.