Are used Ithaca Model 37's a good buy?

[BruceNRALife]

I have noticed a lot of used Ithaca Model 37 shotguns of various make for sale locally at pawn shops and gun stores for $250-$350. Do they make a good HD shotgun? They are kind of interesting. It seems like I heard somewhere that as they age, the Model 37 bottom loading/ejecting system gets out of time or out of whack and can cause problems. When it gets out of whack the shotgun can try to eject load another shell simultaneously and lock up. Is this true? Or do they run forever? I have also heard that the 37 can jam if the slide is racked to forcefully, or quickly, unlike a Mossberg 500 or a Remington. Is that true?
Bruce

[Herr Walther]

Re: Are used Ithaca Model 37's a good buy?

Ithaca shotguns are all I've ever owned starting with a 20 ga. when I was 14.

They run forever.

I've never heard of any timing problems and I've not had any myself. The Ithica uses a double rail on the pump for sturdiness. I've never had one jam or fail. I've owned many Ithica Model 37's over the years and every one was a great gun.

My current Model 37 is now around 12 years old. It uses interchangeable internal chokes. I love 'em.

[TC6969]

Re: Are used Ithaca Model 37's a good buy?

I have noticed a lot of used Ithaca Model 37 shotguns of various make for sale locally at pawn shops and gun stores for $250-$350. Do they make a good HD shotgun?

The big attraction of the older 37s is the lack of a disconnector, giving you the ability to hold down the trigger and slam fire it.

With a little practice, you can fire it just as fast as an autoloader but still have the benefits of a slide action.

[RT]

Re: Are used Ithaca Model 37's a good buy?

The big attraction of the older 37s is the lack of a disconnector, giving you the ability to hold down the trigger and slam fire it.

With a little practice, you can fire it just as fast as an autoloader but still have the benefits of a slide action.

Yeah, my first 12g was a model 37 then I got a Mossberg. They are really Elmer Fudd turf though, $350 is too much for one considering they date back to 1937 and the "collector value" is questionable. I would really choke on paying that much plus sales tax from a dealer. They are more like a $200-$250 private party flea market gun when well worn but a few models from the 1990s stood out as desirable, like the re-release of the ultra rare 8 shot riot gun model. That one is worth an easy $400 any day of the week in my book.

[BruceNRALife]

Re: Are used Ithaca Model 37's a good buy?

Herr Walther, sounds like a ringing endorsement, if ever I heard one. Thank you for the advice.

RT, that makes sense.

Is there any difference between the police models and field model 37's other than barrel length and possibly finish? Do the police models have more rugged internal parts?

[paintballmagnet]

Re: Are used Ithaca Model 37's a good buy?

I wish I could find a "police" model with the extended mag tube. Bruce I like the 37 because they are good shotguns and they are a bit harder to come by then others so it sorta like a collectors thing with them for me. Are they better than a Remington 870? I don't think so, never had it proved to me that they are anyhow.

[TC6969]

Re: Are used Ithaca Model 37's a good buy?

I have a 37 with a strange looking 8 round extension and a Choate stock.

I have it stuck under my computer work table with magnets.

Its been there for years. I should get it out and play with it some!

[Miami_JBT]

Re: Are used Ithaca Model 37's a good buy?

I've shot many a M37 and they work great. I don't own one right now but I have it's Japanese/Belgian cousin. The Browning BPS HD. It's a 20 inch Browning BPS with a full length mag tube. They were not made for a long time. Smooth as silk and fun to shoot.

[paintballmagnet]

Re: Are used Ithaca Model 37's a good buy?

Yes they are nice. I've got a 10 ga, stuck away somewhere, why I don't know- for some reason I've never really enjoyed shooting it. Survival instinct perhaps? That sucker will literally turn you in a circle when it goes off. I guesss if there is ever a hostile Big Foot invasion, I'l be well armed.

[acem]

Re: Are used Ithaca Model 37's a good buy?

I think you can still get these new. A friend who is a dealer recently had some new ones. They looked really nice. Thx-Ace

[tmojedrmrguy]

Re: Are used Ithaca Model 37's a good buy?

We have two Ithaca Model 37 pump shotguns: 12 gauge 'Basic' model manufactured in 1980 that I purchased new in 1982; and a 16 gauge standard field model manufactured in 1952 that was my father-in-law's passed on to my wife. The 12-gauge has accounted for a lot of game from many squirrels, rabbits, woodcock, pheasants to deer. It is my sure-fire 'meat gun'. It ain't 'real pretty' what with the plain walnut stock (no checkering) and parkerized metal but it gets the job done every time. The 16-gauge also accounted for a lot of game over the years and it locks up tight as new. It has a true 16 gauge sized receiver and it is a joy to carry. The workmanship is impeccable. I won't part with either gun even if I have to sell every other firearm I own. Based on my experience with Ithaca Model 37 shotguns is that I can highly recommend buying a used example providing of course no major issues. It is true that there are still new currently-manufactured Ithaca Model 37 shotguns that are very close to the 'original' but they are MUCH more expensive. I paid $242.00 for my 12 gauge example in 1982, and I believe the 16 gauge wasn't much more than $100.00 new in 1952 (a large sum of money then, to be sure).
Is the Ithaca Model 37 really better than a Remington 870 or Mossberg 500? Don't know because I haven't compared directly but based on my experiences so far I am totally pleased with the Ithaca Model 37. If you find a good one at a reasonable price grab it!

[DaveBob]

Re: Are used Ithaca Model 37's a good buy?

Didn't they make a very conceable (short barrel, NFA required) 12 ga called a "Witness Protection" model or some such? The one I saw was pretty slick.