Trying to decide between Fabarm STF-12 and Ithaca 37 Defense

[870P]

Truth is they aren't quite apples to apples in the comparison department. Guess it just depends on what you want. That said, if you wanted an Ithaca, I'd buy an older one, or try to import one of the new Inland clones....they just look fun

Get a nice old 37, send it to a Smith, get it cut, cleaned up, and refinished in some thing classy. Be cool to see a well done tacticool modernization on one.

The Inland Trench Guns are just rebranded Ithacas, with the heat shield assembly being the only component that Inland might actually manufacture.

I actually prefer the Ohio guns to the old ones, at least for tactical purposes, not only is the quality better, but having the longer port meant for 3" shells is really helpful when it comes to quickly loading 2.75" shells into this design, with the Ohio guns being vastly better built than the older products were by the time they started offering them in 3".

 

[gwhysow]

No doubt on the rebrand - all about the cool factor.

As for Ohio vs Ithaca...well, let's agree to disagree Let's just agree that you should get one. They just feel so svelte.

 

[Butcherbill]

Also, in the Fabarm favor is that it accepts accessories much more readily, and what's more, is that Her Royal Vajesty, who's proudly part Italian, thinks I should choose the STF-12 over "that old farmer's gun".

Yes but I will say if you buy a Fabarm and want accessories, buy them all at the same time if you can find them. When I bought my 20” SDASS I realized TSE was the only game in town for pic rails and chokes, they had them in stock at that moment in time and I jumped on them. I kick myself for not buying a telescoping stock set as well, I haven’t looked at their site lately but it was out of stock for ages. If you see it available, buy it cause you might not get the chance for awhile. I worried at first about parts availability if something broke but it’s been solid as #### since day one, my favourite shotgun hands down. Butter smooth is the best description of it and it has a heat shield, which I’m a sucker for lol.

 

[Murray 3-D]

The cool thing about the STF 12 is pretty much all the accessories ud want or need, already come with the gun. The only things I added to mine was the side saddle and some chokes. I wouldve liked to have purchased a larger mag extension, but TSE has been dropping the ball on bringing those in for going on 4 years now.

Definitely the biggest con to the STF 12 is the fact u have to deal with TSE. That store couldn't organize a gang bang in a wh#re house. They are always out of stock and any stock coming in is usually light years away.

 

[870P]

Hopefully there will be another source of parts and accessories once the STF-12 hits the U.S. market, if it hasn't already.

 

[Butcherbill]

Definitely the biggest con to the STF 12 is the fact u have to deal with TSE. That store couldn't organize a gang bang in a wh#re house.

Hahahaha, too funny!

 

[canucklehead]

Had a couple STF 12s... I keep going back to my Fabarm Pistola. Less tactical, but short, light, easy to shoot, and smooth as butter!

 

[mclmm]

Definitely the biggest con to the STF 12 is the fact u have to deal with TSE. That store couldn't organize a gang bang in a wh#re house. They are always out of stock and any stock coming in is usually light years away.

TSEs inventory management is literally the worst, and their mid 1990's web design is straight-up tragic.

 

[Cheezz]

The cool thing about the STF 12 is pretty much all the accessories ud want or need, already come with the gun. The only things I added to mine was the side saddle and some chokes. I wouldve liked to have purchased a larger mag extension, but TSE has been dropping the ball on bringing those in for going on 4 years now.

Definitely the biggest con to the STF 12 is the fact u have to deal with TSE. That store couldn't organize a gang bang in a wh#re house. They are always out of stock and any stock coming in is usually light years away.

If you need a mag extention for a fabarm stf12 or sdass just buy a benelli nova extention from S&J they work excellent.

 

[Butcherbill]

If you need a mag extention for a fabarm stf12 or sdass just buy a benelli nova extention from S&J they work excellent.

The sdass is 7+1 from the factory, no need for a mag extension lol.

 

[enefgee]

Bud, you win the internet for 2019. Debate is over lol. That was great! Chief James "Patches" Watson.

The man himself, an absolute legend, planks in 2 SEAL Teams (2 and 6) one of the original SEALS, and a hell of a nice guy. Met him once at the museum. The real thing, and more. A sad day when he passed.

 

[gwhysow]

The man himself, an absolute legend, planks in 2 SEAL Teams (2 and 6) one of the original SEALS, and a hell of a nice guy. Met him once at the museum. The real thing, and more. A sad day when he passed.

Wow - what an honor. It's amazing how such an experience can give you a greater appreciation of the man, and bring so much color to the experiences. Very cool.

 

[FLYBYU44]

Having owned both I would go Ithaca myself, but the Fabarm is a great gun as well. I guess I just like the old school cool of the Ithaca, and it is very smooth. Mine was a new 5 shot defender model, on the list of guns I should have never parted with.

 

[Cheezz]

The sdass is 7+1 from the factory, no need for a mag extension lol.

Ran a 2+ on my 20" SDASS to level up the Breacher/ brake. Actually ran extentions on all 14 Fabarms ive owned other than the 2 SAT8's ive owned.

 

[ADK]

The man himself, an absolute legend, planks in 2 SEAL Teams (2 and 6) one of the original SEALS, and a hell of a nice guy. Met him once at the museum. The real thing, and more. A sad day when he passed.

Nice. Decent book he wrote as well.

 

[Murray 3-D]

If you need a mag extention for a fabarm stf12 or sdass just buy a benelli nova extention from S&J they work excellent.

Wow I'll definitely remember that ! Thanks, I've since traded my STF 12 to a buddy but I'll still let him know.

Mine was a 16" barreled model and they all come out of the box with only a +1 extension. I definitely have room for like a + 3 extension.

ONE DAY. I asked TSE if they had any extensions in stock and much to my surprise they said YES.

The guy then proceeded to hand me a +1 one extension.... ummm the shotguns already come out of the box with a +1 .... !??#$% what kind of store does that ? Orders in a whole bunch of accessories that a firearm already comes with lol.

 

[870P]

^^^
Some of the derp may be due to Fabarm, who seem clueless if the emails I've sent them were any indication. In fact, pretty much every Italian gun maker I've ever dealt with has been clownshoes in some respects.

Anyway, James Watson's Pointman book is what actually got me into Ithaca 37s.

I wish I could have met him.

 

[Vertebrae]

*Laughs in Cong slayer*

I'll raise you a "Patches holding an 870 alongside his Sweetheart".

Just because it gets issued to you, doesn't mean it's always the best.

 

[Cheezz]

Whos got those duck bill muzzle device's? Are they legal in Canada? Would love to see how a pattern of OO buck would be.

 

[870P]

I'll raise you a "Patches holding an 870 alongside his Sweetheart".

Just because it gets issued to you, doesn't mean it's always the best.

That's an 887, and Vietnam era SEALs could use pretty much any equipment they wanted, either issued or otherwise.

Whos got those duck bill muzzle device's? Are they legal in Canada? Would love to see how a pattern of OO buck would be.

There are several models that are long out of production, but a modern version is offered by a company called Paradigm SRP. These were offered in Canada by one of sight sponsors years ago, although I don't know if they're still available.