A guy with 870 blinders on inherits a 1941, 16ga. Ithaca 37 yesterday **UPDATE**

you can slam fire all day long, it won't fall apart. another thing you can switch the safety for southpaw shooters.
 
***UPDATE***

So, I got my first opportunity to shoot the 37 yesterday! Had a buddy join me, and we headed over to a friend's farm to shoot hand-thrown clays. (those red, plastic throwers) I have to say, it is every bit as nice to shoot as I'd hoped it would be, and the #8 Winchester Super X "Game Loads" did the trick. I found recoil to be more like a 20ga. vs. a 12, though my buddy (smaller-framed) thought the opposite. I didn't want to stop shooting it, but the bottom of the box of shells came quickly! I was amazed at how far the gun ejects the empties, but wondered about how the mechanics might not be great for using this at a proper trap range.

With an 870 at the club, I'd drop the shell in the ejection port when ready to shoot. Close, shoot, clear...and leave it that way until it was my turn. The 37~after shooting, and clearing the empty (pump handle now rearward) you have to close the action to put a shell in the mag tube, then rack the pump to chamber it. More steps than using an 870, or anything really...so I can imagine getting a few crooked looks from the Krieghoff crowd. :) Not overly concerned about taking it to a club...the 37 will end-up in the bush come late September!

On a side note (and I will get photos this week)...I removed he barrel to clean/inspect~all clear/shiny goodness. The mag tube cap seemed way to stiff, so, I removed it...the spring and follower~this was a good idea. Threads on the mag cap, and mag tube were gummed-up with oily residue. The mag spring had some surface rust, rusty dirt came out with it....enough in the tube that the follower almost jammed. Stranger yet, there was a wood dowel pinned TO the open end of the follower to limit capacity. The pin that held it there was badly bent, making the dowel exit it pretty crooked. Once cleaned-up (that took some time!), re-lubed and re-assembled...everything worked flawlessly. Held 2 in the tube, follower moved easily/freely.

Bottom line~I'm a fan. Not scrapping my 870s any time soon, but this gun was a real treat to shoot!
 
.22LRGUY said:
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Bottom line~I'm a fan. Not scrapping my 870s any time soon, but this gun was a real treat to shoot!
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Glad that you like it. They are a fantastic gun. The Remington field loads have some kick to them, I prefer the Federal loads but the price difference makes the Remington loads more appealing ($9.99 vs $13.99 respectively).

I wouldn't worry about the ejection either. Just open it with a bit less force and they will fall right down.

CoryTheCowboy said:
Here's some single loading tips. Not that practical in the field (IMO), but for trap shooting, it might be the trick.

Cory
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That video makes it look as simple as loading any side eject pump gun.
 
Slam fire at your own risk. Ron Sharpe, possibly the best Ithaca gunsmith in this country and the source for Ithaca spares is currently having health issues right now.

Keep this in mind please with just so-so advice off the internet and this wonderful WWII era shotgun. Sixteen gauge M37 Ithaca forearm parts circa 1941, are not exactly common trade goods these days.

have a good day.......;)
 
I even used a 12 gauge M87 Turkeyslayer for hares just once. It was sssooo darn easy, it felt like cheating so it hasn't been used since.

truth!

Edit: Cheap #4 Canucks and the extra full choke at a measured off 55 yards!

The OP better have room in his freezer. :)
 
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Really, really, REALLY hard to beat this shotgun for grouse and rabbits or any upland game for that matter. I inherited mine, and it will leave "from my cold dead hands".

Not sure why people dislike the bottom eject, open the action, slide a shell straight into the chamber, close. A little practice and you don't have to flip the gun over.

Shoot it and enjoy.
 
Great for shooting the empties too, Tilt gun back pump, the empty launches in the air, and gives you a nice target to shoot. (push the slide forward as you line up for the shot, not while the barrel is aimed behind you please...
 
Still not quite sure you know what came your way :d

There are two vintage pump guns generally known as 'magic wands' in the upland game, one is the m37 in sixteen gauge, the other is a sixteen gauge model 12, which is what I have in my rotation.

The M12 slam fires also, but I have never tried to, and have no reason to, but that's just me.

Let us know how she works out for ya!

D.
 
zoli 16ga. said:
Still not quite sure you know what came your way :d

There are two vintage pump guns generally known as 'magic wands' in the upland game, one is the m37 in sixteen gauge, the other is a sixteen gauge model 12, which is what I have in my rotation.

The M12 slam fires also, but I have never tried to, and have no reason to, but that's just me.

Let us know how she works out for ya!

D.
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Thanks zoli 16ga.~I think I'm starting to figure it out. ;) I'm hoping the "magic" in this gun helps me find a few grouse within shotgun range this coming fall. The 870s have really dropped the ball in the last couple of years! On a more serious note, I'm thrilled to have it from a sentimental POV alone. Having now put 25 rounds through it shooting clays with it...I know it will be the gun I start grouse season with.
 
If anyone is looking for an Ithaca in 16 I know where one is hiding.
Not the prettiest gal around, but the price reflects it.
No, I don't own it.
Had it in my hands a week or so back.
They sure operate nice and slick.
 
jparent said:
Really, really, REALLY hard to beat this shotgun for grouse and rabbits or any upland game for that matter. I inherited mine, and it will leave "from my cold dead hands".

Not sure why people dislike the bottom eject, open the action, slide a shell straight into the chamber, close. A little practice and you don't have to flip the gun over.

Shoot it and enjoy.
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No disrespect but I'm the exact opposite- after owning and shooting them i don't know why anyone would want to shot one after shooting a nice wingmaster!:p
Cat
 
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catnthehatt said:
No disrespect but I'm the exact opposite- after owning and shooting them i don't know why anyone would want to shot one after shooting a nice wingmaster!:p
Cat
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That's interesting. My Wingmaster is a 20ga. large-frame gun, so more 12ga-ish than one of the 20ga. LWs. However, the 37 is a bit of an eye-opener for me, and it would seem that I can shoot it pretty well. (never know until you try) Admittedly, I always thought the 37s were ugly ducklings compared to the 870s (even my vintage 11-48s) but having handled/shot one, I can't help but think it's a nicer gun for long carries. Points & shoots at LEAST as well as my Remingtons. With only 25 through it, I'm reluctant to say "better"....but it was keeping up with the Remingtons...and I have almost 3 decades under the belt shooting those! I think if it wasn't meant to be, there would be more of a learning curve with this 37.

Yeah..I'm over thinking it. :)
 
.22LRGUY said:
That's interesting. My Wingmaster is a 20ga. large-frame gun, so more 12ga-ish than one of the 20ga. LWs. However, the 37 is a bit of an eye-opener for me, and it would seem that I can shoot it pretty well. (never know until you try) Admittedly, I always thought the 37s were ugly ducklings compared to the 870s (even my vintage 11-48s) but having handled/shot one, I can't help but think it's a nicer gun for long carries. Points & shoots at LEAST as well as my Remingtons. With only 25 through it, I'm reluctant to say "better"....but it was keeping up with the Remingtons...and I have almost 3 decades under the belt shooting those! I think if it wasn't meant to be, there would be more of a learning curve with this 37.

Yeah..I'm over thinking it. :)
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Here's the bottom line on any gun- if you LIKE it, then it doesn't matter who thinks what about it!!:p
To be fair I dunno why I own so many Wingmasters- I hardly ever shoot even one of them and would never think of taking one afield!!
But the fact remains that there are no less than 5 of the higher end TB's and TC's in my gun vault!?:confused:
Cat
 
zoli 16ga. said:
Still not quite sure you know what came your way :d

There are two vintage pump guns generally known as 'magic wands' in the upland game, one is the m37 in sixteen gauge, the other is a sixteen gauge model 12, which is what I have in my rotation.

The M12 slam fires also, but I have never tried to, and have no reason to, but that's just me.

Let us know how she works out for ya!

D.
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Two caveates to that, the older M37 in 20 gauge (2 3/4) and the more recent M37 in 28 gauge.
 
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