Help me decide: Sweet or practical?

[MD]

I have a chance to buy an older Ithaca Model 37 20 gauge.

I don't have a 20 gauge at all right now and may do a little upland bird hunting in the future. Upland bird hunting is a full day's drive from here and I'll do it only ocassionally whereas duck hunting is a 40 minute drive away and I do it a lot.

My only other shotgun is a plain barrel 1957 Remington 870 in 2 3/4 inch with a fixed modified choke. I have to baby it after every salt marsh session to prevent rusting.

From October to January I do a lot of waterfowling because it is close to home.

I have been increasingly tempted to get another 12 gauge for waterfowl, but a more weather resistant one with choke tubes, three inch capable with a sighting rib. In fact I think that is what I really need more than a 20 gauge.

And the other option is that a retired hunter (he's 80 now) has offered to lend me his Browning A-5 for waterfowl, it is in 2 3/4 too but has killed lots of birds he says.

So what do I do?

Do I really need a three-inch 12 gauge for geese?

Do I really need that Ithaca?

 

[sam007]

I would say go for the browning. If the guy has shot many fowls with it, why mess with a tried and true gun?

 

[MD]

Browning

Oh I'll definitely borrow the Browning for waterfowl.

Maybe even offer to buy it if he'll part with it.

Question was whether to spend money on an old 20 or a new 12.

 

[Ahsan Ahmed]

You may also wish to check out the Baikal MP-153 semi auto since waterfowl hunting is predominant in your case.....lot of gun for the money, very rugged, Shoots 2.75 to 3.5 inch shells (not that you need anything more than 3" anyway)......offered in synthetic and 4 chokes.

 

[straightshooter]

Sounds to me like the decision is made more difficult because you've only got half the info. Since you get to borrow a perfectly good gun for waterfowl, why not try upland hunting before you make a final decision?

If you find that the birds are a little scarce out your way, or that you don't really like to drive that far, you won't be stuck with a 20 ga. (that's not the best for waterfowl by any stretch).

On the other hand, you may discover that you like it a lot. If that's the case, the Ithaca 20 would be just the ticket.

SS

 

[Claven2]

I like Ithaca 37's, especially in 20 or 16 gauge, so I would go that route

 

[Big Guy]

If you borrow the Auto 5 you will have to baby it after every use , It also only shoots 2-3/4 " shells.You aren't any further ahead than your current 870! You might offend the older gentelman by not returning the gun in the condition you got it. Waterfowl hunting is severe on a guns finish. IMHO you need to get a new shotgun, a modern 3" or 3-1/2 " in an easy care finish. Yes you do need at least a 3" gun. In the old days with lead shot a 2 3/4 " gun was fine. With steel shot you need the extra room in the shell to compensate for the ballistic inferior shot. Just my $0.02

 

[finn_ethan]

The Auto 5 barrel might not be strong fire steel shot. I have a Belgian Auto 5 that was made before steel shot was introduced and it's barrel is too weak. I won't be using it for ducks. Another thread here has a link to the Browning website that says which models are ok for steel.

I don't know much about the 20guage you're talking about but I just ordered the Mossberg 535 ATS pump in black synthetic. It'll handle everything, 2 3/4, 3 and 3 1/2" and comes with three chokes. The price can't be beat either. Ordered it from SIR mailorder.