Ithaca M37 Defense 8 Shot - Quick Review (Updated Page 3)

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The New Ithaca M37 Defense – 8 Shot, Walnut w/20" barrel
(Also available 5-shot w/18.5” barrel, both models in synthetic or walnut stock)


First, I would like to thank Clayton of Prophet River Firearms in Alberta (www.prophetriver.com) who specializes in high quality firearms.
Prophet River is the first certified Ithaca dealer to bring these newly made guns into Canada.
Not only am I satisfied with the product, but from the service I received from Prophet River.
It was an excellent experience and I look forward to future business.

If you are at all interested in these new series of shotguns,
I suggest you get in touch with Clayton, and he will certainly help you out.
So thanks again for getting this product to me, it is exactly what I wanted.

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Total cost of the shotgun was 549.00 + tax and postage, which seems fairly competitive or as a good contender to the Remington 870 or Winchester 1300 series.
Price may be subject to change based on retailer and product availability.

Nice feeling that the only piece of plastic on this entire firearm is the magazine follower.
Ithaca has really gone above and beyond from a quality stand point.
And they actually provide personal contact information for the part owner of the new Ithaca Gun Company (Mike Farrell).
Showing that they stand behind their product, and if you are having a major problem you can talk to one of the men in charge.
All of the materials are sourced from within the USA.



Overall presentation and packaging is excellent
It arrives in a plain white box with basically just a sticker containing the information of the manufacture, make and model, serial number etc.
Fully foam lined and custom fit for the Deer Slayer series,
Contents do not move or slide and thankfully no Styrofoam flakes to clean out of the gun.

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Ithaca uses real CLP+ in their factory and it arrives oiled as any new firearm usually does.
Included is a brochure on the specific brand of cleaner they use and suggest for the gun.
The manual and contents are contained in a bubble pack which also has the sticker and serial information related to the firearm on it.
Not major but it seemed like a professional touch.

Registration card and NRA form for membership.
Fully detailed instruction manual on safety, maintenance and how to take everything apart.

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As mentioned above, also included is the personal business card of a part owner of Ithaca gun company.
Immediately gives those of us with traditional morals a good feeling,
about where the money is going and who is in charge and what exactly they are all about.
Did i mention Prophet included their card too?


There is although an unfortunate trend among Canadian shooters.
The surprising rate of people buying clones and cheap reproductions from China is obvious that consideration for things like quality and traditional morals does not exist within everyone.

However this gun will certainly please those of you who do consider those important factors of firearms.

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Based on hearing soul owner David Dlubak talk about his new Ithaca company on their website,
It’s about quality, and satisfied customers.
Using these tools hard and passing them down to the next generation.
Which is a big part of the roots of gun culture or at least the traditions that surround it.

Not like ignoring the practice of saving money for something decent, and settling for cheap, fast, and even dangerous.

The nice flat finish is gorgeous and well done, seems durable and resistant to scratching.
Walnut stocks in dull matte, give this thing a real war horse appearance.
Flip it over and the jeweled internals gleam out from within like a high quality sports car engine.

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As rugged as it seems, the fine tuned appearance of the internals.
Gives us the recognition that main components were not roughly made and thrown together.
But have been given a once over with basically a custom finish treatment.

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Right away, just from opening the box, we have only made it this far and the gun is already screaming quality, traditions and fine workmanship.
What more do we ask of a firearm! (Besides the shooting part)

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The gun has the Ithaca company logo engraved on one side, and basic model/serial number on the reverse.
The Pachmayr recoil pad is definitely high quality with a real nice feel to it. Also made in the USA and is an automatic bonus out of the box, as I know many folks who swap their existing pad for something similar.

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Action on the defense m37 is extremely sleek and has very little resistance. Slicks and Slides with ease.
The firearm is very comfortable to maneuver and cycle while still in the shoulder.
Forearm feels slightly more forward than traditional stance, but offers an excellent angle for effortless cycling.
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The 20" cylinder bore barrel feels short but yet long enough that you aren't missing out on anything.
5 shot model features a shorter barrel due to the smaller magazine tube. Which might feel more comfortable in the confines of a house, it just takes some getting used to.

I have handled both the Remington and Winchester series of shotguns that would compare to this model, and out of my opinion it doesn’t really get more rugged.
You can customize the others from here to yin-yang but if you just want a sturdy shotgun that works and will last a lifetime, why settle for fragile plastics or inferior steel ?

I’m very thankful that I decided to invest in the new Ithaca line, as I knew right away this shotgun would be with me for the rest of my days.
If you are at all considering the purchase of one of these new Ithaca Shotguns, do not hesitate.
You will not be disappointed.

This weekend I will update the review with video and shooting test results.
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Dang, that appears to be one hell of a value for only $500, to my machinist eye it makes my 870P look like a Maverick 88. I'd be willing to pay a lot more for something with a removable lugged barrel and choke tubes though, I'm going to look into it.
 
Thanks for the comments guys !
While waiting for this one to arrive, there is very limited info or photos available.

I know many satisfied customers received their guns this week, Feel free to post photos of your new Ithaca gun here.
 
Wow this review is awesome and I love the small touches put into the packing etc. this is definitely a quality item and may end up having the honor as my first shot gun :) I think I'd go with the shorter barrel though as it's primary purpose will be camping defense
 
I have the first 28 gauge Ithaca Model 37 imported into Canada on its way to me.Should have it by tomorrow or barring that early next week.

From what I have heard and read these new Ohio made Ithacas are the best built Ithaca 37's since the 1950's.

Clay at Prophet River Firearms www.prophetriver.com is a very easy person to talk with.Call him (780) 872-2865 with any questons you might have about the new Ithacas.

It is my understanding that Ithaca will introduce a 16 gauge Model 37 and an Ithaca American made O/U later this year.Some prototypes of the new O/U have been seen at gun shows in the United States.
 
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This is a great looking scattergun, I know what I will be looking to add to the safe once this dang issue with my 870 is cleared up... I don't see them on the website so I guess I will be calling there tomorrow.
 
Cylinder choke, 20" barrel and a bead sight?

How 1950's.

Nice enough looking gun though.

Nothing wrong with those on a pure defensive gun, and i like the fact that the gun is no nonsense old school, far better than the tacky cool trends of today.
 
Nice looking scattergun! I do like the Parkerizing and oiled walnut look.

My only concern is the fixed barrel would be kind of a pain for cleaning. Is there any way of getting into the magazine tube for cleaning or to clear up a kinked spring?
 
Unless the internals have changed I would say yes. Every one that I have handled has.

Then every M37 that you handled must have been manufactured before 1975 or so.

Due to a fatal shooting of an LAPD officer by his partner quite a long time ago, Ithaca changed it's internal workings so the new shotguns would not do this.
There certainly may be modified M37s that do this,(post 75) only because there owners changed them to the old style.
For example, every M87 Ithaca I handled does not 'slam fire.'
 
I wonder if these Defence models are like the the smoothbore slug guns, where there's no muzzle constriction but the barrel basically runs at full choke diameter ahead of the forcing cone? That might set them apart a bit from your typical cylinder bore setup if that's the case.
 
Very nice, I've got a 37 with a Bubba'd barrel ( 19" ) and hand carved walnut pistol grip. It's much nicer than my Mossberg 500 even without aftermarket options. But not near as nice as this one.
 
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