Ithaca Model 37 20 gauge

MD

MD

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
13   0   0
I saw an Ithaca Model 37 20 gauge pump for sale recently.

Handled very nice.

Does anyone here have one or have an opinion on this shotgun and Ithaca shotguns in general please?
 
I have one in 20 and 2 in 12guage. I love them all. The older ones have buttery smooth actions the newer one, still smooth but not as good as the older models. Apparently the quality of the newer models are not as good as the older. Ron Sharp of Sharps guns is an authority on them and does repairs as well. One nice feature of the 37 is the bottom eject. Not having an opening at the top prevents dirt from entering the action.
 
My first shotgun (30+ years ago) was an Ithica 37, 20ga featherweight and I still have it. Wonderful gun, pointed well and really was light. Very nice, smooth action and I have never had any problems with it.

I still remember from when I was young that it kicked pretty good with magnum loads.
 
I have an old 37 full choke, I love it, shoulders real fast. That bit about the bottom eject and reciever staying clean is right on the money, you don't have to look far for your empties. As far as I know you can't interchange barrels, so that is a consideration compared to a new 870 or 1200 etc.
 
MD said:
It's a full choke though. Isn"t that a little too tight?
Click to expand...

A quick trip to the gunsmith can open it to IC if you'd like ($40 or so) or install tubes for 100-150 or so. Don't let that Full choke stop you from buying a superbly designed and built shotgun.
 
Well I'm out of town for a month now, but if it's still for sale in a month I'll consider it again.
I think it is a 2 3/4 inch chamered gun too.
I could get a brand new 3-inch Mossberg 500 20 gauge with three chokes for the same price too, but I'll bet there's no comparison.
 
twoshots said:
I have an old 37 full choke, I love it, shoulders real fast. That bit about the bottom eject and reciever staying clean is right on the money, you don't have to look far for your empties. As far as I know you can't interchange barrels, so that is a consideration compared to a new 870 or 1200 etc.
Click to expand...

depends on how old. My father has been shooting ithaca since he was 15, so that has been 40 years. And his gun has 2 barrels. One is full and the other bought a few years later is modified.
I just bought him an Ithica autoloader 10g for deer hunting. Very nice gun.
 
I just bought a Model 37 12 ga. with 30" barrel from my Mom's uncle. He said he had it for 7 years but I'm not sure if he meant he bought it new or used 7 years ago. It is in excellent shape and operates very smooth. Being I was family, he gave me an excellent deal on it - $125. The serial # is 371866973.

Going to get back into duck hunting this fall after about a 20 year layoff. Really looking forward to it.

I also have my eye on a bolt-action Marlin 12 ga. goose gun with 36" barrel. A fellow CGN'er who lives within 2 hours of me has one - if he still has it in a few weeks time, I'll pick it up as well. DUCK'S BEWARE.
 
I have a 12guage 37.....the damn thing is ligtht,quick to aim,smooth as silk. Great shotguns. Only reason I'm selling it is because I want something to fire 3" shells as my Ithica is only 2 3/4. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one if I could get it with a 3" chanber.
 
I have one 20 and three 12 gauge. The first 12 is a DeerSlayer Police Special with the iron sighted 20 inch barrel, and I picked up two 7 shooters very recently.
The 12s are parkerized and the 20 is regular blued, all of them feed 100% of the time as long as I do not short stroke the action.
Also I am very impressed with the steel to stock fit on all of them.
I bought also bought a fully rifled barrel for the 20, from Ron Sharpe, this gun with whatever barrel you put on is a joy to carry.
Personally I prefer 12 gauge in most northern lat's but, when carrying a shotgun for bunnies and grouse, all day in the feild, there is nothing better than the twenty. It has a real lively feel to it. It seems perfectly balanced as well.

Ditto on the silky action and bottom feed/eject.

Very good choice for upland game if you do not want to spend bigger bucks on a nise sxs or over/under....Or just prefer the third, fourth or fifth shell, of course depending on the game hunted and laws concerning such.
 
Last edited:
Martin, Shooters Choice in Waterloo Ontario had a 37 in 16ga on consignment for about the last 3 or 4 months for $125 ( if I remember right the stock was cracked at the wrist). I just checked back when I saw your post and its no longer listed, but keep an eye out, they're out there.

MD, I would have had a tough time deciding between the 37 and the 500. Personally, I probably would have gone with the 500 because of the choke tubes and the fact that I like mossy's. I think the 3" vs 2-3/4" chamber in a 20ga isn't much of an issue if you aren't going to use it for deer, turkey or waterfowl (I think of my 20 as a small game/upland gun). If you get the choke opened to mod or IC, I'm guessing it will do you just fine.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom