Ithaca Model 37 Tactical Build

Greetings,

I haven't had a chance to take it to the range so I can't say how it does with slugs, but I have 3 boxes of Remington 2 3/4 sluggers to try out and when I do , I will let you know.

As for the slam fire, I do not think it can. I tried it with some dummy rounds and it didn't want to cycle. Pity, I really liked that about my Norc 1897.

Dan, not so worried about the foreend, more concerned with the stock. I like the stock it comes with, but I am a tinkerer, so I will eventually change it out.

So far, I am happy with the purchase, feeds and ejects some crappy old paper hull shells I have lying around as dummy shells. Seems smooth and solid to me. We shall see how much I like it after I get a chance to make it go boom for real.

Thanks,

Matt
 
well pf, i also have an ithaca m87 (same as m37) I have had one hell of a time trying to find aftermarket parts for it. i recieved the gun with a pistol grip on it, and didnt really like it due to aiming and control issues, so i went looking for a stock all over.... i contacted ron sharpe and he wanted 159$ for a stock... since i am cheap i thought it was a bit much.... so i got ahold of ithaca directly and got one for 100$. however trying to find aftermarket tactical parts for ithaca is next to impossible. at least i found it difficult and just decided to not bother and wished i had bought an 870 however i would like a rear sight for it. neways just my 2 cents. good luck, and let me know if you find a good source for ithaca tactical stuff.
 
Rob; I agree, finding parts is a pain, but I like a good challenge, and I'm not one to shy away from a project just because it's "hard" or "uncommon"... besides, I find it so much more satisfying when I manage to complete a project like this, especially if I have to figure a lot of it out myself... even more so if it looks good.

As for a source for Ithaca tactical parts... well, depending on how this project goes, that may be me. :D Anything I learn through the build, I'll post here...
 
Last edited:
Well... now that IS an interesting development. Assuming these are going to be available for purchase separately, and soon, I forsee a spike in Ithaca Model 37 prices on the EE. Thanks for the link Dan...

I've emailed Ithaca to ask about this stock... whether it'll be available on its own, possible release date, and whether it'll be an option for the Canadian market... so I'll keep everyone posted on what they say.

I've gotta say, it's a funny time for this to come up... I just started working on a mockup of a pistol grip "frame" for my folding stock...

On an unrelated topic: I was initially a little skeptical about replacing the bluing on the metal bits, but I've since then decided that I want to paint it. I'm already doing all this other work to it, and it's my gun, so why not? I want to get rid of the scene on the sides of the receiver too... I'm thinking Bondo might be a quick and dirty way of doing it... I'm sure it'll stand up to the elements, and you won't be able to tell once it's been sanded and painted. Any experience with this? And secondly, would a regular high-heat paint work on the barrel? I'm thinking something like Tremclad BBQ paint, or engine enamel, or brake caliper paint... I'd like to do a charcoal colour, and (depending on how that looks) possibly try an urban camo look, but I'd rather not spend the $100+ on four cans of Arma-Coat until I had a chance to try it out.
 
Last edited:
Dark Alley Dan said:
OK, here's an interesting development...

http://ithacagun.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=5

Innards, straight from the factory, including "slide tubes".

Watch the tail end of the video - nice stock, no?
http://ithacagun.com/

Wonder if they will ship to Canada?
Click to expand...

ithaca can ship certain items to canada, i bought a butt stock and front grip from them and they delivered it to my door in toronto for around 130$ canadian shipped.....just speak with jeremiah in service at ithaca gun
 
Here is my ongoing Ithaca project - Perhaps it might give you an idea on how you may want yours to look like.

As what you are seeing I wanted it to look like the Ithaca 37 Stakeout. 4 + 1

Im going to make a change with the pistol grip cuz with even a single point sling pushed tight its difficult to control it in "slam fire" mode ( I use this for practical shotgun )

What Im going to do is order the choate folding synthetic stock(see other pic) from combatstocks.com for $99.00 USD as a bonus they will include a syn foregrip which I can convert to a stakeout foregrip.

Problem is they cant ship till Jan 2011 - no biggy its not like I have a deadline for my project - its always work in progress !


Other minor changes I want is for me to tap holes on top of the receiver so I can attach a picatinny rail and optics of my choice later.


k118818_shotgunUSIthacaStakeout20gauge275slidea.jpg


choate_ithaca37_folder.jpg
 
I was considering a similar stock, but I'm still debating whether I want a side-folder... although, for $100, it's not a bad price. Have you ordered it yet, or are you waiting until shipping is available? I'm curious as to the total cost of getting that stock, after conversion/shipping/taxes... my assumption would be about $150, give or take. That's actually how much I'm hoping to spend on machine work for a basic top-folding stock, and then doing the finishing and such myself. I'm still working on a basic design for the pistol grip though.

Which, brings me to this: How do you find the angle on that pistol grip? Is it relatively comfortable to shoot from the hip or out in front of you, and how does it feel (without shooting) when you bring it close to you, as if you were shouldering an attached stock?
 
Brutus said:
IIRC, about 1978 for the 12 gauge 3", and the 20 gauge 3" capable was almost a year later. ...
Click to expand...

Thanks for that. :)

Would you also happen to know how to establish whether an Ithaca 37 is 3" or a 2-3/4" capable when the barrel is missing?

I know there's a slight difference in firing pins and the slide and the slide tube, but how can I tell which is which without parts to compare to?

I seem to have a 3" firing pin from what I can compare to the parts list on the Ithaca web store, but a receiver with a 1976 serial number. Not sure if someone swapped parts, or the 3" chambers came to be earlier than 1978.

I'm trying to figure out which I have. Never had a barrel for it and would like to find a correct one for the gun.
 
i wanna put my ithaca up on this forum but cant for some reason,.... anyone wanna help? maybe i c an email them the pic and they can post it? very proud of my ithaca..... :)
 
easy said:
Thanks for that. :)

Would you also happen to know how to establish whether an Ithaca 37 is 3" or a 2-3/4" capable when the barrel is missing?

I know there's a slight difference in firing pins and the slide and the slide tube, but how can I tell which is which without parts to compare to?

I seem to have a 3" firing pin from what I can compare to the parts list on the Ithaca web store, but a receiver with a 1976 serial number. Not sure if someone swapped parts, or the 3" chambers came to be earlier than 1978.

I'm trying to figure out which I have. Never had a barrel for it and would like to find a correct one for the gun.
Click to expand...
No problem!

If it's an older Ithaca, and made beween the years 1978-1986, the Chief Engineer one R.F. Smith ordered the serial number concluded with "MAG" at the end of the serial number on the receiver.
This was before the General Recreation Company declared bankruptcy and closed it's Ithaca factory doors in 1986.
(also the magnum receiver is about 1/4 inch longer & the fore-arm attachment bar as well)

Differing parts between models:
Receiver, carrier, slide bar, hammer, slide, firing pin and stock. (none of which interchange between models)

Firing pin longer for magnum model (0.165) {later shortened to about 0.115}
Not interchangeable with standard model.

In 1987 under the Niel family purchase, thus recreating the company under the Ithaca Aquisition Company at King's Ferry, just down the road from the original factory. The Model 37 became the Model 87, and those Ithacas produced then had the prefix of "MAG" before the serial number.

This time I had to consult the book.
Cheers! :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom