Likely going to need to try and find either an Ithaca 87 or the newer 37's to get a 3" chamber. Like Maritime Storm said Full choke is by far the most common, it was a very versatile choke when lead was the only shot to be encountered. Spreader loads could be made for upland if needed, waterfowl and turkey it would serve equally well for and even buckshot and rifled slugs would get the job done when called upon. Unfortunately we had nontoxic shots forced upon us (many are harder than lead) and unfortunately in some cases bad things happen when its fired through an older fixed full choke.
Ithaca Model 37
- Thread starter FLYBYU44
- Start date
Likely going to need to try and find either an Ithaca 87 or the newer 37's to get a 3" chamber. Like Maritime Storm said Full choke is by far the most common, it was a very versatile choke when lead was the only shot to be encountered. Spreader loads could be made for upland if needed, waterfowl and turkey it would serve equally well for and even buckshot and rifled slugs would get the job done when called upon. Unfortunately we had nontoxic shots forced upon us (many are harder than lead) and unfortunately in some cases bad things happen when its fired through an older fixed full choke.
I have 2. Both featherweight. Both 12 ga. One has been cut to 26" cyl an the other is a factory mod 28" that was my first shotgun. The stock was cut and now it's to short. I'd love a straight stock and a fellow cgn member says he can make me one. I'm in search of a blank but have to many projects on the go. When our dollar comes back ill buy a new 28 ga field with exhibition wood. Love the 37
I kind of want to find a 20gauge one with chokes now, shame there is no dealer in Canada. I could have bought a 20 guage off a dealer that was selling out a while ago, but didn't want to spend the money on a gun I hadn't even seen before (maybe I am part of the problem then). I have taken my 12 guage out trap shooting several times now and am averaging 22/25 now, pretty decent.
madtrapper143
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Steep Rock Lake NWO
To me the older 37 is a sleeper, meaning they are very under rated which is a good thing because it keeps the prices low. I like how narrow butt stock and the corn cob fore end is compare to a Mossberg 500 or Winchester model 12. The 37 has the history and had even fought in some of the same wars as the model 12. Bottom eject is way cool because it keeps all of me shells in a neat pile for reloading and I can't believe that no one mention the slam fire capability yet... I am a mess when it comes to slam fire but it is fun and adds another level of cool. My 37 is still my go to gun on the farm and with close to 180 to chose from, it saids a lot about the old Ithaca.
Love the bottom ejection too, and you can very easily load one in the chamber despite people saying you can't. The only feature I prefer on the BPS is the tang safety. I'm not sure how Browning gets the BPS to weigh as much as it does, the M37 is solid steel and it feels much lighter than the BPS.
madtrapper143
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Steep Rock Lake NWO
The weight difference is in the receiver size(length) and barrel wall thickness. I, too like the BPS tang safety.
Darryl
I briefly had a 1957 model that I quickly fell in love with before it had a parts breakage that had me return it to the dealer.
I need to find another. ...I might even consider a new made field grade one someday if they are even imported. Wish I had jumped on one of the waterfowl ones when they were being cleared out for under $700 last fall. I just didn't appreciate at the time how lovely they were
I need to find another. ...I might even consider a new made field grade one someday if they are even imported. Wish I had jumped on one of the waterfowl ones when they were being cleared out for under $700 last fall. I just didn't appreciate at the time how lovely they were
Got this one off the EE for significantly less than that, I don't think the previous owner use it much at all because it looked NIB to me.
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
There are some reputable gunsmiths that hold many spare M37 Ithaca parts in inventory.
Gunco in Ottawa comes quickly to mind. (Too bad Mr. Ron Sharp is undergoing health care for cancer)
