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I just purchased my first shot gun, an Ithica 37 12 ga 2 3/4 inch, with a 30 inch full choke barrel. I honestly know nothing about shot guns, I just could not turn down the price. What type/kind of shells can I put through it?

Thanks
 
Mike Webb said:
Any 12 gauge 2 3/4 inch load just avoid steel shot to avoid choke damage.
Ithaca's are fine shotguns, I've owned a couple.
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This is the second time I was told not to use steel shot. The first time, I was reluctant. Thank you for sharing it. I have the same shotgun.

I was also told not to shoot slug.
 
The Ithaca Model 37 is a great shotgun.In the older shotguns steel shot should not be used.

In my opinion it would not hurt to shoot a few lead slugs through the shotgun but I would not want to give it a steady diet of them.
 
If you are a "south-paw" the Ithica is very nice due to it's bottom ejection. IMHO, the gun's only minor short comings are that you must remove the butt stock in order to strip the action, and if you wish to switch loads, it is not as handy to retract a shell from the chamber and drop in one of another type as it is with side ejecting pumps.

Your steel shot/slug concerns can be resolved by cutting the barrel off behind the choke and threading the bore for removable chokes. While this is best done by a gunsmith, it is not horribly expensive. If it was me, I would install a better (softer) recoil pad, with large screw recesses so that you do not risk damage to the pad which must be removed for maintenance and cleaning of the gun. I think the KICK-EEZ Special Purpose might be a good choice for the Ithica.
 
Please do NOT cut the barrel!!! Have it reamed to MOD which will give you a full choke pattern with most steel loads.

Regards,
Henry;)
 
Thanks

Thanks guys. Its a great looking gun, and from what I have read they are solid guns, and I am glad to have it. I just wanted to make sure I treat it right. Now I just need to find some where to shot it in Brampton.
 
28 gauge said:
The Ithaca Model 37 is a great shotgun.In the older shotguns steel shot should not be used.

In my opinion it would not hurt to shoot a few lead slugs through the shotgun but I would not want to give it a steady diet of them.
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I'd avoid slugs altogether unless he buys a slug barrel (or barrel with choke tubes) just to be safe.

I agree some slugs "should" be OK but it really depends on the type of slug and the actual choke restriction in his gun. Full choke in one gun may not be full in another. It could be extra full which would not like a solid copper slug one bit.

A friend of mine is a gunsmith and recently showed me a barrel that fired one too many slugs. Split from the muzzle half way to the chamber. Customer told him it had fired several slugs before with no problems.
 
They make a great slug gun.

There is no disconnector in the trigger group so if you hold the trigger down every time you slam the slide forward the gun will fire.
 
I cut the barrel of a Model 37 to a few inches above legal length so I would not have to answer to "you know who".
The gun shoots steel up to BB quite well, and is really great with lead buckshot and slugs.
The gun zeros slugs at 75 yards which is just great.
The slam trigger is also really cool. With a little practice you can feel confident if you were in close quarters with a hair pig.
 
Depending on the age of the gun, it can be very easy to swap out the barrel for another choke. I think this relates to guns after serial number 855,000 - double check with a quick search on shotgunworld.

Just bought a 26" barrel with IC choke for use with steel instead of the 30" Full that was on it. Picked it up from Ron Sharpe at Sharpe's Guns in Dunnville, ON. Ron said he had new barrels for the Ithaca, but may have a used one for you as well.
 
hnachaj said:
Please do NOT cut the barrel!!! Have it reamed to MOD which will give you a full choke pattern with most steel loads.

Regards,
Henry;)
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Henry, what difference does it make? These are not normally museum quality pieces, just good solid working guns. Adjustable or interchangeable chokes make them a little more versatile, and a slightly shorter barrel often helps with balance and handling. I will concede that those who prefer longish barrels would be happier with a reamed choke, but often the owner will find that the polished surface though the reamed portion of the barrel is not up to the rest of the bore.
 
Congrats to your M37! Just love mine. It got it from a friend who bought it on 1967 but still on good condition. Everything is original except for the Limbsaver recoil pad.
IMG_0372.jpg
 
woolly said:
I'd avoid slugs altogether unless he buys a slug barrel (or barrel with choke tubes) just to be safe.

I agree some slugs "should" be OK but it really depends on the type of slug and the actual choke restriction in his gun. Full choke in one gun may not be full in another. It could be extra full which would not like a solid copper slug one bit.

A friend of mine is a gunsmith and recently showed me a barrel that fired one too many slugs. Split from the muzzle half way to the chamber. Customer told him it had fired several slugs before with no problems.
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As someone once said :p, shoot slugs in a full-choked barrel and it won't stay full-choke for long...:yingyang:
 
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