Port loading the Ithaca 37

870P

870P

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A lot of folks will tell you that you can't port load the chamber on bottom eject pumps like you can side eject models. Not true, however doing it in a time competitive manner does take a bit more practice.

(Bear in mind that I'm right handed and load my shotguns weak hand when they're in the shouldered position, YMMV.)

I found its best to bring the shell up at a 45° angle until it hits the roof of the receiver, and only then slide it foward into the chamber. If you try to push it foward too early its very likely to get snagged on the sharp edges presented on the junction between magazine tube and barrel.

Placing the shell thus is definately slower than slapping into a side ejection port, however you make up for some of that lost time when you get back on the fore end, with the Ithaca it'll be right there in front of your hand, on the same plane, vs having to reach over or under the gun to get back on it.

Thoughts?
 
I have been there and done that :)

I had a Browning BPS with a 19" barrel that I used for bear / hunting defence. I would practice with it constantly, and always told myself it was just as good. I liked it because of the better craftsmanship and that fact that bear don't regroup and counter attack, so reloading probably wasn't necessary.

That being said, I currently own a 870 Police with +2 ext, and my BPS is sold.

It really is that much faster.
 
For me at least there's not much of a speed difference, maybe 10-15%, and it's easier to load the magazine on the Ithaca than most other tube fed shotguns.
 
I'm not trying to convince myself, but rather point out to others that one of the biggest supposed disadvantages to the bottom eject guns is largely a myth.

Granted it is a bit harder to do a slug select drill compared to the 870, but outside of gun schools and competition, how often are quick slug swaps needed anyway?
 
I think I recently read something about this...someone mentioned there is a spot in the forend travel where the shell lifter is at about 45 degrees up, so dropping a shell on to it at that point will allow the shell to slide down nicely towards the chamber, like a ramp.

As much as I like the Ithacas, having an open port to drop a shell into is easier no doubt.

There is a gunsmith in the US who cuts a port in Ithacas...not the best looking setup but probably functional. Armed with this picture, can't see why a smith here in Canada couldn't duplicate it.

qctBFcm.jpg






870P said:
A lot of folks will tell you that you can't port load the chamber on bottom eject pumps like you can side eject models. Not true, however doing it in a time competitive manner does take a bit more practice.

(Bear in mind that I'm right handed and load my shotguns weak hand when they're in the shouldered position, YMMV.)

I found its best to bring the shell up at a 45° angle until it hits the roof of the receiver, and only then slide it foward into the chamber. If you try to push it foward too early its very likely to get snagged on the sharp edges presented on the junction between magazine tube and barrel.

Placing the shell thus is definately slower than slapping into a side ejection port, however you make up for some of that lost time when you get back on the fore end, with the Ithaca it'll be right there in front of your hand, on the same plane, vs having to reach over or under the gun to get back on it.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...
 
cantom said:
I think I recently read something about this...someone mentioned there is a spot in the forend travel where the shell lifter is at about 45 degrees up, so dropping a shell on to it at that point will allow the shell to slide down nicely towards the chamber, like a ramp.

As much as I like the Ithacas, having an open port to drop a shell into is easier no doubt.

There is a gunsmith in the US who cuts a port in Ithacas...not the best looking setup but probably functional. Armed with this picture, can't see why a smith here in Canada couldn't duplicate it.
Click to expand...

You have to take it out of your shoulder and flip it over to do that though, so its not time efficient.

I wouldn't want a side port on my Ithaca, what I would want is the bottom port opened up a bit.

Between raising the port walls even a little bit and the extra port length provided by the 3" guns (mine's 2.75"), it would make things a lot easier.
 
What's the hurry..... :)
It's way faster then a muzzle loader or single shot!

Get a detachable magazine model with a side port if you want to race.
 
cantom said:
I think I recently read something about this...someone mentioned there is a spot in the forend travel where the shell lifter is at about 45 degrees up, so dropping a shell on to it at that point will allow the shell to slide down nicely towards the chamber, like a ramp.

As much as I like the Ithacas, having an open port to drop a shell into is easier no doubt.

There is a gunsmith in the US who cuts a port in Ithacas...not the best looking setup but probably functional. Armed with this picture, can't see why a smith here in Canada couldn't duplicate it.

qctBFcm.jpg
Click to expand...

What a terrible thing to do to an Ithaca... absolute butchery. If you came to me to do it, I wouldn't...

but there are 'gunsmiths' who will do anything...
 
Can-down said:
What's the hurry..... :)
It's way faster then a muzzle loader or single shot!

Get a detachable magazine model with a side port if you want to race.
Click to expand...

Its good knowing that you can always get one one more round in the gun, ready to go, quickly. If nothing else its a fun skill to practice.

As for detachable mags, they're meh to me outside of certain specific purposes. One of the things I like about tube fed guns is that they are typically slick, handy and well balanced, you lose that with box mags.
 
870P said:
Its good knowing that you can always get one one more round in the gun, ready to go, quickly. If nothing else its a fun skill to practice.

As for detachable mags, they're meh to me outside of certain specific purposes. One of the things I like about tube fed guns is that they are typically slick, handy and well balanced, you lose that with box mags.
Click to expand...

I totally agree about mag fed shotguns, but if the goal is fast reloads it's hard to argue.
My point is who cares if the mod 37 can't be port loaded as fast as Mossberg 590 or Rem 870 or any other side ejecting shotgun?
If it's critical to your job or you anticipate that making the difference in a life and death situation then..... get a 590.

It does make sense to practice and get proficient with what ever platform you decide to run.
 
Can-down said:
I totally agree about mag fed shotguns, but if the goal is fast reloads it's hard to argue.
My point is who cares if the mod 37 can't be port loaded as fast as Mossberg 590 or Rem 870 or any other side ejecting shotgun?
If it's critical to your job or you anticipate that making the difference in a life and death situation then..... get a 590.

It does make sense to practice and get proficient with what ever platform you decide to run.
Click to expand...

I respect the hell out of the 590, but the Ithaca is better in many respects.
 
870P said:
I respect the hell out of the 590, but the Ithaca is better in many respects.
Click to expand...

I agree but as you pointed out in your first post.....not when it comes to "port loading".
:)

I just don't think it matters much to most of us that the Ithaca is a bit slower.
 
I love my Ithaca 37 something fierce...but it's far from a great shooter. She's an amazing field gun, but in that role, speed is not an issue. Keeps the dirt out, super light weight, and she's slicker than goose sh*t. That said, if I'm not upland, I'll take an 18 inch 870 in a heartbeat.

On, and the 37 is just plain ###y. Mine's a blued '59 in riot format.
 
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