Who is Using a 28 Gauge, This 2025-26 Hunting Season

28 gauge 2 said:
That is a good question.Their web site is still up.It lists the 28 gauge Model 37 as out of stock.It does list the Model 37 as in stock ,but with a price of over $2700 U.S. dollars.Whether these are custom guns,new stock or old stock I do not know.I know that Ithaca has been having troubles of late years.The guns of late years were made in Ohio.
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They were new firearms, made on new CNC machines. They were making a 16 gauge as well but that appears to be gone now. I have a new .12, .16, and .28, and they are quality guns.

There is a phone number to call for Canada, Alaska and Hawaii.
 
If I still have those Winchester 1 ounce lead shot #6s. My 28 Ithaca is coming along with its modified choke, next time.
Edit: 28 gauge. As I understand it, it's only one Ithaca employee with the task of turning out the 28 gauge Ithaca at Sandusky, Ohio. Initially year 2009.
They were never built at Kings Ferry. Pretty much hand built, near custom work.
Patrick, if you looked at the weight of there newest attempt at the 16 gauge, one can understand it suffered poor sales due to excessive weight. Not sure why they turned it out so heavy?? This was not a problem in 1973? Last year of production the old 16.
 
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Good luck on your next hunt with the 28 gauge Ithaca Model 37.Be sure to let us know how you do.:)I have found the modified choke, to be the best all around choke to use in the 28 gauge in the uplands.

Ithaca Ohio was going to make an ultra light version of the 16 gauge that would of been much lighter than their Ohio made standard version.From what I understand, a few of these ultra light 16 gauge guns were made ,before the ultra light 16 gauge was discontinued.I spoke with a fellow quite sometime ago ,from the U.S.of A.,who had one of these Ohio made 16 gauge ultra light guns.

Here is a link to the information on the serial numbers of the Ithaca Model 37 28 gauge guns.As you said, all 28 gauge Model 37 guns were made in Ohio.:)

https://www.novascotiahunting.com/threads/ithaca-model-37-28-gauge-serial-number-information.68039/
 
28 gauge.
I might as well share this peculiar story of how I came into possessing this small bore M37.
I believe in 2015 or 2016, I was literally driving back from Alberta oil camp.
I had been thinking about this newest Ithaca for quite some time.
On a pure whim I pulled over & called Ellwood Epps. Well. They had this one in stock second hand. Two minor blemishes. Bought it on the clerks description. Zero regrets
A few years ago. I desired to fill that intermediate bead position on the raised rib.
Well no one in Canada had this specific white bead, so I called thr Sandusky number.
Was during covide so due to shortage of 2 jabs drivers production was at a standstill.
The fella on the other end was truly bored and volunteered to search my serial number.
Turns out according to him, it was shipped out to an FFL in Florence, Tennessee.
RLC Shooting Supplies. Now closed.
Most likely an economic victim of the Wu Flu.
More to this: A good friend actually lived in Tennessee for 11 years. He said Florence is one rough little town.
Somehow this M37 made its way from Tennessee to Orillia, Ontario at Epps.
Then into my hot little paws in Alberta.
Never before have I had a shotgun's history so easily thrown into my lap. Without even seeking it out!
Thanks very much for your patience.
I am unsure if I shared this story before on this forum.
 
Forgot to mention this Ithaca enthusiats, when you purchase a new butt stock (from the Ohio factory) it's not in the same style as 1960s, 70s and 80s M37 Ithaca. The cheekpiece comb is higher exactly as such the newer 28 gauge.
It feels good at the shoulder on my circa 1971 20 gauge..
The wood a bit prettier too IMO.

Info.
 
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My 28 gauge story started way back in the mid 60's but I didn't buy my first 28g until about 50 years later. Let me explain.
When I was a young lad I used to take out my dad's shotgun to hunt with since he gave up hunting years before.
It was an old Belgium sxs 12 gauge but only one barrel worked since the other one was missing the hammer. I should tell you that I was raised on a farm and one day I was walking along a ditch on the neighbours farm, yeah there was an understanding that we could hunt on each others land. Anyways one day I found this little green shotgun hull, picked it up and it was a Remington 28 gauge paper hull and I though it was damn cute and kept that thought to myself for the next 50 years.
So one day I was browsing the internet and came across a Remington 870 express 28 gauge and that old memory from days gone by came back to me and the rest is history.
I bought that gun and couldn't believe how good of a chicken gun it was, totally surprised me, low recoil and I could swing it like a charm.
Nowadays I shoot a Stevens 555 28g. It's not a fancy gun like some of you have but I love that gun and I even shot a 25/25 of trap a few times with it. (y)
So long story short... If anyone here is thinking of getting a 28g I say go for it, you will be pleasantly surprised what this little gauge is capable off.
 
Brutus said:
28 gauge.
I might as well share this peculiar story of how I came into possessing this small bore M37.
I believe in 2015 or 2016, I was literally driving back from Alberta oil camp.
I had been thinking about this newest Ithaca for quite some time.
On a pure whim I pulled over & called Ellwood Epps. Well. They had this one in stock second hand. Two minor blemishes. Bought it on the clerks description. Zero regrets
A few years ago. I desired to fill that intermediate bead position on the raised rib.
Well no one in Canada had this specific white bead, so I called thr Sandusky number.
Was during covide so due to shortage of 2 jabs drivers production was at a standstill.
The fella on the other end was truly bored and volunteered to search my serial number.
Turns out according to him, it was shipped out to an FFL in Florence, Tennessee.
RLC Shooting Supplies. Now closed.
Most likely an economic victim of the Wu Flu.
More to this: A good friend actually lived in Tennessee for 11 years. He said Florence is one rough little town.
Somehow this M37 made its way from Tennessee to Orillia, Ontario at Epps.
Then into my hot little paws in Alberta.
Never before have I had a shotgun's history so easily thrown into my lap. Without even seeking it out!
Thanks very much for your patience.
I am unsure if I shared this story before on this forum.
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Great story to go with a great gun.after Prophet river gave up the distribution of Ithaca guns in Canada.Ellwood Epps took it over for awhile,before they to gave it up.
 
AlbertaJohn said:
My 28 gauge story started way back in the mid 60's but I didn't buy my first 28g until about 50 years later. Let me explain.
When I was a young lad I used to take out my dad's shotgun to hunt with since he gave up hunting years before.
It was an old Belgium sxs 12 gauge but only one barrel worked since the other one was missing the hammer. I should tell you that I was raised on a farm and one day I was walking along a ditch on the neighbours farm, yeah there was an understanding that we could hunt on each others land. Anyways one day I found this little green shotgun hull, picked it up and it was a Remington 28 gauge paper hull and I though it was damn cute and kept that thought to myself for the next 50 years.
So one day I was browsing the internet and came across a Remington 870 express 28 gauge and that old memory from days gone by came back to me and the rest is history.
I bought that gun and couldn't believe how good of a chicken gun it was, totally surprised me, low recoil and I could swing it like a charm.
Nowadays I shoot a Stevens 555 28g. It's not a fancy gun like some of you have but I love that gun and I even shot a 25/25 of trap a few times with it. (y)
So long story short... If anyone here is thinking of getting a 28g I say go for it, you will be pleasantly surprised what this little gauge is capable off.
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Another great story.Reminds me of how my love affair with the 28 gauge got started.Getting late, so I will tell the story another day.:)

An expensive gun, will not bag game any farther than an inexpensive one.
 
brybenn said:
RFM out of Italy. Project upland has a 3d visualization gun builder. I dont own one but I've handled a few. Well built nicely finished. They did just take a price hike recently but for a semi custom made gun I think they're still a great deal and much cheaper than a Spanish best now
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Did not know RFM is the Fausti sisters🤔 met them at shotshow 2014, they had the most beautiful booth there with guns I was afraid to pick up,just incase I dropped one!! Very beautiful ladies with huge knowledge of shotguns! I think I might get a quote for a boxlock 28ga from them as well as from Merkle. We will see were I go from there, thanks for the suggestion my friend 👍
 
zywina said:
Did not know RFM is the Fausti sisters🤔 met them at shotshow 2014, they had the most beautiful booth there with guns I was afraid to pick up,just incase I dropped one!! Very beautiful ladies with huge knowledge of shotguns! I think I might get a quote for a boxlock 28ga from them as well as from Merkle. We will see were I go from there, thanks for the suggestion my friend 👍
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Always nice to have choices .:)
 
zywina said:
Did not know RFM is the Fausti sisters🤔 met them at shotshow 2014, they had the most beautiful booth there with guns I was afraid to pick up,just incase I dropped one!! Very beautiful ladies with huge knowledge of shotguns! I think I might get a quote for a boxlock 28ga from them as well as from Merkle. We will see were I go from there, thanks for the suggestion my friend 👍
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Rfm has nothing to do with fausti
 
zywina said:
Did not know RFM is the Fausti sisters🤔 met them at shotshow 2014, they had the most beautiful booth there with guns I was afraid to pick up,just incase I dropped one!! Very beautiful ladies with huge knowledge of shotguns! I think I might get a quote for a boxlock 28ga from them as well as from Merkle. We will see were I go from there, thanks for the suggestion my friend 👍
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The Fausti Sisters ( Elena, Giovana and Barbara), daughters of Stefano Fausti, are not connected with RFM except through blood relation .
Luciano Rota was the founder founder of RFM , married Maria Fausti, of the Fausti family.
Mario Bertlolassi who is Luciano's son in law runs the company with the help of Sisi and Katia who are the daughters of Luciano and Mario.
However, it would not be inconceivable for both companies to collaborate on certain projects, or to share a gunshow booth , as the Faustis sisters themselves are marketing geniuses and have taken the company to new heights.
When I had my Dea built, Barbara Fausti herself went onto the shop floor and picked out the wood for it and its sister gun, both 28's.
They are gorgeous shotguns!
Cat
https://imgur.com/PD4127r
 
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iron cat said:
The Fausti Sisters ( Elena, Giovana and Barbara), daughters of Stefano Fausti, are not connected with RFM except through blood relation .
Luciano Rota was the founder founder of RFM , married Maria Fausti, of the Fausti family.
Mario Bertlolassi who is Luciano's son in law runs the company with the help of Sisi and Katia who are the daughters of Luciano and Mario.
However, it would not be inconceivable for both companies to collaborate on certain projects, or to share a gunshow booth , as the Faustis sisters themselves are marketing geniuses and have taken the company to new heights.
When I had my Dea built, Barbara Fausti herself went onto the shop floor and picked out the wood for it and its sister gun, both 28's.
They are gorgeous shotguns!
Cat
https://imgur.com/PD4127r
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Nice story ,cat.How did you first get into the 28 gauge love affair?:)
 
zywina said:
Did not know RFM is the Fausti sisters🤔 met them at shotshow 2014, they had the most beautiful booth there with guns I was afraid to pick up,just incase I dropped one!! Very beautiful ladies with huge knowledge of shotguns! I think I might get a quote for a boxlock 28ga from them as well as from Merkle. We will see were I go from there, thanks for the suggestion my friend 👍
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I know a man in Montana that is enamoured with the Fausti’s. He has ordered many and some specially engraved at absorbent prices.
He keeps having to gun them fixed by a gunsmith after they arrive for various reasons. His latest was a custom 20000+ gun that he took out and patterned it. Terrible patterns and did not shoot to point of aim. He has sent it back to Italy. My other friend down there, his neighbour, can’t figure out why he keeps buying their guns and then has to get them serviced.??????
 
28 gauge B. Rizzini small frame sxs double triggers. 28 gauge hammerless single shot Savage 220, Stevens 94c and a Cooey single.
Sometimes I take out a box lock AYA no. 4.
For some reason the 1939 vintage Savage is deadly with one ounce Winchester loads. It just fits me and points well with the 28 inch barrel. The 220 was only offered for two years in 1939-40.
 
28 gauge 2 said:
Nice story ,cat.How did you first get into the 28 gauge love affair?:)
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Oh jeepers, that was a bit of an accidental thing for sure!
It all started when I bought a Tikka 412s with a set of 12 gauge barrels with a pair of Briley 28 gauge tubes plus a set of 9.3x74R barrels and a quick release scope mount , all in a hard case.
I bought a flat of.28 gauge AA and figured I could hand load for the 28 cheap enough so got myself a MEC 600 mk1V Jr press, and some shot and wads .
Although the 412S was a bit heavy with the tubes in it, it was a wonderful gun to swing and shoot, and any partridge that flew up I front of it was dead with the skeet load of Longshot powder and #9's.
Looking for a lighter 28, I then bought a CZ bobwhite which was oalsi an I credible shooter. I also owned Stoegar for a bit which I gifted to a cancer survivor who was wanting to get back into bird hunting .

That would have been about 25 years ago I think.
Before that the only 28 I ever shot was a green's Iver Johnson Champion single shot in 1983 or so. I only shot it once and killed a Sharptail with it .
After the CC and Stoeger I also bought the Fausti , and special ordered another 28 gauge, thus one a Uggartechia which was totally custom ordered with thumb latch side locks, fixed chokes reversed from normal ( back trigger was the open choke), and drop and LOP to my specs .
Those guns however are long gone now , and whenever I want to use a 28 I simply drop my Briley Side Kicks into my 1878
12 gauge Westley Richards and have fun!😀
The pic is with the Tikka 412s
 

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Melvin said:
I know a man in Montana that is enamoured with the Fausti’s. He has ordered many and some specially engraved at absorbent prices.
He keeps having to gun them fixed by a gunsmith after they arrive for various reasons. His latest was a custom 20000+ gun that he took out and patterned it. Terrible patterns and did not shoot to point of aim. He has sent it back to Italy. My other friend down there, his neighbour, can’t figure out why he keeps buying their guns and then has to get them serviced.??????
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Interesting story.It does make one wonder why someone would keep buying expensive guns from the same place and always have trouble with them.Perhaps the fellow is a slow leaner .LOL
 
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