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vampirejediknight |
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LJ126 |
1. RE: Ithaca Model 37
Jul 26 2011, 3:57 PM EDT
What'dya wanna know? It's a pump action 12 gauge shotgun, most commonly available in 12 gauge and 20 gauge. It's about equal to any other pump action shotgun in terms of reliability, accuracy, and handling (when compared to shotguns with similar barrel lengths.) Pump shotguns, like most manually-operated firearms, are very reliable and function when you need them to if properly cared for and maintained.The only real distinction between the Ithaca 37 and other shotguns is that the Ithaca ejects spent husks out of the bottom of the gun, rather than the side. This is handy if you shoot Southpaw but for most of us, it's neither a positive nor a negative concern. You can pick old beat of Ithaca shotguns for around $100, if you keep an eye on local pawn shops. They're typically old turkey or duck guns. Clean it up real good, get it checked out by a gunsmith, and you're good to go. PS: If you plan on using it for zombies, might wanna figure out a way to attach a sling to it... like a lot of other shotguns, I don't think these come with swivels installed. Might be mistaken though. Do you find this valuable? |
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LJ126 |
2. RE: Ithaca Model 37
Jul 26 2011, 4:16 PM EDT
EDIT: I just realized that you stated "actual users." This is somewhat of a misnomer, and I could use some clarity - what is an "actual" user? Someone who has operated the firearm before, or someone who is intending on using it for their primary loadout? I've put about 200 rounds through one of the 8-shot 12 gauge versions of said shotgun, but I definitely don't own one nor do I expect to ever carry one...
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Filadog |
3. RE: Ithica Model 37
Jul 26 2011, 4:52 PM EDT
Original Ithaca 37 was made from 1937 till the mid 1980s when original company was sold. Think the buyers still make a copy of it.Lots of police forces for what ever reason used model 37s and the US military did too though a US military 37 is a pretty uncommon gun, a trench 37 is probably worth 5G and many fakes out there I've had a couple 37s over the years and they are good shotguns I guess though I think the bottom eject makes for a more complicated design. I've hunted with a couple new shooters that used a model 37 and because they short stroked the pump they would jam them. Because of the bottom eject this was a much worse jam then what you would get in say a remington 870 Because of this probably not a good newbie gun maybe. Seems to me you see more that have cracked butt stocks then you would on 870s or other pump shotguns If you came across one for a good price I'd say pick it up but if I had a choice between it and a Remington 870 I'd take the 870 Do you find this valuable? |
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vampirejediknight |
4. RE: Ithica Model 37
Jul 26 2011, 6:56 PM EDT
Okay, so what about the pistol grip on the Stakeout version? I heard from a friend of mine who's in the army that shotgun pistol grips are pretty good, but what about you guys. What do you think.As for what an actual user is, I just mean someone who has experience with the gun rather than those like me who only know it from the internet or something. Also, would you say it's as good as, for instance, a Mossberg 500. Do you find this valuable? |
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vampirejediknight |
5. RE: Ithica Model 37
Jul 26 2011, 6:57 PM EDT
One other thing, who knows which version of the Ithica is best, I was thinking of an 8 round, 20'' barreled Defense, but how many rounds are in a Stakeout or Deerslayer?
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Sharpie41 |
6. RE: Ithica Model 37
Jul 26 2011, 7:38 PM EDT
This is just guessing, but I doubt the Ithaca would be worse, its probably the sane in terms of reliability.I THINK the cap for the stakeout is 4, don't quote me though Do you find this valuable? |
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Filadog |
7. RE: Ithica Model 37
Jul 26 2011, 8:38 PM EDT
| Post edited: Jul 26 2011, 8:39 PM EDT
lots of Mosseberg shotguns out there and from most reports they are dependable guns.I have a Mossberg 500 riot with the heat shield, never gave me any trouble but I consider it a cheap gun. not very well finished and good many plastic parts. An old Ithaca 37 would be a better made gun as would a remington 870 Mossberg parts like barrels are very cheap and common By pistol grip stocks are you talking about plastic stocks that have a pronouced pistol grip? I've shot these and I think they are mainly for the tacticool armchair commando crowd, I sure couldn't see the advantage. I actually like a shotgun with a very scant or even no pistol grip If you are talking about just having a pistol grip and no butstock these make it very hard to shoot a shotgun at all effectively and are only good for very specialised jobs Get an 870 and leave the wood stock on it that came with it. If you got to spend money get some good rifle sights for shooting slugs and a sling Do you find this valuable? |
John_234 |
8. RE: Ithica Model 37
Jul 26 2011, 10:12 PM EDT
Ithaca 37s are unique guns. Like Winchesters, they have a very smooth action, which is part of why people like them. They have the workable Remington cross-bolt safety. They are ambidextrous but... I don't know any southpaws who have trouble with conventional shotguns, to be honest.The big flaw to the system is that you can't do any of the neat tricks you're used to on a normal shotty. No emergency reloads, no easy jam clearances and easy chamber checking. So as far as first shotguns go, it's not that great. Mossbergs, Remingtons, similar in use, differing in controls. A lot of people like Mossberg controls as they're easier to reach, but find Remingtons rattle less and are finished better. Otherwise, it's just preference. Pistol grip stocks are pretty useless for most. They make it impossible to aim without losing some teeth (generally, I wouldn't risk it) and are very tough on the wrist. Your Army friend probably likes it because the military uses them for blowing doors, and the shotgun isn't a primary weapon. Do you find this valuable? |
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vampirejediknight |
9. RE: Ithica Model 37
Jul 27 2011, 8:33 PM EDT
He says it makes them easier to turn and pivot, which seems somewhat strategic, but I imagine they'd be a little tough on the wirst, and most survivalists here seem to think they're junk.Really I think the Defense with the 20'' and 8 shots would be my preference. I'd like to know about the others, though. Thanks to all for the information. Do you find this valuable? |
OutlawJames |
10. RE: Ithica Model 37
Jul 27 2011, 9:09 PM EDT
| Post edited: Jul 27 2011, 9:35 PM EDT
I have an Ithaca 37 Featherleight that was left to me by my father when he passed 10 years ago.It was his gun of choice when my Brother father and I shot trap competatively. He never had a jamb I can recall, it was very dependable. I still use it for Grouse and Pheasant hunting on occasion. They are not really any more complicated than a Remy 870, the big difference is thay have a split fork carrier rather than a solid carrier. I am a southpaw, but like John said I never had a major problem with the right side ejection from my 870. So the bottom eject is not a big advantage for me, although all my empty hulls are at my feet rather than somewhere off to my right. Do you find this valuable? |
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John_234 |
11. RE: Ithica Model 37
Jul 27 2011, 10:37 PM EDT
Also keep in mind the classic Featherlights are not the same as the modern ones. They work well, but the defense guns have non removable barrels, lack the reinforcing strut of old models, etc. I mean it's not a huge concern on an HD gun, but lack of quick change barrel can be annoying when you want to shoot slugs or whatnot.
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Markthegenius |
12. RE: Ithica Model 37
Jul 31 2011, 7:23 PM EDT
Isn't that gun in Resident Evil 5?
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vampirejediknight |
13. RE: Ithica Model 37
Jul 31 2011, 8:53 PM EDT
I think I'm getting a Maverick 88 shotgun. Thanks for the information on the Ithaca.Requesting lock, unless someone else has something important to say. Do you find this valuable? |
oldannyboy37 |
14. RE: Ithica Model 37
Jul 31 2011, 9:05 PM EDT
"Isn't that gun in Resident Evil 5?"Yeah it is. If you've ever seen the movie Aliens the 37 is the gun that CP. Hicks pulls and say, "I like to keep this handy for close encounters". I wanted the stake out just because of that movie when I was younger. Do you find this valuable? |
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John_234 |
15. RE: Ithica Model 37
Jul 31 2011, 10:22 PM EDT
Used in Resi Evil 5, Aliens, and a few others. In Terminator, Kyle Reese steals an Ithaca with an extended tube and saws it down for use as a "whippit" shotgun; in the sequel it's used by the police. It's used in some Vietnam films and a lot of 80s movies.
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oldannyboy37 |
16. RE: Ithica Model 37
Jul 31 2011, 11:27 PM EDT
"Used in Resi Evil 5, Aliens, and a few others. In Terminator, Kyle Reese steals an Ithaca with an extended tube and saws it down for use as a "whippit" shotgun; in the sequel it's used by the police. It's used in some Vietnam films and a lot of 80s movies."Yeah, it was kind of the token shotgun of 80s and early 90s movies. Do you find this valuable? |
