in a couple days i am going to be 69 years old. i have mixed feelings about that: i am not nuts that i am gonna be 69, but, on balance, i am happy that i am getting there. but, i digress.--
as part of becoming 69 years old i was gifted an older (that's "used" in plain english) ithaca model 37 featherlight shotgun. it is a very nice old piece, and functions slick as an oiled whistle. it locks up tight as a bank vault. it's a 12 gauge, 2 3/4" chamber, and it is probably advisable not to be shooting heavy magnum loads in it.
it handles nicely. it points well. and, loading is as easy as any pump and/or auto shotgun i have ever been around. and, they are robust. the u.s. military has, from time to time, used the model 37 and its variants as trench guns, their success in battle testament to their ruggedness and reliability.
i would modestly suggest that if you cannot figure how to get one via gift, that you simply go acquire one by purchase. i think mine is a riot gun, as it has a 20" barrel, and it is just about as handy as a gun can get inside the confines of a home. it handles and balances well, with the weight between the hands.
i am as happy as the proverbial pig in poop getting this little gun. i will never part from it.
john jay @ 03.12.2017
p.s. thank you very much, brother steve.
Woo hoo! Must have been your lucky day. They are a sweet pump gun like you say.
Amazingly light handling for an all steel weapon.
Have you tried it to see if it has a trigger disconnect?
I wanted an 18 inch model for years. My neighbor needed some cash for a run of the mill Winchester 30-30, $250, ended up taking it to the local gun show see if I could use it in a trade. A fellow had this old beat up ex state police 37, he traded straight up for the 30-30. Said the 37 had feeding problems, figured since Ithaca still sells parts, I could fix it. All it needed was a serious cleaning and it ran perfect.
Something about the 37, can't quite put my finger on it, it just points right, the action is slick and like you say, like an oiled whistle, the balance is about as perfect as can be. Kicks like a mule though with slugs. Not that I mind. I've heard using a forcing cone hand reamer to lengthen the chamber helps a lot.
It feels right regardless. Stays by the nightstand now.
Posted by: Doug | March 15, 2017 at 08:41 PM
doug:
it handles very nicely, indeed. and, it is a very strong action, the locking being into a stout all steel receiver, and it is prevented from coming out of batter because the bolt carrier rests underneath and won't allow the bolt to drop.
i betcha you could lengthen the forcing cone, and take a little of the whack out of it.
a very nice day when i got it. and, it is in beautiful shape. the bluing is very nice, no wear spots, no rust or wear spots.
i am very lucky to have it.
john
Posted by: john jay | March 15, 2017 at 09:02 PM