Ithaca shotguns

[Slater]

This particular brand is kind of an "also ran" behind Remington, Mossberg, Benelli, etc. It's still in production and (IIRC) is the longest in-production shotgun design in history - since 1937. A lot of hunters still swear by the Ithaca 37 and it's still made in the Defense model (5 or 8 round). The bottom eject feature is seen as a plus by many.

I wouldn't imagine that you'd see many Ithacas at three-gun matches and I don't know how it would hold up to extended, high round count sessions. It did seem to do OK in police and military service over the decades.

Any Ithaca fans (or enemies)?

[austinN4]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ithaca_37

http://www.ithacagun.com/defense37s.php

[mic2377]

I have a Model 37 Featherweight. It is 1960's vintage and has an untold high round count (think >5k at a minimum). It has worked 100% and is an incredibly smooth and fast action.

The one problem is that they are not particularly easy to take apart for maintenance.

[SeriousStudent]

If I recall correctly, didn't NYPD use Ithaca 37's for years?

I believe the Stakeout Unit, including the late Jim Cirillo (rest his soul) used the Ithaca 37 as well. I know we have some NYPD officers here, they could possibly shed additional light.

[Slater]

I think the Ithaca was LAPD's official shotgun for many years (?)

[Screwball]

Love mine...

https://i.imgur.com/nxZL2ZF.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/yHB3SwU.jpg

Now, if I could find a side saddle for it that isn't held on by Velcro... I'd be set. NP3+ doesn't really let things stick to it.

[26 Inf]

If I recall correctly, didn't NYPD use Ithaca 37's for years?

I believe the Stakeout Unit, including the late Jim Cirillo (rest his soul) used the Ithaca 37 as well. I know we have some NYPD officers here, they could possibly shed additional light.


I think the Ithaca was LAPD's official shotgun for many years (?)

Correct on both counts.

Jim (Cirillo) was armed with his issue Smith & Wesson M10 4-inch barrel .38 Special revolver, but he also used a matching gun as one of his back-ups, which included his personally owned Colt Cobra .38 Special 2-inch barrel and Walther PPK in .32 ACP. He was also armed with either of two types of 12-gauge shotguns – a short, double-barrel Savage or a short-barrel Ithaca Model 37

http://www.tactical-life.com/combat-handguns/lessons-from-the-stakeout-squad/

The Ithaca Model 37 riot gun was never as popular for police use as the Remington 870, but it did have some notable users. It was the standard shotgun of the LAPD for many years in what is usually referred to as the “LAPD Configuration.” These Ithacas had 18- or 20-inch barrels, though I’ve been told at least some for detectives had 14- or 16-inch barrels. Generally, LAPD 37s did not have the full-length, eight-round magazine tube but the shorter four-round magazine. LAPD Model 37s also had rifle sights.

Based on the few conversations I’ve had with LAPD officers who used the Model 37, they always liked the shotgun........

http://www.tactical-life.com/firearms/ithaca-model-37-shotgun/#twmj16-ithaca-lead

Both the LAPD and the LASD have used the Ithaca 37 / 87 as our primary patrol shotgun for the last 60 + years... The only reason we switched to the Remington 870 is that Ithaca Gun Company went out of business and we couldn't buy any more spare parts...

About three or four years ago we started phasing out the 37s / 87s in all of our patrol divisions and replacing them with 870s, although there are still some floating around in traffic divisions and other places... We gave most of our 37s and the remaining spare parts in our inventory to the LASD who limped along with them for a few years, but now they need a solution too, and they, like us, chose the 870 Police with rifle sights as their primary duty shotgun.

https://www.m4carbine.net/archive/index.php/t-16449.html

[gaijin]

I keep a m37 at the ranch.

It is rides in the Ranger or truck, loaded with 00 Buck, in addition to whatever scoped long gun I have along.
My m37 beater is also a '60's era production, always goes bang, see's minimal maintenance and is one hell of a persuader.
We tend to see a LOT of trespassers and poachers. In addition our county is, or was, a top "Meth" producer, which comes with it's own set of problems.

The lack of a disconnector is fun with someone that has never shot a m97/m37.

[Lefty223]

The lack of a disconnector is fun with someone that has never shot a m97/m37.
Ahhh, one of the early models. I have 2, 1 with and 1 without the disconnector. Personally I just think the machining is amazing. Recall their ads? They started out with a 7-pound block of steel to make the receiver.

[gaijin]

Yep.

The days of finely milled/finished, forged steel parts- are pretty much history (excluding some of the best grade, big bucks, sidelocks; Brit/German/Spanish SXS's).
The m37's/m97's/m12's are something to marvel at.

[Slater]

I know that it doesn't make much difference in terms of durability/longevity, but steel-receivered shotguns such as the Remington 870 and Ithaca 37 just seem a little more solid to me than ones with aluminum receivers (Mossberg, Winchester 1300/Defender, etc.)

[titsonritz]

I like the older "slam-fire" versions, right up there with the Model 12. Always liked the bottom eject, especially when hunting in crapping weather. They were briefly renamed to the 87 before going back to the 37 after several hand changes of the company. I wish they had better after market support today.

[mic2377]

It is amazing how smooth they are - can hit the slide release on mine, and upon tilting it muzzle up, the action slides open...

[Buckaroo]

You guys are driving me crazy. I had a 37 16 gauge that was the only shotgun I ever was able to get a triple set of clay pigeons with.
Never should have sold it!
I do have a line on a guy who has a small collection he wanted to sell earlier this year...

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[flenna]

The lack of a disconnector is fun with someone that has never shot a m97/m37.

Ahh, yes. I found that out the hard way. My very first issued long gun was an Ithaca 37. Went out to the range to qualify and handled it like all pumps- shuck the pump in recoil so I am back on target when it comes back down and ready to fire. However, I kept my finger on the trigger and didn't reset as I stroked it forward into battery. Bam, buckshot goes over the berm into the trees.

[Lefty223]

You guys are driving me crazy. I had a 37 16 gauge that was the only shotgun I ever was able to get a triple set of clay pigeons with.
Never should have sold it!
PM me if interested, as I saw an Ithaca m37 in 16-gauge w/ plain barrel at a shop yesterday, $175 IIRC.

[MAUSER202]

Great functioning, well made guns , I got flawless use from my old Deerslayer. If IRC, the receivers are machined from a solid block of steel. Another John Browning design too. That man was such an incredible mind.

[GO_ALLOUT]

I've got two both of which my grandfather handed down to me. One is older and equipped with a poly choke. I ran it at a few sporting clay events and did better than a lot of guys with double barrel shotguns(which I only point out as they gave me quite a hard time about my ole corn shucker). Ran well over 200 rounds that day without so much as a hiccup...and this was my gramps go-to for years and years so round count is significant. The other is a newer model...haven't shot it much but I'll have to get a few pics and check their vintage next time I'm up in my hometown.


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[CAVDOC]

Was at a local shop and they have a reproduction of the military issue Vietnam era 37 in stock. Nice reproduction with all the old military markings and finish. Pricey ( around a grand iirc) and maybe too nice to beat on

[BIGUGLY]

I know its an old thread, but currently have featherweights in 16 and 12, the 12 has a minimum of 20,000 plus rounds thru it. no issues and always worked. the 16 has some trouble with plastic shells. it was made before that was a thing and when the shell opens up all the way it can have problems being able to eject the shell. probably more thatn 10,000 rounds thru that one. Also have one of their .410's which is a good single shot for kids to learn on.


Have been a fan of them since I was a kid. Been nothing but reliable for all these years. Should point out these guns came from my grandfather and dad and I have them now.

[titsonritz]

Ahh, yes. I found that out the hard way. My very first issued long gun was an Ithaca 37. Went out to the range to qualify and handled it like all pumps- shuck the pump in recoil so I am back on target when it comes back down and ready to fire. However, I kept my finger on the trigger and didn't reset as I stroked it forward into battery. Bam, buckshot goes over the berm into the trees.

I was the opposite, I grew up a M12 and the first time I handled a Mossberg 500 I thought it was broken because it wouldn't slam fire.

[Opie]

Love mine. It's a D.S. Police special, nothing special but it always puts pellets where I aim it.

https://i.imgur.com/o8AMkQh.jpg

[Dennis]

I used one for my first few years on Patrol and always appreciated their smooth actions and light weight.

Several years ago the Dept. sold off their remaining stock to us and I got to pick a pretty decent barely fired one from a couple hundred laid out in a loading port. Although it had some weird nylon stock so I replaced with a new wood one from Boyd's. They even had spare ID tags for us to sort thru to put back on the bottom of the "pistol" grip to truly replicate their original duty status. Turns out they were originally made from old equine license tags just flipped over and restamped and I very luckily found one with my serial#.

Dennis.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190425/99bd5756294efe6d3642c201a467ea46.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190425/2bffe7437b4d9cfd535b7f853f22aa7d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190425/b2afe04fd45b9539a05d0ccc2896a2f0.jpg

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[SeriousStudent]

Dennis - that is awesome. I hope it brings you many years of enjoyment.

Stick - I know a retired LAPD LT that spent his career in Metro. He's coming here to Texas this fall to teach a pistol class. I'll pick his brain about the 37 then. He will undoubtedly have some good tips for us all.

[Slater]

Ithaca had a program back in the 1970's (?) whereby if a police officer ordered one of their LE-type shotguns, Ithaca would match the serial number to their badge number.