[Oberndorf]

When I was growing up in a rural area, small game hunting and shotguns were a popular topic. The Winchester Model 12s and Remingtons Model 870s had their loyal owners and advocates. However, it was the Ithaca Featherweight pump shotguns that caught attention. To this day, I have to examine every Ithaca Model 37 that I see in the used gun racks. I was in a gun shop yesterday and one of the clerks I know very well went into the back of the gun shop area and reappeared carrying a pump shotgun. He said it just came in on a trade and he thought I should have it. Turns out it was a mint condition 16 gauge from about 1970 with interchangeable barrels (the earlier Model 37s had the barrels custom fitted to the receivers and were not interchangeable). It was cheap because it was a 16 gauge, full choke and has a plain barrel. No matter, I brought it home. That is my problem, I am attached to Ithaca Model 37s. Take care...
Oberndorf

 

[Davers]

I remember back in 1952, my Father received an Ithaca Featherweight pump in 12 gauge with a poly choke, for Christmas. This was the VERY FIRST firearm I have handled! Being just three years old, and I remember it!! I still have the Ithaca model 37, but it stays hanging on the wall under my Granddad's Model 1929 Springfield single barrel 16 gauge shotgun which he bought for my Dad back in the 1930's and paid $5 for it USED. Lots of good memories associated with these two shotguns.

 

[Rangr44]

I still have the 20ga Ithaca Deerslayer, with an extra 28" bird bbl, that I bought in the early 70's - They're great guns, as long as one remembers not to short-stroke it when excited.

.

 

[Chief RID]

I love my 37. Have you seen what they want for the new ones?

 

[Oberndorf]

Chief RID

I saw that a company in Ohio was making new Model 37s and the hang tag price gave me check pains. I paid a small fraction of what a new Model 37 would cost and prefer the older classic shotguns. Take care...
Oberndorf

 

[unclepaddy]

Roger that. I've had a model 37 for over 45 years and it has yet to fail in any way. It's a killin' machine on dove quail and pheasant, even with it's factory full choke barrel. My 17 year old daughter has taken it over now and prefers it to all others, including softer recoiling autos.

 

[Mush from PA.]

I have the same problem..... I bought my model 37 in the 80's and liked it so much I bought the Deerslayer barrel to go with it. I have hunted bird, rabbit, and buck with it. Would not part with it for the world.

 

[purpledragon]

I have a early 80's model 37 FEATHERLIGHT 3" mag deluxe 30" vent rib full choke, in the early 90's I bought a Hastings 34" barrel and 6 chokes for it. That is my favorite shotgun............

 

[Davers]

I knew a fellow (now deceased) who had a HUGE collection of Ithaca Model 37's. He had just about every variation & gauges, of the 37's.

 

[Gil Martin]

Ithaca 37s

These are real classics and I pick up every decent one I come across. All the best...
Gil

 

[trapper9260]

I have a 37 that was my dad's .he gave it to me when I first got my hunting lic. it use to fired after you shot the first shot and pump and then fied on it own he did not want to handel it anymore and I got it and went to a gun shop to have them look at it there was a bent spring. It is fizx and shot great. It is the one that is customize the barrel .A early one. Been looking for a barrel for it because when my dad was younger he blew the end off.

 

[riley]

Congratulation on your mdl 37 purchase! The 16ga of that era is the "nicest", lightest "16" ever made in a "pump" because the receivers were actually proportioned for the gauge rather than a 16ga barrel stuck on a 12ga receiver (like most). I've had one since '69 and it will be the last gun I would ever sell. "It has the 'reach' of a 12 and the 'kick' of a 20 (pass it on).

 

[Tom_Shuttlewort]

37 malfunction

Hey guys, I'm using a model 37 featherlight. It's an 1983 12 gauge. I absolutely love it for skeet, deer, and rabbit, it's one of the most accurate guns I have ever used, which is important since the passed 2 years it won't pump after I fire it. I have to bang the butt of the gun rather hard on my knee a few times before it will allow me to pump and reload. I have lost a few rabbits because of this. I have completely disassembled the gun cleaned and oiled it, but it doesn't fix the problem. I was always taught to clean my guns so its a very clean piece, other than a little rust from its previous owner who rarely used it. I would really be appreciative to any helpful advise on this, as I will not let her sit out a hunting season, while I use a different gun. Please help.

 

[jaguarxk120]

Tom this may seen like a stupid question, but how does the gun cycle when empty?

 

[marineman]

I was out in the field with my 12 ga 37 today taking a few doves... it's special to me since it is my great grandfathers, passed down to be mine. I've shot more game with that shotgun than any other firearm I own... and I wouldn't part with it (until my son gets it...)

 

[jackruff]

I bought my 12 ga. in 1968 when I was just out of college. It cost $110.00, which was $5.00 more than a Remington 870, but I got it because the clerk said nobody brought Ithacas back. Paid $10.00 a month. The short-shuck thing is well noted as is the fact that if you hold the trigger it'll shoot just as fast as you can pump it!