Ithaca M37 Riot Shotgun

Murdock · Jul 22, 2020

In a LGS I asked the staff what the fastest selling guns have been of late. They said the Glock 19 (no surprise) and defensive shotguns.

When I got home I checked the gavel prices of some online auctions. Wow! Shotguns like my old M37 riot gun with the 20-inch tube and extended magazines have recently gone to over $1300, at least for pristine examples. COVID-19 panic, I guess.

Mine was bought at a gun show maybe 10-12 years ago, and I thought I paid a bit too much at just over $300, although the riot version does always seem to be more scarce than other configurations. I think mine's about 1967 vintage. Bead sight. Parkerized, with some patina, finish thining on some of the edges, handling marks on wood and steel. No engraving or checkering like the sportng guns and some of the police specials. Plain Jane. Good, solid old gun. All it's needed from me was a new magazine spring.

I'd sell it, but it seems to stick to my hand every time I pick it up.

biku324 · Jul 22, 2020

I'd caution you to test the sear by pointing the weapon downrange and smartly racking a few rounds through the action, being prepared for an unanticipated discharge. We were issued those parkerized M37s in the early 80s (1970s purchase) but retired them because too many would discharge as you chambered a round. They likely had 50-100 rounds per year run through them.

texmex · Jul 22, 2020

That is a keeper. Another timeless John Browning design. I have a Winchester 94, a Winchester 97, a Winchester 1885 and several 1911s. All John Browning designs. I just wish I had a 50 caliber machine gun to go with them and the money to by ammo for it. Those police shotguns that went off when racked probably just needed a good complete disassembly cleaning which they never got.

Murdock · Jul 22, 2020

biku324 said:
I'd caution you to test the sear by pointing the weapon downrange and smartly racking a few rounds through the action, being prepared for an unanticipated discharge. We were issued those parkerized M37s in the early 80s (1970s purchase) but retired them because too many would discharge as you chambered a round. They likely had 50-100 rounds per year run through them.

Have never had that issue with any M37 I have owned, of any vintage. The only mechanical failure has been with 1930's 12-ga skeet model that broke its firing pin during dry fire. Easy fix.

Of course, these will fire when the trigger is held back as the bolt is driven forward, but that's a well-known design feature, and I doubt that's what you are referring to.

leonardocarrillo · Jul 22, 2020

In my country (Argentina), the Ithaca 37 shotgun has been serving in the Federal Police since the 1970s and today continues to be used as a riot weapon, I consider that only a quality weapon can withstand so many years of service.

Nedroe · Jul 22, 2020

I have a few. No finer combat shotgun, IMO.

I'm a sucker for an Ithaca. Had 'em since I was a kid.

Ned

Erocksmash · Jul 22, 2020

Oh boy thats my favorite scatter gun of all time !

We used those out at the state DOC (only weapon I fired in the line of duty, inmate got to close to the fence and I cracked a warning shot) and I just fell in love.

I've searched high and low for one like that, but settled on a 590A1 Mossberg... spent so much on the dang 590 she stays in the house..

I just recently last weekend picked up an old shotty (JC model 20, 12ga)for a C-note and went to refinishing and cutting. Ill post about her ina few, but in the meantime I'll throw a photo below... i love bringing these old guns back to life...

Mrnurse · Jul 22, 2020

The 37 is as solid as a 289 Ford or Chev 327...Please.... Ive NEVER had a issue with my 37. Low brass #7 for inside the home please.

Ματθιας · Jul 22, 2020

I have a M37 DeerSlayer. I think it's 70's vintage. It's nice, but the rear sight is fragile. It'll slam-fire!

Mule Packer · Jul 22, 2020

Mine's not a police model...just a plain ol' Model 37 in 20 gauge with a 19-inch barrel, but still a great little home defense gun.

colt_saa · Jul 22, 2020

biku324 said:
I'd caution you to test the sear by pointing the weapon downrange and smartly racking a few rounds through the action, being prepared for an unanticipated discharge. We were issued those parkerized M37s in the early 80s (1970s purchase) but retired them because too many would discharge as you chambered a round. They likely had 50-100 rounds per year run through them.

The Model 37 is my favorite fighting shotgun.

When our Director retired the new guy traded in all the Model 37s for 870s, optionally we could buy our 37s. That 37 has been with me for over 30 years now (probably closing in on 40) with many thousands of rounds of ammunition through it.

I liked mine so much I bought a second one 15+ years ago

I know hundreds of happy Model 37 enthusiasts that never had an issue.

If there were some kind of epidemic failure of the 37, there would be plenty of reports about it

The only incident that I recall hearing about a Model 37 discharging when a shell was chambered with no finger holding the trigger back occurred with an old, dirty Model 37 whose oil had gummed up and everything was hard to make work

However, I agree with testing ANY firearm that may be called upon to stake your life on

biku324 · Jul 22, 2020

By the mid-80s slamfires were common enough that our armory called the 37s all in. However, I doubt ANY had been fully disassembled for a detailed cleaning ever. We were taught to clean the bore, the bolt where it could be reached, the bolt face & extractor, and to keep the inside portions of the reciever touched by the bolt from getting dry.

They were replaced piecemeal by 870s, S&Ws with a folding stock, and Mossberg 500s. The 870s and Mossbergs were problem-free; the Smiths were unpopular because of the folding stock.

armorer951 · Jul 22, 2020

biku324 said:
I'd caution you to test the sear by pointing the weapon downrange and smartly racking a few rounds through the action, being prepared for an unanticipated discharge. We were issued those parkerized M37s in the early 80s (1970s purchase) but retired them because too many would discharge as you chambered a round. They likely had 50-100 rounds per year run through them.

They will also fire if you hold the trigger back and close the bolt, or rack the action....which is a deal breaker for me. We had a bunch of them at work, and traded them in for 870's.

DWalt · Jul 22, 2020

I would have liked a Model 37, but never had one. I think they are still being made by the "new" Ithaca company in Ohio, I don't know anything about those, and don't remember ever seeing one. Also there is an Argentine copy, but I don't know if any of those were sold in the USA.

ContinentalOp · Jul 22, 2020

DWalt said:
I would have liked a Model 37, but never had one. I think they are still being made by the "new" Ithaca company in Ohio, I don't know anything about those, and don't remember ever seeing one.

I believe they're now called the Model 87 and I'm pretty sure the news ones have eliminated the slam-fire issue.

Murdock · Jul 22, 2020

DWalt said:
I would have liked a Model 37, but never had one. I think they are still being made by the "new" Ithaca company in Ohio, I don't know anything about those, and don't remember ever seeing one. Also there is an Argentine copy, but I don't know if any of those were sold in the USA.

A year or two ago I bought a vent rib barrel with choke tubes for my Dad's 1965 M37 16 ga Deerslayer from the comany's new iteration in Ohio. Quality was as good as ever and the machining was so good that it popped right onto the the older gun. Finish matched perfectly. A tribute to American industry.

Ματθιας · Jul 22, 2020

When I bought bought my M37, I was specifically told it would slamfire. The gunshop I bought it from went through it and test fired it. So I know it's not defective/unsafe. I was also told that mine was manufactured just before slamfire feature/sear was discontinued. And this was a Deerslayer not a Police Special.

If it doesn't rain when I get home I'll take some picts.

Murdock · Jul 22, 2020

ContinentalOp said:
I believe they're now called the Model 87 and I'm pretty sure the news ones have eliminated the slam-fire issue.

Some people really liked the slam fire feature of the older guns. If you can find it on line, Larry Correia wrote a short story called "Sweothi City" where the M37 in riot configuration played a role. It's in his short story anthology Target Rich Environment

ContinentalOp · Jul 22, 2020

Murdock said:
Some people really liked the slam fire feature of the older guns.

I've heard that, too. I've read stories of cops holding the trigger back and just cycling the pump to fire the gun. Personally, I'd prefer a gun that only fires when the trigger is pulled. The 37/87 appeals to me because of the bottom ejection. But I'm not really a long gun guy. My only shotgun experience was a 2-hour familiarization course with the 870 back in the 90s. Of course, doesn't mean I wouldn't like to add one to my collection.

white cloud · Jul 22, 2020

I have a field grade M37. It has been shot a lot but is still reliable and good shooting shotgun. I would never consider selling a M37.

Ithaca M37 Riot Shotgun

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