I’ve wanted an Ithaca 37 for some time. Just found one for sale, DS PS (Deer Slayer Police Special) featherweight (that’s a lot of words for one shotgun).

It’s in satin nickel, and I prefer a more utilitarian parkerized look (I had a Win 1300 stainless marine and I traded it for a blued defender)





However whereas Winchesters are plentiful here in Switzerland, Ithacas are pretty scarce, so I’m hesitating to buy it anyway.

I’m sure plenty members are familiar with this shotguns, so opinions are welcomed. The gun for sale :

Unless it is extremely overpriced, I would get that immediately. I have an Ithaca Police featherweight and it is an excellent shotgun and quite the sweet shooter. Mine is the old type “slam fire” version that will fire if you hold the trigger back and work the action, but thats not a feature I sought out.
It took some patterning to be happy with the sights, but in the end it was Federal 9 pellet OO-buck that shot best in mine.
I see them VERY rarely. Defenders are a dime a dozen here, but a satin nickel 37 PS is a rare bird.
Get it!!!

Have had M-37’s since the 70’s as they are All steel, no plastic. Easy to load and keep clean as load and eject is through the bottom. 8 shot riot versions are nice too. Nice one you have.

The M37 Featherweight is an EXCELLENT SD / HD shotgun! The only thing I am not thrilled about are the practice sessions with SD loads - the M37 has a kick to it.

I have a similar Ithaca in blue and I just bought a used 1200 and had the barrel cut to 22 inches. I would be all over that one.

I ran across an auction a couple of years ago for three Ithaca 37 receivers with three barrels and numerous other components. I won the package for $67.00 and began enjoying myself. There were enough parts to almost complete one gun. Then I started buying parts off eBay. I also purchased one new unfinished wood stock and forend. Over time, I assembled three shotguns. One was an older model with a 26" barrel I consider a bird gun. The other two consist of a Deerslayer model with a 20" barrel and there is a D.S. Police model with an 18" barrel.

All total, I think I have about $600.00 invested in the three complete shotguns not including my fun hours of labor.

Being left handed, the 37 Ithaca is by far my favorite pump shotgun.

Ithaca 37s are cool. I had one of the parked riot guns that never ran right, but the others I shot did. I personally think the nickel is pretty ugly, and if I really wanted a parkerized one I'd hold out for one, as that wouldn't scratch my itch.

"Deer Slayer Police Special" seems a contradiction in terms. The Deer Slayer version of the model 37 was fitted with a specially bored (smaller than normal) barrel to improve accuracy with rifled slugs and came with 4 shot magazines. All those I ever saw in ads had rifle sights on them-OK, the item in the picture does. OTOH, short barreled versions of the model 37 with either standard or extended (like the one in the picture) magazines had long careers with many police departments, including LAPD. The finish suggests possible use with a harbor/marine unit. If the bore is less than the usual 0.730 inches (give or take a thousandth or two) by 0.010-0.015 in, you might have a very unique item there, most likely a special order item. If the bore diameter is that of a standard 12 gauge, then you have some creative or honestly mistaken labeling on the item.

The bottom ejection of the Ithaca is neat, but you have to operate the slide with vigor to make sure it works as intended.

Very occasionally, the ejection can become erratic. I fixed one that was a gift to someone (probably because it had ejection problems) and never figured out exactly what I did to solve the problem. I suspect that if you take the parts out of the receiver, it makes a real difference exactly how you put it back together. You might want to try before you buy.

Around here a DSPS will sell between $800 and 1200 depending on condition. I think they are one of the best defense shotguns available. Bottom feed, hold the trigger and pump, good recoil with one ounce slugs. That one looks like it may have been hard chromed or some other finish like that. If You have the $, get it.

I carried a Model 37 Ithaca LAPD Model at my old address while working the road. It has a butter-smooth action and is utterly reliable. The bottom ejection was a big "plus" when shooting left-side barricade as there was reduced chance of an empty hull failing to clear the ejection port.

There was a learning curve however. Others in my agency carried the Remington 870P 12 gauge which was easier to "speed-feed" or transition from 00 Buck to 1 oz. slug.

I still have my LAPD Model and on occasion was glad that I had it with me when a call went sideways.

I also have my Ithaca Mag10 RoadBlocker 10 gauge with a 20" barrel. It is impressive how much lead can be put down-range with this platform.

I have no qualms recommending the Ithaca Model 37 to you.

HTH.

JPJ

That is an uncommon model you posted.

It was from an order for the LAPD that was cancelled. They were bought by a sporting goods chain & sold. I have seen them with both the sights and just a gold bead configuration. It is a buy. I loved mine, til my brother lost it for me.

A satin nickel Ithaca, I like the look of it.

The Model 37 has always been my favorite fighting shotgun. Being a bottom ejector you are not throwing empty shells at your partner no matter which side he ends up being on. Likewise you do not get het in the face with his shell casings, I do wish it had the longer magazine, but that is what was bought in the olden days

I also like that the 37 is a slam fire. You can provide some very effective cover fire with the gun.

When our agency got a new Director, he traded away all of out Ithacas for Remington 870s. Fortunately I was able to work out a deal to keep mine.

I have another 37 that is wearing a 1-4x scope. The entire rig has been ceracoated in camouflage. Unfortunatly I do not have an image of it

If the price is reasonable I would be all over that Ithaca. Now you have put me on the lookout for one of those satin Nickle versions


I do own one of the Winchester 1300 Marine Stainless shotguns. It has performed well but no longer sees duty onboard a watercraft. Mine was bought before the big change to the synthetic stocks. I keep it around the house.

I do own a Remington 870 with the folding Police stock. I hate shooting it, that is one of the worst stocks ever. I only keep it because it came to me from the Estate of a very high ranking member of FHPA's Command staff. It was his trunk gun

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"Acta non verba"

Before rifled barrels Ithaca 37 was most accurate slug gun out of the box.
They run slick too, the last milled parts pump produced.
I wish I had kept a 8 shot riot model for social engineering tool.
The only minus on I-37 is that it’s doesn’t like handloads unless they are perfectly formed.

Great shotgun. I had mine cut down (legally) to a Stakeout barrel length about 13.5 inches and kept the full stock on it. Truly a great shotgun.

That's a nice one!!! As you said Ithacas are rare where you are, an Ithaca like that is rare, here -it's a no brainer - buy it. At least you'll have one. If you don't like it, keep it until you find the one you want and trade for it.

If it were me, I'd be all over that and later bragging about how I now have a rarely seen Ithaca 37.

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Thread Killer.

I bought one, new, about 1975 or 76. Parkerized, 8 shot, rifle sights. I love it, it will be one of the last to go. The guy I got it from had an FFL and worked out of his house. He ordered it for me, but had no relationship with Ithaca. I am left handed and had heard that Ithaca made a left handed safety for it. This was long before the internet. So I wrote a letter to Ithaca and asked about a left handed safety and factory rubber butt plate. I said to tell me how much, and I would send a check. Several weeks later, I got a package from Ithaca with the parts I wanted and a bill. I was both pleased and surprised. I have several "Riot" type shotguns, and I think the Ithaca may be my favorite. I would definitely buy that shotgun, if I were you.

I’ve owned a few Ithaca 37s and to me a 37 is a 37 regardless of the price raising bells and whistles. Bottom feed and ejection seems cool until you deal with it for awhile and then it gets a bit old in my opinion. I suggest you not pay big bucks for any 37 until you handle one a bit.

I bought a lot of riot guns when they were still cheap. The Ithaca 37's in any configuration are some of my favorites. I shoot shotguns lefthanded and they bottom eject) I've got most of them including the US marked Viet Nam model, Brushed nickel marine model, DS Police, Trench (paid $40.00 for it around 1972) model, and a few more. The Marine long tube lives by my bed. I think the five shot 37 riot gun is probably one of the best balanced shotguns around. The nickel Winny has a cool intimidation factor. All of the older 870's work. After about 1975 if you were a department that wanted the 37 slamfire feature you had to special order it. Before that most of them had it. I bought several long tube 37's cheap ($100 or a little more) that go for over $1,000 now. I quit buying and am satisfied with what I have now....unless I run into a deal.

Just a bead on mine. I tried fitting rifle-type sights to it, but it just could not perform like a Deerslayer, since the bore is standard 12-gauge, lacking the tighter bore of the DS. Went back to the plain bead. Does just fine with 00 buck. I appreciate its businesslike simplicity.

I have 37s in 12, 16 and 20 gauge and always wanted a PS with the extended magazine. When I found this one at a gun show about 13 years ago I had a touch of buyer's remorse because I felt that I had paid too much at $325. Prices today? Wow.

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I have a Deer Slayer thats from the mid60's, if I saw what you have a chance to purchase I would be on it like white on rice. I like the corn cob fore end better than the one I have on mine but I guess it will work until I can find another.

Excellent guns, very dependable and well made. Great for police and military use as well as home defense. Back in my days of hunting (1950's-1980's) they were wonderfully accurate deer guns and you could carry them all day due to their light weight. In those days if you had a model 37 Deerslayer you did not want anything better.

The Ithaca 37 is one of my favorites,
Have owned several the DS being my favorite.... the 37's worst attribute is that the design does not allow for adding screw on mag extensions like the 870 but it's true Achilles heel is that it only has one pump carrier arm that IIRC is two pieces tac welded to each other, if that joint breaks the gun is out of service and that is coming from personal experience.

I currently have these, & a few more that didn't make the picture.

I've been a sucker for the Ithaca 37 since I was a young boy.

Ned

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Devil's afraid I'll take over.

I like the 37. I've had many and currently have a late 40's Solid Rib 12ga w/Mod choke.

Simple TD feature to take up any wear. Much simpler than the Winchester style for sure.

I used to buy 12ga field guns very cheaply at shows. Then cut the bbl and refinish the metal taking the funny looking birdies off the sides.
They sold for good money then. Everyone liked and still do like riot guns.

My favorite bottom load and eject is the Remington Model 10 however(12ga only).
Their Model 17 20ga is a real sweet shotgun if you like small bores and the pre-Ithaca 37 with some differences of course.

The M10 is a bit of a cranky mechanism when it gets worn or tinkered with when it doesn't need to be.
But I like them over the 37 probably as much for their oddity in functioning as well as the added weight they carry.
My favorite right now is a Model 10-T (Target) which designates a VR. A gun made in 1928.
They have that inside the trigger guard Safety like the early A5 as well.
I don't think they nickel plated any of them but you never know. They did make riot M10's and use some in WW1 and beyond.

Back to the original question of this post. Should you buy this shotgun? I would definitely say YES if the price is right. I've been around Ithaca shotguns most of my 73 years and as a long time law enforcement officer (44 years) I've only seen about four of them here in the States with the brush nickel marine finish. As I mentioned earlier I have one and it serves as my home defense gun. I will never sell it. I have a friend who has one of the LAPD models as new in the box and he recently turned down $1,800.00 for it.

Your polished stainless Winchester 1300 is the first I have seen where all the metal is stainless and all the stock is wood. I have one with the synthetic stock and blued ( or whatever) receiver. The rest is shiny. I like mine but I like yours better. I can remember walking the beat in 1969 as a rookie and the guys working the Wells Fargo armored trucks would show up at the banks with these. They stood outside while money was being transferred. I asked them where the shotguns came from and they had no idea. At one time collecting riot guns was a cheap way to collect something. Not so much anymore.

Classic, I do not actually know the number of shotguns I own, but can agree that you should not miss this one...

It amazes me that this is for sale in your area, because they are very uncommon here.

Good luck and please continue the range reports.

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Rather be outdoors

Thank you all for your opinions and experiences.

I saw another one at the LGS, parkerized

However, the stock fit and the price were both horrible







So I bought the satin nickel one for $ 600 and had it sent to another LGS, where it is in jail waiting for my permit.

Ithaca just informed me it was built in 1981.
It has the slam fire, and it is a smooth bore

You stole it a 600 euros.....but, then again, your prices not not anything like what we pay here. In the states, that is a $1000 gun all day.

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On the Oak Savannah

Congratulations
That is a fine looking shotgun

I would have run there and bought that satin nickel out from under you, but I am in America

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"Acta non verba"

Like it was said before, I never saw a nickel Ithaca and would certainly not sell it if I had it and buy it if I could.

I have the 8 shot parkerized DSPS with the rifle sights. Does anyone know of a fiber optic front sight for these?

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Wayne
Torn & Frayed

Ithaca called it the raybar sight. It is listed on Ithaca's website.

All LAPD Ithaca shotguns have 18"barrels, sometimes up to 18.25 so if one has a 20"barrel it isnt an overrun from an LAPD order. I ended up with these 2 before I and wife retired.

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While not exactly what the term "fiber optic" brings to mind these days . . . My old department Model 37 and others pictured in this thread have a Factory installed light gathering sight that is florescent orange in color

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"Acta non verba"

Can you show a pic of the Mag 10?

The 37 is one of the best pump shotguns ever made. I salvaged this one from an old barn find, it was all rusted and rotted wood. Soaked it down with WD40 and got it apart. To my amazement all the internal parts were in good shape. Wire wheeled the devil out of it and a little creativity, I was pleased with it. At least I saved it from the junk pile.

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I have a Satin Nickel finished 20" Riot version also made in 1981 with serial number close to your's. Mine has only a bead front sight though that is also nickel finished instead of brass. I've never seen another 8 shot-tube M37 with this finish in the wild and would love to know more about mine as well. It must have been a special order for coastal boat/marine use. I got her for $780 out the door off of GB from a pawn shop in/near Ft. Lauderdale Florida about 3 years ago. I waited 10+ years before locating one like your's and mine! Pics below alongside my Mossy 500...

Love those beautiful Ithaca's...

Can you tell us/me the difference between the 2nd from top and the 3rd from top aside from the different rifled sights and the simple bead sight... (such as the markings on the left sides of each barrels are stamped with...)

what does the one say 2nd from top say? Does it say "Model-37 Deer Slayer" with POLICE-SPECIAL stamped above the standard stampings/markings?

Does the markings on the left side of the barrel on the 3rd from top say "Model-37 Featherlight"?

Thanks in advance and again nice assortment of Ithaca's!

On stakeouts this cut to 13" Model 37 was my #1 weapon together with an S&W Model 10-6 with Supervels.

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

I bet it was your favorite on the Stakes... Stoked with 4+1 of Double or Single Aught shells and only smiling pity comes to mind at the "thug" that tries to sneak up on you and your partner(s)!

I remember seeing the nickel plated Police Special in the Ithaca catalogs as a kid. I have my dads polished blue Deerslayer Police Special, and the muzzle mic's .704.

So I finally found the "Correct" Ithaca nomenclature for my Ithaca M37 via scouring the webs past/old sales for one exactly like mine but with the a matching original box included...

So mine is called an (M37 "FeatherLight" 8 Shot "Chrome" M&P...) which is a sub-version of the DeerSpecial-PoliceSpecial Riot model.

So the finish is actually Hard-Chromed instead of brushed nickel and comes with a front bead sight that is also hard-chromed instead of brass... unlike the OP's that came with front and rear Deer/Slug sights.

I believe they were a "Special-Order" item as it was manufactured in 81' and will 100% "Slam" once the action is back into battery. An option that has been refuted to be deleted from about 75' onwards unless ordered specifically from Ithaca according to my research.

Box from an exact model of mine within 1,000 digits from my Serial Number.


My M37 with serial # 371711***

In the NMSP, we phased out the 37s in the early '80s because the '60s/'70s models 1) kicked harder than the Remingtons and Mossbergs we started buying, and 2) several began to discharge occasionally (once in a while, or more rarely, every time) as the slide was worked forward with the shotgun loaded. I'ved heard it might be sear wear; I've also heard it was poor maintenance. I don't know the reason, but I saw it often enough at qualifications to swap mine out for a Remington (it cost me a bottle of Presidente at the supply room).

The recoil didn't bother me, and mine was older, but it did not malfuncrion.

The last documented case of the malfunction was when Capt. Joe Tarazon arrived at a shooting scene, pulled out his Ithaca while getting out of his unit, and blew a hole in his roof while chambering a round.

We shot the s*** out of our 37s and never had a problem with them.They were very reliable and did the job when called upon.
With no disconnector there's always a chance of pilot error.

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

Old Joe never admitted to it, but there was considerable speculation amongst the troops the stress of the moment and a misplaced finger may well have caused his AD.

Did you all have an armorer maintenance program for your 37s? We did not, and we were told NOT to disassemble ours, so cleaning was never deep clean.

I just put a nice set of Digital Calipers down the last 1/2" of the bore and performed half a dozen measurements @ 1, 3, 6, 9, & 12 O'clock... The average reading is .707 give or take a-thousandth of an inch.

I've never put a slug thru her only 00Aught Buck from multiple manufacturers from Hornady, Federal, Winchester, etc... She patterns quite tight 40 to 45+Yards considering the Cylinder Bore with a sub 10-Inch Spread ringing all 8 or 9 Pellets (Hornady's 00 only has 8 pellets per load) on a freshly painted steel silhouette.

I'm going to have to try some 2 2/3" Winchester Super-X 1oz Slugs. @ 40-50 yards I'm betting dead center hits. Maybe even hit the Sil @ 100 Yards from a bench even I'm hoping!

Ha, HahaHa! I needed that laugh and very cool story (because its super funny and only because Nobody got hurt.)

I'll tell you why that happened... Poor trigger-finger discipline!

I blew my stainless steel grill up doing the same d@mned thing, exactly! Thankfully the propane tank didn't touch off Thank God!!!

The M37's came with a "Double-Sear" as I've heard it described as recently. After the initial chambered round goes off, the slide is racked (if finger still pulling trigger), and the slide is worked "all the way home and the bolt is securely locked into place... That second holding sear lets go of the hammer resulting in a "Slam-Fire!" It will Also happen on a empty chamber "IF" the trigger being pulled upon Fully-chambering that "first shell" too!

It was a "Feature" built into the design until about 1975'... After that it was only a Special Order feature option when directly instructed to do so from the factory.

It's a marvelous "feature" to have such when clearing say a German or Vietnamese trench or when designated as Point-Man into a close quarters structure full of confirmed hostile enemy are present/concentrated. I've used it on a pack of coyote's (that wouldn't back down) when 5-6 of them were menacing our German Shepherd before we had her spaded/fixed...

The recoil is a bit harsher than my Mossy-500 because the Ithaca is lighter also by design thus more comfortable to carry longer. With 2 3/4" 00 Aught is used (especially Hornady Critical Defense) she's pretty light recoiling! The Mossy has a Rubber Absorbing Butt-Pad atop the Butt-Plate. I opt for just the Butt-Plate on my M37 because it shortens the LOP by 1/2" or more and allows me to get the stock tucked into my shoulder/chest and set both faster and with a better puchase set/contact and on-target faster than the Mossy allows.

I enjoyed your post biku324;141417328 and thanks for sharing!

I think that is like saying, I have my drinking problem totally under control, except when I want a drink.

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