Ithaca 37 DS PS - opinions needed

[Classic12]

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 :

[Tanners Owner]

I don’t have any experience with the high cap variants, but I had a 12 and currently have a 20 ga Ithaca 37. To me it’s one of the smoothest cycling shotguns - never had a problem with either of my guns.

I’ve used them to hunt upland game successfully.  The gun is not difficult to disassemble once you know how- it does require tools unlike newer guns.

Reason I only have the 20 ga is I’ve migrated to mostly 20 ga for both range and hunting use.

[eastman]

My pump shotguns have always been Rem 870 (one of the most common options here), but I've always heard favorable comments on the Ithaca 37. The ones I've handled were very nice.

If the price is good, go for it.

[rl96ss]

Far from original, but if price is right....
Took me awhile to find this one.

[Swamp ash]

Yeah, you know you want it

It's a beauty and unique

[M1A4ME]

Forged steel receiver.

Lightest steel pump 12 ga. made.

Another fine example of the genius of John Browning's design ability.

Everyone in my family has at least two (my dad only bought my mom one.)

None have every broken.  They run from pre WW2 to the mid to late 60's in age (all original Ithaca made in NY guns, none of the newer ones - which may be alright, we've just had ours for a long time.)

Ours have been used in WV, IL, TX, AR, VA, ND, MI and TN.  They've killed deer, turkeys, ruffed grouse, sharptail grouse, ring neck pheasants, rabbits (cotton tail, jack and snowshoe), quail (bob white and scaled), squirrels (gray, fox), hungarian partridge, several species of ducks and even doves.

None have ever broken.

12 ga. (mostly) and two or three 16 ga.  No 20's in the family.

Buy it.  You won't be sorry.

The satin nickel guns are rare.  I've only seen a couple in my whole life.  Lots of blued ones.  A few parkerized ones.

[Das Hugh!]

I too can say I heard alot of nuttin but good things said about the Ithaca line. Mine was made in 1937 if I read the rubbers right of the database online. But it's it's cousin. Also used in service. It's a model 1912 winchester heavy duck series chopped down to riot gun size. I like ww2 Era shotguns. If only they could talk we'd hear stories I bet lol. Very nice gun ya have there bud

Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

[crosstimbers]

I have a 12 gauge 37, all I can say is you wont be disappointed. But in the end it's your nickel! 

[Classic12]

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