Ithaca 37 or Remington 870??

J

JL Hunnicutt

New member
Which one offers the best reliability & longevity, when used for general utility use? One negative I have toward the 37 is the fact that it can't be single-loaded, quickly, through the ejection-port, as can the 870. Thanks for your time.
 
Ford/Chevy again. Both are excellent shotguns. 37s are lighter, upland gunners do well with them, waterfowlers perfer the 870. Not being able to throw a round in a 37 is a minor drawback, but less detritus ends up in the receiver.

Here's the McCTest. Handle and shoot them both, go with the one that FEELS best. Not too scientific, but effective...
 
They feel very different. My wife has a 16g featherlight Mod37, and I have a 12g 870. The featherlight lives up to its name...it is very light and well balanced (especially with that 'custom' riot bbl in place), and just looks elegant and graceful. The 870 feels much more solid, rugged and soldierly.

Potato, potahto...

Mike
 
I've had both. When I downsized my gun collection I sold the 870 and kept the 37 because I had owned it longer and just liked it a little more. I culd have been happy with either one. If you're thinking of customizing, get the 870. There's more aftermarket parts.
 
These are the only two makes of shotgun I will own anymore. Comparing apples and apples here as far as quality and utility go. I prefer the trim, lightweight Ithaca for field use and the Remington for the Range and Home Defense by nature of the weight only. The single-loading feature of the Remington also comes with the large opening in the side of the receiver that allows stuff in. I've never really found the need to single load in the field and Home Defense doesn't seem to present any similar opportunities. At the range, you might need the single-load feature for convenience. I have an Ithaca that I use a the range. To single load, you simply invert the shotgun and move the slide forward till the forks clear but the bolt still isn't forward then drop a round into the action. Very simple, but takes a box or so to get used to.

One factor you might consider is the use of interchangeable chokes on the Ithaca. I don't have a removeable choke on any of my Ithacas. Do they make one?
 
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