Ithaca Choices Question

C

Clevinger

New member
Would like a slug gun from Ithaca.

Should I...
1. Get a 12 gauge featherlight model 37 with an extra barrel that is rifled or
2. Get a Deerslayer II that only comes with a rifled barrel.

I like the versatility of option 1, but it's an extra $275.
 
The rifled barrel means you shoot sabots only. is that the case?
Click to expand...

Essentially. The Deerslayer II would be a dedicated sabot slug gun for deer season.

With the Model 37 with an extra rifled barrel I would get the best of both worlds (smooth bore and rifled) but would pay more.
 
Unless you have your mind made up to buy new, with a little careful shopping you can come up with a combination on your own.

If you decide to go used, the most important fact to remember about Ithaca 37's is that their barrel threads were changed at serial nbr 855,000. Prior to 855,000 the interrupted threads actually had a "pitch" to them, and barrels had to be fitted to the receiver by a gunsmith who understood the dimensional relationship.

After 855,000 they used what were in essence, parallel "V" grooves.

I have seen quite a few nice condition later model (post 855,000) vent rib, choke tubed 12ga guns for sale for less than 400.00 locally and on the web (gunbroker, etc).

If you would buy a used one then you simply could buy a barrel from Ithacagun and come in hundreds less than buying new. I bought a used one a few years back, bought an aftermarket laminate stock and forearm, fitted them on and have a really nice gun. If I didn't have my 2 Deerslayer 2's and needed a rifled barrel, I would simply be able to get one from Ithaca.
 
Times have changed!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bought my Ithaca 37 in 1968 for $128.00 with deer barrel. Spent another $50.00 & got a full choke 30in. for ducks. Those were the days. Today most of the counties here in the southern tier of NY state are now opened to Rifles.

Ken
 
Will you use the shotgun barrel much? If you aren't sure, save the money, you can get a used shotgun for occasional use for about that $275....
 
Here is my story - As a young lieutenant new in the Air Force in Arkansas at the start of duck season I bought an Ithaca Featherlight 37 12 gauge. I loved that gun and I never had one problem with it. I still have it 40 years later. When I transferred to Alaska and wanted to do some fishing, but worried about bears, a buddy sold his cosmetically challenged Deer Slayer. I lugged that thing on many fishing trips and added my fair share of nicks and dings. The moral of this story?

Buy one of each.
 
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