What about Ithica?

B

Bennett Richards

New member
One brand of shotgun I seldom see discussed here is Ithica. Are they decent defense weapons? How do they compare with the Mossberg and Remington shotguns in a defense-grade weapon?

Thanks,

Ben
 
T believe the main reason you don't see many Ithacas discussed is that the company has gone under several times. Each time it has been resurected by a different set of owners. I've got two Ithacas in the safe and I really like them. They are more hunting weapons though. The downward ejection is a plus when out in the weather and doesn't throw empty hulls across a lefthanded shooter's line of sight. I don't have the left hand safety, though Ithaca did offer one several years ago. The one thing I don't care for is that they feel "clunky" or loose when handling. The forearm doesn't feel as though it is tightly attached to the action bars. it is though, they just have that looseness built in (at least on all of the Ithacas that I've seen)
One thing to be aware of when buying Ithaca barrels is that they changed how they mount so you must know the serial number cutoff (don't have it handy at the moment) and the serial number of your receiver or you may buy the wrong barrel.
Quite a few prisons and police depts. issued the Ithaca in years gone by also.
All in all it was/is a good shotgun, only it was superceded by the Remington more or less in police dept circles starting in the mid to late 60s.
 
Another item against turning it into a combat shotgun is the way the barrel attaches to the magazine tube. The barrel screws into a magazine nut on the end of the magazine tube, effectively making it very difficult to add an extended tube for additional round capacity. Also aftermarket parts are not as readily available for the Ithaca.
Basically it was a case of Remingtion and Mossberg being in the right place at the right time when combat shotgunning came of age.
If you want an excellent read on combat shotguns I highly recommend The World's Fighting Shotguns by Thomas F.Swearengen. Occassionly one hears or reads a segment that a second volume is being worked on. I hope so as this book is a must read for combat shotugn affectionatos.
 
Jim Cirillo used a sawed off model 37 on stakeout duty. I read his book and some mag articles where he mentioned how he and his partner layed down a a wall of buckshot with them against a couple perps, all by virtue of the lack of a disconnector. Seemed to work for him. KY imports has some with 20" barrels, but most are probably hunting guns.
 
From what I understand, the later Ithicas will no longer slam-fire. The bottom ejector also seems problematic if you wish to fire over cover.

Ben
 
I've got an old Ithaca Model 37 and like it quite a bit. Parts and accessories are nearly non-existant, but I really like the action design. With the exception of the previously mentioned rattling forarm, it feels very solid. It's weight is about half that of a Mossberg 590A1.

I was looking for one a while back, also. I was able to locate a few "riot" Model 37's with, side folding bayonet, 7-round mag tubes, and 18 inch barrels, but the dealer wanted a bit more than I wanted to pay for a LE/military retiree ($500).

I know the Marine Corp and the SEAL (duckbilled model '37, AKA "Sweet Lips") teams used the model 37 during Viet Nam, so you figure it had to be pretty decent in that role.

If you want a cheap Ithaca knock-off that appears pretty well built, check out the Brolin Arms YL-12. It is Chinese made, has a 18-inch barrel, 7 round mag tube, and cost is about $130 on sale. Sadly, the barrels are not interchangeable, the Chinese version uses an unthreaded set of lugs to attach, whereas Ithaca used interrupted threads.
 
very old Ithica double barrel shotgun

Does anyone know how to tell the age and value of ithica double barrel shotguns
there doesn't appear to be any serial numbers, but there is an engraving of a hunting dog in a marsh
and it says ithica gun co. ithica NY
 
ithaca doubles...

check a "Dixie Gun Works " catalog, tehy have S/n for the doubles.
S/n should be on the upper or lower tangs.
 
RE old double barrel ithica shotgun

Thanks I will look into it - Still can locate any numbers on the gun though.
Happy Holidays.
 
A while back SOG was selling police trade in M37's for $199. They were the 5 shot model.
Also, Ithica used to make a 10ga SA called the Mag-10, the police model was called the "Road Blocker". My uncle used to carry one when he was a Sheriffs Deputy in Maine back in the late 70's. I remeber he wasn't very happy with it because it only held three rds.
 
The Ithaca 37 and subsequent models have been discussed here several times.

The model 37 is a solid well made gun, equal to or surpassing the venerated 870 in quality. It suffers from being a dated design and having limited options such as add ons and easily interchangeable barrels.

It is/was a throwback to a time when guns were mostly made and finished by hand by craftsmen. It was a original Remington design that was superseded by the Remington 31 which was in turn replaced by the 870.

Nothing wrong with them, they will give several generations of faithfull service if cared for. The deerslayer model would make a great HD gun.
 
Ithaca Mag 10

I picked up an ithaca mag 10 deluxe this fall and really like it. I got to use it for turkey hunting It's not much of a home defense gun though having a 32 inch barrel and being 54 inches overall in length.

Mavrik
 
I like the Mag-10. They made a defense version. They run well, but don't like to get the trigger group dirty or they start to hang up. In cold weather the only lube I use is lighter fluid and everything is silky.
 
ithica double barrel

ITHICA DOUBLE BARREL DOUBLE TRIGGER 12 guage SHOTGUN

Does anyone know how to tell the age and value of ithica double barrel shotguns?

the serial number is 288521,there is also an engraving of a hunting dog in a marsh. and it says ithica gun co. ithica NY

I need to sell it for my dad - THANKS
 
I have visited the Ithaca plant in both Ithaca, NY and their later address in King Ferry,NY a few miles North of Ithaca. They have always been a pretty much handcrafted shotgun. All of the machining was done by hand in various fixtures without the aid of a CNC machines. I have also personally seen their "version" of an experimental 2 action bar Model 37. Ithaca's opinion was it wasn't necessary for functioning and stuck with the single action bar. There is virtually no stamped parts in an Ithaca shotgun and they machine the entire action from a solid block of steel and whittle it down to very light weight.
The rights to the 10 guage was ultimatly bought out by Remington and are still produced today.
The double barrel model, with the "dogs in the marsh" sounds like a Ithaca NID, which too was a fine shotgun.
Ithaca's final location was to relocate to the City of Auburn, NY which is about 11 miles from me. I go there often and pass by the "factory" just to see if there is any activity. The last time I went by, all there was at the location was a Van marked Ithaca Guns and no sign of anyone or activity.
I would hope some company would pick up the pieces and re-create the old Model 37, but it seems doubtful at this time. It is really too bad, they have had their financial problems and just couldn't get past them. I suspect it was because they had too many costs and overhead in making a handcrafted shotgun in a world of stamped parts and totaly automated machining. Ithaca shotguns were always more expensive than Remingtons and Mossbergs and several others, but you sure got your money's worth. It is too bad, they chose to try to produce quality in a world of Wal Mart shoppers expecting quality products at bargan basement prices. I think we are all a little guilty for their demise for not realizing quality has a price.
 
My first shotgun purchase came down to an Ithaca Model 37 and a Rem 870 Wingmaster. Both were older guns (early 80s), both were excellent quality. I preferred the fit and finish of the Wingmaster - which I purchased - a little more. The Model 37 had a loose forearm, which others have mentioned, and that felt "off" to me; just personal preference there. The Ithaca's action also felt different - less robust, but more smooth. Hard to explain. Could've been just those two examples, I suppose. It really was a toss-up, though. Hard to decide. Incidentally, I ultimately went with the Remington due to the excellent reliability record and general outstanding quality over the years; Ithaca's multiple demises and resurrections were the only point against it. Plus I loved my Remington rifle, so some amount of brand loyalty was involved also.

But if I was in a position to buy another pump gun, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a 37 - I've read nothing but positive things on this board and elsewhere; my only question is this - does the 37 only take 2 3/4" shells, or 3" as well? I don't remember if the barrel was stamped on the one I looked at.
 
I own a model 37 12 guage and it is a fine shotgun. It does have a bit of a kick. Never had a problem with it. Action is very smooth and I like the bottom eject. The forearm isn't as wobbly/noisy as a Mossburg and feels better. Only problem is, they went out of business, so now parts/accessories are hard to come by. If your looking for a good used/shooting shotty, at a reasonable price, you might try one.
It is a JMB design originally.
 
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