Home Forums Reloading 16 Gauge Society Ithaca 37

If possible I’d look for a prewar gun, preferably a deluxe with the wraparound checkered pistol grip and checkered forend. If you can’t find one a standard gun from the same era up to the 50s will have the same dimensions minus the fancy checkering. The newer guns from the 60s, 70s, and 80s are just as good mechanically but the stocks became kinda clubby over time.

Hey Mart is that like sudden death and chained blue lightning on ptarmigan? Mb

It is. And purty handy on grouse.

Any idea what serial # I should stay below to get one of the older guns??

Found a Skeet model. Serial number starts with an S and is in the 80k range.

Only thing that kills me is the the skeet choke. Not sure I have much use for a choke that open.

VR barrel too. May swing by this week and drool over it.

Hard to find ones that are choked like that.

I’ve cut down a few of the old full choke models for quail guns.

You’d be shocked just how effective a skeet choked gun is. I have hunted upland with my O/Us for the last 25 years with IC over Skeet. I would have been just as happy with my 37 if it had been choked Skeet. It just happened to be IC and a great deal. That skeet choked 37 wouldn’t slow me down a bit.

Never weighed it. Trust me, it was heavy. Believe the barrel is a good bit heavier/thicker than the original.

Yup dale06, the reproduction managed to lose what the originals had going for them. Call it what you will but my 80+ year old 37r handles with a life of it's own. Mb

Iv never have owned a M37 and shooting lefty I should. Almost bought a older gun last fall that was mint but it was a 12 gage. I really want a 16, one I have 2 M 12s one a 12 trap and. 16 solid rib but with a poly choke.

If there is even the slightest possibility of you wanting to get a slug barrel or change the present barrel for a different choke you need the serial number to be above 855,000 or begin with "37".

Guns with serial numbers that are lower have barrels that are fit to that particular receiver and will not interchange with guns with a serial number above 855,000. The lower numbered barrels will also have the receiver serial number stamped on the barrel. Newer barrels will not have a number stamped.

Guns that have serial numbers that begin with 37 will interchange barrels with other non-serial numbered barrels.

The new "Ithaca" gun co. will take your low numbered receiver and modify it to accept "newer" barrels. Last I knew the service was about $225.00. Keep in mind once the service is completed your old barrel will no longer fit and they'll be happy to sell you new barrels. Your old numbered barrel may be used as a tomato stake...

On a side note. Should you buy an older low numbered gun and a non-matching low numbered barrel there is a chance it could be fit by a competent gunsmith, a chance...

I own of a pair of 16 gauge 37s.

My preference is for models of pre-war vintage with cut checkering on the fore arms and butt stocks. Lightweight guns that swing and point well on upland birds. Choked IC or with opened barrels.

Nice.

I like that one.

DF

Does look fine the quality which demands a quality libation at the end of the shooting day. Mb

Trying different shot size and velocities can be quite instructive on how that gun patterns. Working with Major Askins' Superposed, choked per his specs at 45% and 55%, it was pretty amazing how differently loads can pattern thru open chokes. When you find the optimal combo, hunt with that one.

Check it out.

DF

Here's a link on patterning open chokes with different loads. Check out the previous page, also.

I was wrong, the Super was choked 45% and 50%. https://www.shotgunworld.com/threads/1933-superposed.124719/page-19

DF

Hoping to get mine out this weekend.

No whole gun pics but the stock sure is pretty in the sun. Model 37 R Deluxe. Solid rib and modified choke.

That is exceptional wood.

DF

I concur.