Ithaca Model 37 Review: The return of the original defense shotgun (VIDEO). For those not already familiar with the Ithaca Model 37 let’s take a look at where it came from. I just want to tell you and the other pistolsmiths at Ithaca thanks for building an. About a year ago I purchased one of your 20 gauge Model 37 Featherlights as a.
Ithaca Model 37 Defense Shotgun
By Randy Wakeman
Perhaps due to the Obama effect and other factors, theHD/Tactical class of self-defense shotguns has seen more consumer interest asof late then ever before. The notion of a twelve gauge pump-action shotgun asan effective close quarters weapon is well supported: the M97 version of JohnBrowning’s Winchester 1897 shotgun was the original “trench-sweeper.” Widelyconsidered the first truly successful pump shotgun, the M97 was fitted with aheat shield and the M1917 sixteen inch bayonet for combat duty. Thehighly-effective use of the shotgun by United States forces in WWI had adramatic effect on the morale of front-line German troops. As a result, onSeptember 19 of 1918, the German government issued a diplomatic protest againstthe American use of shotguns, alleging that the law of war prohibited theshotgun. Secretary of State Robert Lansing rejected the German protest in aformal note. The 5+1 capacity M97 and OO buckshot defined the fast-handling,reliable, effective close-quarters shotgun for about thirty years, the platformof the high-capacity pump persisting through to present day.
The reason to consider a shotgun for personal defense iswhat many combat studies have shown: the hit probability of a shotgun isroughly twice that of a rifle. For home defense, the shotgun is a quickerstopper than a handgun due to its being able to produce more wound trauma withmultiple wound paths, it is considered easier to use in a high-stresssituation, and minimizes wall penetration compared to some handgun ammunition.It is also economical to practice with; no firearm is worth much unless you areproficient with it. Regardless of the individual’s choice, it is a very seriousmatter. It is a matter that commands understanding of all applicable laws,regular practice, and formal training. You might want to practice as if yourlife depended on it, as that is the general idea.
Number 1 Buckshot is .30 caliber; it is the superior choiceas defined by the International Wound Ballistics Association: “Number 1 buckis the smallest diameter shot that reliably and consistently penetrates morethan 12 inches of standard ordnance gelatin when fired at typical shotgunengagement distances. A standard 2 ¾-inch 12 gauge shotshell contains 16 pelletsof #1 buck. The total combined cross sectional area of the 16 pellets is 1.13square inches. Compared to the total combined cross sectional area of the ninepellets in a standard #00 (double-aught) buck shotshell (0.77 square inches),the # 1 buck shotshell has the capacity to produce over 30 percent morepotentially effective wound trauma. In all shotshell loads, number 1 buckshotproduces more potentially effective wound trauma than either #00 or #000 buck.In addition, number 1 buck is less likely to over-penetrate and exit anattacker's body.” For further reading, we refer you to the works of bothDr. Martin Fackler and Duncan MacPherson on bullet penetration and woundingballistics.
Ithaca Eight Shot Model 37 Defense Gun
- Overall Length39-1/2 in.
- Barrel Length / Type20 inch, plain
- SightBrass bead
- LOP14.25 in.
- Buttstock drop1.625 in. drop at comb, 2.25 in. drop at heel
- ButtplatePachmayr 752 recoil pad
- Weight Unloaded6-3/4 lbs. as tested
- Magazine TypeTube
- Magazine Capacity7
- Chamber Length3 inches
- Steel shot capableYes
- SafetyCrossbolt
- Action FinishParkerized
- Action TypeSlide-Action, bottom ejection
- Barrel FinishParkerized
- StockWalnut, Satin finish
- Grip TypePistol Grip
- CheckeringNone.
- Bore12ga.
- ChokeFixed Cylinder.
- Trigger Pull Weight4 lbs.
- WarrantyOne year.
- Telephone(877) 648-4222
- Websitehttp://www.ithacagun.com
- 2009 MSRP$469
The tested 12 gauge Ithaca Model 37 is the high-capacity 20inch barreled model, able to hold seven shells in the magazine plus one in thechamber. The buttstock is uncheckered walnut, finished off with a nicelyground, black Pachmayr “Decelerator” recoil pad. The external metal finishes ofthis HD shotgun are Parkerized; the barrel is a plain barrel with a brass beadat the muzzle. The Parkerized finish was extremely well-done and evenlyapplied. The walnut forearm is a big, beefy “honey-dipper” or “corn-cob” type,currently designated as a “ring tail forearm” by Ithaca. I was wereinstantly impressed with the steady grip and control this forearm gave me. Thegun itself weighs 6-3/4 lbs., with a trigger that was exceptionally crispbreaking at 4 pounds on the nose.
As for background, the Ithaca M37’s used in Vietnam wereprimarily six shot versions: the riot gun was a 18 inch barrel, the trench gunswere 20 inch barrel versions typically with heat shields and a mounting lug forthe M7 bayonet. The Navy SEAL modified trench gun version lost the heat shield,but added the extended magazine to increase the capacity to 8 shots. The testedIthaca is most similar to the Navy SEAL M37 both dimensionally and in firepower capability.
Unlike many wingshooting versions of the Model 37, theIthaca defense model is not a take-down version. It has a solid frame with thebarrel permanently threaded into its all-steel receiver similar to center-firerifle constriction and that employed by the Ithaca Deerslayer II and III. It isa very strong system, as solid threads are obviously stronger than interruptedthreads of the same length. By virtue of the bottom loading and bottom eject,the M37 goes a long way towards being ambidextrous. The trigger guard safety isset up for the right-handed shooter, but is reversible if you desire. The M37is chambered for 2-3/4 in. and 3 in. shells, and is cylinder bore. The receiveris machined from an eight pound block of steel, and its barrel is made of 4140chrome-moly. Despite the Ithaca’s robust, all-steel construction it islighter than most 'HD' models.
At the range, we couldn’t have been happier with theIthaca’s performance. We made a lot of hulls, in sets of eight at a time, usingfactory Remington STS loads, and a variety of our heavier reloads for functiontesting. We had no malfunctions of any kind, the factory Pachmayr pad did afine job of attenuating the recoil, and hull ejection was both positive andforceful. The Ithaca’s action was the smoothest and slickest action recentlyexperienced on a slide-action repeater.
The Ithaca Model 37 had the excellent overall buildquality, a smooth action, superb balance, the best trigger, andit was fast and user-friendly to operate. It is easy to load quickly,easy to shoot quickly, easy to point quickly, has impressive eight-shotfirepower and is pleasant to shoot despite its comparatively spritely weight.Not only was it the easiest to operate compared to other pumps, it retailsfor some $200 less than the others.The Ithaca wins big on both performance and price. The Ithaca Model 37Defense did it all for us, did it better, and even did it at substantiallylower cost. The Ithaca has by far the slickest action, the best trigger, thelightest weight, the best handling, the softest felt recoil, and is hands downthe easiest and fastest to use.
We even did some dimly-lit hallway testing, and where otherfront sights reflected black, while the Ithaca’s brass bead retained asoft metallic sheen. The well-fitted Pachmayr “Decelerator” pad did its jobwell. The Ithaca was the only slide-action we have recently seen that we couldintuitively operate safety, slide, and trigger all without breakingstockweld. It was easy to load, and it’s bottom ejection prohibits hulls frombouncing off of walls or doors. The brass front bead let us quickly deploylethal buckshot patterns from point-blank to 30 yards, far more capability thanmost home defense situations require.
If we wanted extremely low or no-light capability, theaddition of an XS Sights “Big Dot Tritium” front sight is an easy add-on.While we believe that five or six shots is more than necessary for anyforeseeable HD application, we’d rather have a few more rounds at our disposalthan a few less, so the Ithaca’s eight shot capability with its factoryone-piece seven-shot magazine tube gives us that as well. Finally, we found theIthaca M37’s beefy walnut ring-tailed forearm gave us outstanding bestfeel and control. Ithaca wins as an HD gun on all the levels that wefelt were really important. It is a job very well done by Ithaca, to be sure.
NOTE: There are full-length reviews of 20 and 28 gauge Ithaca hunting Model 37's on the Product Reviews page.