Ithaca 37 deerslayer for home defence

[troy fairweather]

Been wanting to pick up a home defence type shotgun, was looking at a 590 or A1 if I can scratch up the money.

But a lgs has a deerslayer for $375-$400 ish, smoothbore and it got me thinking I know they love slugs and I'd think they would sling buck shot pretty good, for at least HD ranges. I forgot to look at the serial number when I looked at it so not sure on the year. It has the red cushion butt pad and had a sticker on the stock that said walnut if that helps to date it. I like the 37 but been years since I've owned one, like that there ambi and bottom eject.

So anyone use one for HD and what would you do, a 590 is $425-$475 at the moment I believe.

 

[troy fairweather]

Nice guns,but the fixed barrel and the inability to port load due to the bottom eject are a dealbraker for me.

I think this one the barrel was removable,

 

[earlthegoat2]

Only the later model rifled Deerslayers are fixed barrel.

I believe when ownership changed and around the time production moved to Kings Ferry. There are probably a few exceptions though.

 

[Speedo66]

Regular Ithaca 37 with serial # above 855,000 can interchange barrels. Models before that had to have barrels factory fitted.

If above that serial number, barrels from the newer production guns from Kings Ferry NY and OH will supposedly fit, although the older barrels from Ithaca NY may be better quality.

 

[PapaG]

Defense

 

[FL-NC]

I have a 37 that I love on a dove field. For HD I would choose a more modern shotgun that is more user friendly for mounting a white light, like the Mossberg.

 

[troy fairweather]

I have a 37 that I love on a dove field. For HD I would choose a more modern shotgun that is more user friendly for mounting a white light, like the Mossberg.

Ya I plan to mount a light, I'm kinda hoping someone makes a light that fits mossbergs bayonet lug, always thought that would be a good place to mount a light.

 

[WisBorn]

I really like top tang safety. The Browning BPS has the top safety with bottom load and ejection. I often feel they are underrated. Great pump shotguns.

I like Mossbergs with the top safety. The shells ejecting from the right side doesn't bother me as I cycle the pump as a left handed shooter.

I know safety can be flipped on shotguns with trigger guard safeties. I just never liked that, if I would borrow a shotgun to a right handed shooters

 

[troy fairweather]

I really like top tang safety. The Browning BPS has the top safety with bottom load and ejection. I often feel they are underrated. Great pump shotguns.

I like Mossbergs with the top safety. The shells ejecting from the right side doesn't bother me as I cycle the pump as a left handed shooter.

I know safety can be flipped on shotguns with trigger guard safeties. I just never liked that, if I would borrow a shotgun to a right handed shooters

A bps would be nice, but don't think they make a home defense gun and there above my budget. To bad I never see any used around me I'd like a nice do all field pump and the bps is about perfect.

 

[earplug]

I kept a Model 37 in the corners for many years. Cut a barrel back to twenty inches and added large peep or ghost ring type sights.
Used it for deer hunting and HD. Shot slugs very well.
Since I stopped hunting and don't play shotgun games, I keep a AR in the corner now. Much easier to practice with and many light and sight options.

 

[Ovendoctor]

Ive owned several Mod 37's currently have the slug barrel installed on the 12 Ga.
one of the greatest advantage is reloading on the fly
not going to get your finger stuck in the loading port like ''other'' shot guns
with the two loading rods it eliminates that issue
had this happen to me with a Rem. Mod 11 on a sporting clays course
one of the stations was the ''Duck Boat'' ,, 6 shots in pairs with reloads between birds
about ripped the end of my finger off reloading under pressure
slugs, buck shot , bird shot all works great
if you look around you could find them for about $250.00

Mike

wish I never sold my 37 in 20 Ga.

 

[Random 8]

The 37 in general and especially the Deerslayer are great shotguns. The DS will be a fine choice for defense, tacticool crowd be damned. There's not much a relatively short barreled smooth cyl bore stoked with buckshot won't stop at close range. They point very well. They cycle and reload quickly. They are reliable. The rifle sights are a nice bonus if you intend to shoot deer or just play around on the range. If you have the sling lanyard magazine cap, rednecking a light onto the gun is butt simple. I believe there are also accesory mounts that can use this loop or possibly even a replacement cap with a rail or attachment point.

I keep an older Featherweight choked IC with a relatively short barrel at my huntng camp for general use. In case of 2 or 4 legged threats, there are 2 boxes of buckshot available and I would not hesitate to press it into such service!

 

[amd6547]

The Model 37, loaded with #4 buckshot, had some popularity with the SEALs during the Vietnam war.

 

[entropy]

It's not a Deer slayer, but it will do the job if I ever need it to.

Since the above pic was taken, I put a light on it. I just used a barrel clamp mount.

 

[Sav .250]

A shotgun will certainly get the job done.
Collateral damage while using for home defense???

 

[troy fairweather]

A shotgun will certainly get the job done.
Collateral damage while using for home defense???

That's why no4 buck is so good in hd.

 

[WisBorn]

Like #4 buck for critters like coyotes also!