Please compare Ithaca 37 vs Remington 870
- Thread starter riverdog
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I own two 870s (both 12 g) and one 37 (16g).
How does it compare? It seems to be as reliable. The 37 seems to be lighter, handier and faster than the 870....but I'm not sure how much of that is a factor of the 37 being a 16. The 37 is a beautiful, elegant gun...the 870 seems more utilitarian and businesslike.
Switching bbls is a bit of a chore. Also, if you have an old 37, or old bbls, they may or may not be compatible. After a certain date (can't recall what), the bbls were all intechangable. Prior to that, it was kinda a crapshoot.
Its not HARD to field strip...but the 870 is MUCH easier.
The 870 has more aftermarket goodies available for it.
Mike
How does it compare? It seems to be as reliable. The 37 seems to be lighter, handier and faster than the 870....but I'm not sure how much of that is a factor of the 37 being a 16. The 37 is a beautiful, elegant gun...the 870 seems more utilitarian and businesslike.
Switching bbls is a bit of a chore. Also, if you have an old 37, or old bbls, they may or may not be compatible. After a certain date (can't recall what), the bbls were all intechangable. Prior to that, it was kinda a crapshoot.
Its not HARD to field strip...but the 870 is MUCH easier.
The 870 has more aftermarket goodies available for it.
Mike
Bowlcut
Member
the 37 is a hunting gun....basicly. barrels...think its serial around 800,000 is the cut off point for barrels being interchangable. go to ithca's website it tells ya there, where i found it.
a 37 is a duck gun for the most part....ment to be swung easily and carried easily. only reason to get it over a 870 would be if you were left handed, or you were hunting with it only. HD, get an 870 or 500/590
a 37 is a duck gun for the most part....ment to be swung easily and carried easily. only reason to get it over a 870 would be if you were left handed, or you were hunting with it only. HD, get an 870 or 500/590
I'll check my favorite haunts and see if I can find one to paw. Gunshow next month ... I'll have cash 
Gordon
Member
I have a Vietnam era parkerized Model 37 riot gun in fine shape, and a 50's 20ga Featherlite . I'd not part with either as they are way cool and haven't given me any trouble in the 30 years I've owned them. The 20ga is a real good Quail gun after I had choke opened to imp. cyl. , it swings real fast. Actually I gave these guns to son's but am holding them while they are in school and travel abroad. That said 870's are much superior : dual action bars, simplicity of field strip, universal parts availability and more. Apparently in gun design it is a no no among current engineering opinion to poop where you eat: the feed port should not be shared with the ejection port because some interesting things CAN happen at the wrong time!
870 vs 37
i own an 870 with a 28" mod bbl. i bought a slug bbl. 20 years ago, put it on and have never taken it off. i owned a 37 years back and it was a delight to carry but a tad too much drop in the stock for my tastes. i tended to shoot under rising birds, especially grouse. also the light weight combined with the drop in the stock would put a mouse under my eye after 3 or 4 shots. the 870 is just too much to lug up and down the hills of so. ohio for me. fine for deer hunting and points naturally. go to ithacas' web site and check their new 16 ga. classic. it's a beauty. 6 lbs., 24" bbl., 2 3/4" chamber,screw in chokes, and the receiver is an inch shorter than an 870.i believe it would be a dandy upland gun. quick, light and more than adequate. if i was 40 yrs. younger i,d have one in a heartbeat. by the way, they've straightened that stock. i never experienced a malfunction due to the bottom ejection nor did a buddy of mine i hunted with for 30 yrs. and swore by his 37.
i own an 870 with a 28" mod bbl. i bought a slug bbl. 20 years ago, put it on and have never taken it off. i owned a 37 years back and it was a delight to carry but a tad too much drop in the stock for my tastes. i tended to shoot under rising birds, especially grouse. also the light weight combined with the drop in the stock would put a mouse under my eye after 3 or 4 shots. the 870 is just too much to lug up and down the hills of so. ohio for me. fine for deer hunting and points naturally. go to ithacas' web site and check their new 16 ga. classic. it's a beauty. 6 lbs., 24" bbl., 2 3/4" chamber,screw in chokes, and the receiver is an inch shorter than an 870.i believe it would be a dandy upland gun. quick, light and more than adequate. if i was 40 yrs. younger i,d have one in a heartbeat. by the way, they've straightened that stock. i never experienced a malfunction due to the bottom ejection nor did a buddy of mine i hunted with for 30 yrs. and swore by his 37.
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