Really wanted the Ithaca, but left with a Browning BPS Hunter 20 Ga

[Freudianfloyd]

The company I work for recently moved to a new building, and now on my drive I pass a gun store. I have passed it hundreds of times, but today was the first day I ever stopped in. I don't know why I waited so long.

Of all the gun stores I have been too, I have never walked in to a WALL of guns and every one of them is open and can be picked up, handled, you can window shop, etc. They are not behind a counter, they are on a wall like cell phones would be in a store.

They also had a decent selection of used guns, which has been my thing lately. I didn't know what I was going to buy if anything, but I sold some stuff and had money burning a hole in my pocket.

On the used gun rack, they had some nice looking old shotguns, a Sweet 16, lots of 500's, a couple older automatics, and one that I absolutely fell in love with. An Ithaca 37 Featherweight in 12.

I have never owned an Ithaca, and instantly had to have it. The gun looked like it had never been fired but had a few scuffs and marks that look like it was banged around in a closet, but still in great shape. It cycled smoother than any pump gun I have ever held, and it seemed like a great price. However, my excitement turned to disappointment when I noticed it had a Poly-choke firmly attached to the barrel.

I wasn't instantly turned off by it, but it really made me second guess the purchase. So much so, I left and went out to my truck and thought about it for a while, called the only gun expert I know, and then went back in to the store and looked it over more. In the end, I just couldn't bring myself to buy it. That big corn cob just took all the aesthetic out of the glossy gun.

Next to the Ithaca however, was a mint condition Browning BPS Hunter for a really good price. The gun also had the original box and choke tubes. The best part, it was a 20. I have several 12's but only one other pump 20. That combined with them dropping the price sealed the deal, and so I left with the Browning instead.


Now I am at home still thinking about that Ithaca. And thinking I need to pick it up next time I head home that way from work.

What do you guys think of Poly-choke, corn cobs, etc. How much would that kill the deal for you?

Also, what does a really nice Ithaca 37 Featherweight go for these days?

 

[Milkmaster]

Either choice is a proven winner! Congratulations The polychoke is a winner if you don't mind the look. Modern plastic cup ammo is less sensitive to choke constrictions. Sometimes those polychokes can be removed. But on the other hand they do work and you need some sort of choke.

 

[WestKentucky]

The company I work for recently moved to a new building, and now on my drive I pass a gun store. I have passed it hundreds of times, but today was the first day I ever stopped in. I don't know why I waited so long.

Of all the gun stores I have been too, I have never walked in to a WALL of guns and every one of them is open and can be picked up, handled, you can window shop, etc. They are not behind a counter, they are on a wall like cell phones would be in a store.

They also had a decent selection of used guns, which has been my thing lately. I didn't know what I was going to buy if anything, but I sold some stuff and had money burning a hole in my pocket.

On the used gun rack, they had some nice looking old shotguns, a Sweet 16, lots of 500's, a couple older automatics, and one that I absolutely fell in love with. An Ithaca 37 Featherweight in 12.

I have never owned an Ithaca, and instantly had to have it. The gun looked like it had never been fired but had a few scuffs and marks that look like it was banged around in a closet, but still in great shape. It cycled smoother than any pump gun I have ever held, and it seemed like a great price. However, my excitement turned to disappointment when I noticed it had a Poly-choke firmly attached to the barrel.

I wasn't instantly turned off by it, but it really made me second guess the purchase. So much so, I left and went out to my truck and thought about it for a while, called the only gun expert I know, and then went back in to the store and looked it over more. In the end, I just couldn't bring myself to buy it. That big corn cob just took all the aesthetic out of the glossy gun.

Next to the Ithaca however, was a mint condition Browning BPS Hunter for a really good price. The gun also had the original box and choke tubes. The best part, it was a 20. I have several 12's but only one other pump 20. That combined with them dropping the price sealed the deal, and so I left with the Browning instead.
View attachment 1125136

Now I am at home still thinking about that Ithaca. And thinking I need to pick it up next time I head home that way from work.

What do you guys think of Poly-choke, corn cobs, etc. How much would that kill the deal for you?

Also, what does a really nice Ithaca 37 Featherweight go for these days?

I have a Mossberg with an acc-u-choke on it and I actually really like it. It’s ugly, no doubt about that, but it makes the gun much more usable for me. I go in the woods and see a squirrel I tighten to full and knock him out of the top of the oaks. Go back to the field where I might jump a rabbit or quail and I open back up to modified. All without tools, and with no expensive choke tubes to lose when you cross the fence. I find myself attracted to the polychoke guns when I see them. I would love to get a 16ga pump polychoke.

 

[Freudianfloyd]

I have a Mossberg with an acc-u-choke on it and I actually really like it. It’s ugly, no doubt about that, but it makes the gun much more usable for me. I go in the woods and see a squirrel I tighten to full and knock him out of the top of the oaks. Go back to the field where I might jump a rabbit or quail and I open back up to modified. All without tools, and with no expensive choke tubes to lose when you cross the fence. I find myself attracted to the polychoke guns when I see them. I would love to get a 16ga pump polychoke.

I know they are handy, I'm just not a fan at all of the look, and honestly, if I bought that Ithaca, it was too nice to take out in the woods. I probably would just leave it in my safe.

 

[FL-NC]

FWIW, Browning (the man himself) developed that design. I really like my 37, even though I don't get as much use out of it as I would like to. Another gem of the same design is the Remington model 17, which is a very light and trim 20 gauge.

 

[I6turbo]

... and one that I absolutely fell in love with. An Ithaca 37 Featherweight in 12.
.... In the end, I just couldn't bring myself to buy it. That big corn cob just took all the aesthetic out of the glossy gun.

Now I am at home still thinking about that Ithaca. And thinking I need to pick it up next time I head home that way from work.

What do you guys think of Poly-choke, corn cobs, etc. How much would that kill the deal for you?

Also, what does a really nice Ithaca 37 Featherweight go for these days?

If you don't like the looks and the idea of the Polychoke, I'm not sure I'd recommend one on a gun that you otherwise love. I think they are functional but not everyone appreciates the aesthetics. My Auto 5 had a Cutts Compensator (somewhat similar in appearance to a Polychoke) when I bought it. I kind of appreciated the nostalgia, but otherwise it did look a bit dorky. I bought the gun with the intention of shortening the barrel, if not I think I would have looked for one without the Compensator.

But I understand your appreciation of the Model 37. I bought my first one a few years ago and really liked it, ended up with a couple more. I've shortened the barrels on mine (I prefer the feel of a shorter shotgun), had screw-in chokes installed (which I recommend if you want to be able to change the choke), shortened the stocks a little bit, added recoil pads, and refinished the wood. The long-barreled one in the photo below has since been shortened and the wood refinished like the others. I highly recommend the gun if it fits you as well as it does me. IMO, they are high-quality guns, and enjoyable to operate and shoot.



I've watched the 37s sell on GB for a few years now. Unless they've spiked up recently, you can pick up a very nice one in the $500-$550 range if you keep your eye out. Add another $100 and you'll have a wide range of choices. I prefer the 1955 and earlier models, or if not that old, maybe the 1966 and earlier, but they are all good guns.

...if I bought that Ithaca, it was too nice to take out in the woods. I probably would just leave it in my safe.

That'd be a real shame.

 

[kudu]

I have never walked in to a WALL of guns and every one of them is open and can be picked up, handled, you can window shop, etc. They are not behind a counter, they are on a wall like cell phones would be in a store.

Sounds about like Jaquas Gun Shop in Ohio, I try to make the 3 hour trek over there every couple years.

 

[9x56MS]

The poly choke has caused me to not buy several nice shotguns. Just hate the look and it throws off the ballance. I own both the 37 and the bls. Typically the BPS I use for turkeys and waterfowl whereas the Ithica is my go to upland game gun. Both great guns. I prefer the rat tail forearm on my Ithicas. Just one old hunters preferences.

 

[Rudolph31]

I love it that most guys hate Poly Chokes. I love ‘em and I get the gun at least $100 cheaper.

Poly Chokes work, add weight to the barrel that smooths my swing, and look Retro, which is perfect for something as cool as an Ithaca 37. In contrast, I rarely bother to take the trouble to change a screw-in choke. But I can change chokes on that Poly with a quick twist of the wrist.

Does that gun store have a website? I’d like to buy that gun before you change your mind.

 

[Freudianfloyd]

I love it that most guys hate Poly Chokes. I love ‘em and I get the gun at least $100 cheaper.

Poly Chokes work, add weight to the barrel that smooths my swing, and look Retro, which is perfect for something as cool as an Ithaca 37. In contrast, I rarely bother to take the trouble to change a screw-in choke. But I can change chokes on that Poly with a quick twist of the wrist.

Does that gun store have a website? I’d like to buy that gun before you change your mind.

Ha, nice try! I have been thinking about the Ithaca all morning, and debating running up there today and picking it up after all.

 

[Frulk]

I hunted sunflower fields for Hungarian partridge with poly chokes on a couple of Mossbergs (12 and 20) back in the late 80s. Loved them. Even kinda liked the look. Would not have put me off that Ithaca at all.

I have 3 BPS Uplanders (no longer in production). Two 12s and a 20. They’re slick right out of the box but REALLY slick up once you’ve used them for a little while.

PS: just checked a local gun site. One Ithaca 12 gauge featherweight Model 37 “in good shape” for $600. Corn cob forend and no poly choke. That’s in the intermountain west locale

 

[Rudolph31]

Ha, nice try! I have been thinking about the Ithaca all morning, and debating running up there today and picking it up after all.

Well, you’re lucky. Immediately after writing that post I googled Jaquas and looked for it. If it had been listed, it would have been mine.

 

[murf]

i was raised shooting a 16 ga. ithaca with polychoke. you will enjoy shooting your ithaca, too. the polychoke will be forgotten soon after the first pull of the trigger.

luck,

murf

 

[I6turbo]

You guys are making me want a Model 37 with a Polychoke...

 

[dieselchief]

i like polychokes. the adjustment is instant. no fooling around. not too many places can you say wait a minute i want to change my screw in choke.
...usually you can score a vintage gun for 100 to 150 less cause of them. due to most of the older guns having a tight choke full (made before plastic wads) they are a big bonus. jmho.

 

[tactikel]

I have a Rem model 17 (the original Ithaca 37) it is a fantastic platform. The ultra lite is the ultimate upland game pump gun. My Brother in law had a BPS 20 ga 21” it was much heavier, and unbalanced compared to both the ‘17 and my 870 special field 20 ga.
Shoulder both, whichever mounts best is your winner.

 

[steveus101]

I love the Ithaca 37s, have 2 -3" 12 gauge and 1- 20 gauge 2.75". You didn't say if the 37 in the store was 3" or not, may not matter to you. But Ithaca didn't come out with the 3" receiver until about 1980 or so. You may want to make sure which the gun has if it matters to you. In my opinion, the Ithaca 37 is very much the quality of the famous Winchester model 12, but not as complicated. And I love my 20 gauge model 12 too !

 

[Frulk]

Not yet mentioned is the bottom eject of the Ithaca drops the shells at your feet. No hunting for spent ones and a great option for lefties. Of course the BPS is set up the same way.

 

[Freudianfloyd]

Well, I couldn't take it anymore. I had been obsessing over this gun for 3 days and told my wife today that if it is there on my way home, it is a sign that I should buy it. Low and behold, it was still there. The guy also came down on the price so that was a nice bonus. I had high hopes the poly-choke was factory installed, but it wasn't besides being marked Improved, the gun is older than the poly-choke. Before I bought it, I looked up the serial number and this gun that is in excellent condition besides some wear on the mag tube from racking the slide and some flaking of urethane from the forearm, was made in 1949! It honestly looks like it had only been held, or stored in a closet.

I tried to get a shot of the inside of the barrel but it didn't want to show up. It honestly doesn't look like the gun has ever been fired. There isn't so much as a scuff down the entire length of the barrel ID.

It is the smoothest racking gun I have ever had, and it only got better when I oiled it. It was a bit dusty inside.

 

[Frulk]

You done good and THR enablers done good. It’s a win/win.

 

[bannockburn]

Freudianfloyd

There never was a doubt in my mind that you would make the right choice and go back and get the Ithaca too!

I think everyone here knew you were going to do it long before you came to the same conclusion!

 

[Freudianfloyd]

Freudianfloyd

There never was a doubt in my mind that you would make the right choice and go back and get the Ithaca too!

I think everyone here knew you were going to do it long before you came to the same conclusion!

I'm glad it worked out. I may look around at gun shows for a barrel that doesn't have the corn cob on it, but for the time being, I'm just going to stare at it and drool.

 

[SwampWolf]

Before I bought it, I looked up the serial number and this gun that is in excellent condition besides some wear on the mag tube from racking the slide and some flaking of urethane from the forearm, was made in 1949!

Very nice gun. I had one once that had an aftermarket Lyman Cutts Compensator installed; wish I never traded it for something else. I am a little surprised that an Ithaca Model 37 made in 1949 had a white spacer on the pistol grip; especially one having a "corn cob" fore-end.

 

[steveus101]

Glad that you acquired it!

 

[Freudianfloyd]

Very nice gun. I had one once that had an aftermarket Lyman Cutts Compensator installed; wish I never traded it for something else. I am a little surprised that an Ithaca Model 37 made in 1949 had a white spacer on the pistol grip; especially one having a "corn cob" fore-end.

I wonder if it is a later stock? Did they have different grades of the 37 in 1949?