Wise to remove safety from Ithaca Model 37 shotgun?

[bushmaster1313]

Took my Ithaca Model 37 12 gauge with 18.5 inch barrel to the range for multiple target practice.

After 2 rounds the trigger would not pull on the third round and the pump handle would not operate. I was bummed, this is a birth year gun (1956) that I have personalized to be just right.

The problem was that I shoot from the left side and my trigger finger enaged the safety when sweeping from target 2 to target 3.

Okay-problem diagnosed-what is the solution.

1) Keep safety as is-good for righty BAD for me.
2) Switch safety to make it lefty friendly righty BAD
3) Remove safety altogether.

1 is out if I want it as a defensive weapon for me.
2 makes it tough for the majority of shooters
3 Is this a safe and viable alternative in a defensive only gun?

 

[kenhwind]

I would not remove the safety, because it would not take much to release the hammer. The trigger and sear are one piece and pivot on a pin. The safety blocks the trigger from moving and disengaging the hammer.

If you are left handed install a left hand safety, if you have left and right handed persons that might use it, get a shotgun with a top tang safety. Because of the location of the safety in the M37 it is hard to shoot them with the opposite side and not engage the safety. In an emergency trying to remember not to engage the safety will take alot of concentration.

BTW: I like your shotgun, did you shorten it?

 

[451 Detonics]

Or you could use a lot less finger to pull the trigger. No matter what kind of gun I am shooting I use the first pad of my trigger finger to pull the trigger, no way it could possibly reach the safety. Other than that I would change it to a left hand safety.

 

[bushmaster1313]

BTW: I like your shotgun, did you shorten it?

Thank you
Started as a 30" with a polychoke and a full length non-checkered stock (with a plastic butt plate). I refinished the old stock and sold it (see bottom of last picture)

I had my local gunsmith cut the barrel to 18.5 and add a brass bead (measure twice cut once measure twice before you take it home)

I found a surplus stock on this Forum which lo and behold had hand checkering and an ivory grip cap. I refinished the wood with Tru-Oil and stained the ivory with tea.

Got a reproduction bridge trestle pad from Galazan and Tron from Trapshooters.com shortened the stock and fitted the pad to about 12.75" LOP. Any shorter and the pad would not have fit.

Frank from Sycamore Hill Designs gave it a cleaning, lube and safety check.

Probably makes sense for me to get the safety switched from righty to lefty.

 

[kenhwind]

I'm a lefty and am very fond of the Ithaca M37. I think it is the best slide action shotgun made. My guns have left hand safeties in them, when I have them. Down to one now, but I've had several a couple of times.

 

[bushmaster1313]

Everyone loves my little Model 37.
Riot guns can be cute

If only there were BBQ's for riot guns in NJ

 

[Youngster]

Reverse it, no big deal.

The fact that it's almost too easy to disengage the safety is one of the things i like about these guns.

The safety almost, but not quite, comes off automatically when I place my finger on the trigger, making it almost like a grip safety that requires conscious effort to disengage.

 

[bushmaster1313]

Can safety be reversed or do I need a new left hand safety?

 

[rcmodel]

First thing to try is, take it apart and clean the old dirt & dried oil out of it.
It is bound to have some after 55 years.

Maybe that will fix it so it works more better and doesn't get bumped off quite as easily.

rc

 

[kenhwind]

[Maybe that will fix it so it works more better and doesn't get bumped off quite as easily./QUOTE]
You might want to replace the safety plunger spring. The safety is not reversible, there is a right hand and a left hand.

I had a parkerized "DS Police Special" that I had to let go.

 

[rcmodel]

BTW: Completely removing the safety should never be done, especially on a HD shotgun.

If you ever do have to use it, lawyers could have a field day with factory safety tampering.

rc

 

[kozak6]

They make left handed safeties for these. Track one down, or talk to the new Ithaca about getting one.

 

[Milkmaster]

I wish I had known that you were left handed Bushmaster when I sold you the stock. I had a left handed safety kit that I just sold a month ago that would have worked no problem for you. Switching the safety is no problem at all and takes only about 10 minutes after you take out the trigger group. I am attaching a picture of what the kit looks like. The safety thumb piece is just reversed where the raised portion is located. I bet Ithaca would sell you one no problem. I have had good luck with them buying the stock that replaced the shorter model I sent to you.

 

[oletymer]

Order a left hand safety from Ithaca. It runs about $20 with shipping.

 

[EMC45]

"BTW: Completely removing the safety should never be done, especially on a HD shotgun.

If you ever do have to use it, lawyers could have a field day with factory safety tampering."
rc

He lives in NJ. If he shoots someone in his home he is prison bound anyway.

 

[bushmaster1313]

First thing to try is, take it apart and clean the old dirt & dried oil out of it.
It is bound to have some after 55 years.

I had the whole thing taken apart and cleaned by a pro not too long ago.
It's just not for a lefty in the righty configuration.

I sold my Remington 31 TC because it is not lefty friendly on the trap line.

I will be trading my Kahr MK40 because I engage the magazine release with trigger finger during rapid fire.

Mossberg really knew what they were doing when they put the safety of the 500 on top of the receiver with forward to fire.