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CDP1802's Ithaca 37
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It's hard to deny the allure of a clasisc pump-action shotgun.
They're simple things, some sort of rectangular box with tubes
off one end and a stock off the other, but still beautiful. The
sound they make is iconic, they've been in damn near every form
of media out there, they've been commonplace since the 1900s...
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I told myself in 2020 that I'd find a vintage Ithaca 37, one
of the most prominent designs boasting 87 years of straight
production, to call my own. I own a pair of Remington 870s and
have shot tens of Mossberg 500s, why not get something that
predates 1950?

Between 2020 and mid-2024, I saw a whole three Ithaca 37s in the
shops near me. One was a modern-production Deerslayer III, the
other two were vintage riot guns. None cost under $800, that new
one running a little over $1,500, so they just never fell into
my budget.

In December of 2024, browsing the local shops with a buddy, I
noticed a 16-gauge Ithaca 37 from the '50s. It was a standard
model, the four-round tube and a 28" barrel. It was also most
definitely a restoration project, the wood was in amazing shape
but the finish on the receiver was pitted away from surface
rust. Their price? $150.

The same day as finding that 37 for $150, a shop down the road
had a standard 12ga. The metal was in much better shape, no
factory finish was tarnished from harsh elements, but it was a
good 100,000 higher on the serial number and didn't have
slam-fire. Their price? $400.

Two days of thinking later, I went back to the first shop. 
That 16ga was still there. 
I couldn't say no.
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While I trust the shop that sold me the gun, they don't sell
absolute junk unlike some which still somehow pawn off Lorcins 
for $150, my first order of business was double-checking all the
important parts of the gun.

Stripping the barrel off of an Ithaca 37 is quite simple: Open
the action, tighten the magazine nut, turn the barrel a quarter
to the left, and pull the thing out. Just like I saw while at
the shop, the chamber and bore were in damn fine condition. I
passed a few CLP-covered patches through for the hell of it,
some surface rust wicked off.

Figuring I should check the other pressure-bearing part, I took
the carrier lock screws and carrier screws outwhich let me pull
the slide, breechlock, and carrier group out. Everything was
still nice and silvery metal despite the gun being a barn find
for what I was told, the whole "load/eject through the bottom to
keep the elements out" feature doing its job damn well. I gave
everything some oil and reassembled the gun.

Should I eventually take the trigger group out? Yes, it has some
minor surface rust and I'm sure tons of carbon buildup. The gun
already feels buttery smooth, I'm sure it would feel even better
after that job, but I don't feel like taking the wood off right
now myself. Maybe after a few range days?
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On the idea of range days, I haven't taken this gun to a proper
shoot yet but it did go to a patterning range at nearby state
gamelands. To no surprise, it worked great! It kicks a little
harder than any 16ga I've shot before, mostly because of how 
light the thing is in comparison, but that said it's still very
comfortable to shoot.

I'm writing this on Decemebr 19th, 2024 which means that the
shotgun should make a showing towards the end of the month. Some
buddies and I have a little shoot every year around this time,
a tradition dating back to me going "hey let's build ARs for the
fun of it" out of the blue, and maybe one of us will remember
to bring a clay thrower...
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PICTURES:
Right Side - Dec. 16, 2024
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