The vast majority of pump action firearms, and semi-automatics too, eject spent shells from the side of the receiver. This is where the Ithaca M37 has an even greater advantage over other pump shotguns.
This design is typically more reliable than semi-automatics especially when used in adverse conditions where there is a potential for mud, dirt and sand finding its way into the action. Shells are held in a tubular magazine under the barrel and the action is “pumped” to eject a spent shell and load a new one. The Ithaca M37 is like most pump shotguns in its function. It is a solid and dependable action and is well suited for the field and the battlefield. John Browning and John Pedersen were responsible for the original design. Instead of designing their own they waited for some patents to expire on the Remington Model 17 (introduced in 1917) and improve upon it. They were already known for their quality double guns but the pump action had started to take a bigger and bigger piece of the sporting shotgun market. In the early 1930s Ithaca was looking to get into the pump shotgun market. It is a nice blend of the original M37 design with modern furniture.įor those not already familiar with the Ithaca Model 37 let’s take a look at where it came from. The new M37 Defense I was sent for review is in 12 gauge with a 3-inch chamber, eight-round magazine, 20 inch barrel and an adjustable AR-style stock. The designs, especially the classic Model 37 shotgun, are still there but are being made with modern production methods and materials.
Ithaca 37 shotgun full#
Hard times, quality control issues and a hand full of changes in ownership have plagued Ithaca, but the current owners have rebuilt the company from the ground up and moved to a new location in Upper Sandusky, Ohio.
In the past 20 years or so there has been a lot of ups and down for Ithaca Gun Company, a classic American manufacturer.