Ithaca M37 12 ga. interchangeable Barrel

Goidel · August 30, 2010, 09:35 PM

I recently acquired a 12 ga. Ithaca M37 featherlight with a 26"bl deer slug, smooth bore that is newer and capable of interchangeable barrel(s). The SN is above 855,000.

Since I am a lefty it is perfect for me but have not been able to find an 18" to 20" swappable barrel for HD. So far, I have unable to locate either one on the web.

Does any reader know if they exist? Any help will be appreciated.

jrothWA · August 30, 2010, 10:09 PM

20" length, some PD did specify shorter 18"".

Most PD were still required to keep Federal paperwork for below that, Know that the NYPD did have some 12/14" for stake-out.

As long as the SN is greater than 855,000 no problem with inter-changeability.
IF below that or SN on narrow right front edge of receiver then NO, but later models could be specifically fitted for use ONLY to that receiver.

kozak6 · September 1, 2010, 01:05 AM

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/catalog/...spx?catid=7132

Slopemeno · September 1, 2010, 01:33 AM

Ke-rist. I paid $140 for the whole gun...

jaguarxk120 · September 1, 2010, 07:11 AM

If you paid $140 for the whole gun, then you did very well, indeed!

Very Well

zippy13 · September 1, 2010, 12:58 PM

In an age where we routinely see new pump and auto-loading shotguns bundled with extra barrels, it's easy to forget that interchangeable barrels have not always been the norm. With the early Ithaca M37 and other older guns (Winchester M1897, M1912, etc.) just because the barrels are dismountable and can be mounted on another gun doesn't make them interchangeable. Doing so can result in a gun with an improper head space. With these old guns, barrel swaps should be done by a qualified gunsmith.

Goidel · September 16, 2010, 01:20 PM

jroth....after reading your reply, I edited post and added that my sn is way above the 855,000.

slopemeno....bought it at auction for $170 w/scope, rated NRA grade "Excellent".

jaeguarxk120...see above..I got lucky.

zippy13....thanks for the suggestion...taking it to gunsmith when the other barrel arrives.

kozak6...thanks for the web link.

With the 20" barrel [plus the 26"], I will have a HD, Deer and maybe an Acorn shotgun !

Igotapea · September 20, 2010, 01:50 PM

I wonder about older Ithacas being able to withstand the use of Steel shot on a limited basis of say 100 rounds without damage. Mine has the little steel pin in the cap at the end of the magazine said to date it to 1954 or earlier. Any help on that would be appreciated? The gun has been fitted with a variable choke tube to include IC-full settings.

August 30, 2010, 09:35 PM	#1
Goidel Member Join Date: May 26, 2009 Location: Crook Cty Illinois Posts: 26	Ithaca M37 12 ga. interchangeable Barrel I recently acquired a 12 ga. Ithaca M37 featherlight with a 26"bl deer slug, smooth bore that is newer and capable of interchangeable barrel(s). The SN is above 855,000. Since I am a lefty it is perfect for me but have not been able to find an 18" to 20" swappable barrel for HD. So far, I have unable to locate either one on the web. Does any reader know if they exist? Any help will be appreciated. Last edited by Goidel; August 31, 2010 at 05:05 PM.

August 30, 2010, 10:09 PM	#2
jrothWA Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2006 Posts: 2,519	Most barrels were made to... 20" length, some PD did specify shorter 18"". Most PD were still required to keep Federal paperwork for below that, Know that the NYPD did have some 12/14" for stake-out. As long as the SN is greater than 855,000 no problem with inter-changeability. IF below that or SN on narrow right front edge of receiver then NO, but later models could be specifically fitted for use ONLY to that receiver.

September 1, 2010, 12:58 PM	#6
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Safety note In an age where we routinely see new pump and auto-loading shotguns bundled with extra barrels, it's easy to forget that interchangeable barrels have not always been the norm. With the early Ithaca M37 and other older guns (Winchester M1897, M1912, etc.) just because the barrels are dismountable and can be mounted on another gun doesn't make them interchangeable. Doing so can result in a gun with an improper head space. With these old guns, barrel swaps should be done by a qualified gunsmith.

September 16, 2010, 01:20 PM	#7
Goidel Member Join Date: May 26, 2009 Location: Crook Cty Illinois Posts: 26	Many Thanks for replies jroth....after reading your reply, I edited post and added that my sn is way above the 855,000. slopemeno....bought it at auction for $170 w/scope, rated NRA grade "Excellent". jaeguarxk120...see above..I got lucky. zippy13....thanks for the suggestion...taking it to gunsmith when the other barrel arrives. kozak6...thanks for the web link. With the 20" barrel [plus the 26"], I will have a HD, Deer and maybe an Acorn shotgun !

September 20, 2010, 01:50 PM	#8
Igotapea Junior Member Join Date: June 28, 2010 Location: up-north in MI Posts: 9	Question for Ithaca experts? I wonder about older Ithacas being able to withstand the use of Steel shot on a limited basis of say 100 rounds without damage. Mine has the little steel pin in the cap at the end of the magazine said to date it to 1954 or earlier. Any help on that would be appreciated? The gun has been fitted with a variable choke tube to include IC-full settings.

September 1, 2010, 01:05 AM	#3
kozak6 Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2005 Location: AZ Posts: 3,113	http://www.gunpartscorp.com/catalog/...spx?catid=7132

September 1, 2010, 01:33 AM	#4
Slopemeno Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2007 Posts: 2,663	Ke-rist. I paid $140 for the whole gun...

September 1, 2010, 07:11 AM	#5
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,620	If you paid $140 for the whole gun, then you did very well, indeed! Very Well