Ithaca Deerslayer Police Special

ithacadsps · February 25, 2012, 12:57 PM

I recently received this gun from my father. What I hear most about this gun is that the deerslayer police special shoots slugs. I have the 19.5" smoothbore barrel. Can I also use this to shoot 2 3/4" birdshot for trap? My father in law seems to think I might need a different barrel to shoot birdshot with this gun. Is this true?
Also, it's about 20 years old and it was never cleaned :[ Now I want to clean it but the cap seems to be stuck, so I can't take off the barrel. Any tricks to getting this off? My Remington 870 is a lot easier to get a good grip and loosen. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!

zippy13 · February 25, 2012, 01:29 PM

Sure you can use it with birdshot (#7-1/2 or 8s) for trap; but, with that short barrel and fixed sights it will be a challenge. Your father-in-law is correct.

jaguarxk120 · February 25, 2012, 02:17 PM

Go to www.shotgunworld.com , in the Ithaca forum they have a sticky that has the service manual for download. Tearing down a Model 37 is not all that hard, main thing is correct size screwdrivers.

If the serial number is after 855,000 then a new barrel can be had from Ithaca.
If it is before 855,000 then Ithaca can fit a new barrel but the cost is much higher.
Please note Ithaca in Ohio has all the replacement parts you will ever need should you need them.

ithacadsps · February 25, 2012, 03:27 PM

Thank you both zippy & jaguar!

CaptainChaos · February 26, 2012, 02:17 PM

Umm. You do realise that you do the mag nut *up* to release the barrel? Also, remove stock *before* undoing trigger group bolt.

Regards,

Mark.

PetahW · February 26, 2012, 09:17 PM

FWIW, Deerslayer barrels were bored somewhat undersize for the gauge (12 or 20), to optimize accuracy with Foster-type slugs in the smooth bore.

As posted, they'll pass birdshot, or any other 2-3/4" 12/20 ga ammo, but with no choke the shot patterns will be too wide/thin beyond a very close range.

Soooo - good for Skeet & brush hunting birds/rabbits, etc. Not so good for longer range hunting/shooting, like Trap.

Also,
Dedicated Trap guns have stocks designed to be comfortable over the regimen of shooting several 25-bird rounds of clays.
While comfortable for a shot or three, the Deerslayer's field-type stock is not designed for the long haul.

.

February 25, 2012, 01:29 PM	#2
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Sure you can use it with birdshot (#7-1/2 or 8s) for trap; but, with that short barrel and fixed sights it will be a challenge. Your father-in-law is correct.

February 25, 2012, 02:17 PM	#3
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,620	Go to www.shotgunworld.com , in the Ithaca forum they have a sticky that has the service manual for download. Tearing down a Model 37 is not all that hard, main thing is correct size screwdrivers. If the serial number is after 855,000 then a new barrel can be had from Ithaca. If it is before 855,000 then Ithaca can fit a new barrel but the cost is much higher. Please note Ithaca in Ohio has all the replacement parts you will ever need should you need them.

February 25, 2012, 03:27 PM	#4
ithacadsps Junior Member Join Date: February 25, 2012 Posts: 2	Thank you both zippy & jaguar!

February 26, 2012, 02:17 PM	#5
CaptainChaos Member Join Date: November 8, 2011 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 49	Umm. You do realise that you do the mag nut up to release the barrel? Also, remove stock before undoing trigger group bolt. Regards, Mark.

February 26, 2012, 09:17 PM	#6
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	FWIW, Deerslayer barrels were bored somewhat undersize for the gauge (12 or 20), to optimize accuracy with Foster-type slugs in the smooth bore. As posted, they'll pass birdshot, or any other 2-3/4" 12/20 ga ammo, but with no choke the shot patterns will be too wide/thin beyond a very close range. Soooo - good for Skeet & brush hunting birds/rabbits, etc. Not so good for longer range hunting/shooting, like Trap. Also, Dedicated Trap guns have stocks designed to be comfortable over the regimen of shooting several 25-bird rounds of clays. While comfortable for a shot or three, the Deerslayer's field-type stock is not designed for the long haul. .