The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - is a ithaca 37 20ga. deerslayer worth keeping ?

bamaranger · January 20, 2016, 03:19 AM

A bit lost with your post but here goes. I don't see a 37 and an 870 in the same light. I would not cut or dork with a 37 to make a project gun in any way. Though they ran side by side in the same era back in the day, the 37 had more machining and old school manufacture about it. I understand that "new" 37's are out there, but the old ones have a bit of "special" about them, to me anyhow. I just restored one cosmetically this summer for a pal, and was much impressed with the old gun.

By contrast, 870's are a dime a dozen, and the various models are still being made. The Express Models, used, are pretty affordable. An Express, or a beater Mossberg 500, would make a better project gun in my opinion. MOre accessories too.

January 20, 2016, 03:19 AM	#2
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,308	question A bit lost with your post but here goes. I don't see a 37 and an 870 in the same light. I would not cut or dork with a 37 to make a project gun in any way. Though they ran side by side in the same era back in the day, the 37 had more machining and old school manufacture about it. I understand that "new" 37's are out there, but the old ones have a bit of "special" about them, to me anyhow. I just restored one cosmetically this summer for a pal, and was much impressed with the old gun. By contrast, 870's are a dime a dozen, and the various models are still being made. The Express Models, used, are pretty affordable. An Express, or a beater Mossberg 500, would make a better project gun in my opinion. MOre accessories too.