Ithaca Model 37 Review: An Oldie But A Goodie

The Ithaca 37 is one of the legends of American pump action shotguns. It’s been in production under the Ithaca Gun Company longer than any other pump shotgun. Today, in this Ithaca Model 37 review, we’ll take a closer look at the classic Deer Slayer configuration of this shotgun

[Update] I reviewed this gun last year and recently had another chance to shoot it. After putting a few hundred rounds through it, my views have shifted a bit. Keep reading to see what’s changed.

Ithaca Model 37 Background – A Long Time Coming

Ithaca wanted to get into the shotgun business, but they didn’t have a shotgun. They wanted to compete with Winchester. They saw some potential in the Remington Model 17. The problem was, the Remington 17 was still under patent protection. Ithaca had to wait for the patents to expire to jump into the production of the gun. 

This gave them from 1931 to 1937 to improve the design, and they did just that. They began making improvements to the design, making it cheaper to produce and easier to mass produce. In 1937, they released the design, which was a pretty poor time to release a sporting shotgun. World War 2 was on the horizon, and the United States was in the midst of a depression. 

Even with that rough start, the Ithaca brand exploded in popularity after the war. It became well known and appreciated amongst hunters of all types. The Ithaca 37 also provided numerous tactical models for police and military forces. They used the gun in World War 2, Korea, and Vietnam. 

As a former Marine, I appreciate the versatility and durability of the Ithaca 37. It comes in many variants and calibers, from bird hunting models to defensive versions. Among these is the Deer Slayer, designed for medium game hunting. This smooth-bore model can fire both buckshot and slugs and is renowned for its shorter barrel and rifle sights, making it ideal for dense forests, particularly in the Southeastern United States.

Let’s take this gun for a spin!

Ithaca Model 37 Features

1 Receiver Engravings

Stylish inscriptions give the gun an old-school appeal in a world of plain shotguns.

2 Bottom Ejection

This ambidextrous ejection ejects the round downward and out of your way. It also ensures the gun is sealed up tight and limits debris access in the action.

3 Rifle Sights

A pair of front and rear sights mounted to the barrel allows for speed and awesome accuracy.

4 Pump Action

Smooth pump action, with a small pump grip.

Blasting Away With the Ithaca 37 

The Ithaca 37 Deer Slayer is fairly famous for its short barrel and rifle sights. Enough so that several police forces preferred it to their dedicated tactical models. Ithaca even produced a Deer Slayer for tactical applications. Rifle sights on shotguns have faded from existence, but they are still my favorite for terrestrial game. With all that said, the Ithaca 37 Deer Slayer is a very accurate shotgun. 

Those rifle sights make it very easy to put slugs on target and to hit targets from up to 100 yards away. Anything further than that might benefit from a rifled barrel and optic. With modern buckshot loads like Federal FliteControl, you can really get the most out of the extra distance this round offers. The trigger is also very nice for a shotgun, but this model is older and likely well-loved and honed 

While the gun is plenty accurate, the Ithaca 37 still shoots like a 12-gauge shotgun. You get all the recoil we know, love, and expect with these guns. The Ithaca 37 is fairly lightweight, so you get it all. The Ithaca 37 also has a small pump handle design. Luckily, that small pump is well-textured. The same goes for the stock. You can easily conduct a push/pull form of recoil mitigation that allows you to cut that recoil fairly well. 

One thing I walked away with was an appreciation for smooth actions. The Ithaca 37 has a very smooth action that feels like the pump is running backward on ball bearings. It’s crazy smooth and not something we see often when it comes to modern shotguns. A smooth action is an enjoyable one, and it’s a fast action. 

Old School Ergonomics 

The Ithaca 37 has some very old-school ergonomics. It’s not quite ambidextrous, but a left-handed user will certainly get away with using the Ithaca 37. The pump action is quite small, and the length of pull is also fairly long. It’s a hunting shotgun and not one designed with tactical use in mind. The texturing on both the pump and stock is nice and provides a very solid grip on the gun. 

The safety is a push-button design that’s not quite revolutionary. It’s easy to press and located in an easy-to-reach position. The pump release is small and tucked up by the trigger guard, but usable. The Ithaca 37 is easy to handle, but it’s certainly an old-school design. It works. The lack of an ejection port on the side prevents port loading but also makes it very left hand friendly. 

Going Boom 

The Ithaca 37 is a very reliable pump gun. It’s made to last and to be used extensively by hunters. In terms of feeding and function, the gun performs flawlessly. The lack of a traditional ejection port keeps gunk and debris out of the gun, which was why the SEAL teams reportedly liked it in Vietnam. 

I only have a slight problem with the Ithaca 37. The old gun models would slamfire. Slamfire is silly, useless, and basically, it’s the bump fire of pump shotguns. They removed this ‘feature’ from late production models. This gun doesn’t slam fire. However, you do have an issue if you like to ride the trigger. If you hold the trigger and run the pump backward and then forwards, you’ll end up with a dead trigger. You’ll have to pump the action again and eject a live round to make it work once more.

Ithaca Model 37 Pros and Cons 

Ithaca Model 37 Review – FAQs

Can the Ithaca Model 37 use choke tubes?

The classic Deer Slayer variant of the Ithaca Model 37 typically comes with a plain barrel that doesn’t support interchangeable choke tubes. This limits the ability to customize shot patterns for different hunting or shooting scenarios. However, some newer models of the Ithaca 37 do offer barrels threaded for choke tubes, allowing for greater versatility.

What is the benefit of a plain barrel on the Ithaca Model 37?

A plain barrel, like the one on the Deer Slayer variant, is designed for simplicity and reliability. With fewer components, there is less that can go wrong, making it a great choice for rugged environments. A plain barrel also provides quick handling, which is useful in dense forests or brush when hunting medium game.

Is a new gun model of the Ithaca 37 better for left-handed shooters?

Yes, the bottom ejection design of both old and new gun models of the Ithaca 37 makes them very friendly for left-handed shooters. However, a new gun may offer additional ergonomic improvements and adjustable features that could better suit a wider range of users, including left-handed shooters.

What barrel lengths are available for the Ithaca Model 37?

The Ithaca Model 37 is available in various barrel lengths to suit different needs. The Deer Slayer variant, for example, typically features a 20-inch barrel for quick handling and maneuverability in wooded areas. Other models, like those designed for bird hunting or tactical use, can have longer barrels, providing better accuracy and range.

Are older Ithaca Model 37 guns different from the new ones?

Yes, there are some key differences between older guns and new guns. Older Ithaca Model 37s were known for their slamfire capability, where the shotgun could fire as soon as the action was pumped if the trigger was held down. Newer models have removed this feature for safety reasons and have improved the design to prevent potential malfunctions, like the dead trigger issue found in some older versions.

Can I mount a scope or other optics on the Ithaca Model 37?

Yes, but it depends on the specific model. While the classic Deer Slayer configuration with a plain barrel may not have a factory option for mounting optics, some newer models come with a drilled and tapped receiver, allowing for easy installation of scopes or red dot sights. For older models, gunsmithing work may be required to add an optic mount.

Ithaca Model 37 Starter Pack

These items are must haves for all firearms owners and range trips:

• Eye Protection: These are our recommendations for the best shooting glasses!
• Hearing Protection: If you are going to be shooting you need to have good hearing protection.
• Gun Cleaning Kit: Pick up a high quality gun cleaning kit to keep your firearms maintained.  
• First Aid Kit – Keep a good first aid kit on hand for your range trips.

The Ithaca Model 37 might be hard to find. You may need to track one down on the used market.

Best Ammo for Your Ithaca Model 37

Here are some good buckshot and slug rounds for your 12 gauge.

Other Shotguns of its Class to Check Out

If you want to learn more about our favorite shotguns, read our best shotguns for hunting article.

How to Care for Your Ithaca Model 37

I had trouble finding a good disassembly video of the Model 37. This breakdown is different than more modern firearms design, but you need to know how to take apart your shotgun for maintenance.

Important Links and Manuals for Your Ithaca Model 37

Check out the links below for the manufacturer’s website and owner’s manual.

• Model 37 by Ithaca
• Ithaca Model 37 User’s Manual