Ithaca 37 MP - Should I mod it?

[jdberger]

I bought an Ithaca 37 MP from another forum member.



A previous owner had installed a Williams rear sight. The receiver had to be drilled and tapped to install it. They did a pretty decent job - but the gun definitely isn't original any longer.



The Front Sight is a standard brass bead.



This gives a pretty decent sight picture, though it's a teeny bit precise for a shotgun.

I was thinking about changing out the front and rear sights. I'd rather do as little grinding/cutting/welding as possible. Any suggestions?

[-hanko]

I bought an Ithaca 37 MP from another forum member.

A previous owner had installed a Williams rear sight. The receiver had to be drilled and tapped to install it. They did a pretty decent job - but the gun definitely isn't original any longer.

The Front Sight is a standard brass bead.

This gives a pretty decent sight picture, though it's a teeny bit precise for a shotgun.

I was thinking about changing out the front and rear sights. I'd rather do as little grinding/cutting/welding as possible. Any suggestions?

Unless you intend to shoot slugs, a rear sight is not necessary...shotguns are pointed, not aimed...your eye is the rear sight.

Replace the barrel locking nut at the end of the mag tube...you don't wanna' be found with a beautiful shotgun with pliers marks

If you're interested in trading the wood furniture (assuming the buttstock hasn't been shortened) for Choate furniture with a built-in pistol grip, pm me.

Nice gun, you'll love it.

-hanko

[wu_dot_com]

wow that is a beautiful shotty. (I is fum the ghetto, i is expurt with shootgon)

if you want to change the sights to either rifle, you will have some welding to do. otherwise, you can drill and tap the receiver to add a picatinny rail so you can add some red dot.

receiver mount side saddle is cool too.

[jinggoyd1967]

I'd leave it as it is. If you wan't to keep the Williams sight, just take the screw in aperture so you have a bigger "ghost ring". I also suggest using loc-tite on the screws to keep them from coming loose from recoil. You can also just take off the Williams and replace the screws in the receiver with threaded plugs.
The only major change I would want is to install a recoil pad (may have to shorten the butt stock slightly).
Put a G.I. sling on it and call it done. The Ithaca 37 were put to good use by our troops during the Vietnam war.

[SanPedroShooter]

That thing is bad, I especially dig the "corncob" pump! I love my Ithaca 37, but mines a hunter, I would trade it for the mil/LE version...

[Jeffy]

I'd remove the rear sight and just feed it. The old ones are a diamond in the rough. If it's for HD, then maybe add a light.

[jdberger]

Thanks for the advice....

I'm still torn, though. Maybe I should duracoat it pink....

[BigDogatPlay]

Aside from the wear you'd expect on the mag tube and what is visible on the barrel nut (some ham fist used pliers... really?) the park overall looks to be in good shape. Give it a light coat of oil and it should be just fine.

Got to wonder what someone was thinking putting a receiver sight on that gun. I'd opt to remove it and fill the drilled and tapped holes with flush screws Loctited in.

The furniture looks in fairly decent shape, but since the gun has already been modded re-finishing the furniture might be a nice bit of fun. As part of that I'd definitely install a good butt pad for sure. The hard butt plate on there now is going to get old fast with even managed recoil rounds. The stock appears to be standard LOP, but without measuring can't be sure. Assuming that this would be most used for fun, training and defending the homestead -- as opposed to competition -- getting the stock to a good general purpose fit and having it still be comfortable to shoot would be a priority for me.

Otherwise... enjoy it. And if you want to have fun, fill the tube, hold back the trigger and start working the action. No disconnector on the older Ithaca's makes for really cool rapid fire fun.