Ithaca 37 Clone Back at Big 5 - $239

[SparrowHanger]

Does the 350 take choke tubes and can you get a field barrel that accepts chokes? One think to consider is that with the savage 350 you get a lifetime warranty. Yes, it is a Chinese clone but a gunsmith that is pretty familiar with Chinese clones says it is the best of them; incljuding the Hawk and the NEF Pardner.

[aippi]

I love you CA guys. Only here will you buy cheap clones and state they are superior to the American Original. I have never read comments like that on other sites. It must be the bright sun out there. I suggest you start wearing hats.

I shot this same 37 clone when they were made by long dong machine works or some mess like that in China. I was able to touch two slugs at 50 yards with the third slug only 1/2" away from the other two. Three of use just looked at that thing in amazement as none of our smooth bore shotguns were shooting like that on that range day. It cycled smooth and quick. It is was fun to shoot. However, I have enough sense to know that it is not an Ithica 37 and was not built to the same SAAMI standards as American manufacturers use. Standards and quality control in China are years behing us. I own no clones but understand they have their place for people who can not afford the original. A buyer of one of these simply has to accept that it is what it is.

Every American manufacturer keeps the fact of Liability formost in their manufacturing process. Good luck suing a the maker of one of these China or Turkish Clones if something goes wrong. And you will get nowhere suing the retailer or importer. I will not trust my safety and the safety of my family to one of these things for a Defence weapon. For a range toy, maybe if I could not afford the real thing.

[usedto]

I love you CA guys. Only here will you buy cheap clones and state they are superior to the American Original. I have never read comments like that on other sites. It must be the bright sun out there. I suggest you start wearing hats.

And I suggest you remove your rose colored glasses and judge each item on it's merit, not country of origin. I used to be in the tool business. There can be equal if not more liability in the manufacture of tools. There were instances where I would recommend that a customer of mine buy a GOOD Chinese made product as opposed to a cheaply made domestic one.

I shot this same 37 clone when they were made by long dong machine works or some mess like that in China. I was able to touch two slugs at 50 yards with the third slug only 1/2" away from the other two. Three of use just looked at that thing in amazement as none of our smooth bore shotguns were shooting like that on that range day. It cycled smooth and quick. It is was fun to shoot. However, I have enough sense to know that it is not an Ithica 37 and was not built to the same SAAMI standards as American manufacturers use. Standards and quality control in China are years behing us. I own no clones but understand they have their place for people who can not afford the original. A buyer of one of these simply has to accept that it is what it is.

In China (Or Korea, Taiwan, or Japan), the quality of a product is directly associated with the price you pay. In most factories overseas, you buy their production time, then tell them what you want. If you want 500 of these thingys and want them to cost you $100 each, you'll get comparable quality. If you want the same 500 thingys, but only want them to cost you $25 each, you'll get them too, but you'll get what you pay for.

Every American manufacturer keeps the fact of Liability formost in their manufacturing process. Good luck suing a the maker of one of these China or Turkish Clones if something goes wrong. And you will get nowhere suing the retailer or importer. I will not trust my safety and the safety of my family to one of these things for a Defence weapon. For a range toy, maybe if I could not afford the real thing.

It used to be that way. Not now. The liability is up to their insurance company.

If they're junk, no one will buy. If they're good (no matter where they're made) they'll sell.

IMHO, that is. (I couldn't find the "thumbsup" smilie)

[SparrowHanger]

What makes you think a Chinese company is going to require anything but minimal coverage. If it is exhaused, and it could be by paying claims filed by other claimants, good luck trying to enforce a judgment in China.

As for quality, AIPPI has it right and racism or nationalism has nothing to do with it. Every industry is different but the plants making the clones of US guns are simply not there when it comes to production issues.

[elSquid]

As for quality, AIPPI has it right and racism or nationalism has nothing to do with it. Every industry is different but the plants making the clones of US guns are simply not there when it comes to production issues.

That may not be correct. Example: Norinco 1911s were well thought of, and Wilson Combat has built many custom guns using one as a base...

http://www.wilsoncombat.com/faq_handgun.htm

"We will work on Springfield Armory, Colt, Norinco, Wilson Combat, Kimber, Strayer Tripp, and Strayer Voight pistols."

Some folks feel that Polytech M14s are better base guns than Springfield's M1A... <shrug>

-- Michael

[aippi]

To any who do not accept my wisdom take this as a truth. You will find out what you bought when it come time for warranty work or repair. The age old sayings still ring true "you get what you pay for".

He is an example of a guy that is clueless and can not even look at the facts. On a blog he stated he knows shotguns and his H&R Pardner pump is equal to or even better then any Remington 870. What is the guy missing? Facts, that is what.

Remington owns H&R and imports the Pardner pump for the basement price market. It is not the same qualtity as the Remington 870, just looks like one and acts like one. Does anyone think for one second that they would import a clone of the 870 that was equal in qualtiy to the 870 yet cost over $100 less? I think Freedom Group knows a little about business and would never do something like that. So with just the fact that they are the same company should have told the guy something. People go buy something and then feel compelled to defend their purchase to the most rediculous extremes. On this very site www.calguns.net as guy post that his Hawk was superior to the 870 Police.

You will find out come the day you need that thing worked on that it is not a 37. It simple looks like and acts like one of the best pumps that America used to make. And there are enough of them still out there that you can take the same amount this clone will cost you and find a used one. And buddy, that used one will still be rocking and rolling when that clone is in the junk heap.

[smittty]

To any who do not accept my wisdom take this as a truth. You will find out what you bought when it come time for warranty work or repair. The age old sayings still ring true "you get what you pay for".

He is an example of a guy that is clueless and can not even look at the facts. On a blog he stated he knows shotguns and his H&R Pardner pump is equal to or even better then any Remington 870. What is the guy missing? Facts, that is what.

Remington owns H&R and imports the Pardner pump for the basement price market. It is not the same qualtity as the Remington 870, just looks like one and acts like one. Does anyone think for one second that they would import a clone of the 870 that was equal in qualtiy to the 870 yet cost over $100 less? I think Freedom Group knows a little about business and would never do something like that. So with just the fact that they are the same company should have told the guy something. People go buy something and then feel compelled to defend their purchase to the most rediculous extremes. On this very site www.calguns.net as guy post that his Hawk was superior to the 870 Police.

You will find out come the day you need that thing worked on that it is not a 37. It simple looks like and acts like one of the best pumps that America used to make. And there are enough of them still out there that you can take the same amount this clone will cost you and find a used one. And buddy, that used one will still be rocking and rolling when that clone is in the junk heap.

That is your opinion and you have no way of proving one is better or worse than the other.

It's possible that some of these cheap guns could be "higher" quality. Years ago when Norinco 1911's were being imported it was discovered that they were using steel that was higher grade than many "better" brands here in the US. For this reason some 1911 fans consider these chinese copies to be superior.

It's possible!

[daybreak]

this thread is full of assumptions and bias.

[SparrowHanger]

It isn't just the raw steel that the weapons are made from, but a lack of quality control, inferior tooling and training at the plants. If you get a good one, hooah. If not . . . .

This is not based on assumption or bias.

[marc4]

I'm a filipino who bought my chinese 870 clone shotgun from a korean guy who bought it from an american store (Big 5) with american dollars. Now that's international trade business.

[gunboat]

Do what you like but: "Buy American, the job you save might be your own" has never been more compelling.

[xrMike]

Do what you like but: "Buy American, the job you save might be your own" has never been more compelling.

Lotta truth to that... Definitely something that should be part of the decision-making process.

OTOH, all these concerns about chinese tools, standards, and production... The only people I'm hearing this stuff from are either:

• people who don't actually OWN a chinese clone gun but bought a more-expensive Remington instead, or
• people who make their living working on particular brands of American-made guns

I haven't really seen any posts on this or other forums complaining about broken-down, blown-up, or falling-apart clones. You'd think if it was happening, you'd be reading about it on the net.

Instead, all we're seeing is warnings from those who spent more on their Remingtons, or those who work on Remingtons.

Waddup wid dat?

[usedto]

Why would anybody buy a new gun if it needed to be sent off and "worked on"?

[caoboy]

You could get a 'better finished' mossberg 500 for the same price if you hunt around the classifieds. I got my 500 combo BNIB, but second hand for $200 plus fees. That's about 100 less than what they are going for now after tax.

I considered the 987 and this one, but after handling them I just did not like the finish/feel of the gun.

(Yes I know some Maverick parts are on the gun, that were made in Mexico.)

[3006mv]

Saw one at Big 5 today on sale for $269 (reg $315 or something of the sort) for the COMBO 28" VR multi chokes & 18.5" plain cyl bore security bbl. Not junky. Politics aside I think if this fit someone's NEED/Purpose they would NOT be disappointed. Pretty smooth, steel reciever, 5+1 capacity ? (read end of post). I like my GRS version I got for $199. I put on the Choate Pistol Grip buttstock. It is a very reliable shotgun. I do however find the trigger very narrow and uncomfortable to shoot (I shot 2 boxes of mixed buck and slug loads the last time I had it out (no issues whatsover, tight groups). I ordered a trigger shoe for it from Tyler T grips but unfortunately they are MIA, cashed my check; been waiting 2 months now. Please compare this pic https://images.dealerease.net/prodpics/savapic18954.jpg to this one http://www.militarytimes.com/xml/off...ns_350_800.JPG , I believe the combo version has at least one shell higher mag capacity compared to the other; notice position of forearm fully forward. Another plus (literally) to buy the combo version, great price while on sale. But I don't think my bbl would fit the combo/visa versa.