stevethejeep

Hello again fellow pumpers, Popped back to the site and saw I think Impala comments about winning a championship with a pump. Although not a pump I grant you, my late grandfather won the British pigeon championship shooting live pigeons in about 1927ish, I've still got the trophy somewhere. It was remarkable that he'd only got the use of one arrn (the 'wrong' one) following an altercation with a European on the Somme! He used a 1922 Browning Auto 5 (I still have it) as he couldn't cycle one handed his Winchester 1897 (1910) Black Diamond Trap gun which I sold a couple of years ago. He still went fly fishing in the summer, game shooting in winter and was fox hunting in Warwickshire in WW2 .......... some guy eh? RIP Grandpa! Been using my recently acquired 1942 Winchester 62a on the local rabbit and pigeon population, great little gun, nearly as accurate as the 39a Marlin, smooth action, and greased-silk trigger pull! Intend giving the M37 an airing with some very interesting Italian double cupped shells I've been given. Seem to have slug-like performance at 100 yards! Happy New Year one & all Steve

I'll drink to that............... just back from Falmouth Beer Festival....... hic ! Not driving for once which improves the experience. Replying to earlier, I have 2x Auto 5's (one 1922 with Cutts on the end, t'other 1930's) and an M37 all of which I like differently but equally, and would not try to choose between them (unlike offspring!!) Plan to rewatch Steve McQueen in 'Fear is the key' on DVD 'til the Zzzzzz take over....................

Thanks , that would have probably been it's younger brother, the Model 1890, some of which were chambered for .22 shorts only. One of those was the first firearm I ever fired, at a gallery of Wilson's Fun Fair, held annually in Kenilworth Warwickshire. Age about 12, I could just reach over the counter. I came across the same gallery, still working at Banbury Steam Fair, in about '02. Still the same guns pumping 'em out 50 years later. Ah nostalgia!

Evening Gents, Interesting topics as usual, been 'delightfully distracted' by friend from Northamptonshire recently, but not enough to stop me buying a Winchester 62A ........... a .22rf pump action designed by the maestro, John Moses Browning. Mine in unmolested condition, with a few minor marks to woodwork, as you'd expect with a 74 yr old gun. Action crisp, trigger like greased silk and as you'd expect from JMB's hands, it functions perfectly...................... oh yes,.... it will slam-fire too! Makes a good companion to the Marlin39A and the Browning SA. Are you still planning to venture west of the Tamar before Xmas Impala? Have some very interesting shells for the M37 for you to try. E mail me directly. Adios Amigos

Afternoon Impala, Looks a mighty fine piece of hard wear you've got there, I bought a 500AT in about '76 to go goose shooting in Scotland. 3"mag if I remember, with BB's brought a brace home (tough as old boots!) Used it on foxes, and avian pests etc 'til I thinned out things around '97. A good gun, never let me down, the adjustable 'C-lect' choke was a bit 'iffy' though. Been wrestling with this 'new' computer......... hence the silence, oh yes and a new lady-friend has appeared too, who likes my M37 etc etc......... so looking good! When I can find a bigger hammer, and sort out this electronic box of trickery, I'd send some photos of my '37 with your woodwork on it, I'm delighted with it, and caused some comments at local clay-club recently. Ben need a walk and me a pint! Adios Amigos

Afternoon Gents, Thanks again for your input Impala, I'm intending to rattle a few more through my '37 at a local charity clay shoot on Sunday, if the rain holds off. I've bee reliably informed that the majority of empty cases are manufactured in Italy and then shipped to the customer for priming, filling etc. Looking on the bottom of the Winchester box it proudly states 'Made in Italy' .................... so 'pick the bones out of that one'? Anyway, so long as they work I dont really care if they're from Timbuktu or else where in the EU! Most of the cartridges which FTE showed significant marks where the smaller extractor had grabbed it. A while ago I think you mentioned Impala, that you had a surplus plain M37 stock & forend. If you'd like to sell it please contact me directly. I'm simply curious, but is the BPS and M37 identical? I've never seen a BPS 'in the metal'. Time to walk the dog and a beer ! Steve

I forgot to add yesterday that I've never had any 'loose barrel' issues with my '37, there is no gap between the yoke and mag cap, as when I stripped the gun originally, I reassembled with the yoke loose,(as the book-of-words suggests) then hand tightened the mag nut to fix the barrel in place, then using a wooden dowel gently tapped the yoke flush with the mag cap and tightened to lock screw. A handy manual is : Ithaca Models 37 & 87 Jem Enterprises, Belle Fourche SD 57717 www.doeverythingmanual.com ISBN-1-936259-65-6 ........... and at $9.95 each + P&P it won't spoil your social activities either!

Evening Gentlemen, Impala and I have had considerable 'off site' correspondence on the possibly by now, slightly boring topic of M37's FTE (failing to extract) Briefly, having used a M37 years ago without problems, and reacquired a tidy mid-70's example last year, I've experienced FTE 1 in 3-4 from the start. Having tried more cartridges than I've had pints of bitter, with no improvement, it enlisted the (Purdey trained) opinion of my local RFD. He checked the head-space, timing and general function/condition, and pronounced it to be 'with-in tolerances. His opinion was that 'modern brass' cartridge material was not what it was was it was, and thinned and of cheaper materials. I've polished the breech up to the forcing cone to a shiny/mirror finish. Whist not doubting his word, I contacted the factory, who's replies, were helpful, but not too specific, but included filling and re-machining the extractor 'windows in the breech face, and others, included changing cartridge. By trial and error I've found that Winchester Super Speed 12ga, 32gr, 70mm with 20mm 'brass' so far function perfectly. Fired 12-15 unaimed shots as fast as I can reload and fire, functioned perfectly, barrel so hot could have cooked breakfast on it! This may not be the engineering answer, but I can only assume that the 'brass' on the bottom of this cartridge is thicker and/or of better quality than other's I've tried and doesn't 'fire form' into the chamber as significantly as others.. Downside is that they're about 50% dearer that other branded ammo. Hope the aforegoing is useful, and thanks to Impala for his input, Steve

Hi Impala, Did you get my previous re reply from the Ithaca Gun Co/ M37 failing to extract/eject?? If not send me you e mail address........... the reply makes very interesting reading In haste Steve

Thanks for that info Impala.............. it's a very small world, my ABAS air pistol with the bakelite grips is in the same sale, I'll have a look! Regards Steve

Hello from a sunny (at the moment) Cornwall Thanks to those of you who helped me previously, about 18 months ago, I foolishly sold my Winchester 1897 Back Diamond, got good money, but should I have known better. Now I'm after another, Sec 1 or 2, and ideas anyone apart from G.S. and G.T. ? Not interested in a Norinco or other copies thanks, Cash waiting!! Regards Steve

Morning Gents, I'm in need of one of these without splits, cracks or repairs please. Can you help, cash waiting, 01326 280961 Steve

Evening Gents, Been away a while (trying to stop brother from re-marrying ex-wife!!) however purchased another Browning Auto 5, circa 1925, and seriously contemplating a Mossberg 600AT to accompany my M37 in the 'box'. I had a 500 way back in the '70's which functioned flawlessly, but sold it to a mate, but your informed advice/observations/warnings would be welcome. It's Sec2, Regards Steve

Hello there, as you'll see on my earlier posts regarding poor extraction of fired cases on my Ithaca M37, polishing the chamber to a mirror finish, and 'tall brass' cartridges has solved the problem completely and cheaply. I recommend you give it a try!

Afternoon Gents, Been out of circulation for a few weeks, see there's some very interesting findings on 'brass' that ejects satisfactorily from M37's and similar, when I'm in the Midlands next week will try to track some down. Any ideas in Warwickshire or Northamptonshire other than phoning round all the RFD's? Very nice looking Remington Model 10 recently, I missed one about Xmas, still in shop but had been paid for. Grrrr! 3 weeks ago bought a Cherokee Orvis in London. Mint condition, the silky smooth 4litre straight 6 is worth the 17-19mpg running locally! Took the '37 to local clay shoot recently, created some interest as most had never seen one before, especially as throwing the empties straight down. Did'nt win but not last either! Enjoyable afternoon which is what it's all about. Sunshine here............ better go cut the grass, will get some lambs next year, then at least I can eat the mover! Regards Steve

I bought an almost identical gun but Sec1 back in Oct'16, at similar money, love it to bits. I'm sure you'll sell it very soon. Steve

All that glisters is not gold (it may be a pile of phoo!) Well folks, the stock finally arrived all the way from Maryland, and what a misdescribed piece of junk it was! Looked like some blind whittler had been practicing his craft .............. and still had a way to go! It's on it's way back to Maryland. Can any one help me with either a plain or diamond pattern stock for my Ithaca M37 please? Regards from a moist Cornwall Steve

I'm seeking and Ithaca M37 stock 12 gauge that not machine-rolled 'engraving' ie plain stock with ringed forend, or diamond chequered what-have-you? I detest the machine rolled one that's on mine! Any ideas within the UK please?? Cash waiting Steve

Afternoon Gents, That looks like an immaculate '37 Alan, shame to as alter it as 'factory gate' condition is a rare commodity these days! My 'vintage' woodwork has arrived at my local P.O., from Maryland for my '37 after a slow transit. Just Duties and VAT to pay!! I simply hate the gaudy machine stamped/rolled 'engraving' on the original wood,looks like it's off a Chinese cap-gun to me which 'cheapens' the whole look of the gun. Looking forwards to a simple diamond pattern and dark wood. Still as the man with wooden leg said........"it a matter of a pinion"? Must dust off the Box-Brownie and use up the Kodachrome, send you the results. Looking forwards to using another 'classic-from-the-cupboard' on Sunday, my Marlin 39A. If no bunnies, then a couple of empty dog-meat cans will do. Adios Amigos........

Afternoon Roland, ........... and a handsome bit of kit it looks too. I'm unfamiliar with Savage firearms other than the name, simply one's never crossed my path yet. I'm sure Numrich Arms from NY would have bits for it, but they resolutely refuse to deal with UK addresses, even a Sec5 dealer! This includes innocuous parts like but-plates and wood work. I had a Brit friend who was working for Uncle Sam, until recalled back to Blighty recently. Great shame he's home. I was friendly with Jim Jukes a FFL from Los Angeles California, used to take him & wife round castles, stately homes, S-on-A and such, when he was on holiday here. Sadly he 'cashed his chips in' a couple of yrs ago, as did Roy Van Wicken, a retired Marine and Los Angeles cop, about the same time. Are you planning to visit the 'Shooting Show at Stoneleigh Warwickshire I think about the 13/14th of February? Regards Steve

I have a shotgun stock sent in error from the USA which I'd want to identify. I cant up load photo's here, but will send them to you if you think you can help. My e mail address is view4you@hotmal.co.uk Thanks for your help Steve

Hi Roland, Sorry for the delay in replying, 'other stuff' got in the way. No reason why a 24" smooth bore barrel shouldn't be imported into the UK by a SGC holder as far as I know. Although for personal use it's fine, if you sell/pass it on, it has to be UK proofed, or you commit an offence, is my understanding of the situation I import quite a bit of (non-gun) stuff from 'over there' without any real difficulty, but Manufacture's (I've asked Ithaca) or FFL cant be bothered to ship them, afraid of the 'hassle' I guess. A friend who was working for Uncle Sam was helpful as he'd buy & ship and I'd pay the Duties & Taxes this end. He's back in the UK now. I've also asked my local RFD (Sec5) if he'd help.................... although he didn't say so, I guess he's got more money to be made elsewhere for less effort! Some RFD somewhere must have one gathering dust under the workshop bench??? Optimistically, Steve

Evening Gentlemen, Re the Ithaca M37 & extraction difficulties, recently I re-mortgaged the kids inheritance and bought supplies of Gamebore, Black Gold, Dark Storm, ....... having got the poetry out of the way, they're a standard 70mm 30grms fibre wadded cartridge , but with around a .767" or 19.5mm 'brass' cycled perfectly. This was putting 5x3 through , as fast as I could reload, and and fire unaimed shots, I couldn't touch the barrel during/afterwards being so hot. As previously mentioned, the length of the cartridge 'brass', combined with polishing the chamber seems to overcome any extraction difficulties. Thank you for your advice gents. Regards Steve PS Still after a 24" Deerslayer barrel and have a Winchester Model12 stock surplus, any info/interest??

Hi Impala59, Cartridges are Gamebore 70mm, some SG some No6 shot. As someone described earlier most stuff worked ok through my M37, when gun was cold, but if you fired more the 2-3 consecutive shots, the 4-5th would fail the eject, which was boring and embarrassing! Using thousand grade wet&dry on a stick on end of electric drill + a splash of oil, I polished the chamber 'till all the matt had gone and it was starting to shine. Then with a new bronze brush & drill, polished 'til it shone ............. seems to have done the trick, took about an hour and cost pence. The long case brass as an earlier correspondent suggested works fine , so far. When I get a chance from the ******* Yo,ho,ho stuff, ..... I'm going to my own little 'range' to put a box through in double quick time just to be sure I've cured it. Guess your running an Impala? I had a '65 GT fastback Mustang til very recently, and run 25+ WW2 jeeps since the '60's. Guns or wheels, you cant beat it bit of Uncle Sam's 'real steel' ?

I'd agree with the previous , polish you chamber as described, and use 10mm+ brass. Got some 12mm yesterday and put 5 rapidfire through my M37, which works perfectly with it. Not a comprehensive test I grant you, but all available with weather/work/festive constraints. I really wouldn't de-crimp you Remington for 2 reasons. 1. It de-values it as Sec1, as more saleable as Sec2, &2. Had no end of problems with a Browning Auto5 trying to do the same thing, didn't feed properly, lot's of grief, ended reverting to Sec 2............. wish I'd never bothered! Buy a separate gun converted/prepared for Practical and use if for that, and leaving your nice Remington as it is Just had a brace of above for dinner with friends last night, delicious, cold cut today excellent !! Hope this helps