Beaky Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 Anyone ever owned or have any experience/knowledge about the bottom loading Ithaca model 37? cicra 1971 model? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Gringo Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 I own one in 12 gauge and am generally pleased with the weapon. I've owned it for more than 20 years and have got a number of barrels for the gun, which are easy to change out. It does, however, seem to kick like a mule regardless of the loads I'm shooting. El Gringo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webber Posted January 26, 2005 Report Share Posted January 26, 2005 Why would you want a pump action? webber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beaky Posted January 26, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2005 For rough shooting , I have a Miroku O/U for sporting clays Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webber Posted January 26, 2005 Report Share Posted January 26, 2005 I honestly feel that you would be better off with a semi auto, rather than a pump action. They may be fine for shooting practical shotgun, but not much use for either pigeon or clays. webber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the last engineer Posted January 27, 2005 Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 I honestly feel that you would be better off with a semi auto, rather than a pump action. They may be fine for shooting practical shotgun, but not much use for either pigeon or clays. webber There are some Webber, that will argue your point ,i had a 5 shot savage for around 15 years and only broke the shuttle arm once ,i used it on pigeon and clays worked fine ,a little finiky on some paper hulls but a good working gun none the less . Always found that the semi auto's are more prone to breakdown in cold weather , gas and seals and so on, not that i have anything against auto's before i get chewed out ,as far as a reliable shooting gun a pump will stand with the best . Preferance again ,some love em some dont ,i kinda get forgetful with the pumpy bit and miss the second bird,trying to figure out why it dont go bang again :*) Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Gringo Posted January 27, 2005 Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 I too am wondering why anyone would have a problem with a pump for shooting pigeons. While I mainly shoot my Browning Auto-5, simply because it's a lightweight 20 gauge and my weapon of choice since I was a young man, I've shot hundreds of rounds through that 12 gauge Ithaca at both ducks and geese. My dad hunted ducks in the 50's and 60's with a Winchester Model 12 pump, and mainly did so because back then most shells (cartridges) were made of a waxed cardboard and tended to swell if they got wet. According to him, pumps were preferred over autos by most hunters because it was easier to shuck a wet shell out of the gun. Shoot any weapon enough and you'll likely encounter some problems from time to time. Like Engineer, I have had occassions where my Browning failed to eject spent shells in very cold weather. But with today's modern weapons designed for high-volume shooting, I personally wouldn't have any concerns about shooting either a pump or a semi-auto. El Gringo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webber Posted January 27, 2005 Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 El D & LE Your probably not aware that in the UK. shotguns with a capacity in excess of 3 shells must be held on FAC, which is moer difficult to obtain than SGC. You said that you sometimes wonder why it didnt go bang, because you forgot to pump the gun. For hide shooting 3 shots is enough. For clay disciplines, the pump could well be a disadvantage, although I am sure that some could become proficient. Many clay clubs frown upon semi autos(wrongly in my opinion), but I cant see a serious case to excuse the use of a pump in UK shooting. I appreciate that shooting is somewhat different on the American continent. Tools for jobs. Ive always held the opinion that pumps were not a sporting gun, but were intended for crowd control and killing people? webber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Gringo Posted January 27, 2005 Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 El D & LE Your probably not aware that in the UK. shotguns with a capacity in excess of 3 shells must be held on FAC, which is moer difficult to obtain than SGC. You said that you sometimes wonder why it didnt go bang, because you forgot to pump the gun. For hide shooting 3 shots is enough. For clay disciplines, the pump could well be a disadvantage, although I am sure that some could become proficient. Many clay clubs frown upon semi autos(wrongly in my opinion), but I cant see a serious case to excuse the use of a pump in UK shooting. I appreciate that shooting is somewhat different on the American continent. Tools for jobs. Ive always held the opinion that pumps were not a sporting gun, but were intended for crowd control and killing people? webber Webber, Having only shot clays once in my life, I'm not in a position to judge the use of a pump versus a semi-auto, but am interested in understanding why one would be superior over the other. I've shot plenty of birds with both and allowing for gauge differences, haven't really been able to discern a difference in their performance (or mine) in the field. And for the record, throughout the US, we're limited to a 3 shot capacity in our shotguns when hunting migratory game, with the exception of special goose seasons. Though most of the weapons are designed to hold 5 shots, they're normally equipped with receiver plug that allows a maxium of 3 cartridges, 1 in the chamber and 2 in the receiver. Thanks! El Gringo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webber Posted January 27, 2005 Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 ElD The semi has a few advantages over the pump action. It automatically loads the next shell, without any input from the shooter. A gas opperated semi will absorb some of the recoil, which is a benefit when shooting large numbers or heavy loads. It would seem that the American gun laws are less liberal than I had imagined! webber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eugene molloy Posted January 27, 2005 Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 Have a peep in here and look at the scores using pumps....in .410! Shotgun World ...pumps Not much of a disadvantage for some of these guys. Eug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Gringo Posted January 27, 2005 Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 (edited) Thanks for the thoughts on semis versus pumps Webber. As to American gun laws, while each state can set season dates, limits, and the like for non-migratory gamebrids and animals, they can't for migratory game. Any migratory gamebirds such as ducks, geese, doves, gallinules, rails, snipe, woodcock, etc fall under federal regulation. Before states can finalize bag limits and dates for these birds, they must receive federal approval or fall within federal guidelines. There are both state and federal game wardens, who often work together, and violating gamelaws, especially federal, can be a very serious offense. At the time of an arrest, the feds will confiscate anything and everything associated with the offense, including your vehicle! El Gringo Edited January 27, 2005 by El Gringo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rb5037 Posted January 27, 2005 Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 I've never shot a pump shotgun but would imagine that there are disadvantage on fast shots. i.e. fast crossers (in the field or on a clay day) or on the one you miss 1st shot and have to let off another. Instead of the bang bang and keeping the bird in your sights it's bang, manual reload, (pull,push) taking your eyes off the target (gun moves alot more) then bang with the second. At least with the semi's and two shot o/u or s/s there is a very quick bang bang. I'll get my coat then as said never shot one so don't shout at me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Gringo Posted January 27, 2005 Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 I like your humor RB! However, I suspect that most experienced pump shooters would tell you they suffer none of the problems you've described.....I know I haven't. The action on a good pump shotgun is such that after it's all over with, you don't even remember having shucked the new rounds into the chamber. It's a very natural and smooth process in my opinion. I'd also be willing to bet that a pump shotgun can fire 3 rounds more quickly than most semi's. El Gringo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M ROBSON Posted January 27, 2005 Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 One advantage I can think a pump has over an auto is that it doesn't spray empty shells everywhere, some pumps even eject the shell out of the bottom. If your into reloading wildfowling loads an empty case can cost quite a bit here in rip off Britain. If you shoot from a boat there a great tool. Not that I own one or want one but they do have their advantages. Mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted January 27, 2005 Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 I had a Mossberg pump action 12 bore ( about 25 years ago), which I bought secondhand to shoot bolting rabbits with. Despite persevering, I could not cycle the second cartridge, with the gun mounted. The action was just not smooth enough, or my coordination was well out, I'm not sure which. I also found it a nuisance to clean. I eventually sold the gun and bought a semi auto Remington 1100. I have mentioned many times on here that , contrary to popular belief, US gun laws and hunting controls are very tight and quite restrictive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Gringo Posted January 27, 2005 Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 M Robson, The Ithaca Model 37 that is the subject of this thread is a bottom ejecting pump. Some claim that for lefties it also reduces the chances of getting unburned powder blown in the shooter's eyes as a right ejecting auto will throw the spent cartridge in front of the shooters face. I can think of a few times I've had blow back, but not enough to ever really worry about. El Gringo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.