ITHACA 37 SHOTGUN VIETNAM PLUS

My test gun had the 20-inch barrel and seven-shot magazine. I chose the wooden version with a black Parkerized finish, as it reminds me of the Model 37s I used back in the day. It is also available with a wooden stock and forearm or synthetic furniture.

The Defense Gun is available with either an 18.5- or 20-inch barrel and a four- or seven-shot magazine. Recently, though, I had a chance to test Ithaca’s Model 37 Defense Gun, the current version of the classic M37 riot gun. As I remember, it was an ex-Illinois State Prison gun, which I stupidly sold. I say “most” because I never put a stopwatch on a Model 37 against a Benelli.Īlthough this feature would not be as applicable for law enforcement usage, at least some LE users were well aware of the feature should they have to deal with multiple criminals quickly! I used to have an older Model 37 riot gun with a full-length, seven-round magazine and what some call the “slam fire” feature, which I carried in my vehicle for some years. It was faster than most automatic shotguns. Experienced users would push the Model 37 towards the target with their support hand while holding the trigger back and just cycling the slide. Riot or trench guns were often carried by the point man of a patrol and used to quickly clear a trail if an enemy was suddenly encountered. The Model 37 did not have a trigger disconnect and, hence, it could be fired very quickly by just holding back the trigger and operating the slide action. Army Special Forces in Vietnam was a feature it shared with the long-serving Winchester Model 97 and Model 12 riot and trench guns. One of the features that made the Model 37 especially appealing to the SEALs and U.S. Another contract for Model 37 trench guns went to the U.S. In 1963, a very small number of Model 37 trench guns with bayonets-a little over 200-were supplied to the USAF. A substantial number of these Model 37s went to the U.S. forces and marked with the “U.S.” designation. Additional Model 37 riot guns were manufactured for U.S. military advisors to South Vietnamese forces used at least a few of these shotguns. One 1962 contract for 22,000 Model 37 riot guns with 20-inch barrels was for South Vietnamese troops. Use of the Ithaca Model 37 in combat was much more prevalent during the Vietnam War. This was because the government had asked Ithaca to concentrate on producing Model 1911A1 pistols for the military instead.

ITHACA 37 SHOTGUN VIETNAM PLUS

Only 1,422 Ithaca trench guns were actually delivered during World War II, plus about 5,000 riot guns (most of which had 22-inch rather than 20-inch barrels) and longer-barreled training shotguns. The first military orders for the Ithaca Model 37 were during World War II, when longer-barreled guns for training in aerial gunnery (to teach lead on targets) as well as riot and trench models were ordered. Note that the term “trench gun” normally indicates the weapon was fitted with a ventilated handguard and bayonet lug. The Model 37 shotgun, in both riot and trench gun formats, also saw substantial U.S. Both the Chicago PD and NYPD also used Ithaca Model 37s at one time. I’ve also been told that as recently as 10 years ago LAPD and/or LA County sheriffs were still using some Model 37s. Of course, this really applies to any shotgun carried in a patrol car.

RELATED STORY: 12 Mission-Ready 12-Gauge Scattergunsīased on the few conversations I’ve had with LAPD officers who used the Model 37, they always liked the shotgun, though they emphasized that it could not be carried in the patrol car with a round chambered.

Generally, LAPD 37s did not have the full-length, eight-round magazine tube but the shorter four-round magazine. It was the standard shotgun of the LAPD for many years in what is usually referred to as the “LAPD Configuration.” These Ithacas had 18- or 20-inch barrels, though I’ve been told at least some for detectives had 14- or 16-inch barrels. T he Ithaca Model 37 riot gun was never as popular for police use as the Remington 870, but it did have some notable users.

Ithaca 37 shotgun vietnam