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Post by dsayer on Jan 3, 2011 23:10:15 GMT -5
Going to get a new shotgun in the next few months. Debating between the BPS and M37. Either one will be NEW, 20 gauge, and 26 in barrel plus an extra rifled deer barrel. Both seem to get great reviews (Randy Wakeman), but the Ithaca will cost me much more. Especially because I have a friend of a friend who happens to be a Browning rep.  I really like the M37, but I'm not sure I can justify the extra $300+ to get it. FYI I'm a graduate student living on a stipend, so yes the $300 is pretty significant to me. Any thoughts/experiences good and bad with either one would be appreciated. Links below. www.ithacagun.com/featherlight.htmlwww.browning.com/products/catalog/family.asp?webflag_=011b |
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Post by dbd870 on Jan 4, 2011 4:06:02 GMT -5
It would come down to which fit me. I had a BPS and it didn't fit me. Never had a 37 but I had a 51; it fit much better - YMMV.
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Post by imnatree on Jan 4, 2011 5:37:25 GMT -5
I recently receive a 16 ga. featherlite M37 from a neighbor who receieved several guns from a customer who passed away. He said he didn't need all of them and knew I would put good use to this one.
Very nice gun!! Short throw on the pump action, and a smooth, no travel, lite trigger is wat I like best about it. Feels and fits great too!
I have a 12 ga. beneli nova too, but would choose the Ithaca over the beneli any day. As for the browning, I can't say cuz I've not shot one.
I agree that fit and feel is important. Try 'em both and get the one that is most comfortable to you. If u settle for the one just because of $ reasons, then wait to buy. No sense in wasting $ on 2nd choice when you'd prefer the other. You'll b happier in the long run. I've done that in the past. Bought a moss500 cuz I was young and couldn't afford a better one. Gun went click on a nice 12 pt @ 40 yds broadside. Curse the day that I should have saved and wait for something better.
Good luck with your decision
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Post by dsayer on Jan 4, 2011 9:42:54 GMT -5
Thanks for the responses. I have a Nova as well. It has never failed me, but it rattles like crazy and is ugly as sin.
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Post by esshup on Jan 4, 2011 10:51:14 GMT -5
Since you'll be using it for birds and deer, gun fit is very important. It also plays a part in how much recoil you feel.
I like the bottom eject on the Ithaca, but I like Browning shotguns.
I'd try them both and see what gun fits you the best.
Look at the corner of the store where the walls and ceiling meet. Shoulder the gun with your eyes closed, trying to point the gun at that spot. Open you eyes once the gun is shouldered and look down the barrel. Which gun puts your head closest to looking right down the barrel at the corner is the one that I'd buy. If there is a mid-bead along with the front bead, the beads should be either superimposed on each other, or look like a figure 8. If you're looking at the back of the receiver, when you open your eyes, then a slip on comb could be added. If there is a lot of space between the sights, then the stock is too high and not much can be done without grinding down the stock. You can add cast off to the stock, but not cast on. (left/right)
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Post by schall53 on Jan 4, 2011 11:04:49 GMT -5
My BPS is also a bottom eject.
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Post by throbak on Jan 4, 2011 12:05:33 GMT -5
The 37 is made on a browning patent so I would think cost or where they were Made USA or Japan, would be the issue for me I own 5 37,s so that was my is obvious
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Post by steve46511 on Jan 10, 2011 18:05:59 GMT -5
I had a BPS upland 20 gauge and sold it to my brother some time ago.
Why I dont know. I couldnt miss with that shotgun.
The HIGH rib I found very nice and the gun fit me like a glove. Id love to shoot one of their slug guns just to see how I did with it.
The bottom feed wasnt an issue for me like I thought it would be after decades of Wingmasters.
A buddy had one of the OLD 37s and that was a PIA to load for. It would jam a lot but hear they got that fixed in more recent ones? It never fit me that well anyway and beat me to death IMHO.
Id buy another BPS in a heartbeat and was looking at one in 28 gauge just recently.
Both have pretty good reps though. Chevy and Ford etc..same thing.
God Bless
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Post by dsayer on Jan 26, 2011 15:20:47 GMT -5
Went with the Ithaca. Really liked the fit and finish more so than the BPS. The BPS felt a bit nose heavy to me. Thanks for all the responses!
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Post by Decatur on Jan 26, 2011 18:53:49 GMT -5
Let's see a pic of the new toy!
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Post by dsayer on Jan 27, 2011 13:53:11 GMT -5
As requested... They're taken from my phone. Hope they show up alright. Attachments:
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Post by dsayer on Jan 27, 2011 13:54:21 GMT -5
The upland engraving. Attachments:
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Post by dsayer on Jan 27, 2011 13:54:49 GMT -5
And the waterfowl engraving. Attachments:
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I really like the M37, but I'm not sure I can justify the extra $300+ to get it. FYI I'm a graduate student living on a stipend, so yes the $300 is pretty significant to me. Any thoughts/experiences good and bad with either one would be appreciated. Links below.
