16ga.com ~ View topic

Joined: 08 Feb 2009 Posts: 1356 Location: Western WA

Want to buy 16ga M37 plain barrel for skeet, for 1950s vintage gun, IC preferred but others could be sent out for opening & fitting if necessary. No Polys, Cutts…maybe ok if able to cut back to 26” min.

TIA
B.

Joined: 09 Dec 2012 Posts: 709

I am assuming that since you said M37, you mean an Ithaca. If not, the following only applies for future reference.

You realize that since Les Hovencamp passed away, the number of gunsmiths that know how to fit them is slim.

Hopefully you have someone in mind.

If you don't you could contact Frank Vallone at Sycamore Hills design.

http://www.sycamorehilldesigns.com/

Additionally, the price of barrels has gone up. There is one pre 855,000 barrel on eBay, it has a bit of corrosion on it. Look at it on a computer, not a phone

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=ithaca+37+16+barrel&_sop=10&_svsrch=1

With the cost of the barrel, freight, taxes shipping, installation, you are easily going to have $350.00 into it.

You may as well watch and just buy another gun.

Joined: 08 Feb 2009 Posts: 1356 Location: Western WA

Roger that DR, all well advised thanks. This is more of a quest than a project. It started a few years ago when I had a barrel almost in my hands and Les was ready for it. But I bungled the purchase and everything went down the drain.

Now I’m starting over and everything’s changed including the prices and feasibility. I suppose I could simply open up my M37 from mod to IC but I can’t bring myself to mutilate it quite yet.

Thanks for the link, at least it keeps my hopes alive.

B.

Joined: 09 Dec 2012 Posts: 709

That pre-855,000 barrel is back up now.

HOWEVER, as I said, you had better contact Frank Vallone before buying a barrel.

SUPPOSEDLY Les explained to Frank about how to fit barrels. We have not confirmed that though.

I did find another guy that fit them, HOWEVER, he was very expensive so I didn't bother getting his information. When you can simply buy another gun for what it's going to cost, there is no point.

Les was a lot younger than me when he died. We heard he smoked like a chimney and that is what was the underlying cause of his death.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/166798483582?itmmeta=01HZE0PHPSWFZJWSS3R8T4M33J&hash=item26d5f6e07e:g:GSUAAOSwsmZmUnJ-&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8PXsZMAqbKmdyluUvdvHfoe3Dk8F1ub5xsvAaFUXYiKtPWztHGnVoffv1Lagui%2Bg1%2Bw80xLzPsWKv87rCqjO6XC8kJeJCABJmUT2UlAPoNzFIj4pIpsGuZAjN5Ai8BRaoZ26PrIpXM7gn3sxM15rET7wvYyyzWEKtpmY1MHeVj9dB7F%2F8D5eR5hkZ6pJ5Wev3ASuQlyduBgFTY95VVlYGVhM3qF4kziNvIIvCFrjXhBRhju0RMj44nC6jgYGoXxa3WyvvoS9cIKX3hL9uw9Jz6bzVm9I0bSui09A%2FReTk9BP1EUDQY%2BaJqBND6yrdxnMtg%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7qb2sD7Yw

Member Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 1267 Location: Nebraska

This could be a usable barrel:

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/1052231417

Joined: 09 Dec 2012 Posts: 709

You can tell by the stock and the brass bead that it is an earlier barrel. It would be advantageous to have the repair parts on hand.

Joined: 09 Dec 2012 Posts: 709

Here's an IC not much more than trying to deal with a barrel being fit

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1054000479

Joined: 08 Feb 2009 Posts: 1356 Location: Western WA

Thanks, that’s a nice gun with engraving, I’ll keep an eye on it. My M37 is plain. What year was the brass bead eliminated?

I made a weak half hearted effort on the parts gun auction but was soundly outbid. A little more fortitude and conviction was needed on my part. Ebay might be my best route.

The cold facts indicate the surest, most practical and lowest cost option is to open the choke on my gun, but to me that is akin to neutering a fine mature Lab. And I’d be out a nice trap gun.

I’ll keep looking.

All the best,
B.

Member Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 1267 Location: Nebraska

They swapped out the brass bead later than 1952, the gun in the auction is wearing some other brand of bead, not a Raybar.

I had the Full choke of my 20ga M37 opened up, it was really snug and I found out the reason I wasn't tearing up close birds was likely because it shoots high for me and I just wasn't centering them. Was a little anxious that the gun might not shoot to the same point of impact afterwards, but it hits the same after Mike Orlen got done with it. Just with more open patterns. Going to choke tubes for the barrel was another option, just figured to try opening first and resort to tubes later if I think it needs them. As you're doing though, another barrel (or whole gun) is the best route for the older guns.

Joined: 08 Feb 2009 Posts: 1356 Location: Western WA

A M37 barrel has been located and acquired, much appreciation to DR Cook for the assistance. It arrived yesterday and installed straightaway on the M37, slightly more snug fit than the original barrel but readily joined.

Action cycles fine. Not sure if any other fit issues, i.e. headspace need to be checked. Pending any final install issues, next steps are pattern testing and choke opening to skeet.

Thanks All for the support,
B.