Original Defense Plus I Would

Original Defense Plus I Would

However, it would have been even more advantageous if it has a removable choke; for a strictly defense gun this isnt really an issue, but for 600 plus I would really like to have a barrel threaded for removable chokes.

The designs, especially the classic Model 37 shotgun, are still there but are being made with modern production methods and materials.

It is a nice blend of the original M37 design with modern furniture.

In the early 1930s Ithaca was looking to get into the pump shotgun market.

They were already known for their quality double guns but the pump action had started to take a bigger and bigger piece of the sporting shotgun market.

Instead of designing their own they waited for some patents to expire on the Remington Model 17 (introduced in 1917) and improve upon it.

It is a solid and dependable action and is well suited for the field and the battlefield.

Shells are held in a tubular magazine under the barrel and the action is pumped to eject a spent shell and load a new one.

This design is typically more reliable than semi-automatics especially when used in adverse conditions where there is a potential for mud, dirt and sand finding its way into the action.

Mud and crud are less likely to get into the bottom of the receiver and if they do find their way in gravity (its a downer) is going to help clear out the mess.

They come with either wood or synthetic stocks, 18.5- or 20-inch barrels and five or eight shot capacity.

The base model sports a plane matte blued finish and a brass bead front sight.

The ones I have found are right at the same price as on Ithacas site.

It also sports an AR style adjustable stock with a pistol grip and fiber optic sights.

The receiver is machined from a sold block of steel and you can tell by the heft.

The recoil from heavy 3-inch shells was pretty mild for a pump action thanks to the buffer in the fancy tactical stock.

Dont get me wrong: this is still a 12 gauge and you will know it if you squeeze the trigger and dont have it pulled up tight in your shoulder.

The spread of the 00 buck was fairly wide at 30 to 40 feet, but still Ok for home defense, where that would be the extent of your range.

I was able to hit the ten-ring with a slug from that distance (Of course if I hadnt been able to I would have been concerned about my shooting, or if I was going to have heat stroke).

I have never understood why a shotgun made for home defense needs a rear sight.

If the need ever arises to use a shotgun to defend yourself and family in your home it is going to be close quarters and the rear sight is not needed and can be a distraction at a time when you need as few of them as possible.

The sight is removable however and is an option that was on the review model.