Author Topic: Model 37 12 gauge (Read 1313 times)

streak · « **on:** October 31, 2009, 07:31:45 AM »

How many of you use or have used the Model 37 Winchester in bird hunting or other game?
Thoughts or comments are welcome.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #1 on:** October 31, 2009, 09:25:11 AM »

Streak, have not used the 37 Win. on game, but have used other single barrels. Hope you are aware your gun has some collectors value ...

streak · « **Reply #2 on:** October 31, 2009, 11:46:22 AM »

Wyo.Coyote Hunter,
Thanks for the reply!
Yes I am aware of the collectors value of this gun. It was bought for my Grandpa by my daddy and uncle a few years before my Grandpa passed away. The gun has been fired only a few times probably less than 10 shots,so the gun is in excellent shape. It was purchased new.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #3 on:** October 31, 2009, 12:34:22 PM »

Streak, before I took this gun hunting I would have it appraised. Some of these in unusual ga.'s lke the 28, are scary in price....

fox fire · « **Reply #4 on:** October 31, 2009, 05:49:18 PM »

I had bought a red letter 37 in a 20ga with intentions of use'n it to hunt squirrels with but every one advused me not to. "It's worth to much,it's a collectors piece" So I traded it off and got about $50 more than I had in it . With all the hype about ther mystical shootin abilities I wanted to see for myself and wound up never even shoot'n it.

pastorp · « **Reply #5 on:** November 01, 2009, 06:17:59 AM »

They might have some collector value but compared to the value of getting to hunt with one of your grandfather's guns I don't think that would matter to me.

I'd take the gun hunting and pretend grandad was along.

Regards,

streak · « **Reply #6 on:** November 01, 2009, 10:56:42 AM »

Quote from: pastorp on November 01, 2009, 06:17:59 AM

They might have some collector value but compared to the value of getting to hunt with one of your grandfather's guns I don't think that would matter to me.

I'd take the gun hunting and pretend grandad was along.

Regards,

pastorp,
I agree that using the gun would be neat knowing that my dad and grandpa had used this gun once or twice. I will also check the serial# and see what year it was manufactured and see what its actual value might be.

pastorp · « **Reply #7 on:** November 01, 2009, 02:53:32 PM »

Streak, you said it's a 12 ga. The 28ga is really the rare one to find.

I have a 16ga I use occasionally. They work fine if you have a single shot mindset. You just do all your hunting before you shoot.

Regards,

streak · « **Reply #8 on:** November 01, 2009, 04:08:28 PM »

pastorp,
I have shot a semi-automatic 12 essentially all of my life until the latter part of the 1990`s when I switched over to a 12 gauge pump. So just to make things a liittle more sporting I thought I would give the single shot a chance! Probably will only hunt doves, squirrels. ducks, and the odd quail.
Naturally will probably for the most part use low brass loads!Plus the weight is lighter than the pump and I want to try and see how the still hunting works with lighter gun. As I am pushing in another year the 70 year level.

pastorp · « **Reply #9 on:** November 02, 2009, 10:03:02 AM »

Streak, At your age if you have kids & grandkids that 37 could become a family heirloom.

.

Regards,

dukkillr · « **Reply #10 on:** November 02, 2009, 11:22:15 AM »

I have some experience. I doubt your gun has crazy collector's value. The 12s are easy to come by and assuming it's a field model, not too rare. If it has a poly-choke there is no collector's value.

The 37 was, and is, a great gun. It's mechanics are different from the more modern BPS but that is the gun often compared to. Bottom eject, no gas or empties flying into your face or those of your hunting partners. Unfortunately, looks can be deceiving. Unlike the BPS it can be somewhat easy to jam and is very difficult to take apart. Forget a field repair of the action. Although I've never weighed one, they feel light and easy to carry when compared to other pumps.

If it has personal value to you, I'd shoot it, enjoy it, and save it for your kids or grandkids or nephew or whatever. Don't get scared off by it's "collector's value". I also wouldn't consider it a perfect go-to gun for whatever hunting situation may arise.

pastorp · « **Reply #11 on:** November 02, 2009, 12:34:30 PM »

Dukkillr, Streak has a winchester 37, it's a single shot, break open shotgun.

Regards,

dukkillr · « **Reply #12 on:** November 02, 2009, 12:58:18 PM »

whoops... was thinking ithica... way off base... sorry...

Swampman · « **Reply #13 on:** November 02, 2009, 01:01:32 PM »

I've hunted with one. I actually prefer my NEF Pardner.

pastorp · « **Reply #14 on:** November 03, 2009, 03:36:55 AM »

I can't imagine anyone chosing a nef over a winchester.

Regards,

Swampman · « **Reply #15 on:** November 03, 2009, 04:36:49 AM »

The sheet metal hammer & the semi-hammerless design leave me cold.

streak · « **Reply #16 on:** November 03, 2009, 11:43:36 AM »

Well around the week of Nov 23, I will give it a workout,hopefully on some live game!
Stii have not heard from any members that are currently using one of these for hunting.

Swampman · « **Reply #17 on:** November 03, 2009, 12:07:40 PM »

I just sold mine a couple of months ago and I hunted with it last season. It's just a single shot shotgun and it kills stuff as well as the next one.

pastorp · « **Reply #18 on:** November 03, 2009, 01:25:04 PM »

Streak,

I've used several over the years to hunt with. They are light so they can really recoil if you use heavy loads. Also they tend to be a tad light in the barrell. In short they may not swing as naturally as you were used to with your autoloader. I guess what I'm saying is for shooting still targets they are fine but for wing shooting you better pay attention to what your doing especially your follow through.

Regards,

streak · « **Reply #19 on:** November 04, 2009, 07:40:34 AM »

Quote from: pastorp on November 03, 2009, 01:25:04 PM

Streak,

I've used several over the years to hunt with. They are light so they can really recoil if you use heavy loads. Also they tend to be a tad light in the barrell. In short they may not swing as naturally as you were used to with your autoloader. I guess what I'm saying is for shooting still targets they are fine but for wing shooting you better pay attention to what your doing especially your follow through.

Regards,

pastorp,
Follow through is the "name of the game"!
Before I ever had my own shotgun, when I was about 13 my neighbor about the same age had a Model 37 and he and I were out shooting and I had the gun and a few quail flushed and I centered one going straight away. We then went to flush the singles, and missed two crossing shots but finally I lucked out on a quartering away shot. So that was my first lesson in follow through!

Freezer · « **Reply #20 on:** November 22, 2009, 04:50:45 AM »

I have a Win 37a 12 guage. I used to hunt with it but no more, it kick like a mule! I've also tried the NEFs, no better. I perfer the Win with it's beavertail forend. Mine is a 28" full choke with a plastic but plate. I can do very well with it but the recoil is bad. A few years ago I took it to the range with a friend. I hadn't shot it for 5 years and was happy to hit 20 of 25 at the trap range. Some ol' boys were watching and invited me to join them. I didn't want to but after they twisted my arm I joined in. I hit 5 of 25. They were shocked until they looked at my shoulder. me concentrat The gun was about 1" too long and without a recoil pad it tore my shoulder up. I cut it down and put a recoil pad on it but I may never hunt with it again. I will say having only one shot makes me concintrate on my shot and I hit more often with that first shot.