Ithaca 37 is a great shotgun, but to buy a trench gun version is $1,800.00 +, and a police / riot version is in the $450.00- $1,000.00 range depending on Vietnam era status, markings , etc. My whole family grew up on 37's, as about half of us are left-handed, and we like the bottom ejection.
That said, I also own a Scatterguns K-9 (11-87), though not as tricked out as Wave's
, and and M1S90 (old pre-ban you can load an extra round on loading gate), then about 4-5 870's in different configurations.
I've been looking for an older Ithaca 37 riot-gun for my dad, for his retirement coming up, and it has been frustrating. I am tempted to just buy one, and have KKF add an extension to the mag-tube, and move the barrel lug, but that's $$$ and it don't seem right. I would think Ithaca could sell a bunch of SG's configured for defense with the extended magazine, but I don't make those decisions.
The older Winchester's and Ithaca's had the slam-fire (no disconnector) feature, which is part of what I want in mine, so it might be some time before I find what I want.
I like the pumps too, but honestly, the only malfunction I ever had with one of my auto's, was with my Benelli jamming when I was trying to see how fast I could shoot the whole magazine, and I'm guessing that was an operator induced error!
On the Benelli, not only does the bolt hold open, but you can crank a round out of the chamber, manually, and drop another in without racking one from the magazine. Good if you want to drop a slug in, or *special* round.
As to slugs vs buckshot, I like buckshot for most scenarios, and the right combination produces really tight patterns. You have to aim these tight groups. As mentioned Vang Comp'd barrels are great, and I also use Patternmaster chokes with good results. Bar-Sto / Vang have a new barrel for the Benelli that is Vang Comp'd, but I haven't been able to bring myself to spend $450.00 + shipping my shotgun two ways, yet! These shoot slugs as well as buckshot, and I like slugs for barracade work! (not that I have barracade work,, though)