The new Inland M37 Trench gun as a test sample arrived a few months ago, and we got right to it. This shotgun is a collaboration between Inland and the Ithaca Gun Company, being a faithful reproduction of the Ithaca Model 37 trench gun based on the Browning Model 17 used during WWII. Looking it over closely, attention to detail was spot on with the military grade shotgun. Fit and finish are correct along with the markings.
First Impressions
Note the authentic front brass bead sight, bayonet lug, and barrel heat shield.
The trigger is not bad at all, breaking at seven pounds with practically no take up but with some over travel. The cross bolt safety is located at the rear of the trigger guard.
To rack the pump with the hammer cocked you have to depress the lever at the front of the trigger guard. Though the original M 37 could be slam fired, the new model cannot. As a matter of fact if you hold the trigger down while running the pump, it will not cock the hammer.
Attention to detail, down to the original markings, is well done.
You can see the patterening above from twenty five feet and the three shot group is from Winchester 2 3/4″ 1 ounce slugs fired from a rest twenty five yards.
Range Time
Conclusions
The Inland Manufacturing M37 Trench Gun is a faithful reproduction of the famed M37 from WWII and for those who would want such a shotgun but cannot afford the high cost of an original or have an original but would rather it not take it out often this is your best option. If you are just into nostalgic firearms or collect military weapons the new M37 is an affordable option to fill that space in your collection. Though I am sure it could serve well as a home defense shotgun, I believe I would pick something with a bit more capacity and better suited to such a task. This is not a truck gun in my opinion but a shotgun that should be cared for, shown off, and enjoyed at the range. Since it is a pump action it was reliable with all sorts 12 gauge ammunition, but without a side ejection port combat reloads are impossible. After some 350 shells, as expected, there were no issues and the shotgun held up just fine. Simple machines tend to work and personally I prefer the pump shotgun over any other.
Published on Memorial Day 2017, please honor our fallen heroes.
Specifications
Gauge: .12 gauge / 3″ Chamber
Magazine capacity:4+1
Barrel length: 20″
Total length: 38.5″
Barrel Choke: Cylinder Choke .730″
Action: Manual Pump, Bottom Load & Ejection
Weight: 6.7 lb
MSRP: $1279.00
Acknowledgments
Cool shotgun and a good review. I’d love to own one of these, but that price! Lord have mercy. Guess I’ll get by with Mossberg. Thanks for posting this review.