Canuck CC37: A New Trench Gun In Town

Want a wood-and-steel trench gun, based off a timeless pump-action design? Canuck's new CC37, spreading out to dealers over the past few weeks, may fit the bill for you.

The word "iconic" is over-used, but if there is such a thing as an iconic combat shotgun, then the Ithaca Model 37 would qualify. Due to its use in the Vietnam War as well as many American police departments, the Model 37 has a long reputation for reliability and usability. Alas, the Model 37 is getting very expensive, with American pricing for the Home Defense model starting at $1099 USD. If you're looking for a similar shotgun but with easier Canadian availability and lower pricing, we now have the option of the new Canuck CC37.

Looking at the CC37, it looks like a very faithful interpretation of the old Model 37 design (which, remember, was itself an update of a Remington shotgun originally designed by John Moses Browning—no need to break into outrage over intellectual property rights). Same bottom ejection, same squared-off receiver shape with pronounced pistol grip, same button safety behind the trigger, same barrel retention nut, same single action bar. Perhaps closer inspection will reveal some refinements or changes to the Ithaca/Remington design, but at five paces, this shotgun looks like the same thing. No word yet on whether there's slamfire capability, like the Ithaca riot guns of old, but that seems unlikely.

Canuck's re-design does include a barrel threaded for Mobil chokes (there are three included with the gun). There's also a heat shield and front sight blade for a bit of a retro riot gun/trench gun look, although the 20-inch barrel (chrome-lined) looks a bit more like a deer gun than a combat shotgun. Note that there's no rear sight, so accuracy with slugs is going to be somewhat limited.

Magazine capacity is 5+1, and due to the limitations of this design, it seems unlikely that extended magazine versions will be available.

In past years, Chinese companies manufactured copies of the Ithaca 37, but it seems this shotgun is built in Turkey. The stock and corncob forend are Turkish walnut, much better quality than the junk wood often found on Chinese firearms. Having said that, we haven't had the chance to handle one, to tell you how the fit and finish looks.

While some buyers may still prefer the made-in-the-USA version, those are roughly twice the price of the CC37, which sells for about $650 in Canada, depending where you shop. Ask your local retailer if you want more details; specs and other information for the CC37 haven't even been uploaded to the Canuck website yet.