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The Model 37 Ithaca Deerslayer shotgun was renamed the Model 87 Deerslayer from 1987 through 1996, after which time the Model 37 designation was resumed. Both models were equipped with open sights from the factory, including an adjustable rear leaf sight allowing ample room for a scope or red dot optic without disturbing the open sights. There is ample room for a one-piece scope base on top of the receiver bridge, which must be drilled and tapped. Base Selection And MountingThe Weaver number 62 one-piece base (part number 48062) is fully adaptable as a sturdy scope base for this shotgun. The Weaver no. 62 one-piece base has four screw holes, which allows the front and rearmost screws to fit the span between the rear of the barrel, at the front, and the extractor position of the open bolt to the rear. There is ample screw thread depth into the receiver just above the top extractor groove of the receiver. Screw threads must not enter into this groove, however, and must be shortened as needed to obviate this.In mounting the scope base the in-line set of holes are positioned with the front screw located immediately rearward of the barrel margin. There is sufficient room, so don’t crowd this screw forward. The receiver of the Model 87 shotgun is not case-hardened, permitting the use of a standard 6-48 drill and tap. For this type of base mounting, drill and tap the front screw hole first and attach the base securely with this screw. From there use a straight edge and align the base coaxially with the barrel and receiver. Then, with the base in place, drill and tap the remaining three holes.
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As you fit each screw, double check that screws don’t protrude beyond the inner groove surface. Torque screws down per screw size recommendations. Many guns are brought in with broken or over tightened screws, particularly screws with Torx heads. The use of a torque wrench is advisable. Unless a scope is very heavy or the gun has extraordinary recoil, you won’t need a bonding agent like Loctite or the like. The lighter weight red dot optics certainly don’t need this treatment. Both scope height and eye relief work out nicely with this mounting system. The scope base position on the receiver allows for optimal eye relief for both standard scopes or red dot optics.There are several reasons for mounting optics on shotguns, such as improved accuracy, better viewing (especially in poor light) and the help it provides aging eyes. Some hunters don’t get this kind of job done because it appears too involved, but it is usually a pretty straight-forward gunsmithing job on most shotguns, including the Ithaca Models 87 and 37. AG
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