I own a 52 year old Ithaca 16-ga with a fixed modified choke. The fit and finish are superb. The pump throw is short and slick, lightning fast. The gun feels like it has a mind of it's own when you start it toward your shoulder (I prolly got lucky on fit, but there you have it). It's much lighter than my 20 ga Remington 870, which I'm now trying to sell on gunbroker. Fattire is right--Ithacas are good medicine
No chance you'd try find a good used Ithaca? They're around!