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View Full Version : pistol grip to straight


WilliamGuest
01-19-2012, 06:36 PM
As mentioned in my first intro post, I currently have a VH 12 gauge and PH on the way to me. I plan on getting the vh restored and having it completed hopefully this spring/summer. Originally this parker had a capped pistol grip, but the original stock is no longer with the gun. I'm wondering if it would take much value off, if I decided to go with a straight grip instead..the original trigger guard is in great shape, serial numbers are hardly wore and the border engraving is still quite crisp. So, would it hurt much if I used a replacement long tang trigger guard and just kept the original for safe keeping?? Or should I just go pistol grip as it was..

Thanks

Dave Suponski
01-19-2012, 06:41 PM
William, The trigger guard bow for a straight grip gun in completely different from a pistol grip one. The straight grip bow has a long tang vs. the short tang on a pistol grip gun.

Pete Lester
01-19-2012, 06:44 PM
I would be more concerned about what I wanted if I was restocking the gun rather than what would increase or decrease the value. If I was in your situation I would be leaning towards a straight grip built to my dimensions for shooting. However you run the risk the original trigger guard will some day become separated from the gun and never reunited. I might look to see if someone could weld an extension on the original trigger guard, straighten it out and use that, but that's just me.

WilliamGuest
01-19-2012, 06:45 PM
Thanks for the reply..I know the difference..I guess I never worded it right. Would I lose much value if I used a long tang trigger guard on a new straight grip buttstock and keep the original guard for safe keeping, or should I just have the new stock made into a pistol grip as it would have been originally and then use the original PG trigger guard..

WilliamGuest
01-19-2012, 06:48 PM
Thats kinda what I was thinking J.B. Books....I think I would rather have the straight grip...and get the original tang straightened out and some length added to the end to look something like the original straight grips do..

Pete Lester
01-19-2012, 06:52 PM
Thats kinda what I was thinking J.B. Books....I think I would rather have the straight grip...and get the original tang straightened out and some lenght added to the end to look something like the original straight grips do..

Then go confidently in that direction, it can be done. Somewhere along the way I saw a p/g trigger guard that had been lengthened and it looked factory. Somebody around here knows who can do it and hopefully they will come along soon with that info.

WilliamGuest
01-19-2012, 06:56 PM
Well, The person that will be doing the wood and metal work on my gun is also a member here and also in Newfoundland, Chris Dawe. He has someone who does welding for him from time to time from what I understand, will probably check into that and throw it past him when we get to working on the gun.

Thanks again.

edgarspencer
01-19-2012, 07:24 PM
If it were me, I would put the PG trigger guard away, and buy the nice one that Galazan sells, have it engraved with the SN and then I would always have the option to restock it in the future, in it's original configuration. Once you modify the original one, there's no going back. Galazan's is $75, and to weld, finish and polish the old one, then have it re numbered in the correct location would, I'm sure, cost a lot more.

Pete Lester
01-19-2012, 07:25 PM
Good luck with it William, project guns can become money pits if you are not careful but they don't have to be. The point is to have fun with what you have and want what you have.

WilliamGuest
01-19-2012, 07:27 PM
Yeah, I was looking at Galazan's...is very nice..I know there are a couple of options...Was just looking for someother opinions..Guess I got a little thinking on my hands...

Dave Suponski
01-19-2012, 07:33 PM
I agree with Edgar. I would look foe an original straight grip bow(they are out there) and keep the original stock and bow together.

Pete Lester
01-19-2012, 07:38 PM
I agree with Edgar. I would look foe an original straight grip bow(they are out there) and keep the original stock and bow together.

Dave when read his post I took it the original stock is gone and it's not coming home. To me it then comes down to the decision of; replacement from Galazan, guard from another gun, or fabricate the original. I would not modify the original if the guns original stock still exists.

WilliamGuest
01-19-2012, 07:49 PM
that is correct J.B., The original stock is long gone..I purchased the gun without it...it came in an inletted blank..

Dave Suponski
01-19-2012, 08:09 PM
Sorry, My mistake. That changes everything. But I would still search for an original Parker guard bow though. Post a WTB here ya never know what will turn up.

Gerry Addison
01-19-2012, 08:53 PM
Bachelder in Grand Rapids Michigan can turn a pistol grip tang into a long straight grip tang. Nice people to work with as well.

Brian Dudley
01-19-2012, 08:55 PM
Just buy the Galazan guard. For the money, you can't go wrong.

And put whatever grip on it that you like best if you are going to have it done. Some people will only buy straight grip guns and visa versa. So you make make your gun more valuable to the right person.

WilliamGuest
01-21-2012, 09:14 PM
Yeah, I'll probably pick one up anyway...At least if I don't end up using it, I'll have an extra on hand...And yes, I'm leaning towards a straight grip..

Chuck Heald
01-22-2012, 04:23 PM
The problem with welding an extension to the short tang is that the weld will show when charcoal blued in the original finish. So most smiths just rust blue welded trigger guards to prevent it from showing.

I'd buy the Galazan TG engrave it and bright charcoal blue as original. I'd also straighten the upper tang of the frame and possibly raise it along with the rear of the lower tang. This will make the lower line of the stock higher allowing for a normal tallness of the buttplate when you raise the comb to modern dimensions.

I'd not worry about loosing value due to the stock not being a pistol. The value of a restored VH will be based on the craftsmanship and appearance IMO. "Appearance" of authenticity seems to be the biggest aid in resoration value of low grade guns, rather than full custom features. I think higher figured wood is almost expected, but not too high. Original checker patterns are a safe bet, but a higher factory grade pattern seems to have acceptance. Shootable dimensions are a must on a non-collectable, IMO.

WilliamGuest
01-22-2012, 08:41 PM
Sounds like some good advice there...And possibly some of which I may adhere to. Thanks again.

WG

Rich Anderson
01-22-2012, 08:42 PM
I have done it both ways. First it's your gun and if your going to have it restocked anyway do it how YOU want it and the Hell with the future "value". It will have more value to you and thats what it's about now.

I restocked a CHE 20 and used the original trigger guard and had it lengthened. Goffery Gornet (? spelling) engraved it and you can't tell it's not original. I'm doing a custom VH 20 the way I want it done and bought the trigger guard from Galazan. For the cost it's a better way to go IMHO and I have the original trigger guard but I suspect that some day someone will need one and I'll sell it as I have no need of it or the stock and forarm. To keep the spare parts for originality is moot as the gun isn't original any more. IF I ever sell either one of these guns do you really think the original furniture and metal will add any value? The stock from the CHE is already gone.

It's your gun stock it how you want to. A straight grip and the Galazan trigger guard gets my $2 worth what with inflation and all.

WilliamGuest
01-22-2012, 09:40 PM
I was leaning towards the straight grips anyway...Prefer that on my shotguns..And yes, it is true..it's mine, and if i'm gonna pay the money to have it restored, as least to a certain point, might as well have it the way i'm most happy with it....When I get my camera straightened out and a few pictures taken, I'll be sure to post current pics, and once completed, after pics.

Thanks

WG

Chuck Heald
01-23-2012, 11:58 AM
WG,
I had a gun with a similar situation and had the same decisions to make. It happened to be a Fox AE with a poor replacement stock that was broken at the wrist. So, no original stock. I chose original species wood for stocking it, but much higher figure. I chose a factory pattern but an X grade pattern for checkering. I did stick to the original pistol style.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c125/roaniecowpony/DSC_0040.jpg

WilliamGuest
01-23-2012, 02:08 PM
Wow!! very nice Fox! Beautiful wood there too..

WilliamGuest
01-23-2012, 02:24 PM
Here are several pics of the VH that is getting restored first..Never got the PH yet, should have it in the mail tomorrow morning hopefully. I do have an inletted blank for the VH, not shown here in the pics, but may upgrade to another higher figured piece of walnut for the butt and forend, (forend in pics is only a "slap on" that the previous owner had in order to use it for hunting. The receiver and most other metal has been cold-blued at somepoint in it's life, the barrels will be getting a rust blue before it's all over.

I'm also going to need a few replacement screws as well, couple stripped out/buggered.


http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j131/Polaris500HO/DSCF3454.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j131/Polaris500HO/DSCF3453.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j131/Polaris500HO/DSCF3452.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j131/Polaris500HO/DSCF3451.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j131/Polaris500HO/DSCF3450.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j131/Polaris500HO/DSCF3449.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j131/Polaris500HO/DSCF3447.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j131/Polaris500HO/DSCF3446.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j131/Polaris500HO/DSCF3444.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j131/Polaris500HO/DSCF3443.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j131/Polaris500HO/DSCF3442.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j131/Polaris500HO/DSCF3428.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j131/Polaris500HO/DSCF3427.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j131/Polaris500HO/DSCF3422.jpg

Chuck Heald
01-23-2012, 03:15 PM
WG,
If you look at the pic of the side showing the tang of the frame, you see the upper has a curve to it that continues past the screw under the middle of the toplever. If you straighten it from about the screw on back, it will look and work out much better for a higher (modern) comb straight grip stock. If you don't, it will have a curved look to the upper line of the grip and it will have a large/deep "gullett" in the grip to comb area. It's a subtle change that will make the gun look so much better. But when you do the upper tang, you have to also straighten the toplever and raise the bottom frame tang as well. All of this can be bent easily. Heat it with a propane torch if you like, but it will bend without heat.

WilliamGuest
01-23-2012, 03:29 PM
Will certainly consider it Chuck..

Brian Dudley
01-27-2012, 10:50 AM
I had earlier mentioned the Galazan straight grip guards for Parkers. I just got mine in the mail that I ordered for my old lifter. It is good, but not an exact reproduction. They got the thread pitch correct and it screws right on. The tang is about an inch shorter than an original parker guard and the screw holes are spaced closer together as well. The screw holes are drilled, but not countersunk. Also the actual guard loop is a bit more rounded than the originals. Also, the angles of the end of the tang are too sharp, but that can be corrected with a file.
Basically, they are good for new work, but not as a replacement on an existing stock.

Rick Losey
01-27-2012, 12:22 PM
Galazan makes great products, but not always exact repros.

I bought the straight guard for a Fox and found it was narrower and the thread on the post did not match. Since the post was a little larger, I did manage to find a correct die and recut them. The guard sufficed until the extended one arrived from Turnbull, which fit as it should

Brian Dudley
01-27-2012, 12:58 PM
If I am correct, I do not think that Galazan actually offers a Fox guard. The other straight grip guard they offer is a "universal" one. It says it has a 8mm stud, which would not be right for an old American gun.

Rick Losey
01-27-2012, 01:13 PM
If I am correct, I do not think that Galazan actually offers a Fox guard. The other straight grip guard they offer is a "universal" one. It says it has a 8mm stud, which would not be right for an old American gun.

could very well be Brian - so they make a Fox but not the guard :rotf:

I ordered one for a Fox - but if that order was filled by a univeral - that would explain the fit. recut - It served for the time I needed it, something to use until the original (extended) was ready.

Chuck Heald
01-27-2012, 07:37 PM
Brian,
I wonder if the Parker trigger guards changed over the years possibly the Galazan is patterned after a later hammerless type.

Brian Dudley
01-27-2012, 08:38 PM
No, I have original straight guards from very old hammer lifter and a newer hammerless and they are both the same.

I always wondered that about Galazan and the lack of a guard listed for a Fox.