Dave M. schooled me on buying Parkers...

"You never pay too much for a Parker, you only buy it (at that price) a little too soon." So far he was correct in this logic.

If they do I also hung on to my 870s, a 12, 28 and .410, all of which I bought new. The 12 is an SC skeet gun I ordered with and extra modified barrel back in 1970 or 71. For years it was the only thing I shot. I will likely never equal the 15 doves I killed with 16 shots with the skeet barrel on back in the 80's. I may get it out this year for old times sake! Like M12's and Timex watches, they take a licking and keep on ticking.

Yep. Great story.

One of my great uncles was a championship shooter. I never knew the gent, but my dad used to hunt with him. Before they went out the old man would ask, "What's the limit?" If it was sixteen, he would slip sixteen shells into the loops of his vest. Cool eh? That's confidence, man. I don't know what kind of gun he shot. I have seen one picture of him taken in the early 30's. I cannot recall if he had a gun in his hands or not, but he is smiling and wearing a canvas shooting jacket.

A coupla months ago I bought a brand new 20 gauge 870 Wingmaster. I cannot recall when I last bought a new shotgun...oh yes I do, it was in 1978. A winchester model 1300 12 gauge. I still have it.

You hit the nail on the head about the advantage of the 16. It is it's weight and balance. The frames on my model 12 and 37 16s are just a tad smaller/lighter than in the 12 gauge and they do seem faster. BTW when I compare the two 16s the model 12 and 37 I tend to the 37 which is a modified. If you don't want to shoot a double at upland game, the Ithaca 37 in 16 gauge with a modified tube IMHO just can't be beat.

My bags are packed for the weekend and I'm taking two guns: 16 ga VH and a 16 ga M12. 16 ga M12's are classic guns by any standard and I am looking forward to shucking more than a few shells.

Have a great hunt! It is hard to find a place to hunt upland birds here, most of the stuff I shoot explode in the air.

Here is my very plain jane Model 12, 16 gauge gun. She's a 1937 issue and has seen hard use. Another pawn shop find and she cost just over $200 and that is about what she is worth, but she works just fine and I don't have to fret about getting scratches on her.

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...otguns/001.jpg

Nice one. A dead ringer for my 16 gauge Model 12, except mine is more worn

When I get a new/old gun such as this Model 12 I taken them down and clean and oil the guts. Model 12s don't come apart or go back together easily, but this one was a real mess inside and I'm glad I took the effort to give her a good bath. They are made like a swiss watch and unlock thru recoil just before you pump. Lots of machining and interesting to work on. The Winchester Model 12 shotgun really is "a piece of work".

Someone installed a new magazine in my 16 gauge model 12. When they put the gun back together they installed the wrong follower, which meant it was impossible to load the magazine. I looked up what one of those replacement magazines cost and it was $200! It has kind of a flat black frosted blue/black finish and doesn't fit all that well, which makes the gun a hassle to take down. So I had some gunsmithing expenses.

The 16 is much lighter than the 12 and a bit smaller. It feels more like a 20 than a 12 and since I shoot 1 oz loads at skeet/clays/trap when using a 12, and the same in the 16, it is very nice. Shoots like a 12 and feels like a 20.

I hope the 16 doesn't die.

For the interest of the board here are some comparisons between a 12 and 16 gauge Model 12. Neither deserve to be in the "fine doubles" section, but since we are talking Model 12s here goes.

The 16 is a 1937 gun and the 12 a Nickle Steel 1923 gun. It is easy to see how much smaller the 16 is and it feels about two pounds lighter.

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...guns/002-1.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...otguns/006.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...otguns/003.jpg