Putting Parker VH 16ga back on face

Copper John · 05-20-2014, 06:51 PM

Hello, this is my first post.

I am a young grouse hunter and I have my Grandpas Parker VH 16 ga. on a #1 frame. The gun fits me well and I can shoot very well with it, however it is loose on face. I am in NE Ohio and I was wondering what the most affordable way to have it put back on face would be.

Thanks!

B. Dudley · 05-20-2014, 07:04 PM

So it sounds like it is on face, but just loose??? I take it there is some up and down movement? This would indicate bolt bite wear. Your gun is likley an earlier gun which does not have the hardened wear plate in it.

The Easiest way of fixing this is first to simply swap out the locking bolt with one that may be a little bit biggeras to compensate for the wear. But the average person does not have additional parts to be able to work with in doing this.

The next and more involved option would be to rework the bolt or the bite (by welding) in order to tighten back up. Or a hardened wear plate could be installed like Parker used to do.

If the gun is off face or has substantial side to side wear, then that is caused by excessive wear at the hinge pin area. This would be remedied by adding material to the barrel hook (by welding) and then refitting the barrels. This is very labor intensive. The easy fix for this would be to put a piece of thin shim stock on the foll joint to take up the wear.

Copper John · 05-20-2014, 09:59 PM

I'm not really sure about the specifics.. it just rattles and the barrels seam to wiggle side to side on the frame. My local gunsmith said he could potentially change the pin, but doesnt know where he would get one..? I am a complete novice..

B. Dudley · 05-20-2014, 10:02 PM

Yeah, sounds like hinge pin wear.

Keep it away from your local gunsmith unless he knows Parkers.

Copper John · 05-20-2014, 10:04 PM

Does anyone know someone who could do this work at a reasonable cost?

Mike McKinney · 05-20-2014, 10:09 PM

Brian won't advertise his work on this site, but I bet he would be glad to look at your gun and give you an estimate of cost. You can find out the costs for the risk of your shipping cost to him and back to you and have confidence he will fix properly if you choose to have it fixed. You might even PM or e-mail him for some ideas.

Mills · 05-21-2014, 07:18 AM

Second Mike on that

Kensal Rise · 05-21-2014, 07:29 AM

Mere "cost" is not the only factor in putting a Parker back "on face." The actual problem can be manifold and requires in-hand inspection/evaluation by a qualified double gunsmith. It is simply not possible to diagnose your gun's issues over this board. The concern should be doing the required work right. And for that, I'd package the gun up and send it to either Brad Bachelder (MI) or Larry Del Grego & Son (NY).

Either will charge you a fair and honest fee. And the job will be done right.

Bob Hardison · 05-21-2014, 08:14 AM

Mr. Nagel: Look at Mr. Dudley's thread on "Putting together a Heavy framed 12g. Waterfowler" as posted yesterday. He has many other examples of his work posted but you should be able to determine if he is qualified by looking at that post. The other two gentlemen that were recommended have excellent references by many on this site and are surely qualified from information I've seen. None of them have done work for me but I would not hesitate having any of the three to do so. Regardless, I think you are at the right place for help. Regards, Bob

B. Dudley · 05-21-2014, 08:30 AM

Mr Nagel contacted me and I referred him to either a Brad or Doug for the work.
With these sort of things, it is difficult to determine exactly what needs to be done and how involved the work would be until the gun is in hand.
Brad's or Doug's shop would be good options to be able to get the job done in a timely manner given any scenario as to how involved the work could get.