Question on Factory 28 gauge barrels

[Fishtail]

I have a nice 28ga Damascus gun that is on a 0 frame. I am so embarrassed that it is a 0 frame that I can hardly be seen in public with it.

I'm not so sure a 28 that was rebarrelled by Parker is any less desirable than one that was built that way. I suppose it comes down to, maybe, snob appeal but then whether Parker did the work or not is what we normally use to judge snob appeal so that goes out the window.

If the gun letters with Parker work I'd consider it every bit the real deal, unless the result was something ungainly - like it doesn't balance properly or weighs 7.5lbs because the 16 was a heavy gun to start with.

[Bruce Day]

I've never understood the fascination with the 28ga when you can find a 20ga that will weigh maybe 5/10 to 5/14, cost far less, balistically equal if not superior and use shells that can be bought inexpensively in about any place that sells shotshells.

What is a 28ga, at least $1000 per ounce over a similar 20 ga, probably more?

[Double Lab]

I have to agree with Rich on this one. If it's targets you want to shoot then the O frame would be fine. On the other hand why not shoot a 20 with 3/4oz. loads? A OO frame is unsurpassed in the field for ease of carrying all day. But........... that's why they make chocolate and vanilla.

[Bruce Day]

Here is a 5 lb, 12oz DHE 20ga made for quail, woodcock and grouse. It was patterned with 3/4oz , 2 dram loads. I shoot it as intended by Parker or with 7/8, 2 1/4 dre loads.

Each to his own.

[Autumn Daze]

Rich and Daryl, I currently hunt with a 6lb.2oz 20 gauge Trojan. I can't believe a O frame 28 would weigh a whole lot more than that.

[Double Lab]

Originally Posted by Dave Suponski

Rich and Daryl, I currently hunt with a 6lb.2oz 20 gauge Trojan. I can't believe a O frame 28 would weigh a whole lot more than that.

It probably does'nt Dave, but my 5lb. 8oz. VH straight grip 28 is a real pleasure to carry all day. Those 10ozs. don't sound like much but, like a lightweight pair of boots, their weight is a godsend for me after walking a few miles and carrying a gun 10ozs. lighter.

[John Truitt]

These guns are tools. Each designed/ brought to life to do a job. Fortunately Parker could and would make what you want.
An upland hunter wants a lite gun to carry, a duck hunter a heavy gun, a pigeon shooter, trap shooter etc all different.
IMO, based upon some reading and history, the game of skeet is what kept the 28 ga alive and help bring its exposure to more shooters/ hunters via sales man etc.

Again the value of a gun is in the eye of the beholder. We all want something different. Just like Mr Corona said we each have different tastes.

If any one out there has a 34" 28 ga on a O or 1 or any frame size and is not happy with it, please give me a call.

[Dean Romig]

The difference is in mere ounces. The 0-frame 28 gauge barrels are 'swamped' very acutely and the gun balances exactly where it should... right on the pin. The difference between a 00-frame 28 ga. Parker with 28" barrels and a 0-frame 28 ga. Parker with 28" barrels, all else being equal, is hardly noticable. I've carried both and the tiny difference is quite negligible.

[C.O.B.]

The purpose of the 28 is a lighter, faster handleing upland gun. I wouldn't use a 9lb Beretta O/U with 28ga sub guage tubes to go Grouse hunting any more than I'd take my 28ga 00 frame VHE to a registered skeet shoot.

If you want to carry an 0 frame gun than the 20ga makes more sence. If you persist in using a 1 1/8 0z load of shot for a 16 than you might as well use a 12.

[Brush Buster]

I also am a fancier of the 28 Ga. .I have owned two OO Framed 28's and one O Framed gun ,I love the look of the OO Framed guns and the feel but don't seem to shoot them as well as the O framed 28's ! One was a VHE which had a straight english stock and splinter forend and weighed an impressive 5 Lb. 4 Oz. and was so light ,I couldn't keep up with my target , EVER !!!!!!! The other was a DHE which weighed 5Lb. 12 Oz. but had 30" Barrels and always seemed to be in my way !!!!! The O Framed gun was a 25" Barreled DH Grade which weighed 6 Lb even and I shot it like a champ but traded it off for a large part of the price for my 410 ! With all this said ,I really like the O Framed 28 Ga. guns ,I always felt like Greg ,wishing it were a OO Frame when I owned it but would like to have it back ! I am contemplating a set of Briley 28 Ga. for either my DH 20 or my GH 20 Dam. gun and keeping some extra cash for my next 20 Gauge !