Warning on Parker 3644

[Jay Oliver]

Thanks Bill, I was hoping the title of the thread would show up in a search. I went back and deleted the period and you mentioned 3644 as well. So there is good documentation now.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by Mike Koneski

Yes, that is an option. A heavy option for a 12 bore, but an option. Then find another 10g bbl set for that frame and you have a two-fer. Better than having a nice gun never shot again or used for parts.

Mike somehow I KNEW you would answer this question : )

[Bruce Day]

Many composite and fluid steel barrels with cracks have been welded and shot for years thereafter.

[Larry the Gun Guy]

Is this something they added to address the issue?

"The right barrel has multiple minute hairline cracks (before firing we recommend it be examined by a professional gunsmith)."

[WHO]

Originally Posted by larrystauch

Is this something they added to address the issue?

"The right barrel has multiple minute hairline cracks (before firing we recommend it be examined by a professional gunsmith)."

That sentence was recently added in the middle of the description of the gun. I wonder if the current bidders were notified of this fact.

[Drew Hause]

I saved your image Jay. The crack looks to be the 'zipper weld' between rods ie down the middle of the scrolls and not the straight ribband edge weld. There also appears to be a perpendicular defect of some sort.



Any attempt at repair that close to the breech would be risky. Do you recall the wall thickness at the fracture?

[Jay Oliver]

I am glad they added that additional note, but it is not as direct as I would have worded it. I might have said "The barrels have a few cracks in them and may not be shootable in their current condition"

Drew I didn't measure the wall thickness back when I briefly had the gun. I was a new to Parkers and didn't have the tools. Sadly, 6 years later and I still don't have the right tool to measure wall thickness. I am making it a priority this year to get a Hosford wall thickness gauge. I really should have one...

I will say that I remember when I put a flashlight to it on the outside of the barrel I could see a little bit of light coming through on the inside. Not a good situation...that is right where your hand would be. Even if the cracks were welded, I am not sure I would feel comfortable shooting that.

[Jay Oliver]

I have to give Ward's Auction credit the bid is back down to $500. They must have notified all of the bidders after the barrels issues were posted. It was at $1167 the last time I checked. They must have given bidders the option to cancel given the updated condition. I think that was the right thing to do and it is nice to see.

I almost want this as a project now...

[Mike of the Mountain]

At $500 I may bid and have tubes put in it.

[Jay Oliver]

Do tubes have to be permanent? I was thinking that 12 gauge tubes wouldn't fit inside a 10 gauge? That the tubes would need to be 16 gauge to fit?

For some strange reason I think I want to save this one. It's like a second chance and I know more now(I think). My mission though, would be to try and find another set of barrels in 10 or 12. While I am patiently waiting, I could have the current barrels evaluated and see if there are any options that makes sense.

I remember hating having to return this 6 years ago even though it was the right thing to do...