First hunt with a Parker

Andrew Frank · 10-01-2021, 11:23 AM

Ever since I started upland hunting I’ve wanted a classic American double. I worked my way through SxSs starting with a beat up Spanish gun, then moved to a CZ followed by a Dickinson (still have it and it’s a great gun). I’ve been fortunate enough this year to start the obsession with Parker’s. I bought my first VH 16 and it had an unfortunate barrel failure (I’ve had other post about it). Then I picked up a basket case GH 12 gauge from Cabelas and decided it was too interesting not to rescue and turn into a shooter (I’ll post about that one later). I then found an inexpensive VH 16 I was planning to use to replace my bad barrels but ended up falling for it as is and am keeping it whole. It’s been used and had a quality re-blue done, along with opening the chokes and punching out the chambers. She is a little sloppy but got the go ahead to use and shoot from my gunsmith, he says I’ll probably never shoot it off face but I may still have it rejoined. I took it out for its first hunt and couldn’t have had a better time. 10 woodcock pointed by my Weimaraner, with 4 other wild flushes. Had a few grouse flush as well but no shots. That Parker was a joy to carry and shoot and am looking forward to taking it out again.

Jeff Christie · 10-01-2021, 07:54 PM

My first grouse gun was a VH 16 and it remains my go to gun for them. You are not going to be sorry. Welcome to hunting with Parkers.

Dean Romig · 10-01-2021, 08:04 PM

My first hunt with a Parker was sixty years ago with a 12 gauge Trojan. That Trojan accounted for a lot of pheasants and rabbits as well as my only double on woodcock.
My first grouse taken with a Parker was almost twenty years ago with a Damascus GHE 16.

.

Matt Buckley · 10-01-2021, 09:02 PM

My first Parker was a VH 16 with Miller Single Trigger and it is still one of my favorite guns. I've owned if for 10 years.

Brett Hoop · 10-01-2021, 09:34 PM

Hard to beat a Parker like you describe for grouse and cock. 50 years ago my uncle told me the 20ga VH, I was allowed to use was not a “good one”. I disagreed then and still am of the same opinion. The magic of the Parker gun wasn’t reserved for only the high grade examples.

Mills · 10-03-2021, 06:12 PM

I have a new VH 16 with 26" barrels that is made for quail and upland hunting. Hope to get in a hunt soon