A Shootable Back Action?

[Jay Oliver]

I hope everyone is enjoying 2016 so far. My wonderful wife bought me the “Parker Story” 2 volume set for Christmas(I may have hinted that I wanted it…). I have been enjoying the book immensely. I like looking at the evolution of the designs/actions with Parker. There are several great pictures and information on the “back actions” made up until 1873(I think that date is right).

Is anyone shooting a Parker back action? It looks like they came with 3 types of barrels: Decarbonized Steel, Twist and Damascus.

I have heard the warnings/concerns over decarbonized steel barrels, though I believe some shoot older Remingtons with decarbonized barrels. Would a back action with damascus or twist barrels be shootable with low pressure light(maybe very light) loads in the 4,500-5000 psi range? All of this assuming the gun has been checked out along with the wall thickness in the barrels.

I currently shoot a front action #1219 and noticed in the “Parker Story” there was #1218 a back action. I think Mills has #1217 a front action. It’s amazing that those 3 guns are still accounted for after all of these years!

I guess to simplify, with back actions Is it an issue of good barrels or is there more to it including the strength of the back action itself?

Please let me know what you think.

Thank you,

Jay

[B. Dudley]

I have a back action 12g with decarbonized barrels and great bores. It is slated for a full restoration. Eventually...

I often hear about not wanting to shoot decarbonized barrels, i dont see why not if the right loads are used.

[charlie cleveland]

i have a gun with plain steel barrels which is the same as decorbonized barrels i have shot it with 3 dram 1 1/8 loads with no problems...charlie

[Mills]

I have not shot my back action with decarbonized steel barrels, but it has crazy thick barrel walls, even with some heavy pitting. I bought it as a curiosity piece, but would be great to shoot it as well

[Jean Swanson]

If you are a collector and enjoy the Parker Gun, why would you expose that old back action gun to the possibility of a catastrophic ending by pulling the trigger.

I once owned a AA Parker 20 bore----never hunted with it for fear of falling, breaking the stock, denting the barrels, or what ever-----the point is simple.

NOT REPLACEABLE !!!

Allan

[charlie cleveland]

allan i figure this old gun aint much use to me if i cannot use it...i see your view point but i just have to hunt and use my old guns...charlie

[Jay Oliver]

I also understand and respect the idea of and old Parker being irreplaceable. I think this might come down to personal taste(like restoring a car to take to cars shows on a trailer vs. one that you drive and enjoy (that might not be the best analogy...but something along those lines). I know people who fall into either one of those categories as well.

I can appreciate a "Wall Hanger" I just don't think I want one(yet). I think it would be nice to have the option of shooting a gun on occasion(with the appropriate loads). This of course is assuming its safe to shoot. Charlie, 3 drams and 1 1/8 oz was more than I was thinking, but it's nice to know that you shoot that with confidence.

Again we're all different and that's what makes collecting Parkers fun and enjoyable...we all have our own reasons. For now I think I would pass on a gun I couldn't shoot.

[Hammer Gun]

Well I do not shoot a lot of my guns, especially the older ones, 029 and 97 both back action and chambered for the 12-B shells I have the shells but would be afraid to load and shoot the old guns for fear of damage that could not be repaired the bores in both are fine, and so is the BWT but just will not chance it , where would I find a 2 digit ser# Parker in fine shape, Gary