Learning before my 1st Parker purchase

[Bill Murphy]

After checking forum rules about discussing guns for sale, you could give us a link to a gun for sale on an internet site, or post pictures. I think most of us are aware of 16 gauge skeet guns on internet gun sites. Blue Collar has given you miserable advice when he said "Be a risk taker". With good advice and a mentor, you need not take risks. He also suggests you should have enough funds to financially take a hit on a bad purchase. What a bad piece of advice. Big Friend Ten warns you that a famous gunsmith builds skeet guns from guns that were not skeet guns. That is true, but that famous gunsmith has never touched 240,403. The mentioned gunsmith builds nice guns. 240,403 has a forend that was probably made using a hatchet. The forend did not come from the factory or from Del Grego's shop. Big Friend Ten oddly did not name the gunsmith he alludes to. It is Larry Del Grego and Son, Ilion, New York, a firm that will freely admit that they have built skeet guns, as well as A-1 Specials and many other guns that did not leave the factory in the configuration in which they now exist. One thing you will learn quickly is that you are unlikely to purchase a gun like 240,403 at the original bid that is asked. The gun will have a reserve and the reserve will probably be a figure that would be more than an experienced Parker collector would pay. I hope this helps you make a decision.

[B. Dudley]

If you are looking at making your first Parker purchase and your are prepared to put up good money for it, make SURE the gun is top quality and legit. That is if you want a collector quality or investment quality gun. If you want a shooter, that is fine too, but do not pay way more than it is worth.

Granted, true shooters are worth what someone will pay, but sometimes the price surely is too high. And, if a gun has had any work done to it, make sure it is of top quality and correct.

[Bill Murphy]

What my friend Brian Dudley is saying, but is afraid to say in plain words, because he is nice guy and a diplomat, is that shooter quality Parkers can be bought real cheap and you shouldn't pay any more than "real cheap" for shooter quality Parkers. Good luck on your search.

[B. Dudley]

I mostly did not want to address the actual gun being discussed here. I am afraid of where it may lead.