Frames?

[Labowner]

Clarence, on the chamber length issue I think most 12 ga. Parker's are 2 5/8 which has been discussed many times and seems the consensus is that the 2 5/8 chamber was for 2 3/4" paper shells, the eighth inch giving a better gas seal.

Welcome Clarence- always good to see another "Michi-Gander" on board here.
Bruce Day is 100% on target- with his details on frame size and gauge of Parkers, both Meriden, later Ilion (under Remington UMC) and finally the Olin Kodensha (sic) Reproductions.

If you want a 28 gauge, most likely the Repro would be the way to go. As others have stated here, a USA mfg. Parker in 28 gauge will command a high price, condition and originality also factoring into that equation.

If you can also consider the 20 gauge, you will be more into an "open market" that the "sellers market" for the 28 and .410 bores, and not just with Parkers but with other good shotguns as well.

I don't know how many gun shops there are in the BC area, I live in KE Kent Co., there are two Gander Mt. outlets, plus several gunsmith shops that also deal in good or even fine guns. As you most likely have determined by now, we are NOT allowed to buy, sell or trade Parkers (or other guns) on the PGCA Forum, a decision by ouir Board of Directors that I endorse.

I have no "irons in this fire" as I am strictly a 12 gauge man, and if I could have a Parker of my choosing, it would be a DHE std. 10 gauge with 32" Titanic steel barrels on the No. 2 frame, and if I found a DHE 28 gauge for sale privately I would pass and advise you or other members of it (assuming that act didn't break the "no sale on the PGCA rule" of course).

I am an avid waterfowler, after that preserve pheasants at our club, and then Tower shoots for both pheasants and sometimes pigeons. For all that, only a 12 qualifies, in my experience. Plus, 12 gauges are more easily found usually.

If you ever decide to take a day and visit GR and search for a Parker, let me know and perhaps we can meet up. I am retired and love to visit gun shops and sporting goods outlets. You never can tell.

If it were me and I were looking for my first Parker, assuming that a 20 gauge will handle what a 28 also can- I would look for a VH or VHE 20 with two triggers on the size O frame. I believe there were more Vulcan grades produced than any of the other graded Parkers, and you won't have to pay the premium for the scarcer 28 bore.

[Tim Kisieleski]

Clarence, I'm new to Parkers(jsut got my first vh, 16ga, thats gonna get tarted up ) But not new to older guns. With regard to chamber lenght, I have had chambers lengthened with the idea that I'd be able to shoot standard ammo out of them. What I have found is it's not that much fun to shoot "sharp" modern loads out of light game guns. When I buy Ammo, I order RST stuff from Alex(he'll ship right to your door), in 2 1/2" configuration. Either 3/4 or 7/8's oz. When I reload, I load 5/8, 3/4 and 7/8 oz stuff for all my guns, 12's, 16's ,20's and 28's(3/4 is the max for the 28, and the 12 wont get a 5/8), both older and modern. Good for the gun, and good for my shoulder( and I;m not a tiny guy with flinch issues). Cost for the RST are about 10.00 a box, my reloads are about 3.50 now that lead has come down.