I have some questions about using Briley subgauge tubes in a 12 ga. Parker

[Tennessee Dave]

I currently have (3) 12-gauge Parkers (1 Trojan,1 GH and 1 GHE) and would like to possibly use one of them as a .410 or 28 ga. I have come to the conclusion that I will likely never spend the amount of money needed to buy a 28 or 410 Parker, so I have been thinking about using my 12 ga. GH as a small bore. Do the Briley tubes all have to be fitted to the host gun or how does that work? Are there other options besides Briley? What about the drop in Four Tenner's? Any of you have any experiences with this I would love to hear about it.

[B. Dudley]

I have had Briley put tubes in one gun of mine. A 12g (not a parker) that they put 20g tubes in.
Their website says that they need the whole gun. But when I spoke with them beforehand on the phone, they said for a SxS, they just needed the barrels. I dont know what the difference is in that regard.

They offer two weights of tubes. The lighter ones save you like 4 oz on the set and cost like $100 more.

The tubes do add extra weight of course, but it is not really that noticable when push comes to shove.

I personally do not have any experience with the shorter inserts. I would think it to effect patterns vs a full length tube. But others who have used them think they work fine.

[B. Dudley]

Also, i cannot remember if there is any issues with the tubes if your chambers are shorter than 2-3/4”. You will want to ask them about that. Many would not want their chambers altered to be able to put tubes in.

[Woodcock survey]

I have a set of Briley 28 Ga. tubes bought from a member here. In 2 VH Parkers 1 will accept them fine the other they bottom out a 16 th short. That gun has a shorter chamber. Have used them in a Remington hammer gun with no problem and a Barreta 686. Of course the Baretta has 3 inch chambers. After a lot of in and out i found the plastic button that gives a snug fit wears to the point that the extractors lift the tube also. Put a drop of super glue on the button and good to go. They are the standard weight tubes and i do notice the weight.