12 gauge reproductions

[Stephen Hodges]

Were the 12 Gauge Reproductions chambered for 2 3/4" only? Thanks.

[Greg Baehman]

No, many if not most; 12-ga. Repros with 28" barrels were chambered for 3" shells.

[John Allen]

All of the 26" guns were 23/4" only.All 28" are 3".I really don't know why they did it that way.Seems t me that it would have been more cost effective to make all 12s 3" and just shoot shorter shells if you choose to.

[Greg Baehman]

John, we know that the Sporting Clays Classic model are 12-ga. guns with 28" barrels. They are stamped with just "12 GAUGE 2 3/4" on the left barrel. The two I own (one is NIB unfired) do have 3" chambers and all paper (brochures and write-ups) that I'm aware of state they have 3" chambers. Others, too; have reported their SCCs as having 3" chambers, but there is one forum associate that measured his SCC with a chamber gauge at 2 3/4". Do you have any explanation why the factory stamped this particular model at only 2 3/4"?

[Kirk Potter]

Both my 12’s were 28” Modified/Full stamped 2 3/4.. Have never actually measured though.

[John Allen]

I think that if you measure all 28" guns,they are 3" chambered.As to why the guns are stamped 23/4" I can only guess that the Japanese thought you would only shoot clays with 23/4"shells and marked the barrels accordingly.From a manufacturing standpoint,it makes sense to standardize the barrels.Every 26" gun I have seen had 23/4"and every 28"had 3" no matter how it was marked.There is also the possibility that the clays guns were marked 23/4" by mistake.Anyone who has worked in a production line knows errors can happen.

[Kirk Potter]

I’ll have to measure mine, although it does make sense they’d all be 3”

[Scot Cardillo]

JMO of course; I for one like the fact the PR manufacturing effort did not strive to standardize everything. (ie: 2-3/4 vs 3" chambers)

[Stephen Hodges]

Received my new 12 gauge two barrel set today. It is marked 2 3/4".

[Tom Jay]

Are 12 gauge Parker Repro Sporting Clays Classic’s safe to shoot with steel shot?

[John Dallas]

IMHO, any modern gun will do fine with steel shot of size 6 or smaller, if the chokes are Mod or more open

[Greg Baehman]

Are 12 gauge Parker Repro Sporting Clays Classic’s safe to shoot with steel shot?
Yes, however; it's recommended no choke tube tighter than Modified is used.

[John Allen]

Sure, as long as you use chokes no tighter than IC and Mod.

[Ray Alvey]

I have a 12ga Reproduction w/ 28" barrels that are marked 2 3/4" & 3" shells.
The barrel flats are marked Modified and Imp Cyl.

[Charles Shelton]

Ray,
My 12 ga Repro is labelled the same as yours.

[Scot Cardillo]

I'd be interested in members thoughts on this nice gun that's become available recently.

http://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/shotguns/parker-shotguns-reproduction/parker-reproduction-dhe-ss12-12ga-.cfm?gun_id=100973575

[Ken Hill]

It's a nice looking gun and you don't see a lot of the SSS for sale. However, it is not a new gun and I think it is priced $1000 too high.
Ken

[Dean Romig]

And it looks like the BTFE has a repaired large splinter chip off the left side at the front.





.

[Tom Jay]

If all 12 gauge Parker Repros are capable of handling steel shot than I agree it’s overpriced. Have seen prices between $3500-$5000 in various conditions of non-SSS specific guns.

[Scot Cardillo]

Excellent eye Dean..I took notice to that myself after looking at the photo's closely.


And it looks like the BTFE has a repaired large splinter chip off the left side at the front.





.

[Scot Cardillo]

If all 12 gauge Parker Repros are capable of handling steel shot than I agree it’s overpriced. Have seen prices between $3500-$5000 in various conditions of non-SSS specific guns.

Not relevant to steel shot however, at one time I thought all of the Repro's were chrome lined chamber to muzzle. It was only after receiving a standard DHE 12ga I discovered I was wrong.

The SSS in fact has chrome lining clear through the chokes..standard DHE--nope. Chokes are not chrome lined. Further, the geometry of the chokes differ on my standard DHE compared to the SSS's I have on hand. None of the chokes have been altered.

[Scot Cardillo]

Dean, it appears to me both sides of the subject guns BTFE are sloped down at the front. I don't see anything showing there was damage to the left side specifically..just different from other BTFE's, it appears. Am I missing something indicative of damage on the left side?

Here are 2 pics of two different BTFE's

The subject gun and a second photo from another ad (handsome gun btw). The BTFE I own on a 12ga is straight like the 2nd photo.

[Dean Romig]

From my experience, they're all straight like the second gun.





.

[Charles Shelton]

MD
Nice looking gun and looks just like my 12 ga repro ( including chrome lined barrels) except that mine has a splinter fore end.

I hope the price is indicative of an increase in value for all Parker reproductions.

[Dean Romig]

Actually, the sell price is the indicator of the market.





.

[Greg Baehman]

The SSS in fact has chrome lining clear through the chokes..standard DHE--nope. Chokes are not chrome lined. Further, the geometry of the chokes differ on my standard DHE compared to the SSS's I have on hand. None of the chokes have been altered.
As you recall Scot, you and I have previously discussed the unique feature of the SSS having chrome lining through the choke area. I was not aware, however; that the geometry through the chokes of the SSS differed from those of standard models. Would you expound on this a little more please?

[Scot Cardillo]

As you recall Scot, you and I have previously discussed the unique feature of the SSS having chrome lining through the choke area. I was not aware, however; that the geometry through the chokes of the SSS differed from those of standard models. Would you expound on this a little more please?

I'll have to dig around to see if I still have my notes but, from memory, my standard D grade's chokes begin about 2" behind the muzzle with a fairly long taper into the restriction.

The SSS's chokes begin about 2-1/2" behind the muzzle and the taper is more abrupt (or vise/versa w/the D grade). I'll see if I can't find my notes. If not, I'll do some more measuring and update this post.

Small sample of course but..

[Gary Laudermilch]

I'd be interested in the subject gun if it were not priced well beyond what it is worth. Just my opinion of course.

[Scot Cardillo]

I wasn't able to find my notes so, out came the bore gauge for a quick check. It’s important to understand - hard numbers mean nothing (i.e., bore diameter / constriction) Geometry is the key.

The standard 12ga D grade chokes begin just shy of 2” from the muzzle. They slowly taper over the entire length of the choke. No straight section whatsoever. There is no chrome on the chokes.

My corresponding SSS chokes begin 2-9/16+ from the muzzle. They taper consistently until the choke straightens out. The last 3/8”+ is straight until the choke reaches the muzzle. The chokes are chrome-lined.

I didn't measure in a fashion to calculate actual taper per inch.

Clearly, this is a very small sample and should not be construed as being reflective of all Parker Reproductions - just what is in front of me.

That said, I will quantify my comparison by sharing that my D-grade is s/n 12-00176. My SSS is s/n 12SS-00176.

[Greg Baehman]

****snip****
I will quantify my comparison by sharing that my D-grade is s/n 12-00176. My SSS is s/n 12SS-00176.
That in itself qualifies as a near miracle!

[Robin Lewis]

In the Grades page, the repro documents have this to say about the SS, note it states the chokes designed for steel shot are not the same as the standard chokes in an effort to give best pattern with steel shot, whatever that means?

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=99&pictureid=977

And this has the Repro choke listed for what I assume is the standard chokes:

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=99&pictureid=979

[Scot Cardillo]

It would be interesting to know what the chokes in a 28" non SSS 12ga look like. (IC/MOD geometry)

Anybody?

[Bill Murphy]

I am in the middle of a move, but I will measure the chokes on the outrageous 28" IC and MOD 12 gauge that Scot sold me a while back, when I find it.

[Tim Thomas]

The 28" IC/MOD 2 3/4" and 3" marked barrels of my 2 barrel set measure .734 bore in both barrels, from 3 1/2 to 2" from muzzle taper .002" and total constriction is .008 and .012. 26" barrels are Q1/Q2 and marked for 2 3/4". Not a SSS serial number.

[Bill Murphy]

Thanks.

[John Allen]

I helped design the steel shot special when I worked for Jaegers.The chokes are slightly longer than the standard guns.We found that the longer chokes patterned steel shot more evenly.All of the testing was done with 3" 15/8 oz.steel #2 shot.One key thing we found out was that up to .020" constriction there was little or no stress on the barrel.There was enough compression in the load to pass through the choke without damage to the barrel. As you pass .020"constriction the chance of damage to the barrel increases exponentially.Also,the patterns get ragged after .020".

[Scot Cardillo]

We're lucky to have you as a member, John. Thank you for sharing.

[John Allen]

As for the barrels not being chromed in the choke area,we specifically asked for the SS guns to be chromes throughout.At the time the steel loads were not as well designed as now.We were afraid that continual use of steel shot would wear out the chokes.It added a step to the barrel making process,but it was important at the time because no one really knew what steel shot would do over time.The standard barrels were not chromed because they were initially all full choked and were final choked late in the process depending on the need.

[Dave Tatman]

John, I continually marvel at the scope and extent of your knowledge on all things Parker, and truly, all thing related to firearms. You are a credit to the industry, and a true friend of all of us collectors.

Thanks for being willing to share your experiences and knowledge on this Forum, my friend. I look forward to our next shoot in Nashville.

Dave

[Gary Laudermilch]

For those interested in a Steel Shot Special at a more reasonable price see Cabelas Gun Library - Winchester Parker Repro 12 ga. Reference #: 6780180

[Scot Cardillo]

Gary - that very same gun is also listed on GA - same s/n and pics of the wood confirm it's the same gun. The gun shows it was sold in the GA ad.

https://www.gunsamerica.com/929492452/PARKER-DHE-REPRODUCTION-12-Gauge-3-Inch-Magnum-STEEL-SHOT-SPECIAL-28-inch-IC-MOD.htm