Need Advice...

[Alexander Sharpe]

In short, I'd like to get a Parker. I'd like to use a sxs 'just because'. I'm recently retired, well three years retired. Compared to my work life of fifty some odd years, three years still seems recent.

I want a Parker for several good reasons. American made being foremost, and being manufactured during the foremost years of our Great Experiment. Parkers may have very well been used by our Greatest Generation, the WWII guys. My Dad rolled off names of places he visited during the War that now rebound like a history book when I recall them. So another reason for a Parker is a piece of history, a tactile reminder of who we really are.

I've been in search of shotguns for a short time relatively so when I visited PGCA for information I found an informative and inviting atmosphere. A reward in itself. I sent in a membership because there really is no free lunch. For all the joy in doing we still need capitol, so I join sites to vote for and reward excellence. Much to my surprise I received a wonderful welcome package. Thank you.

Which Parker would you suggest if I wanted to shoot clay games? I do not enjoy skeet as much as sporting or 5 stand. At this point I'd like to shoot. I've viewed some terrific Parkers that I'd like to own in the future as a collector, but just not yet. Then again the hammer guns are particularly attractive and The Siren song has begun.

I'm aware of the lack of information I've offered, so if you would steer me in the correct direction I'd be obliged.

[Rich Anderson]

Figure out how much you want to spend and what gauge would be most beneficial for your needs. The future value of your Parker depends on three things condition,condition,condition.

Educate yourself to the best of your ability before spending any money and look at as many guns as you can either on line or in person. If it's possible attend SXS events such as the Southern to actually handle these fine guns. Even if you don't shoot the ability to see hundreds of Parker's (yes that's right hundreds) is worth the trip.

You can shoot the clay target games with any gauge you want to. I typically use the same guns I bird hunt with. Small bores cost more than a 12 but they also resell for more. A 12 vs a 20 will come back to that budget thing.

There are a lot of if's in this but the folks here are all glad to help you just have to ask the questions.

[Mike Koneski]

I agree with COBs advice. Big difference in price not just from 10 or 12g to the smaller bores, but also between "shooters" and collectors.

[Robin Lewis]

Sorry, I wanted this in a new thread..... so I moved this entry.

[Mark Riessen]

Research, research, research, take your time, don't make a rash decision. You have to be sure of what you want. What am I really going to do with this gun. Clays ? Trap ? Skeet ? Hunt ? The more guns that you can look at or handle the better. Most of the Parker guys love to share their experience and knowledge. Good luck, Mark

[John Dallas]

Most folks shooting Clays or 5 stand are shooting modern, long-barrelled 12 gauges, choked something like IC/Mod

[William Davis]

Don’t know your Florida location but the Southern SXS April 26 through 29 Sanford NC would pay big dividends buying a Parker. See and shoot a lot of different SXS guns before buying .

Parker GCA is a significant plus, support available from members extremely valuable. If you attended we could steer you in the right direction.

William

[Brian Dudley]

Especially if you are at an event such as the SxS, do not be afraid to have a gun you are considering purchase of looked at by someone more knowledgeable.

Buy a good gun. Anything that is not fooled with and has some condition woukd fall into this category. A gun can have condition and still be a shooter. If well taken care of, it will remain with the condition it holds. Or a quality restoration would also fit the bill. If you do this, you are sure to have made a good investment and also avoid headaches that come with buying a bad gun.

[Eric Eis]

If you are starting out and on a limited budget, I would look at a 12 gauge because the price is much lower and you can shoot really light loads 7/8 or 1 oz loads or beef it up for plains hunting to 1 1/4oz (if need be). You can find nice shooting Trojans in 12 ga that's a shooter for under $1000 or near that if you look but a 20 is probably going to be close to $2000. I have seen guns with little case coloring, nicks in the stock, blueing fading but the gun is tight and on face because it's been well taken care of, and I've seen guns that look in nice condition that have problems. When looking at a gun if you can have a second set of "eyes" looking at the gun they may pickup something that you missed. If you are unsure pay a hundred buck to have Brian or Bachelder look at the gun and do a general strip and clean. The more guns you look at the better.

[Gerald McPherson]

Good Fit= Good Shooter. You will find that Parker stocks do vary. I got lucky and the second one that I bought I have been shooting for many years. I've had some that were much nicer but did not fit me so well, There is a lot to consider as with all shotguns. You are on the right track so sniff out the right one and you will be happy. Good Luck.

[Daniel G Rainey]

Back when I was in the stocker cattle business and buying cattle there was an old cattleman saying that the money always runs out before the cattle do. The same applies to Parkers the money runs out before the guns do.

[Mike Franzen]

Here’s what I would do if I were in your position and just starting to figure this out. I would go to the members only section and log onto the Want To Buy forum. I would post I want a VH 12 gauge “shooter”, number 2 frame, with 30” barrels. I think you will have a much better chance of getting shooter from one of our guys than taking your chances at a gun show or online auction. Gentlemanly full disclosure about a guns issues is typically the norm here. Once you have gained more savvy with Parker’s you will know what to look and lookout for. The gun I described will be reasonably priced (in Parker terms) if a shooter and on a number 2 frame will be very sturdy. That, to me, is the safest course of action to get a good gun and start shooting. Keep us posted how things work out.

[Gerry Addison]

I totally agree with all that has been said here. For the sporting clays game a 12 will certainly serve you better. Be very careful on the stock fit as was mentioned before. If you have been shooting modern guns you will find many of these old guns have a lot of drop at the heel and will cause you problems. Some adjustments can be made such as bending the stock but seldom much more than 1/4". I can't shoot anything lower than 2 1/2" drop at heel so that leaves a lot of these guns out for me but will diligent effort you will find a gun that fits you and you will enjoy shooting. Half the fun is in the search. One other thing. Don't leave out the Parker Reproductions. You get the benefit of the look and feel, in a higher grade gun, with modern dimensions. Just my two cents worth.

[Dean Romig]

I would agree with most of the advice given here but unless you plan on loading heavy for waterfowl or turkeys I would recommend a 1 1/2 frame twelve or a 1 frame sixteen to start out with, and these slightly lighter guns are perfectly strong enough for waterfowl and turkeys... Just my $0.02 worth.






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[Alexander Sharpe]

Thank you folks for offering me all the advice. I did notice the Southern was this upcoming weekend. A big maybe for me. I do use a 12g Beretta for the clay games now, but I'd like to use a Parker sxs for that added fun. I heard of special events on some clay courses involving sxs's. It was general banter before I found the motherlode of information here.

I will take my time learning and viewing Parkers. Thank you all once again. Thank you Mike Franzen for the particular gun suggestion.

My goal in any shotgun clays event is to have a good time. I'm aware of how many cows are left when the money runs out. Thank you. If I think ten thousand dollars I'm sure there's a ten thousand dollar gun nearby. If I think eighteen hundred dollars they'll be an eighteen hundred dollar gun nearby. If I think ninety five thousand ... Those are terrific spreads.

You've offered a lot of information to think about. Let me go see how far the Southern is for me. Maybe next year?

16 gauge is the gauge I'm looking for at this time.