Straight Stock vs. Pistol Grip

[Shawn Greene]

Can someone please tell me if a straight stock on a Model DHE is more or less valuable than a pistol grip on the same shotgun? Is one style more desirable than another to a Parker Brothers collector?

[Bill Holcombe]

Straight are rarer. Depends on the buyer if more valuable, but there seems to be a premium on them

[Shawn Greene]

Thanks for responding so quickly. I don't see as many straight stocks on Parkers as I do pistol grips.

[Jay Gardner]

In the end value is determined by what someone is willing to pay for an item. Personally, I prefer straight grip, but that just my preference. I imagine one of the resident experts will comer along shortly and address the mix of straight grip vs pistol grip, but I believe the estimate is that 10% of Parkers were made with straight grips. I always assumed that they were made only when ordered but I own an early 16 ga DH with a straight stock and that gun was one of 6 other 16 ga. D-grades, all of which were straight stocked so apparently they did produce them for "inventory."

[Rick Roemer]

I like the half pistol grip better than either. Blame it on my Belgium Browning roots...

[Brian Dudley]

As others have said, the number of straight grip guns is much less than capped pistol grip on the hammerless platform. So they are rarer based on the numbers. But... increased value only results based on personal preference.

Uncapped pistol grip hammerless parkers were made in even lower numbers. Or at least are much more seldomly seen.

[charlie cleveland]

i like both of them equally....i would say the straight stock would bring more money....charlie

[Craig Larter]

To my eye long barreled guns look best with a straight grip, short barrel guns look best with a pistol or semi pistol. Straight grips, gun for gun bring more money.

[Shawn Greene]

Thank you all for the feedback. I tend to agree with CL that the longer barrel guns look best with a straight grip.

[Rich Anderson]

I prefer a straight grip as well. I think there are fewer of them around but how much additional value they bring is speculative. There is nothing faster in the uplands than a straight grip small bore.

[Chris Travinski]

What's the story with this gun Shawn? What gauge is it, how long are the barrels??

[Randy G Roberts]

I agree with Rich, nothing points quicker than a straight grip although I prefer the PG for clay targets. Since we veered off a little on barrel lengths I will add that to my eye long barrels just look better period with no regard to stock configuration.

[Shawn Greene]

This DHE was apparently manufactured in 1903. It is a 12 gauge with 30 inch barrels. 7.6 pounds. I don't have a research letter yet.

[todd allen]

Theoretically, a straight grip gun is a better choice in the field, when coupled with double triggers. Easier to make quick trigger choices, is what we were told by the old timers.
Pistol grip guns, on the other hand, are supposed to be better suited for target shooting. I have had plenty of both, and think the lines have been blurred. There are certainly plenty of purpose built target guns, with straight grips, single triggers, and no safeties.
The one thing I know for sure is, the prices go up with straight grips.

[Randy G Roberts]

Theoretically, a straight grip gun is a better choice in the field, when coupled with double triggers. Easier to make quick trigger choices, is what we were told by the old timers.

I am in disagreement with the "old timers" concerning a "quick" trigger choice. At the flush of a bird not over a point the front trigger goes first for me every time and I don't think I could change it if I had to. Maybe if I really worked on it but that ain't gonna happen.

[Rich Anderson]

I have a BHE Damascus barreled live bird gun and it's a straight grip.

[Bill Holcombe]

I have 1 straight grip and it doesn't appeal to me as much as my pgs. Now a half pistol grip is a completely different story.

[Rich Anderson]

I have bought guns simply because they were straight grips:eek: There must be something behind the logic of a straight grip as most English guns are configured that way.

[Reggie Bishop]

60% of my Parkers are straight grip. I hope to keep the percentages that way if not higher for straight grips.

[Rich Anderson]

The majority of my Parkers are small bore straight grip as well and all the English guns are straight grip.

In Parkers I believe the skeet guns are in a minority with straight grips BUT I have a 16 and a 20 that are straight.

[Shawn Greene]

Theoretically, a straight grip gun is a better choice in the field, when coupled with double triggers. Easier to make quick trigger choices, is what we were told by the old timers.
Pistol grip guns, on the other hand, are supposed to be better suited for target shooting. I have had plenty of both, and think the lines have been blurred. There are certainly plenty of purpose built target guns, with straight grips, single triggers, and no safeties.
The one thing I know for sure is, the prices go up with straight grips.

It makes sense to me that the straight grips would bring more money since there are fewer of them out there. Rarity usually equates with higher value.

[todd allen]

Some think straight grips look better.
Some like blondes, some brunettes. Some Fords, some Chevys, etc. I like both. Ambiguity intended ; )
I think it comes down to rarity.

[Greg Baehman]

In 2000 I visited New England Arms in Kittery Point, ME. While looking over their extensive selection of Parkers I mentioned to their sales rep Steven McCarthy that the Parkers with straight grips seemed to be priced higher than those with a pistol grip. He replied "Yep, generally speaking a straight-grip Parker is valued at ~$1000 more than a comparable Parker with a pistol grip."

[Shawn Greene]

Wow, that is impressive. Thanks for the feedback. I like your art work of the geese.

[James L. Martin]

After 50 years of shooting both straight and pistol grip ,I must say I shoot pistol grip much better for unknown reasons. I do think that most guns do look better with a straight grip stock. Long barrels and a straight grip sure looks great. As far as double triggers needing a straight stock , I never found that to be the case.

[Rich Anderson]

I think the key to double triggers is stock fit vs configuration. I have my reservations about the $1000 increase in value of straight vs pistol grip.

[Mills Morrison]

The early hammer guns usually have straight grips and have some of the best lines of any Parker.