Value of 12ga VH right now.

[Joseph Sheerin]

I have been looking around at maybe picking up a 12ga 28" VH lately...

The prices for online guns seems to be all over the place, ranging from about $1500 to over $4000........ If I am going to spend 4k, It'll be for a 16 or 20, not a 12.

Thinking ballpark range here....

What is a "decent" price to pay for a good, shooter quality 12ga VH like this?

I know there are a lot of variables, and I will only buy an online gun where I have an inspection period.

There is one I like on GI, that isn't overly expensive..... Sub $2000. But, for a 12ga SxS I am having a hard time even forking over that much. But, I do admit that part of the fun in this for me, is the search, and have no worries if it takes a year or two to find one I like and am comfortable spending the money on.

Thanks for your input. Maybe there is a thread like this already on this site, I just have not found it yet.

[Dean Romig]

Except for the pristine "safe queen", the gun you refer to is about a $1500 - $2000 gun at most.





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[Joseph Sheerin]

Except for the pristine "safe queen", the gun you refer to is about a $1500 - $2000 gun at most.

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That is sort of what I was thinking..... $1500 +/- a bit would be a reasonable price to pay, but that's just in looking at auctions, GI, etc.

I have seen it posted many times here in the past, there is what people are asking for them, and what they are actually selling for. They are rarely the same thing.

I am in no big hurry, but if I run across the "right gun" want to know that I am making at least a good educated decision....

[Jack Huber]

True, many asking prices are well above what the guns will actually sell for.

I bought a nice VH 12 gauge with 30" barrels (the most common configuration) in September 2018 for $1145 shipped on Gunbroker. IIRC, the seller offered a three-day return policy.

[Daryl Corona]

Post what you are looking for here Joe. You may find something that will fit the bill.

[CraigThompson]

I watched what I thought was a pretty nice VHE 12 gauge 26” skeet gun with factory wide forend and an English straight grip stock go for I think it was $3500 in Morphys recent auction . I’d liked to have had the gun but I was after something else .

[Joseph Sheerin]

Post what you are looking for here Joe. You may find something that will fit the bill.

Ideally... 12ga VH 1 1/2 frame 28" choked M/IC. In good shape. Good wood, no dents, etc.... If it's been restored, by reputable gunsmith, that'd be ok.

My other thought, just find a nice Repro DHE in similar config, but I know that's a lot more money.

I am in no hurry, which is always the way I look for old SxS's because prices can be all over the place, and I just try to be ready to jump on the right gun when it comes around.

Sort of how I ended up with the Trojan I just bought. I picked it up for well under $1000, and it's in very nice shape, not perfect, it has a patina'd receiver, not much CC. Couple screws are not perfect, but tolerable on a shooter gun. Barrels may have been refinished, as they are just too nice not to have been, and I am not familiar enough with Parkers to really know for sure.

[charlie cleveland]

nice trogan these really are good buys..good quality and look good too...charlie

[Mike Franzen]

There are plenty of 12 ga VH guns. In the Members Only section go the Wanted To Buy forum. Put a post of what you want. Most likely you’ll get it and at a fair price too. Make sure you post a pic or two when you find the one.

[Joseph Sheerin]

Well, I really hadn't expected to find one this fast, but there was one on GI that was pretty much what I was looking for, other than it's choked F/M. I decided to throw an offer at the guy selling it, and he accepted.

If I can get to bank today, and get a cashier's check in the mail, hopefully it will be here end of next week, or early the following.

Couple pics from GI.

[Dean Romig]

Nice one!
Good for you!





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[Joseph Sheerin]

Yes, it was pretty much everything I was looking for, minus the M/IC chokes.....

Now, the question is leave it as is, or open them up.... Probably take it to patterning board before making that decision....

[Dean Romig]

Leave the chokes as they are. You can either learn to shoot the tighter chokes or go the slightly more expensive route and use spreaders which will effectively produce patterns about one choke level more open than what the barrels are choked at.





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[Joseph Sheerin]

Leave the chokes as they are. You can either learn to shoot the tighter chokes or go the slightly more expensive route and use spreaders which will effectively produce patterns about one choke level more open than what the barrels are choked at.


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That is most likely what I will do. Want to pattern it before I make any sort of decision on it. Be it opening up, or shooting spreader loads.

I have a AH Fox SW 16ga Philly choked im/xf, and have debated opening it up, but everytime I shoot a round of trap with it, I am breaking 22-24 birds with it, and same goes for live targets... so, have just let it be.

[allen newell]

Joe, you picked up a nice and clean VH. Just leave it alone. Shoot it and enjoy it

[Joseph Sheerin]

Joe, you picked up a nice and clean VH. Just leave it alone. Shoot it and enjoy it

That is the plan for now. Just wanted solid shooter, that mechanically was in very good condition. If it has a few character marks, that's all good. :)

[Brian Dudley]

Joe, you picked up a nice and clean VH. Just leave it alone. Shoot it and enjoy it

Huh...

[Bill Murphy]

If you dig deep enough into Dean's post, you will find the phrase "learn to shoot". He usually buries that pretty deep in his posts, but it is his true wish for his shooting friends.

[Joseph Sheerin]

Am I missing something here? I know I am new to this forum...

thanks

[Dean Romig]

No Joe, just some banter and ribbing.





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[Joseph Sheerin]

No Joe, just some banter and ribbing.





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I am all down for that, I am a grade A #1 smart arse..... Just ask my wife and kids....:D

Now, if there is something obviously wrong with the gun I bought, please speak up, as I get a three day inspection before I have to keep it. But, it appears to be right what I was looking for, and got it for a price I am cool with.

#NewKidonDaBlock :D

[Dean Romig]

Joe, it looks like a REALLY nice VH..... and YOU like it.

(And I like it too.)






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[Joseph Sheerin]

Well, I already know it's a boat anchor, but other than that... :-)

[Alfred Greeson]

Everyone needs a good boat anchor and you found a nice one. Enjoy, look at what you could spend on any number of new guns and then look at the classic you just bought and you just also bought a nice gun you can enjoy for years and pass it on down. You may want a high grade, we all do, but if you are like most of us, you will find that your boat anchor will often be the one that fits you best and performs great and you didn't break the bank to own it. Congrats!

[John Davis]

Joe, that's a really nice VH. Personally, I don't really worry too much about the chokes. For a gun I want to shoot, I'm much more concerned about the fit. Finding a gun with the correct dimensions for me is the real challenge. A gun that properly fits you will overcome any perceived choke problem. Just my two cents worth.

[Garry L Gordon]

Joseph, I like the looks of your new Parker. I'll bet it serves you well in the coming years.

[Joseph Sheerin]

Joe, that's a really nice VH. Personally, I don't really worry too much about the chokes. For a gun I want to shoot, I'm much more concerned about the fit. Finding a gun with the correct dimensions for me is the real challenge. A gun that properly fits you will overcome any perceived choke problem. Just my two cents worth.

The gun should work for me, I have others with very similar dimensions. And, if I worried that much about choke, I'd of waited to find exactly what I was looking for. A gun with M/F chokes is never a bad thing, especially if you plan to shoot sporting clays, and pheasants and other similar size game birds with it. I'll pattern the gun once I get it in my hands, as well as the Trojan I just picked up, just waiting to head up to my Cabin where I can have room to set it all up.

And, I love my 16 & 20ga guns, but in all honesty, is there really anything more versatile than a 12ga. Sorta like a 30-06, there are people who pass on them because of how common they are, but in reality it's one of the most versatile cartridges ever.

Can't wait to get it, should be here by end of next week, early the following.... Thanks for all the input from everyone. :cheers:

[Bill Murphy]

A good friend of mine has bought or owned over 500 guns in the past several decades and has never paid a dime to any gun butcher to bore out chokes or chambers or to install screw in chokes. Why would he with hundreds of guns to pick from. One has to be perfect for the target at hand. He has saved enough money on gunsmithing to pay for a few dozen more guns. Leave the gun alone and learn to shoot.

[Joseph Sheerin]

A good friend of mine has bought or owned over 500 guns in the past several decades and has never paid a dime to any gun butcher to bore out chokes, chambers or to install screw in chokes. Why would he with hundreds of guns to pick from. One has to be perfect for the target at hand. He has saved enough money on gunsmithing to pay for a few dozen more guns. Leave the gun alone and learn to shoot.

Ok, I will try to learn how to shoot. :D

[charlie cleveland]

I bet we know that fellow with the 500 or more guns bill...charlie

[Pete Lester]

I bet we know that fellow with the 500 or more guns bill...charlie

500 guns and still looking for one that fits :rotf: