Parker Repro Value

[Gus Sams]

Guys,

I'm a total newbie here to this forum. I have an old Parker single shot that my grandfather shot in competitive trap. I've been a long time wing shooter but just venturing into the side by side world. My oldest son and I just got back from a weekend of quail and duck hunting. I'm looking at some of the Parker Repro guns and wondering if you guys could educate or steer me in the right direction.

I'm looking at the two barrel sets in 20ga or 28ga DHE models. I'm open to beavertail/splinter forearms and single/double triggers. What would be a reasonable price on a two barrel set?

Looking forward to everyone's comments and Happy New Year!!

[allen newell]

Send pictures of these guns and more details

[David Livesay]

Check GunsInternational.com under Parker Reproduction and you will see how much people are asking for what you're looking for.

[Gus Sams]

Send pictures of these guns and more details

98% condition. 28ga. Pistol grip, SST, splinter forearm, 2 barrels (26” IC/M and 28” M/F). Sorry, I’m not good with pictures but fun is in excellent condition.

[Gus Sams]

Check GunsInternational.com under Parker Reproduction and you will see how much people are asking for what you're looking for.

I haven’t used GunsInternational much in the past. Is it customary to negotiate these prices down?

[Ken Hill]

I haven’t used GunsInternational much in the past. Is it customary to negotiate these prices down?

The worst the seller can say is no. You are not looking for a rare gun, but it will take some patience. Some sellers are more than willing to deal and some think they are unobtainium.

Ken

[Bill Murphy]

The most desirable variation of the guns you describe is a double trigger gun. Unfortunately, it will be very hard to find and will cost $1000 more than a single trigger gun. There have been some problems with the single trigger variation. The 28 gauge will cost more than a 20 gauge gun and will also be a bit harder to find in a particular variation. Good luck in your search for one of these great guns.

[Gus Sams]

I’ve heard and read about some of the doubling issues in the single triggers. Obviously, some people have had problems. I guess this is a loaded question (no pun intended), but for a first time buyer of a Parker SxS should I be patient and avoid the single triggers? Or, if I’m one of the unlucky individuals to have the single trigger problems, are they easy enough to find a competent gunsmith to fix them?

[Bill Murphy]

I would not want anyone to open up one of my Repros to fix a single trigger. The best option in buying a single trigger Repro is to test fire it before committing to it. $7000 to $8000 is a fair price for a 28, $5000 to $6000 is a fair price for a 20. Deduct for any gun in less than brand new condition. You are unlikely to find these "fair" prices on the internet gun sites like Gunsinternational, but the final bid prices on auction sites like gunbroker or gunsamerica may be similar to my estimates.

[Gus Sams]

I plan to hunt upland birds with this gun. Obviously need to take great care as they are expensive. I like single trigger guns but the idea of known issues that can’t be fixed makes me a bit shy of spending that kind of money. May need to hold out for a double trigger.

[Tom Jay]

I've owned 4 Parker Repros with single triggers in all gauges and never had a trigger problem with any of them. I still own 3. They all get shot regularly on birds and clays.

[Bill Murphy]

The problems with Repro single triggers can be easily fixed.

[edgarspencer]

The Repro single trigger is a Parker Bros. type 2 single trigger and there's nothing really wrong with them. They malfunction just like the original. Sometimes the issue is doubling, and sometimes it's not resetting for the 2nd shot. I hate them all, but not for their possible faults. I hate them because after 65 years of shooting double trigger guns, I still go looking for the back trigger.
I bought a somewhat special (not a Repro)single trigger 28 because it had 30" barrels. It was converted by Babe Delgrego to single. It was almost an abomination, and a well known member (I won't name him because he claims to hate converting them) converted it, perfectly, back to double triggers. I say 'perfectly' because the slots are correct, and no 'L--R' remains.

[Gus Sams]

The problems with Repro single triggers can be easily fixed.

Would this require a gunsmith experienced with Parkers? Or, could someone with basic knowledge, such as myself, maintain and fix the trigger mechanisms?

Appreciate you all sharing some of your knowledge.

[mikeschneider]

Why not hold out for what you want? I see them around….none on GI currently.

[Gus Sams]

Why not hold out for what you want? I see them around….none on GI currently.

I would prefer the single triggers if it functions correctly

[Donald F. Mills]

There are gunsmiths that work on the repro triggers, such as Dan May of Miller Single Trigger as well as others. Much like Tom’s (Wilmut) experience, I have 3 repros and have not had an issue with their single triggers.

[mikeschneider]

I would prefer the single triggers if it functions correctly

Sounds like most people here have had good experiences with them, and, they can be fixed pretty easily. There are 2-3 SST 28’s with extra barrels on GI currently….good luck!

[Gus Sams]

Thanks. I’ve enjoyed learning about the history of these guns and looking forward to owning/shooting some of the Parker Reproductions.

[Brian Dudley]

Keep in mind that most of the repros have very high dimensions. Hopefully that works for you of you want to buy one.

[Gus Sams]

Keep in mind that most of the repros have very high dimensions. Hopefully that works for you of you want to buy one.

As in a high comb (low drop)?

[Brian Dudley]

Yes. They were cataloged at like 1-3/8” and 2-1/8”. Very high stocks.

[Gus Sams]

Please see the attached photo of the inside of a forearm. The polished metal looks different than the case hardening I've normally seen. Is this typical of some of the Parker Reproductions? It also appears to have some mild pitting and rust. This gun has some of the specs I'm interested in but wondering if this has seen a little too much use for my liking. Otherwise the gun appears in relatively good shape. Thanks.

[Brian Dudley]

The beavertail guns have their forends engine turned.

[Gus Sams]

That was the main reason I sold the one I had. Also it kicked like a Mule.
''Too Light''. You would think that some body would have USED their Head and made the stock 1.5 x 2.5 x 141/4in. long, then they would have fitted 95%
of shooters. The good thing about it, it had a single trigger.

Harry

What gauge?

[Paul Ehlers]

Gus,

My suggestion would be to not over think this!

Parker Repro's are great guns with great reputations. I've owned several over the years & have two that are my favorite guns which have gone afield with me & shot occasional sporting clays with since the mid-90's. I also have a good friend that has done the same and his guns are single trigger ones that he's never had an issue with. Between us we've put tens of thousands of rounds through our repro's with only one slight hiccup with an ejector which was easily fixed.

As far as the single trigger debate goes. Most problems with them in the repro's is the grease used at the factory has dried out or gotten gummy over the years & a good cleaning is all it takes to get most of them back in action. As far as the dimension issue goes is IMO if you can shoot most standard dimension guns (1 1/2" x 2 1/2" x 14 1/4") you shouldn't have a problem shooting a repro. There are repro's out there with 14 3/4" LOP and if that's to long for you be sure to avoid them.

Please keep in mind that almost all things gun related are subjective to the individual and it's not a one size fits all deal. Also keep in mind that this is an organization made up of very experienced double gun guys who all have their preferences and like just about everything internet related we have a tendency to post as much negative options as we do about the positives.

My suggestion for you is make some decisions for what you really want as far as gauge, barrel length, trigger type, grip & forearm style etc. and then take your time and watch both guns international and gun broker for a length of time and you'll find the price point of what the current market price will be for the repro you're looking for. Be sure to watch long enough that you can see what guns actually sell-for, rather than the asking price which might be highly inflated.

[William Woods]

Gus,

My two cents. I have two 28GA Parker Reproductions and while not shooting them often, have never encountered a problem with either single trigger gun.

[Gus Sams]

Appreciate all of you weighing in with your experiences, and especially thankful for all of your patience with a new guy. Y’all have a lot of knowledge, and it’s great that y’all are willing to share!!

[Gus Sams]

Snowed in here in Georgia has me going back through this thread. So, a 28 ga 2 bbl set, mint condition, add in double triggers for another 1k. Fair price out the door would be 8-9K?

The guns have been a good investment for those lucky enough to find one. I haven't been looking too long but these don't seem very easy to find. And the ones I've found, they're asking 12k.

[David C Porter]

The high prices you're quoting are too high & never sell at those prices. High $6K to low $7K is about it & $1K extra for double triggers is nonsense. You either love them or hate them & they don't command extra $$ & what's popular in the past may be a turkey today or tomorrow

[Bill Murphy]

David, maybe you could give our original poster the GI item numbers for the 28 gauge two barrel sets for sale in the sixes, with no extra charge for double triggers. I would be interested in those item numbers also.

[Paul Ehlers]

Snowed in here in Georgia has me going back through this thread. So, a 28 ga 2 bbl set, mint condition, add in double triggers for another 1k. Fair price out the door would be 8-9K?

The guns have been a good investment for those lucky enough to find one. I haven't been looking too long but these don't seem very easy to find. And the ones I've found, they're asking 12k.

This is just my opinion based on being a repro fan boy since the early 90's.

I feel the SxS gun market in general, including repro's is a bit artificially inflated at present. Covid had a lot to do with this when the lock downs sent the country into a gun buying frenzy, followed by the general inflation we've dealt with ever since. Because the market for repro's is at a high point. I wouldn't look at them as a potential investment and feel they should be looked at as something you want & will enjoy owning.

I also feel the prices you've quoted are on the high side of the high side and a decent one can be found for less than those prices--They're out there, but you have to hunt them down, which can take time to find just the right gun & deal. If price is a concern, the best value might be finding the most common of the repro's of being a 20ga single trigger with 26" barrels, they are the most common found and the easiest to find fairly priced.

Another thing you might consider is joining the PGCA and then watch the members only for sale section here. Repro's show-up there on a fairly regular basis, it's a good $40.00 investment.

[David C Porter]

What you guys are looking at is over priced guns from dealers who sit on then, sometimes for ever. What you needed to look at are what do they actually sell for. Also, just because a seller has a price, doesn't mean you can't bargain. Go to gunbroker they have a section with sold prices. In the last year I bought a 2-barrel 28g (unfired) for $6700 & a 2-barrel 20ga (unfired) for $5600. They're out there, you just have to look & be willing to bargain. In addition, it's a soft market on guns, especially S/S.

[Bill Murphy]

My 28 gauge two barrel set with double triggers for $2800 was a pretty good buy.

[Dan Steingraber]

102923849 GI. Straight grip 20 for $4,750. 26” ic/mod, single trigger, standard dimensions

[Bill Murphy]

Dan, that is not the variation that the OP and most buyers are looking for.

[Dan Steingraber]

Dan, that is not the variation that the OP and most buyers are looking for.

Thanks Bill. I posted the gun as a price point to show that the prices he was encountering were unreasonable. In the future I’ll run my posts by you for approval.

[Gus Sams]

Guys, thanks for sharing your experiences. Sounds like it boils down to either having to be patient for the exact configuration you want (grips, triggers, chokes, forearm, price etc.) or settle for something that doesn’t meet your exact criteria with price or configuration.

[Arthur Shaffer]

I bought one in the last year and was dead set on what I wanted. I wanted an open choked gun which pretty much dictated 26" barrels because long open choke barrels are rare. I was set on double triggers, straight stock, splinter fore end, pretty wood and 28 gauge. Sounds easy but actually finding one of this configuration is pretty tough because IMHO that is the single most popular setup for upland hunting.

The point I wanted to make is that there is another factor here that hasn't been mentioned. That is originality. You would think with the relatively young age of these guns that not that many had been modified but that is not always the case. In searching for a gun I found several that fit the bill had the original butt plate removed and a recoil pad installed. The comment was correct that wear and use leads to lower price, but for a hunting gun that is an advantage when buying. The recoil pad issue is another thing and generally significantly affects the final price if you track them until sold. To me, it was a huge issue because I considered the engraved skeleton buttplate a big part of the appeal of the gun. Having one restored to original is a 4-figure project and the butt will be shorter. If you want a pad, you might want to use that as a strong bargaining tool.

[Gus Sams]

I bought one in the last year and was dead set on what I wanted. I wanted an open choked gun which pretty much dictated 26" barrels because long open choke barrels are rare. I was set on double triggers, straight stock, splinter fore end, pretty wood and 28 gauge. Sounds easy but actually finding one of this configuration is pretty tough because IMHO that is the single most popular setup for upland hunting.

The point I wanted to make is that there is another factor here that hasn't been mentioned. That is originality. You would think with the relatively young age of these guns that not that many had been modified but that is not always the case. In searching for a gun I found several that fit the bill had the original butt plate removed and a recoil pad installed. The comment was correct that wear and use leads to lower price, but for a hunting gun that is an advantage when buying. The recoil pad issue is another thing and generally significantly affects the final price if you track them until sold. To me, it was a huge issue because I considered the engraved skeleton buttplate a big part of the appeal of the gun. Having one restored to original is a 4-figure project and the butt will be shorter. If you want a pad, you might want to use that as a strong bargaining tool.

Good advice. What configuration did you settle for?