16ga

[Craig Larter]

I copied this from FB, what say u??:
The 16-gauge didn’t disappear because it failed. It disappeared because the hunting world got louder. Caught between the brute certainty of the 12 and the easy handling of the 20, the 16 never begged for attention. It simply worked, quietly, season after season, teaching balance long before balance became something people talked about online.
This gauge was built for hunters who walked, not those who counted payload. It carried well, pointed naturally, and delivered patterns that rewarded timing rather than panic. With a 16-gauge, you couldn’t rely on excess shot to clean up late decisions. You had to mount clean, swing smoothly, and commit when the window was right. Miss the moment, and the gun didn’t argue with you. It reminded you.
That reminder is why many old hunters never let theirs go. The 16-gauge sits in a sweet spot where power is present but never overwhelming. Recoil is noticeable enough to demand respect, yet gentle enough to stay honest. It doesn’t encourage rushing. It encourages rhythm. It doesn’t flatten mistakes with force. It exposes them with clarity.
As modern hunting drifted toward extremes, the 16 gauge stayed centered. It never tried to be lighter than everything or stronger than everything. It asked one simple thing instead: that the hunter meet it halfway. Good footwork. Clean mounts. Real patience. Those who learned on the 16 learned to value flow over force, and judgment over noise.
The 16 gauge isn’t outdated. It’s unfashionable. And that distinction matters. It represents a time when hunters chose tools that shaped behavior rather than inflated confidence. In a world chasing edges and excess, the 16 gauge reminds us that balance is not a compromise—it’s a discipline.
The 16 gauge didn’t disappear because it failed. It disappeared because the world around it simplified. Hunters were told to choose sides—light or heavy, 20 or 12—and the middle was quietly abandoned. Not because it was wrong, but because it didn’t shout for attention.
What defines the 16 gauge is proportion. It carries more authority than a 20 without demanding the bulk of a 12. The payload feels purposeful, not excessive. Recoil is present, but measured. In the hands, the gun balances naturally, especially in classic field guns built before “modular” became a selling point. Nothing feels forced. Nothing feels trimmed down to make a category.
In the deer woods, the 16 gauge shines in places charts don’t measure. It moves smoothly through cover. It settles quickly on target. With slugs or appropriate loads, it delivers clean results at realistic distances without the fatigue that often follows heavier gauges. The experience feels deliberate rather than defensive.
The reason many hunters never tried the 16 is simple: it requires context. It doesn’t dominate a spec sheet. It doesn’t promise extremes. Instead, it rewards hunters who already understand their distances, their angles, and their patience. The 16 doesn’t rescue rushed decisions—but it doesn’t punish thoughtful ones either.
This is why those who discover the 16 late often ask the same question: why did we skip this? Not because it outperforms everything else, but because it fits so well that it fades from focus. And when a tool disappears, judgment takes over.
The controversy around the 16 gauge isn’t about effectiveness. It’s about relevance. In a world obsessed with fewer choices, the 16 reminds hunters that balance used to be the goal—not a compromise.
Choose the 16 gauge if you want the steadiness of a 12 without its weight, and the handling of a 20 without giving up authority. It’s ideal for hunters who value proportion over popularity and performance over packaging. The 16 gauge isn’t forgotten because it’s obsolete. It’s forgotten because it refuses to fit into simple arguments. And that may be exactly why it still works.

[Jim Beilke]

Excellent Craig, I have 4 of them all doubles, had a nice model 12 until an I got talked out of it. my father always said, a 16 will kill anything that flies. They are my main waterfowl and pheasant shotguns.

[Dean Weber]

Could have been said in less words, but yes, directionally correct. I shoot a 16, 90% of the time. I have never felt under-gunned.

My analogy would be to compare it to my truck. I drive less than 10K miles a year and about 4 miles to work each day. I don't tow anything with regularity and I live on the prairie, no hills. Yet, I have a corvette engine in my pickup. More is not better, it is just more.....

[Dylan Rhodes]

According to Parker pages Spring 2022, 50131 is a 16 gauge top action that weighs 5 pounds even and is the Lightest Parker ever reported. The arguement the 12 is heavy and the 20 is light has little merit to me and always has.

[Bob Jurewicz]

16GA S/Ss have been my favorite for a long long time.
Bob Jurewicz

[Clark McCombe]

I recently found out about the “16 ga Society.” I tried joining but there were problems with the website.
Any thoughts on this group?

[Brett Trimble]

Clark,

There was one person (admin/owner?) overseeing the site part time. He can apparently grant access to the site. His email address is floating around. Someone here may have it. I connected with him some time ago but was never able to register successfully.

Best,
Brett

[Brett Trimble]

FWIW, I’ve always loved the 16ga. Mostly because the frame size is so comfortable. Not so much about weight. Couple that with very efficient loadings and, to me, you have a great upland gun.

[Jim Beilke]

I used to be on the 16ga Society site but got dropped thru lack of activity. Friend contacted the administrator , still not able to get back on.

[Victor Wasylyna]

My love for the 16ga is fading. I now feel that 10ga guns are for waterfowl, 12ga guns are for clays (if desperate, waterfowl), and upland birds deserve a 20ga or, even better, a 28ga. 410s rock, and should be used whenever reasonable.

-Victor

[Brett Trimble]

Victor,

Cheers to you and I wish you many happy days afield with the bigger and littler guns!

Brett

[CraigThompson]

My love for the 16ga is fading. I now feel that 10ga guns are for waterfowl, 12ga guns are for clays (if desperate, waterfowl), and upland birds deserve a 20ga or, even better, a 28ga. 410s rock, and should be used whenever reasonable.

-Victor

I’m kinda of the 10 for everything school but I’ve pared a bunch of stuff off and my smallest gauge is a 12 :whistle:

[CraigThompson]

I had a very nice VHE 0 frame 26” double trigger 16 that was a lovely quail gun , I had a quite nice VHE 1 frame 26” straight grip single trigger BT skeet gun that was a joy to shoot . But the best clays 16 I ever had was a DH 16 2 frame 32” gun that was if memory serves 39/1000’s in both barrels . Had a nice VH 1 frame 30” tightly choked that I killed a fair amount of December dove with . And last but not least I had a Grade 0 TL one frame 30” that did very well on the clays course .

[allen newell]

I grew up shooting my grandfathers/dad's 16 ga Parker VH. Had Larry DelGrego restock it some 13 years ago. Still my favorite bird gun and it brings back so many wonderful memories

[Kenny Graft]

I started hunting roosters out in Kansas in 2008. I had added a set of Merkel 16gauge barrels to my DT-PG-SF Parker reproduction 20 gauge. Galazan had them made and I sent my gun to them, and they fitted up a set and numbered them to my gun. These are great barrels be the way! Choke is very important for my rooster set up. I had them open the right barrel from mod to IC .009 and left the full barrel as it came. The full barrel is actually .031 or X-full in 16 gauge. I like them over the Kreghoff barrels because the full is only .024 of choke and that is .002 under spec for full choke in 16 gauge. This gun comes in at 6lbs-4oz with the 28" 16-s in place, SWEET. This gun fits me and swats down roosters.....(-: I shoot Fiocchi 5# HV and don't bother switching shells when we find Quail as the 5-s do a great job, have never shot up a bird with 5-s in the IC barrel and by the time I shoot the x-full barrel the birds are out there anyway. I have shot 2 true doubles on wild Quail in Kansas and a true combo of a rooster and a Quail. I do not think a lesser gauge would perform like my 16 does in Kansas on them tuff to kill roosters. Great news after several years of drought in Kansas the birds are back!!! I love those Kansas combo hunts with the wild quail. If Kansas has a good hatch and the weather cooperates, I will be out there tromping the fields with my two young setters this Nov/Dec 2026...(be the Lord willing). SXS Ohio

[George Davis]

My 1913 Fox 16 gauge with 28 inch barrels has been my hunting partner for over 30 years across many Midwestern and Western states. It'll be in the in vault been I pass!!!

[Jeff langbehn]

The old adage “ caries like a 20 and shoots like a 12” still rings true. Welcome to the dance

[Garry L Gordon]

I admire the 16 for many reasons and have more than I need. For me it's a more direct link to the past...and it's sort of the "odd man out" in today's shooting world. I like that.

My Parker 16s include composite barrel examples in all grades up to BH (higher is above my pay grade). My most cherished is a Bernard barreled CHE built on the 0 frame weighing in at 6 lbs. It doesn't get out much to hunt, but it gets admired a good deal.

Long live the 16!

[Rick Roemer]

Sometimes a 16 gauge just belongs in the picture!

“Acknowledge the direct steal of Mr Romig’s signature line!”

[Alfred Houde]

I have always had a fondness for the 16 gauge. The last gun that I would ever part with is the slightly used, Ithaca Model 37 I obtained as a kid. I saved up for it and my dad filled out the paperwork (I was only 16), but I paid for it.

The last couple of seasons I have fallen for the 28 gauge, mainly because I lucked into a gun with a cast-on stock that fits and I shoot really well. It is my current Woodcock gun and did better on Grouse than I expected.

The 16 gauge is still relevant and a joy to own and shoot, provided it is an actual 16 and not a 16 gauge barrel on a 12 gauge frame.

[Stan Hillis]

I cannot imagine being at the point that I would want to use one gauge gun for all my shotgunning pursuits. I enjoy them all, with the exception of 24 and 32, from 10 down to .410.

While I'm sure I could take my 16s and do everything needed with them, I wouldn't enjoy the lack of variety as much as I do using them all. I enjoy matching payloads to gauges . . . . 1 1/4 to 1 1/8 in 12, 1 oz. in 16, 7/8 in 20, and 3/4 in 28. I make two exceptions to that. My Fox Sterlingworth Ejector regulates with 1 oz. loads at 1145 fps, and I enjoy using both 1/2 oz. (for clays) and 3/4 oz. (for doves and quail) in my .410s. Horses for courses?

The piece Craig posted above is very well written, but also verbose. I think the writer enjoys being flowery and lengthy with his prose. Kinda reminds me of other subjects people write about on the 'net.

[Reggie Bishop]

I have a fondness for the 16.

[Andrew Sacco]

I'm already having a love affair with 16's. If I had to have only ONE gauge that would be it.

[Dan Steingraber]

My O frame, Damascus, Fishtail 16 had a wonderful 2025 season.

[Clark McCombe]

I'm spoiled. The first Parker I picked up was a 16. Maybe that's what hooked me. It's not a pretty gun - but what fun to break clays! It's truly a point and shoot gun. I took one lesson from a guy who had a Kreighoff. I think he was jealous of the Parker 16 sxs.

[Paul Ehlers]

All those words in the original post to explain the simple phrase we've used forever.

"Shoots like 12--Carries like a 20"

What that post missed is the main reason for why the sixteen fell to the wayside is it wasn't included in the mix for competitive skeet shooting. For whatever reason at the time, it was determined that the 12, 20, 28 & .410 would be the official gauges and the 16 has been the red-headed step-child ever since.

Those of us who know & love the sixteen will always think of our step-child as the best of the bunch.

Personally: I've said for years." If I had to get down to one shotgun--it would be a sixteen gauge"

[Mike Koneski]

My first SxS was a 16. My favorite upland gun is a 16 whether it’s one of my Parkers or Lefevers. I’ve never missed a bird because of shooting a 16. To me they just feel right.

As for the article that Craig posted, I agreed with most of it except when the writer spoke of limiting choices. I’ll argue that choices for the majority of things in our world are increasing by design. As long as there is money to be made there will be a myriad of choices for us to muddle through. I will acknowledge that at one time 16g ammo was very hard to come by. Once again, the ammo manufacturers didn’t see profit outweighing investment. Fortunately that has changed, but it took a long time.

I like shooting all of my guns, but the 16 will always hold a special place in my days afield.

[Andrew Sacco]

A handful of 26" guns on 0 frames for grouse and bogsuckers
A tightly choked Trojan for squirrels and creek ducks
A GH (a bit heavier) for pheasant
An A5 for three bird sporting
About 4-5 others just because....what else does one need?

[Daryl Corona]

I will agree to just about all the points made about the 16 by the previous posters. I have two 16's but they don't get shot that much. And the reason they don't get shot that much is the same reason I believe that led to their downfall. Lack of variety of good ammo. Even for us handloaders it's a struggle to find good components. Craig's post from FB sounds like it could be a Hallmark movie script. It takes a certain mindset to want to shoot these old guns and the 16ga is a subset of that mindset. If they had included the 16 in the game of registered skeet it might have had a chance. But the ammo and gun manufacturers only produce what people want. If you think your 16 is the best upland gun I certainly won't argue with you. I, like Stan, enjoy shooting different guns and the 16 is certainly one of them. But I'll admit it's third choice behind the 20 and 28 for me for just about anything that flies. YMMV.:)

[Chris Pope]

I have read and studied each of these posts on this thread and, after much analysis, have come to the conclusion that God created the 16 to fulfill the need to accumulate more stuff to make shooting/hunting more fun.

(:

[Phil Yearout]

I've related my fondness for the 16 so many times and in so many places that it's become a cliche. My dad shot a Savage 16 - a "poor man's A5" - and when I got old enough to shoot a real shotgun it was that one. It was the only gun I owned and when years later I went in search of my first sxs shotgun it had to be a 16ga. And it was. I have 12's and 20's and even a little .410, but if I'm afield it's likely a 16 hanging in the crook of my arm. I've never lauded it as superior or cared what anyone else shoots; I just like 'em. I've got four now. and if I coulda ever found a 16ga SBT I'd probably be shooting it too. I've been a member at 16ga.com since its inception, but frankly I've never cared a whit whether the 16 lived or died. I've got enough ammo stockpiled to last my remaining days, so...

This is the gun that started it for me; thanks Pop...

https://i.imgur.com/JKc6xXql.jpg

[Alfred Houde]

It goes through periods of popularity or a brief resurgence and then is pushed aside in favor of something else.

As long as young folks keep getting involved in hunting and shooting, they will discover it and keep it alive. The 28 gauge would not be my first, second, or third choice for waterfowl, but with advancements in ammunition it is the "It Girl" of the moment.

Browning is still listing the 16 for 2026, so people are buying them.

[Andrew Sacco]

I can find 16g ammo just fine. It's expensive and very testy so that pretty much rules out the vintage guns. With Longshot, Perfect Pattern and powders and wads available it isn't hard to grab a single stage press and load what you like, especially if you thought ahead and kept about six gazillion RST hulls like I did. That being said, BP usually has primed Cheddite hulls so the ammo argument never held water with me. If you're a competitive shooter perhaps but then again you'll usually have a modern O/U. As far as the 28g goes, I DO BELIEVE that is GOD'S preferred gauge. I love them. But I'm a sinner so don't have one (in a Parker) yet.

[Michael D Hankinson]

I have always loved the 16G, have a pair of Model 12s, Light and Heavy, two side by sides and have plenty of Ammo, One of the side by sides is 2-1/2" so got that when I purchased that gun. 8 Boxes from the prior owner and then from other suppliers and from Gun shows. I retired back in 1998 and the older gun shows had plenty of 16s for dirt cheap prices. Now at 82 I know my sons will have to carry some of the out of the gun room down the road.

[James L. Martin]

I have had many 16ga guns over the years, killed many birds with them.I am down to only 2 at this time, A Parker GH 30" a real nice gun and my Merkel that I've had for near 40 years, she has 29 3/16 " barrels, weight of 6lb 7oz ,handles like a dream and has killed many grouse and woodcock over the years. I may be hooked on the 28-gauge at the moment but I still love the 16ga.

[Mike Koneski]

Here’s a couple of Parker 16s after a successful hunt.

[allen newell]

Shot my 16 ga VH that I had Larry DelGrego restock a dz or so yrs ago. Received many favorable comments from the club members that I usually shoot skeet with. Some have asked me
to will it to them when I pass but I tell them it's a family gun and one of my 2 grandsons will get it when I pass. Oh this 16 brings back so many fond memories.

[Dan Di Stefano]

Out with my 1902 28” O frame VH 16g looking for some NY Woodcock this past October. Feel fortunate I was started young on a 16g as my first hunting gun. Life would be so strange otherwise .

[Wally Barrick]

I grew up shooting purple hulls in a hammerless Savage single shot. That thing would knock the boogers out of you. I still have it but seldom shoot it. I shoot a lot and favor the 12 over everything else. I change the payload accordingly. I love my 7/8 oz 7 1/2 load for the 12!

[Mike Koneski]

I grew up shooting purple hulls in a hammerless Savage single shot. That thing would knock the boogers out of you. I still have it but seldom shoot it. I shoot a lot and favor the 12 over everything else. I change the payload accordingly. I love my 7/8 oz 7 1/2 load for the 12!

Knock the boogers out of you!! :rotf: Now that’s just funny right there!!

[Mike Koneski]

I can find 16g ammo just fine. It's expensive and very testy so that pretty much rules out the vintage guns. With Longshot, Perfect Pattern and powders and wads available it isn't hard to grab a single stage press and load what you like, especially if you thought ahead and kept about six gazillion RST hulls like I did. That being said, BP usually has primed Cheddite hulls so the ammo argument never held water with me. If you're a competitive shooter perhaps but then again you'll usually have a modern O/U. As far as the 28g goes, I DO BELIEVE that is GOD'S preferred gauge. I love them. But I'm a sinner so don't have one (in a Parker) yet.

Andy, there was a time in the 80s-90s that 16g ammo was very hard to find. I couldn’t find it in any of our local hardware stores and gun shops. First time I found a quantity for sale was around 91-92 when Shawmut Distributors had some. I still have some of those boxes of hunting loads.

[Victor Wasylyna]

Personally: I've said for years." If I had to get down to one shotgun--it would be a sixteen gauge"

The 16ga would likely be my choice if I could only have one shotgun. (I sure hope I never have to pick just one shotgun.)

-Victor

[edgarspencer]

Andy, there was a time in the 80s-90s that 16g ammo was very hard to find. I couldn’t find it in any of our local hardware stores and gun shops. First time I found a quantity for sale was around 91-92 when Shawmut Distributors had some. I still have some of those boxes of hunting loads.

My dad fell for that too. I still have a case of 1980s vintage Remington hunting loads. Plastic hulls with fiber wads. Too hot for my liking

[edgarspencer]

All this talk about 2.5" 16s on the for-sale thread reminded me, I still have a Belgian Browning auto loader. That only takes 2.5 also. I completely forgot I still had that gun because I recall my son saying he wanted it. Being a southpaw, I never liked shooting them.

[Ian Civco]

My 1913 Fox 16 gauge with 28 inch barrels has been my hunting partner for over 30 years across many Midwestern and Western states. It'll be in the in vault been I pass!!!

I believe that’s the first year for the 16 ga Sterlingworth, starting with number 350,000. The first shotgun I ever owned was 350,038. I only sold it because the stock was pinned. It was affordable to me at the time I acquired it.

[Andrew Sacco]

Andy, there was a time in the 80s-90s that 16g ammo was very hard to find. I couldn’t find it in any of our local hardware stores and gun shops. First time I found a quantity for sale was around 91-92 when Shawmut Distributors had some. I still have some of those boxes of hunting loads.

Back in those days I was in Philthy going to school and all I owned was 20g. I am well aware of why it isn't as popular. In my mind all shotguns are to be loved : )

[Alfred Houde]

Between 1995-1998 I was living in Hampton, Virginia. One day I was in a local Wal-Mart with the wife, and I swung by the Sporting Goods section. There was about a dozen or so boxes of NOS 16-gauge Federal Field and Remington Shur-Shot loads in 7.5 and 8 shot.

I bought a couple of them, went back the next day and bought a couple more. Next visit they were gone.

You can still find 16-gauge loads in the local Wal-Mart where I live now. It is usually Remington Express or Federal Game loads in 6 or 7.5 shot.

[Mike Koneski]

My dad fell for that too. I still have a case of 1980s vintage Remington hunting loads. Plastic hulls with fiber wads. Too hot for my liking

The only shells we could find were those “booger breaker” game loads and they were snotty! (See what just happened there?) Most guys wouldn’t think of shooting them out of a vintage double. They’d most likely be fine for hunting. A few shots over the course of a day. But I wouldn’t subject old stocks to that pounding in a round of clays.

[Stan Hillis]

All this talk about 2.5" 16s on the for-sale thread reminded me, I still have a Belgian Browning auto loader. That only takes 2.5 also. I completely forgot I still had that gun because I recall my son saying he wanted it. Being a southpaw, I never liked shooting them.

Edgar, are you're sure it's not 2 9/16" chambers?

[roger mcmanimon]

I have so many 16's that unless I go to my files to check, I'd probably guess wrong. Let's just say at least 10 but maybe a tad over. For me it's' not the shell or it's payload, but the weight of the gun and its' handling qualities.

I sent a pristine CSMC RBL in 16 down the road because to me it was clunky. I also sold a Paker Trojan because it carried like a 12 to me and I just could not see myself ever picking it over some of my other guns to go hunting. I've also sold others; Foxes, LS Smiths, Masqueliers, Ithacas, Bakers for the same reasons.

Right now, my favorite 16's are a 3-gun battery of Foxes, an XE with 26-inch barrels, another with 28-inch barrels and a 28/30 inch combo custom gun I had built for me and engraved by Geoffroy Gournet that is as nice or nicer than any of the CSMC Foxes ever built. They all get used and run from just under 6 pounds to about 6.5 pounds. They are pretty, but it is the handling qualities that make them useful to me.

As far as availability of shells, all you need to do is get your wallet out and order up some RST's. Complaining is like owning a Bentley and whining about the price of gas.

[edgarspencer]

Edgar, are you're sure it's not 2 9/16" chambers?

Stan, the only thing I'm sure about lately is my name.
Took me a minute to find the gun, but it's marked 16/65 in an oval, which I take to mean 2.5". Double checking with the gauge, it measures 2.5" to the bottom of the rim recess.

[allen newell]

Edgar, I'd be happy to take those shells off your hands.

[Arthur Shaffer]

I recently found out about the “16 ga Society.” I tried joining but there were problems with the website.
Any thoughts on this group?

The story of the 16 Ga Society is actually kind of sad. I joined sometime around 2000 (I believe; not sure exactly). They had started the Low Pressure group at that time, and you had to joint it separately. Somehow in the process, I recieved a black cartridge carrier bag made to fit the 16 boxes with a beautiful embroideried log on the top in multicolors. I am convinced that the Society was very influential in helping to resurrect the gauge. The Low Pressure group was probably the most influential group I was ever involved with.

I had always been a 16 gauge fan. My first shotgun was a BayState 16 single, my second an Ithaca 37 16 and my first quality double a late production (1948) Ithaca NID. Right now I own 15 to a little north or south of 20.

I was active in the group until around until about 2015 when I was 65 and got pulled over into BenchRest and devoted most of my time to this. When I next became reinvolved, I found that my membership was not working and nothing worked. The signup, shopping area and contact sectio were not working.

After most of a year, I got in touch with a person that was able to hack be back into the system. I found the whole org was a shamble. The low pressure group had moved to, I think, a Google group. They then moved to become a subset of one of the shotgun boards and the useage was way down. Apparently the man that started the whole thing was a regular kind of guy that got help from different people and ran it as an act of lovel deeply committed to the idea. He died suddenly, and his family was devastated. They apparently knew nothing themselves about the subject or bulletin boards but wanted to maintain control and keep it running as a tribute to the founder. They apparently had no expertise, contacts or resources to do this but refused all offers to take it over and run it. Their one concession was to allow one of the members limited access to watch over user credentials. He works full time and has limited time to work on membership. I have no idea who does the website work and solves their operating problems. I am amazed it is still operational every time I log in occasionalluy.

[Dean Romig]

We’ve probably all read Allen Newell’s description of his inherited 16 gauge VH that his grandfather ordered new.
Granddad ordered it with so much drop that Allen could hardly shoot it, and the fact that it was so well worn Allen made the decision to send it to DelGrego’s for a complete restoration, including a new stock.
Allen sent me these pictures asking me to post them so that everyone could see the beautiful VH 16 that he cherishes so much.

With Allen’s permission…


.

[Bill Murphy]

Del Grego?????

[Phil Yearout]

Doug Oliver started the 16ga Society in 2004; I joined that same year as soon as I was aware of it; I'm member #47. Doug was a fellow Kansan and he and I had numerous conversations early on. I volunteered to help and he said he's keep than in mind, but he really wanted it to be his baby and keep it a one-man show. Since Doug's passing a person who goes by s_long (listed as member #3; the first two are Doug himself) who I understand is a good friend of Doug's and the family has been keeping it going, such as it is.

Some folks there are frustrated about the way it's being run currently and there seems to be a push by some current members to expand the administration; a couple of them have been pretty vocal about it. As is typical, the loudest complainers want someone else to do something about it. It was suggested that a complainer start his/her own site if they are so dissatisfied but of course no one is willing to put in the time, effort and money to do that.

I have no inside info but I expect that it is the way it is because that's the way Doug wanted it. Frankly I find the site to be rather unwelcoming to some of us early members; in looking at the membership rolls I see only one or possibly two members who joined earlier than I who even post there anymore. I do check in regularly but rarely post; most of those are ignored, and if I'm honest I don't care much for most of the current posts.

Sites seem to come and go unless there's a strong organization (like this one :)) behind them. Sorry of this sounds petty but knowing Doug's vision for the 16ga Society and the site, it might be best to just let it fade away. JMHO.

My hat with the original society logo...

https://i.imgur.com/aLmlAiMl.jpg

[Dean Romig]

Del Grego?????

???????? isn’t that what I wrote, sans the space?

At least I didn’t say Delgrecko…:shock:



.

[Dean Romig]

I had the black cordura 16GA Society bag but one day while shooting Skeet at my club I left it on a shelf inside the clubhouse like a lot of members do. When I finished shooting my round I came back inside and it was gone. It had measuring tools, cleaning equipment, four different size bore snakes and three boxes of RST shells in it.
That was one of the reasons I stopped shooting there. How could I ever leave one of my Parkers in the rack to go to the men’s room if there’s a thief lurking about?!?





.

[Stephen Hodges]

My go to Grouse and Woodcock gun is my Dads 1912 Ithaca Flues 16 gauge gun. 26" barrels factory choked Cyl/full. Weighs 5.9 Lbs. Gun is original and a joy to carry and shoot.

[Dean Romig]

Craig, your opening post should have been saved for a Parker Pages article. It perfectly represents what has happened to that favored gauge and wasn’t too wordy at all, as one commenter indicated.
I love each and every 16 gauge Parker I have ever had. Sadly, and for no sane reason, I sold some that I never should have… *kicks self in ass* for a couple of them served me very well and brought the game to the ground when I did my part.

Thanks for that great lead-in to a topic that most all of us can relate to.





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[Phil Yearout]

I had the black cordura 16GA Society bag but one day while shooting Skeet at my club I left it on a shelf inside the clubhouse like a lot of members do. When I finished shooting my round I came back inside and it was gone. It had measuring tools, cleaning equipment, four different size bore snakes and three boxes of RST shells in it.
That was one of the reasons I stopped shooting there. How could I ever leave one of my Parkers in the rack to go to the men’s room if there’s a thief lurking about?!?.

I had one too; mine seems to have disappeared as well! I have a feeling it's around here somewhere but in several years of casual searching it hasn't turned up.

A shame about yours being stolen at your club; you just don't expect such things to happen when everyone there is supposedly somewhat like-minded. However, we did get an email reminder at my club to keep our cars locked; apparently some items were taken.

[Andrew Sacco]

Craig, your opening post should have been saved for a Parker Pages article. It perfectly represents what has happened to that favored gauge and wasn’t too wordy at all, as one commenter indicated.
I love each and every 16 gauge Parker I have ever had. Sadly, and for no sane reason, I sold some that I never should have… *kicks self in ass* for a couple of them served me very well and brought the game to the ground when I did my part.

Thanks for that great lead-in to a topic that most all of us can relate to.

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Dean, my understanding is that he didn't write that, it was copied off of Facebook. I said it was wordy as most things there are, but the spirit of his post is excellent. And I agree, an article on the 16 would be awesome.

As far as 16g Society, I've been a member a long while, but I also think that as more information comes out on other forums and the internet their relevance was maybe destined to fade? I wish it didn't. And that is a one of the coolest logos I've seen.

[allen newell]

Bill, the restocking of my Parker 16 ga VH was done by DelGrego. Larry told me to come back in a year and the gun would be ready. And a year later it was.

[Mike Koneski]

So multiple guys are asking for a 16g article for Parker Pages.

SOMEONE NEEDS TO WRITE A 16G ARTICLE FOR PARKER PAGES!!

The deadline for the next issue is April 15. Just sayin'.

[allen newell]

I went to Bass Pro in Foxboro today and bought out all of their 16 ga ammo. I wasn't sure if they'd let me do that but much to my pleasant surprise they did without comment.

[Andrew Sacco]

I just wanna know who's writing the article now...

[Bill Murphy]

Allen, how much per box was the 16 gauge ammo you purchased? We will check at our local Bass Pro, which isn't too local.

[allen newell]

$8.99 per box. I think that price include my veterans discount

[Craig Larter]

So multiple guys are asking for a 16g article for Parker Pages.

SOMEONE NEEDS TO WRITE A 16G ARTICLE FOR PARKER PAGES!!

The deadline for the next issue is April 15. Just sayin'.

Good luck Mike, it would be nice to see some new contributors/authors in PP.

[David Noble]

EDIT! This post was supposed to go in Bret Trimbles thread of "Show your favorite 16ga" Could someone put it in the that thread for me? Sorry!

There's no way I could pick a favorite. They're like children to me. I love them all equally. I'll post a few.

First my Parkers.
GHE Skeet, 1939 gun with 28" barrels. This one sat in Remington's inventory until 1942+. I bought it at a local gun show 25 years ago at a bargain price.

Next set is a group of 3 other Parker 16's.
Top, is a PH that was originally a 12ga that was returned to have 16ga Titanic barrels and D grade wood installed. (bought this from a member)
Below that is a PH with 28" stub twist, Mod and Full chokes. (Got from Ben Loving)
Third gun is a Trojan 16 with 28" Mod and Full chokes. Purchased at a large auction for $450 plus shipping and buyer premium. All in, $600.

Fourth set is a Belgium made Nimrod hammer gun with 27" barrels choked Imp and Full. This gun is tiny, the water table hardly wider than my thumb.
It weighs in at 5lbs, 4 ounces.

Next in line is a French made gun with several reinforcement ribs on the stub twist barrels. It sports interesting silver geometric inlays on the receiver and and an under lever for opening, and a smaller lever under that to remove the barrels.

Then a Winchester Mod 12 16a pump with grade #5 engraving.

Last set of pics are a Francotte Model BB 16ga from 1899 26" barrels. This gun was also purchased from a member here. It is in like new condition. this gun was consigned to Abercrombie & Fitch by Von Lengerke & Detmold in 1900, then later transfered to Von Lengerke & Antoine in 1902 where it was sold. I was fortunate to purchase a VL&A leg of mutton case that fits it perfectly.

I Just can't pick a favorite, they each have something special to me about them.

[edgarspencer]

The stock on my favorite 16, a 30" DHE. Apparently it's my daughter's favorite also, as I can't seem to get it back. John Frierson sold it to me, and he talks about it in his book "Memories Of A Carolina Bird Hunter".

[Dean Romig]

French Walnut Edgar?
Beautiful grain!

I love John’s writing.





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[allen newell]

Beautiful stock. Just wish it didn't have a sling swivel. UT absolutely beautiful stock.

[edgarspencer]

Read his book, Allen. He hunted quail on horseback. The swivels letter, and they don't bother me.

[DavidCook]

I've related my fondness for the 16 so many times and in so many places that it's become a cliche. My dad shot a Savage 16 - a "poor man's A5" - and when I got old enough to shoot a real shotgun it was that one. It was the only gun I owned and when years later I went in search of my first sxs shotgun it had to be a 16ga. And it was. I have 12's and 20's and even a little .410, but if I'm afield it's likely a 16 hanging in the crook of my arm. I've never lauded it as superior or cared what anyone else shoots; I just like 'em. I've got four now. and if I coulda ever found a 16ga SBT I'd probably be shooting it too. I've been a member at 16ga.com since its inception, but frankly I've never cared a whit whether the 16 lived or died. I've got enough ammo stockpiled to last my remaining days, so...

This is the gun that started it for me; thanks Pop...

https://i.imgur.com/JKc6xXql.jpg

That is the exact same gun that started me !! I still have it. It was my dad's gun. When I restored the wood, I found a happy birthday note from a lady who had bought it new for her (I assume) husband in 1952. I know the entire provenance of it. It has been around for as long as I could remember (I was born in 57) so I am going to make a fairly educated guess that my dad bought it from the original owner.

I recently restored the wood, put in new friction rings and recoil spring. The blueing is still good.

[Keith Doty]

"Hits like a 12, carries like a 20" My favorite gauge if there is such a thing. My favorite is a 26" barreled 0 frame weighing just under 6#. A lightning bolt for quail hunting.

[Phil Yearout]

That is the exact same gun that started me !! I still have it. It was my dad's gun. When I restored the wood, I found a happy birthday note from a lady who had bought it new for her (I assume) husband in 1952. I know the entire provenance of it. It has been around for as long as I could remember (I was born in 57) so I am going to make a fairly educated guess that my dad bought it from the original owner.

I recently restored the wood, put in new friction rings and recoil spring. The blueing is still good.

Nice! You're 10 years younger than I. My dad bought two identical guns, both in 16ga; my oldest brother got the other one. He gave his to one of his sons and tried for years to buy dad's gun from me for the other son, but I just wasn't ready to turn loose of it. I finally gave it to my nephew on a trip a couple years ago, and I regret that I didn't do it while my brother was still around to see it; he would have liked that.

[DavidCook]

Nice! You're 10 years younger than I. My dad bought two identical guns, both in 16ga; my oldest brother got the other one. He gave his to one of his sons and tried for years to buy dad's gun from me for the other son, but I just wasn't ready to turn loose of it. I finally gave it to my nephew on a trip a couple years ago, and I regret that I didn't do it while my brother was still around to see it; he would have liked that.

Some pics to share:

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/75719_600x400.jpg

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/75720_600x400.jpg

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/75721_600x400.jpg

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/75722_600x400.jpg

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/75723_600x400.jpg

[Rick Roemer]

That’s cool to find a note like that -I’ve had that experience a couple times usually in the stock behind the butt plate.

[Lloyd McKissick]

http://i.imgur.com/UkclIeKh.jpg (https://imgur.com/UkclIeK)

The 16 gauge ammo solution. I ask for a flat for Christmas most every year from my wife.

[Stan Hillis]

Read his book, Allen. He hunted quail on horseback. The swivels letter, and they don't bother me.

I have that book. He signed other for me some years go at the Fall Classic Southern at Georgetown, SC. As I recall he referred to doubles as "two-row guns".

[Randy G Roberts]

That’s cool to find a note like that -I’ve had that experience a couple times usually in the stock behind the butt plate.

Rick, I came across a note just like that once. The folks I bought the gun off of new the Gent quite well that wrote the note as he was family. He actually signed the back of the note as found under the pad, I am omitting that picture with his signature as the family did not know who the Margurite was that gave him the gun, no need to stir the proverbial pot. Made for a conversation that was just a tad bit uncomfortable when I inquired as to who Margurite was :banghead:

[Wally Barrick]

I find that the older I get, the more I appreciate the story or provenance of a gun as much as the firearm itself. Pretty cool story Randy!

[Jerry Harlow]

16 gauge

I.C right with 1 ounce or 15/16 ounce
Full left with 1 1/8 ounce

Have 2 Parkers and one Bernadelli Gamecock like this for doves and rabbits. All the Bobwhites are extinct and I did not cause it.

Sweet 16 A5 modified also for doves.

[allen newell]

Went to Bass Pro in Foxboro Mass yesterday and bought a 16 ga Browning A5 new. I'll shoot it tomorrow, Friday, on clays at the club.

[Andrew Sacco]

Went to Bass Pro in Foxboro Mass yesterday and bought a 16 ga Browning A5 new. I'll shoot it tomorrow, Friday, on clays at the club.

Allen, a new production one? Please update I was considering one of these, like I really need it :shock:

[dwight pugh]

Here's my faves. Win 21 #4 engraving, Parker DHE, Fox CE, Parker PH
Win 21 field, Ithaca field. I have a few more. I like 16's

[allen newell]

Yes, a new production one

[Rich Anderson]

My first 16 was a Browning (Belgium) with 28 inch vent rib barrel. I used it for everything from rabbits to geese. It was definitely a sweet 16 especially for $150.

I have a Parker DHE 20 with sling swivels that letters with them. IIRC it was an added $3.00.

[David Livesay]

If things had went as I thought, I would be posting pics of a first year of production Browning A-5 16 ga. serial #1912. It was not a Sweet 16 as they did not make them till later. It belonged to my father, and I grew up using it for all types of small game hunting. I loved that old gun. It had been hunted hard was worn to the point that it would fire twice occasionally. One day several years ago I was visiting my elderly parents and went back to my old bedroom where the gun rack was only to find out the old 16 ga. Browning was not there. I asked my dad who was in his mid 80's where the gun was, and he said, "I sold that old thing." I said why and he said "I didn't need it"; I can't hunt anymore. When I asked him how much he got for it he said" I got $200 for it, l was mad as hell. I found out who he had sold it to and tried to get it back, but it had already been sold to someone else that was not known to the seller.

[Andrew Sacco]

Yes, a new production one

MUST HAVE UPDATE I am wanting one for no reason whatsoever other than I'm still upright and taking nourishment

[Brett Trimble]

Andy,

I’ve had one in 12ga since they came out. It’s the camo version. It’s lite, very well balanced, reliable, very easy to clean and fits well after adding the included shims to adjust drop and cast.

I’ve always liked M12s and IMO this is a worthy successor with modern materials and operating system.

I would guess you’ll like the 16ga version. I had a Japanese sweet 16 and wound up selling it. It was a very nice gun but too heavy for a 16 in my opinion.

Best,
Brett

[Andrew Sacco]

Thank you Brett. I have a Belgian Sweet 16 can't shoot the damn thing with the Panzer barrel action. I want a 16 auto loader since, well, I don't have one. Thanks again.

[Dean Romig]

My first 16 was a Browning (Belgium) with 28 inch vent rib barrel. I used it for everything from rabbits to geese. It was definitely a sweet 16 especially for $150.

I have a Parker DHE 20 with sling swivels that letters with them. IIRC it was an added $3.00.

What was the year of production of that DHE Rich?

In 1913 ejectors were a $25 option.





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