Simmons Parker barrel project

[David Dwyer]

I received a call alerting me to a $$ problem on this project. It seems the owner of Simmons, Jim Wright, is selling to the new GM Paul Marsh. I talked to Mr Marsh about paying Brad Brachelder for the work being done to complete the work and he has no knowledge of the project at all. He told me Jim Wright is retired and they occasionally hear from him but the sale of the business to Marsh is not complete. I asked that Jim be contacted and told I want my money back and for Jim Wright to call me.
I just located Jim Wright's cell, 913-710-0509. Paul Marsh can be reached at Simmons ,913-782-3131. Please let me know if anyone makes any progress.
David:crying:

[Ed Blake]

Have you spoken with Reggie Jamison? I believe Reggie and Brad had worked out those details. I'll find out.

913-530-5745

[Bill Murphy]

David, since you posted about this situation on the PGCA forum, I feel proper in asking for information. Is there a problem with the original sponsors of the Parker barrel project getting their guns or money back? If so, is Simmons claiming that the project is still in progress and they just need more time? That should be the only reason to hold on to the guns and/or money. What's the story?

[David Dwyer]

Gentlemen
I did talk to Reggy. He was the one that alerted me to the problem that Simmons was not going to pay Brad. Bill. this is on the forum as it is Parker owners that seem to have a problem and this is the Parker Gun Collectors forum. Several of us contracted with Simmons for work. They took our money but have not done the work and "dumped " the work on Brad Brad was assured by Reggy,a Simmons employee. that Simmons would pay him. Reggy is now saying Simmons is not going to pay Brad and the new owner and GM has never heard of the project or the money.
David

[Dean Romig]

I hope somebody has a signed contract!

[Bill Murphy]

:rotf::rotf::rotf: Good one, Dean.

[Eric Eis]

This looks like it's going to get nasty......

[Bruce Day]

Sorry to hear of the demise of the project. I know there were people with high hopes for success. Simmons is an old company with a good reputation for making ventilated ribs for those who want ribs added to Model 12's, and I hope the situation can be resolved.


Wasn't there something about a Wind River Gunsmiths or something like that 10-15 years ago? Do I have the name close or right?

Wasn't Galazan making Parker barrels? I'm out here and don't hear much about that end of the Parker community.

Bruce Day

[Bruce Day]

Well I somewhat answered my own question.

There was a Wind River Rifle Company that was in various locations and said they were going to make barrels but never did and if the web is to be believed, all people who sent in money, lost it. Anyway, that's what the web says....don't personally know the facts.

I checked on the Galazan website and they don't list any Parker barrels for sale. What happened to these? Did they get delivered? Fitted? I saw Lou at the PF show in Des Moines in Feb 2010 and I was told the barrels were being shipped the following week. Did this happen?

[Dave Suponski]

Bruce, There are several threads on here discussing the Galazan barrel projects. I suggest doing a search to get up to speed....if you want to.

[Bruce Day]

Dave, thanks I checked on it, and there is a co-existing thread on the subject of Galazan supplying new barrels. Thanks, I didn't know . Sounds like a lot of unhappiness there also. I'm obviously out of touch with the subject.

[Dick Miller]

http://sites.google.com/site/thetruthbehindwindriver/

[Brad Bachelder]

As some of our members are aware, my Gunshop is working on building replacement barrels for Parker's and two other lines of guns. We have invested considerable time and effort to date. We are not in the position to take orders and are not able to predict a release date. Our first concern is to produce the best possible product that is consistant with the quality of these fine doubles. When we are content with the quality and reasonable delivery dates we will announce it.
To clarify our position on the "Simmons barrel project", Bachelders is in no way affiliated with the Simmons company. The barrels we are currently producing were contracted by an independent agent.

Brad

[Paul Ehlers]

Brad,

Thanks for the clarity on what you are & are not involved in.

Good luck with your barrel project, I know a good man is in charge of it!!!!

Paul

[Dave Fuller]

In my experience, spending money on a new gun is a far better investment than buying an aftermarket set of barrels in the hopes of making them fit your existing gun. I actually had a set of new barrels delivered by one of the aforementioned suppliers but they will never be used as they can't be properly fitted to my gun and the maker won't stand behind his work.

PS - Brad Bachelder is certainly not the maker I was referring to. Brad has done a number of gunsmithing projects for me and all have exceeded expectations. I wish him luck with his barrel project.

[David Dwyer]

I received a call from Jim Wright,owner of Simmons, this morning and had a very nice conversation with him. Jim still owns Simmons but has not been at work since September do to some very serious health issues. He has the records at home concerning the four Parker guns he contracted to put barrels on. He assured me he will treat each of us in a fair and honest way and return any money owed. I believe this is an honest man and he will do as he says.
David

[Tom Carter]

I also talked to Jim Wright today and have the same opinion as David. Cheers, Tom

[Brian Stucker]

The price of multiple barreled gun sets just jumped 15%

[scott porter]

I ran across a gun with a 32" Simmons barrel and was not aware of "the project" so assumed it was a bad idea to buy the gun. Does anyone know if the Simmons barrels that were completed with worth a flip? and I presume the gun's only value is as a shooter with only a Simmons barrel.

[Bill Murphy]

What brand of gun did you find with a Simmons 32" barrel?

[David Dwyer]

In talking to Jim Wright last week he mentioned that they had "successfully "completed some new barrels and delivered them to customers. I am not sure if they were Parker and suspect they were not .
David

[scott porter]

What brand of gun did you find with a Simmons 32" barrel?
It was a DHE Parker at Cabelas in Billings, MT. SS and SST with 32" bbls so it got my attention. No note on their site about barrels not matching so when I called they told me it had Simmons name on it. Maybe there was an issue with the barrel and that is why the gun was traded to Cabelas. I told them they needed to make a note on their site that the barrels did not match. They still haven't done so.

[Bruce Day]

Simmons sleeved hundreds of Parker barrels. Many have added vent ribs and added Fajen stocks because that's what the gun enthusiasts want.

[Bill Murphy]

Thanks to Bruce for his post. Simmons markings are all over ventilated rib guns and are no indication that Simmons made the barrels, only that they installed their aftermarket ventilated rib. I have a baggo Simmons rib guns that have no collector value whatever, except some few Winchester 42s which are sometimes considered "factory guns".

[Bruce Day]

Bill, the Simmons sleeved barrels I have seen are stamped "Simmons" on the barrel flats. Simmons advertised that their sleeved barrel sets and added vent ribs improved the functionality and modernized the looks of any gun. Somebody obviously agreed because a DHE 20 ga with original Titanic barrels but with added vent rib, new Simmons done Fajen stock and beavertail forend and white line pad sold for $12,000 several years ago. It was clearly modern and fancy and I decided to just stay with my old original condition beaters so I missed out.

[Bill Murphy]

Too bad you "missed out"!

[scott porter]

The DHE at Cabelas was reported to have no markings on the flats, none at all, and was not a vent rib.