A Weighty Question

[Michael Murphy]

No, not about my weight, though that could clearly use some improvement, but about gun weight.
I am fortunate to have several parkers. All in 12 ga, except for my reproductions.
I recently picked up a Parker Trojan. My first. It has 30" barrels and is built on a #2 frame. The breach looks like it could handle artillery shells.
It is in excellent (restored) condition. It weighs 8lbs 4oz. That is the issue/concern.
I'm about to head out to South Dakota and would like to take the gun (I'm flying so I can only take one.) However, it really seems as if after 3-4 days afield, my arms would feel like lead. Recognizing that so many older Parkers were built for waterfowling, this weight isn't that out of line.
Thoughts from the group?

[calvin humburg]

An 8 lb gun tends to get heavy, I have carried a 2 frame 10 around all day when that was all I had, you kind of get used to it. I would not want to see somebody that does not do a lot of manual work try it. That stinks you can only take one! Your going to have some fun in S. Dakota I'll bet. best ch

[charlie cleveland]

i would take a lighter gun if i was planning on a really lots of walking..calvins rite that gun will probably get heavy very soon....but if your up too it go for it...good luck on the hunt wish i was going with you... charlie

[Bill Murphy]

Take a lighter gun or get a more accurate scale. If I were going on a SD pheasant hunt, I would carry my 6 pound 4 ounce ten gauge J.P. Sauer bored modified and full, 26" Krupp barrels. If I get tired of carrying it, I put it in the holster.

[Dean Romig]

Take a 1 1/2 frame 12 bore on pheasant hunts that involve a lot of walking... or even a 1 frame 12 or a 16.

[Michael Murphy]

Bill, the scale is accurate - unfortunately the gun is that heavy. On the plus side, it balances 1/4" from the center of the hinge pin.
I've convinced myself that for a one-two day hunt it would be OK! For a five day hunt, not so much.
Dean, I've got a 1 1/2 frame 30" Parker, but it is a trap configuration and just isn't the ticket for "real" birds. it does however work very well for me on Sporting Clays.
Current plans have me taking a 20ga. RBL with 28" barrels and straight grip on this trip.
Thanks for the input from everyone. It helped convince me of what direction to move in.

[Brian Dudley]

Yes, a 2 frame gun can get heavy walking around with for even half a day. Especially if you are walking with it at the ready very often. A No. 1 frame is a much better choice for a Parker if you are doing a lot of walking.

The weight of your Trojan sounds about right.

I think your are thinking right about taking your 20g. this time.

[Daryl Corona]

Michael;
I would opt out for the 20ga. RBL if it were me. Where are you hunting in So. Dakota and when are you going? I'm leaving tomorrow (we're driving) to hunt on opening day around Hitchcock. I started hunting out there with a twelve but soon realized that a 20 or 16 is really all you need if you have good dogs and a hell of a lot easier to carry and bring into play when needed.

[Michael Murphy]

Double Lab,
I'm headed to the Aberdeen area (Stratford). Was there last year and had a lot of fun. I fly out Sunday. Actually wanted to avoid opening day. Will be hunting for 5 1/2 days, if the weather holds. Have previously hunted near Mobridge.
I used a 20ga. Citori for years in Mass. for Pheasants and had good luck with it. However that was with released birds and over a great Shorthair I had at the time.
I'll have to keep an eye out for a nice 20ga. Parker and sell my first born to pay for it.
Good luck to you out there.

[Andy Kelley]

Hi I would be hard pressed not to take the gun and you want to shoot it.I'd opt for a Galazan slip on sling and thus you wouldn't have to have the gun in your hands all the time.I carried a very heavy E grade Lefever and survived the hunting around Chamberlin, SD and I am out of shape but I wanted to experience shooting a wild pheasant with that gun.In any event enjoy your trip!

[Bill Murphy]

I feel sorry for you guys who don't have a 6 1/4 pound ten gauge, the ideal gun for pheasants, and grouse if you load spreaders for the right barrel. I have no idea how they get a ten gauge down to that weight with wall thickness in the thirties.

[Daryl Corona]

Fiberglass stock and rib?:)

[Mike Shepherd]

I have been hunting with a 2 frame VH 12 / 30" in Montana for several days. It weighs 7-12. I do ocassionally hang it on my shoulder as it has a sling. I am 192 pounds of 57 year old rippling muscle but, oddly enough, my body is overall shaped like a pear.

One of my favorite upland guns, a 5-12 VH 16 / 28", developed thrumb lever problems after it got rained on early last week.

This is the old beater twelve with eight Hungarian Partridge it brought down on Monday.


Best,

Mike

[Michael Murphy]

Mike,
Nice day and picture! One of my sons lives in Missoula, so I get out to Montana quite a bit. love the state.
My general feeling is that if it needs a sling and I'm not after waterfowl, I've probably got the wrong gun. I'm going to stick with the 20ga. for this excursion.

[calvin humburg]

Pretty good shootin Mike!

[charlie cleveland]

yep nice shootin... charlie

[Michael Murphy]

An update on the South Dakota hunting trip.
Brought the 20ga RBL for the trip. Hunted 5 1/2 days as planned. Miles and miles of walking and a goodly number of birds.
It helped that we had very good dogs with us.
The RBL acquitted itself very well. No arm or leg fatigue at all.