The 20 would still be an awesome gun to actually shoot......less awesome than the 12 for collecting.

But the pitting means nothing for a gun you'll shoot. Nor do the cut barrels. Chokes? Chokes schmokes.

So....assuming the rest of the gun is nice (who said it was 'worn?) I'd take the 20 if I wanted a gun to carry and shoot in the field.

Neither

agree with Fishtail, The 20 sounds like a good hunter/shooter, and in my birdhunting world, I have little use for a 12 ga.

It depends on purpose and what you like to shoot. I prefer 12s to 20s for birdhunting or clay shooting. If you like to shoot 20s and the price is comparable with the 12 it will be a great shooter for you even though it lacks condition and it costs more to get a collectable 20 than it does a 12.

I love these questions, this forum is great.
I would sell the 12 and keep the 20 to play with; I bet it's a blast to shoot and it probably doesn't owe you anything.

A 26 inch 20 gauge with open chokes would make a great quail gun. That is why I picked the 20.

12 for sure. Having owned one I have no more interest in Parkers with Cut Barrels. My uncut VHE 26 inch 12 can be loaded to duplicate 20 g loads. & handle well while it does it. Get a light 20 and take weight off the muzzle, it's going to be hard to shoot.

William

Does 2" of thin walled barrel really weight that much?

28 inch 20 is hard enough to swing smooth, compared to longer heavier gun. Cut it off it's harder. 12 I owned cut to 26 inches felt dead in my hands, sold it when I bought the uncut 26 inch 12. Big difference one to the other. Everybody told me not to buy the cut gun, did it anyway and found they were right

William

I agree with condition being the edge for the 12ga. If you are going to keep and enjoy it for shooting, I would keep the one that felt and handled best for your particular shooting preference. Try them both and then decide.