An American professional's take on the issue: http://vicknairgunsmithing.blogspot....-american.html. I like my farm implements.

You gotta to love him, he tells it as it is.............

The only problem I have with that article, is I've honestly never heard anyone claim a Parker or any of the ones he lists to be the equal to a "Best" gun. Not once.

I mean, I love my PH, but I could buy 25 of them with what I'd pay for a H&H Royal.

Dewey conveniently omits the Lefever. The reason? There is nothing about the Lefever to ‘trash’.






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Parkers are a marvel of American industry. Although there's a heck-of-a-lot of hand work in a Parker, what sets it apart is the quality AND the fact that it's a factory gun...NOT a completely handmade "best" gun. To me, it's a comparison that shouldn't be made as if they were intended to be the same. The comparison must also take into consideration the cultures that produced them. Saying "apples v. oranges" is probably too simplistic, but might be a good start at differentiation.

Why not just appreciate each for what it is? -- Great guns by great makers.

Again, I didn't mean this as a comparison as to what is better. Mostly I am just curious if they are different enough to merit owning a nice London gun or if I should just put that money towards another Parker.

As an example, I do not feel a Fox or LC or Lefever or winchester, etc are different enough to merrit pursuing in my opinion. I would much rather just own another Parker.

English Best guns I have always read and heard were different enough from classic american doubles that it was almost a different shooting experience handling one.

The two are different. Feature for feature, an English best is lighter, (generally) made to minimal tolerances, has different handling characteristics, and made to order. Unless you order one, you are getting someone else's specifications -- but, still extraordinary guns. Actually, I see enough differences in the American maker's guns to want one (OK, more than one) of each. Are they the same as an English best? Very likely not in most "expert's" opinions (I am absolutely NOT an expert).

I have had wine that cost a great deal and had a great reputation, and have had wine that cost much less and tasted good enough that I could not tell the difference. I know it was my inability to discern the difference, but I am also sure that my biases probably came into play. Again, when you take bias out of the equation (not easy to do), you get two different kinds of guns.

Now, who the heck am I to say this?...just another guy with an opinion, and we all know what that means.:)

Go for the English "Best Gun" but if your heart is in Parkers, well you know what to do!

^^^ This pretty much sums it up nicely. I have an English gun many consider to be equal to any “best” and I have several nice Parker’s. You can’t really compare them and I don’t care to, I just appreciate them for what they are.

If you are comparing shootablity, English Guns are often much lighter, some appreciate light and prefer it. Personally I like heavier guns.

William