Screw-in chokes on Parker Reproduction
 

Did Parker Repros ever come from the manufacturer with screw-in chokes? Does Briley make and install them on 20 ga Repros?

The only Parker Reproductions that had factory-supplied screw-in chokes was the Sporting Clays Classic model. It was only produced in a 12ga. DHE-Grade w/28" bbls. and was supplied from the factory with six choke tubes. It has been reported that there were only 125 SCCs produced, they are rare and as a result they seldom come to market. Below is an unfired SCC in an extremely hard to find configuration: SG, SPL and DT -- I know of only two such examples in an SCC.

Briley, as well as others, have successfully installed choke tubes in some Parker Reproductions. If you're considering having this done with your gun I would recommend proceeding with caution, as some have had issues with aftermarket choke tube installations done where "ghosting" of the threads has shown up as a result insufficient barrel wall thickness in the muzzle area. Reputable gunsmiths will take the necessary measurements before attempting to install screw-in chokes.

Briley told me that most repros do not have enough material at the muzzles for their thin wall chokes. If you call them and give them the muzzle ID and OD dimensions, they will tell you of they MAY be able to so it.

I have a 20 ga with 28" barrels that has Briley thin wall tubes installed. They were in it when I bought it. I have had no problems with it and I have thousands of rounds through it.

If the Sporting Clays Classics have enough meat in the barrels to accept choke tubes, does that imply that they would on average be heavier than comparable non-choke tube guns?

One might think that, but it's not necessarily true. Both of my SCCs that have SG, SPL, DT w/14 3/4" LOP weigh 7 lbs. 3 oz. A Steel Shot Special with the same configuration and having a 14 3/8" LOP weighs the same 7 lbs. 3 oz.

How does a SS Special compare with a regular gun? One might think that the SS gun would also have beefier barrels

The only differences that has been reported is that the SSS has slightly different choke geometry and chrome lining through the bores than the standard run of DHEs. Other than those couple of things and contrary to what has been reported the frames and barrels are the same.

I might add that all the SSSs that I'm aware of were stocked with California English Walnut, while most standard DHE Repros were stocked with Claro Walnut, some with California English and a very few in American Black Walnut.

California English on SSS
 

Do you think this is California English on my SSS butt stock? The forend looks English.
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I would say that it is California English, Larry. I am saying that with some apprehension as the butt doesn't have the type of mineral lines and the appearance we normally associate with the species as does your forend. The color, however; is typical of California English that is seen on many Repros. Perhaps others will weigh in with their thoughts and opinions . . .

Although it has been stated previously that all Steel Shot Specials were stocked with California English we must qualify that with: "Never say never, when it comes to all things Parker".