What would yoou do??
 

What would you guys do with a Parker that for whatever reason you don't shot well? And by that I mean I just miss more with this one Parker than I do with the others. Even throwing it up to the shoulder just don't feel right.
It has normal dimensions so I don't think that's the problem.
Would you keep her if she's kind of rare or would you let her go and let some one else enjoy her?

How rare? And will you be happy as a collector rather than a shooter?

I had a Fox 16 once I could not hit anything with. I had it at the club one day and someone picked it up and noticed (and I had not) the gun had a slight cast on. Made for a left hand shooter so I sold it.

The gun may appear to be of standard dimensions but subtle changes can make a big difference in shot placement. Have you patterned the gun on paper to see where the gun is shooting? It may reveal a lot.

Not that rare, just my grade 2 16ga hammer gun. I thought about cast but I can't tell just by looking at it.
I do pattern them. If they hit what I aim at it's good to go. But I guess I should take this one out to the range, heck, I do have patterning targets, maybe I should use one...:whistle:

Grade 2 16 gauge hammer gun. Angel, I would hold on to it because they are a real bear to sell. Angel, if we ever get face to face, I'll tell you how many guns I own that I don't shoot well. I don't dare put that information on the internet. I put Briley 28 gauge tubes in my Grade 2 16 gauge hammer gun so I would have the versatility of screw in chokes and factory ammunition. It also adds about 14 ounces to the weight of the gun to help with serious shooting.

I hear you Murph!! I would be hard for me to sell.

I would pattern it before I came to a decision. I think their are lots of us that have guns in our safes that we don't shoot well.

it would be hard for me to part with a hammer 16 ga parker even if i could not hit the broad side of a barn with it.. charlie

Funny how it works sometimes. My favorite gun is a lifter with modern dimensions and it is the worst shooting gun I own. I guess you never know.

Like was mentioned I would hesitate to get rid of one you may regret it someday.

Tom

stock fitting session
 

If you really love the gun, arrange for a session with a qualified stock fitter.

Being that your Parker is a hammer gun I just bet it has a lot of drop. Outside of restocking it with less drop I think you will find that you will have to use the old time heads up shooting technique to get on target. I have many guns with more drop than so called modern dimensions that I shoot very well, I just have to remember which gun I am shooting. Shoot some paper you will be able to tell right away what the problem is and what you will need to do to get on target.

Angel, I have the same problem with a gun most people would love to have. Just don't seem to shoot it as well as other Parkers. It is a 16 ga O frame DHE, with a straight grip, and 26" barrels choked cyl/mod. It weighs 6 lbs even. That would seem to be pure death as a grouse gun, but I struggle to shoot it well. I shoot my VH 1 frame 16, GH O frame 16, and VHE 20 with confidence, but struggle with that gun. I carried it this weekend pheasant hunting and had a chance at a true double. I did hit both birds, but neither cleanly. The dogs( setters) brought back 1 runner , but I lost the second in a quarter acre of impenetrable brush. I swear that with any other gun I would have dropped them cleanly. Still, I would have a hard time parting with that gun, not rare, but darn hard to find in that configuration. I guess I would say don't sell it unless you could turn it into a gun you like better.
Merry Christmas Angel, and to all on the PGCA forum.

Thanks Harold, Merry Christmas to you and to the rest of the PGCA family.

I sold grade 2 16ga hammer gun and a CHE 16 because I couldn't shoot them. If you can't use it turn it into something you can.
It may just be a matter of operator malfunction so if you would like a unbiased evaluation just send it up here and I'll give her a session on the range free of charge:rolleyes:

Thanks Rich!! I knew I can count on you.

What are friends for esp during the Holidays. I expect to see it the first of the year:rotf: testing will be completed ASAP with a 12month turnaround guaranteed.

now thats a pal for sure...charlie

What would you do! Just send me the gun, and I will talk to it a little while and then, It will perform as no other, course for this a small fee is charged! guess what that is? Merry Xmas man , Gary

I have had the same problem recently with a pretty nice Parker. I lost confidence with the gun, so just sold it. I am a happier shooter as I do not continue to struggle with one that doesnt shoot well for me. I just found a nice lifter to replace her JMHO.

Bill-screw in chokes?::nono:

Yeah, my 28 gauge Briley tubes in my 16 gauge hammer gun have screw in chokes.

I would sell the gun. I had a very nice Super Fox that I really struggled with. It had good demensions for me but it had a trap comb and I just couldn't make the adjustment. Once you loose confidence in a gun you never pick it to shoot so I figure unless it is a closet queen sell and buy something better.

Angel, this is the DHE 16 that I love, but just don't shoot well.

I'm having the same struggle with a straight gripped, 30" barrel, VHE 20. Should be a great grouse gun, and no doubt would be with someone else, but I don't think I've hit anything living with the first barrel since I got it. Too much drop. The grouse in this part of northern Canada get little hunting pressure and often just fly to the nearest tree and land. You have to be fast to get a shot off if you want to take them on the wing. If I miss or they make the tree I often end up throwing sticks at them to try to get them to fly. My lab is so confused.
If I just hunted grouse and only used the one gun I'm sure I could get used to it. There are several very nice shooting non Parker 20s and 16s beside it in the safe that need to have their turn though, including a Fox AE 20 that shoots where I look. Tough to let go of the Parker since they don't become available very often up here.

That's a nice DHE Harold. Man I'm glad to see I'm not the only one with this small problem.

bob think i would just give the little long barrel 20 a rest and use a gun i could hit with. when season is over drag that beauty back out and shoot dr pepper cans or any kind of can..i shoot the can at 70 steps the most i ever put was 2 shot in the can with a 20 ga 7 is my record with a 12 ga smith wesson auto. charlie

I used to use masking tape and cardboard to add dimensions to where I needed on a stock and slip on pads or a padded vest to add some length of pull.Looked like hell but it was the only thing that helped my pre-war Superposed.Now they have much neater and easily removed aids for that sort of thing.

Angel your problem is easily solved, it's called UPS to Michigan:rotf: Seriously though if you think it might have to much drop I have a lace on comb pad I'll lend you. it will take some of the drop out. It worked wonders on a 16ga GHE I had.

Thank you for the suggestion Rich. I happen to have a lace on comb pad.

I have some foam spacers I bought from Galazan to add height if you need to try them as well. good luck with her.

here you go Rich. She's ready to go. I'll take her out on new year's day for a quail hunt.

mighty nice gun i like the engraving better on hammer guns...they forgot to put any scroll work on my old parkers.. charlie

what would you do?
 

I have been in this situation many times and it comes down to utility vs. sentimental attachment. some guns I just won't part with and they'll sit in the safe and every once in a while be taken out cleaned and admired (my Lefever E gr). Others, I simply have no attachment to and if I can't shoot them well it gives me the opportunity to sell or trade for something new and different which is always exciting for us collector/shooters.

Angel I hope the increased comb height helps with your dilemma. I had a Parker 16ga I called The Dominatrix as it had so much added leather, a comb pad and a slip on recoil pad to lengthen the pull. I finally sold it.

That's a nice gun if your still in a quandary after the first of the year I'll test her for you.:corn:

you'll what ?? :shock:

now that's better :rotf: