Cost to fit a second set of barrels?
 

What would a fair price for a competent gunsmith to fit a 2nd set of barrels to a Parker? Would any #2 12 gauge barrels work or were their variations?

Would doing this even be worth it or should I just buy another Parker?

First you need to find a set that is even close enough to have fitted to your gun, this may take years. Having them fitted is not especially costly - probably $300 - $500 depending on what is req'd.

Another gun may be your best bet.






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That figures.. I Recently purchased my first Parker, a 12 gauge GH. I don't regret my purchase for a second, but.. 30" Damascus barrels choked full/full are less than ideal for the type of hunting I'm wanting to do with it.

Kirk, what is the frame size of your GH?





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#2.

sounds like a good waterfowl gun, what kind of hunting are you looking to do?

Parkers are great- but as the British say "horses for courses"

would you buy a Prius to do a job requiring a truck?


BUT - the good news is - now you can buy your second Parker - and look for one that fits the use.

I had been shopping around for a 12 gauge Parker reproduction choked IC/Mod when I was offered this GH at a good price. I honestly had considered possibly shortening and rechoking it, but after seeing it in person and receiving my PGCA research letter I decided that would be stupid considering it's still in its original configuration (Although restored)

There are still plenty of 0-frame and 1-frame Parkers out there in 20 and 16 gauge.






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The weight doesn't really bother me all that much, but I've always hunted with a heavier gun (12 gauge Ruger Red Label)

I guess I'll start keeping an eye out for something 26-28" choked IC/Mod. Maybe something a little less nice so I won't feel bad taking it through the thick cover.

For the price and durability, the Parker Repro is a good buy. The conventional wisdom is that ALL of them are steel shot capable as long as they are IC/Mod. My go to waterfowl gun is now a Repro Steel Shot Special with 28 inch IC/Mod barrels and single trigger (for gloves)

I've never hand a chance to see one in person but I'm not sure if I've ever read anything bad about them.

I missed out on a 20 gauge reproduction that's was listed here and on shotgunworld about a month ago, was under $3k.

Or you could always have the chokes opened in your current gun. Much cheaper than fitting extra barrels. That is of you would have no need ever for full and full chokes.

That was originally what I had planned on doing, having the barrels cut to 28" and having the chokes opened up. But I hate to do that to a shotgun that although restored, is still in its original configuration.

Why not just shoot spreaders?

Seems reviews are mixed on those but I have some ordered, been wanting to shoot pretty bad if only the weather would cooperate.

I didnt say anything about shortening the barrels. You wouldnt want to do that.

I had a local gunsmith fit a set of orphan barrels to a nice little PH 12 ga on a 1 frame. Fit as well or better than the original barrels. It was less than $50. He is the most reasonable gunsmith I've ever dealt with. And fun.

I know you didn't, I was just saying that was what I originally thought of doing since I'm more of a grouse/woodcock hunter.. But after picking it up and seeing how nice it is, I decided to just leave it how it originally was made.

If I could get ANOTHER set of 30" barrels cheap (which doesn't seem possible) I'd probably have them cut and the chokes opened.

Oh well, its still a great gun I just won't be using it as much as I thought.

Nice! If I could find another set of barrels for cheap I might go that route, but between the cost of the barrels and gunsmith, I might as well just order one better set up for what I want to use it for.

Barrels for a 2 frame show up on the for sale forum all the time. Some times they are very reasonable.

The last few sets of barrels i fit up yo guns, i spent right around a full day or more worth of work fitting them. You wont find me charging $50 for that mich time.

Deans estimate of $300-500 is more in line with what you will typically find.

It really is a variable since the amount of work needed is dofferent for every set. And then after buying the wctual barrel set thay is in any sort of good shape. You may want to bidget up to $1,000 for the whole project.

There are so many variables, it's only a best guess when someone suggests a cost.
Do the new barrels come with their own fore end, or are you going to hope against hope the old fore end will fit?
Will both lugs of the new barrels have sufficient material (heavy is better than shy of stock) to dress them to fit smoothly.
Will the dolls head of the new barrels fit the recess of the receiver? Is it the same height, or will it be above or below the receiver?
The closer the serial number on the new set of barrels are to the gun, the better your chances are they will go on with less work.
I have a GHE20 whose barrels will interchange perfectly with my DHE20. Same with fore ends. They are only about 4000 numbers apart. I have another DHE20, 20,000 higher in serial number; not a chance. I've been offered a set of Titanic barrels, 80,000 lower than my lowest , and the dolls head is more than .060" lower..
You're a lucky guy when you can find a good second set of barrels, but you're even luckier when they can be made to fit.

So what would you guys do if it was yours? Open the chokes up, or keep it original and buy another one?

Keep it original and buy another gun that meets the need.

What George said.

Well, its hard to argue against buying another shotgun.

I see Parkers, or any shotgun, merely a tool to do a job. Most of us have a toolbox filled with different sized wrenches and screwdrivers for different jobs. Parkers are no different. You need a gun to shoot clays with, one for upland birds and then one for waterfowl. Then again there are a lot of subsets. Quail guns, pheasant guns for the open prairie, p'atridge guns and so on. Plenty of reasons to buy another Parker.

Daryl's philosophy is very practical.
Many of the Parker community are solely collectors. People like Daryl and I are hybrids. We collect to shoot. Our shooting activities cause us to be collectors.

A few years ago I wouldn’t even consider a gun if it was choked F/F. Lately, I am changing my mind, though I suppose my preference(if I have a choice) is IC/M. I guess a better way to explain this(and several people said this to me) is shoot it some and don’t overthink the chokes. The last few guns I bought the chokes were not even part of the decision. It is nice to hit a clay dead on with a full choke and watch it vaporize! I was shooting clays yesterday with an opened choked gun and didn’t have a chance at some farther targets(at least that was my excuse). I think as you get to know your Parker some more you might be happy with the way that it is, and if you find another set of barrels you like you can get them.

I will admit, a second set of barrels would be nice if you could pull it off. I’ll also admit another Parker sounds nice too!

By the way, I have a 12 Gauge VH that is F/F and does well at sporting clays as long as I bring some spreader loads.

Jay

It is nice to hit a clay dead on with a full choke and watch it vaporize!

Yes it is Jay. I prefer my clay guns to be F/F as I quit worrying about chokes years ago. My theory is if you are in the middle of a bird you will break it whether your choke is IC or Full. With a Full choke, my brain gets a better feedback on the break than it does with a more open choke. I don't shoot registered targets so a miss now and then is not going to ruin my day. But I truly love balling up a clay at 20yds.

You mentioned the gun has been refinished, so I'm guessing it's not a real collector specimen. You apparently like the gun but don't like the chokes. Pretty simple to just open the chokes to what you like. Under no circumstance would I cut the barrel though, that seems to kill the value of a gun pretty quick. Just some thoughts.
Good luck, Tom

One of the first things I do looking at a possible purchase is measure the chokes. If they have been "opened" I walk away. They may be fine, but there is a good chance the work was not done well and patterns will suffer.

It's harder to buy a short fast open choked Parker than some other makers. Took me a long time to find a unaltered 26 inch I/C Mod gun. Collector aside pure cost vs result, Better to buy the right tool than make one.

William

Kirk check your pm's

I have had Briley re choke several guns over the years, various makes, and have been very happy with all of them. The cost is $95 per barrel and you cannot tell by looking that anything has been done. Another plus is if you want a pictular restriction ,ie .010 or .015 thousands , they measure the bore and that is what you get. Carvel

Thanks everyone for the advice, I've purchased a couple 12 gauge reproductions and will be leaving the GH original. I may get it out every so often and hunt with some spread-r shells.

Kirk- I am happy with my Repros- wish I had more.