Hello
 

New Parker owner here. I've wanted a Parker since i was 12 years old. Even named my first Chesapeake bay retriever Parker.
Well here I am 45 and finally got one. I went this Christmas to get my girlfriend a present at a jewelry store and the owner offered me a beer after I dropped all that coin on my girl. Well we go to the back and there is a fine looking double gun setting on a table as a center piece. I asked if I could look at it and he said " yes that's a Parker I just got as payment. A guy owed me $1500"
I looked close to see if it was a original Parker and then jokingly said " I'll give you $1600" he said sold and here I am.

My question is it doesn't shoot 2 /34 so as of now I'm shooting RST 2 1/2.
Should I have it modified to shoot 2 3/4 or leave it alone?
Also after having it fit to me we checked the chokes and it is choked full and extra full. Same question should i have chokes opened up?

Thanks for any info
Jeff

Personally I would never alter any of my Parkers. But mine are all original condition guns. Not knowing a lot about your gun I can't comment much about it, but I still want to say don't alter it. But that's just me. I encourage you to join the PGCA and become a regular reader of the forums. You will learn so much from fellow members.

Welcome Jeff

congratulations on your first Parker, how about some details, grade, gauge, barrel length?

please post some pictures

you say "Also after having it fit to me " has the stock been altered?

Hello Jeff ,Welcome to the Forum and I must say I agree with Reggie ,if it isn't tampered with I would leave it as is ! As for the tight chokes many Parker Guns have tight chokes and a lot of us have been shooting Spreader Loads to get around this instead of opening them up ,they will really make a difference !

Welcome Jeff,
Congratulations on your 1st Parker! Ditto on the other remarks. Also, if you haven't yet done so go to the PGCA home page. On the left margin scroll down to Collector Info and check out Parker ID, Grades, Mfr Dates, etc. to identify what you have.

Yes, please post some pictures, we'd love to see your new Parker.

Cannot comment on that Jeff until we know more of the gun including your intended use of it. Good story, did I ever tell ya the one about the guy that went into a jewelry store and came out with a shotgun. There's a good joke in there somewhere...:rotf:

Jeff, As others have suggested I don't think you need to change anything. During it's life that gun had it share 2 3/4" shells through it. Those that know more about it than me can chime in, but the pressure increase of shooting 2 3/4" shells in in 2 5/8" chambers is not considered significant. Most would advise you still would want too shoot low pressure shells in 2 3/4". I would add though that 2 1/2" shells is a safe and prudent approach.

The good news is you already discovered RST shells. They have such a great variety. One of my favorites from them is their 3/4oz 12 gauge loads and you can also get paper hull shells from them which is just too cool. Try out their spreader loads which will help with your tight chokes. You may want to consider getting into reloading at some point as well. I dragged my feet on this forever, but now that I am set up I don't why I was so hesitant.

You didn't mention the gauge or any particulars about your gun. Please let us know and post some pictures.

Good luck with your first Parker!

Jeff measure a unfired 2 3/4 shell and a fired 2 3/4 shell then your chamber. Then think about it. This may help. Your chamber may be made for a 2 3/4 inch load.

Welcome Jeff! Ditto the other comments

Welcome to the forum Jeff. When you post more info and pics here you will get a better idea if you should open up the chokes. Some Parker’s have value just from being totally original and it would affect their value by making alterations. Some guns have had many changes and alterations over the years and have little or no collector value. Altering chokes on these probably won’t affect their value. Personally, I look at a Parker and say if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. With choke, you can overcome the restriction to some degree with spreader loads. I’m sure you will also hear horror stories about damage done when altering a gun. Since it’s your first Parker continue doing what you are doing - ask questions here of true experts and grow your knowledge. I had that same initial passion as you for Parker’s and it has since grown into a lifelong love and devotion to the guns. Unless you destroy the gun somehow it’s only going to be in your possession for a relatively short period of time. Most PGCA members have the attitude of “Caretaker “ and try to maintain the gun for future owners. If you received a nice condition gun that really got you excited it was because some people in the past thought and felt like we do. Congratulations on your first Parker!

Thanks for the info you have helped me make up my mind.
Believe it's a Grade O. VH is on the serial numbers. It was built in 1929 and is dang near a safe queen.

Yes OH I had the stock hot oil bent to fit me. I'm a lefty with a really bad canting problem.

Don't know how to load pictures on this forum or i would post some

I plan on joining then PGCA as soon as I get back to ranch and look up my paypal stuff

Thanks for the info

I intend to shoot dove and when the weather and blind is right gun some ducks with it. It's a 12 gauge 30'inch barrels

go to the home page- there is a link on the left to identify the Grade but V is a common grade, the H means hammerless - and 30" barrels are also common on 12's There should be a number stamped on the back barrel lug for the frame size- most likely its a 2 or maybe a 1 to 1 1/2 or more rarely a 3

a good solid gun for your use

1 1/2

Jeff if as you say it’s a safe queen it could be worth a considerable sum. Condition is one of the major trump cards when determining value. If you email me the pics I’ll post them for you. 1mf@fuse.net

Sent from duckpuncher

Jeff I agree with Mikes earlier post, "if ain't broke don't fix it". My general thought has always been that if a gun has already been altered I have no issues in any modifications as I see fit. But if it's original and especially a true
closet queen as you described this one to be I would leave it as is. Let's see some pics please...

Nothing has shown up in my inbox or trash. Please try again. We’ll figure it out.

Sent some more. Shows they went through. I'm in south Texas until tomorrow and service is spotty at best

Jeff congrats on the new old gun. Sounds like you will enjoy it. I as well shoot lefty. Hence being disenfranchised really enjoy double guns since most are fairly neutral. You sound like someone who has shot some to worry about cast or stock fitting and hot oil bending of a gun and using RST shells. Lots of discussion on that topic before. Lots of helpful and knowledgeable people on this site.

Here are some pics of Jeff’s first Parker. Nice gun.

A few more ...

He was right, does look like a safe queen. Nice late model Parker.

Good looking gun! Does not look too good to shoot and enjoy, though.

Do get some Bismuth shells for the waterfowl.
 

Jeff - you say you will shoot ducks with this....great plan.

No duck ever looks prettier than when it is dropped in front of you with a fine Parker double.

It is a sight to savor and remember. Then repeat!

For me it is easier to spend the money and get non-toxic Bismuth shells than decide whether steel shot is not going to harm the barrels.

Best regards, John

Mike Franzen thank you for posting those pictures for me