New to Parkers and new here with a new gun : )
 

I have too many shotguns to use, and have some experience with Elsies (which I loved but they didn't fit). I just obtained a new to me 28g reproduction DHE. All I can say is NOW I GET IT with you Parker People. This thing is gorgeous and handles and points effortlessly. I've had it less than 24 hours. Took her grouse hunting this morning (no birds flushed) but shot her to see if I had any issues. Second barrel does not fire. No matter which barrel is selected, the second one does. What is puzzling me is that if I use snap caps, the second barrel DOES fire. I am in my three day inspection period so any advice is appreciated. The gun is simply gorgeous.

Gun not firing
 

I am also new to the world of Parker's so what I have to say should be taken lightly. Assuming this is a single selective trigger it is possible that during recoil from the first shot the selector is moving enough to switch barrels which in essence means your trying to fire the same barrel twice, that may be why the snap caps work, no recoil involved. I believe the selector can be tightened enough to prevent it from moving during recoil. Hope that is your problem and nothing tougher....

I am also new to the world of Parker's so what I have to say should be taken lightly. Assuming this is a single selective trigger it is possible that during recoil from the first shot the selector is moving enough to switch barrels which in essence means your trying to fire the same barrel twice, that may be why the snap caps work, no recoil involved. I believe the selector can be tightened enough to prevent it from moving during recoil. Hope that is your problem and nothing tougher....

Thanks Dan. But I checked that, the selector needs quite a bit of force to move it, and it stays on the same barrel. Never had this issue before, and hope I didn't get myself into a money pit. But I'm waiting to hear back from the seller.

Was the gun unfired until you got it? It's possible that the action is gummed up with old, original lubricants

John maybe correct but make sure you have the selector pushed totally forward also try and switch the barrels to fire the left first and see what happens.

I don't know the answer to that. The seller said he does not take down and clean all firearms that come in that are older. Seems to me if it was gummed up the inertia wouldn't work at all, but it works with snap caps not live rounds. I'm waiting to hear back from the seller. Google isn't showing me much. I'm wondering if I should post this elsewhere in this forum rather than new member intro?

I tried 10 rounds or so, selector all the way L or R barrel, no matter which fires first, the second barrel doesn't fire. Good grief... never seen this before.

Andy, do i understand this correctly? If you fire the right barrel the left will not, if you fire the left the right will not? If so can you , after firing one then move the selector to the other and have it fire?

Your first part is exactly correct. I haven't tried moving the selector but can try that tomorrow. If I engage the safety then make it unsafe again it will then fire the second barrel (such as when using snap caps). This happens both ways (meaning no matter which barrel has fired first).

When Brian Dudley see's this he will,I hope, give you the answer to your problem.

Who is this man Dudley of whom you speak? : ) I hope so too! I'll tell you, I love how this gun is just "there" and light but not whippy. I want to try to get it sorted out and would hate to have to send it back.

A search of this forum will tell you about Mr.Dudley.

I searched. I will wait. Thank you.

As described, You have a Parker single trigger problem that is common in Reproductions. Historically this is due to a gummed up action or prior shoddy work on the trigger. When it is clean and untouched it works fine. When it is dirty or has had previous poor work it does not. Does the screws on your gun's floor plate show they have been turned? If you are keeping the gun then the first thing I would do is to remove the trigger guard and floor plate and have a look. If you do not want to be a DIY Parker owner then return it to the seller and tell them the trigger does not work and to make the trigger work as expected or refund your money. There are lots of Parker reproductions for sale where you should expect it to work

PML

Would the administrators move this thread to the "Parker Reproductions" subforum to get more exposure? Thanks.

Careful with talking about firing the gun a dozen times or more on an inspection period. Traditionally inspection periods are considered “no shooting”. Unless it is clear between you and the seller on that point, they may have an issue with it being shot.

Though I appreciate the thought that I may have the answer to your issue, I cannot say that I do. I do have a good working knowledge of the Parker gun and its parts, but when it comes down to it, I am a stock maker who gets into mechanical work as needed. And I do not consider myself a single trigger mechanic by any means.

It does not make much sense to me that the trigger works fine dry, but not when live firing.
Yes, a general inspection and cleaning is the first step in trying to sort out issues like this.

In regards to returning the gun, if you like the Repro 28g then that is great news. The guns were pretty much all built the same, so the feel and fit of another one should be the same as the one you have. And there are a lot on the market to choose from by way of condition , wood figure and price.

If you decide to continue with test firing another suggestion would be to hold the safety in the off position when you fire the first barrel, just in the event that that it is engaging with recoil.

The dealer is closed until next week so I'll post a follow up then. Thanks for all the advice.

UPDATE. By the way Brian (and thank you) I did have the OK to fire the gun. They are closed this week but responded to me via email. They are fine taking the gun back but will also pay for a repair, whichever I prefer. While there are some small cosmetic issues, the price I paid is about $2,000 less than what others are even listed or asked for. Spoke to Dan May at Miller and he was very helpful so it seems I can keep it and fix it or return it. Some more information: while testing if I fire, IF I PUSH THE TRIGGER FORWARD THEN THE SECOND BARREL FIRES without having to re-engage the safety with live or snap caps. Dan May said "something is not playing nice" but he's sure it can be fixed. Decisions... HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone. Thank you for the advice, I'm very new to Parkers.

You can't go wrong with Dan for the SST work.

Def sounds like something needs to be adjusted in the mechanism that trips over to the other barrel. it is likely a minor fix.

Thank you Brian. Here's my thing: I want to hunt with this gun. I'm not a collector, I'm not an historian, I'm not into investing in guns. While I can afford much better guns, I choose not to spend money on things I'm afraid to use. My goal when I set out was to find a fine handling 28g SxS for about $3,500 that I'm not afraid to get some field scars on. A "bright sunny day" grouse and woodcock gun that, when time to sell, I haven't lost all my money on. So while I'm above that figure of $3,500, I'm flexible and could tolerate a fix, if it's a true fix. I never realized this Parker repro would feel so damn good (first would be an English best...of course...) Dan was very kind and spent time with me on the phone, a true gentleman for sure. Never met him but will always support him from now on.

This all being said, I have a new found interest in Parker shotguns and am reading all I can. Quite an amazing brand. When I was a kid I always dreamed of a "Parker Brothers Shotgun" and forgot about that dream until I handled this repro. Problem I've had with vintage guns is the fit, but if you saw me shoot, it's certainly not the gun : )

Andy, bring that Parker with you next time you visit "The Rock". I'd like to see your new find.

Mike, was that you yesterday who signed me up for the season pass? I would have said hello and introduced myself! Weather pending hope to see you soon.

Yessiree, that was me.

Well next time it's a mighty hand shake : )

As they said in Blazing Saddles, "We welcome you with this laurel and hardy handshake..". :rotf: