Hello from Central North Carolina

Eddie Taylor · 09-29-2025, 02:02 PM

Hello from Chapel Hill, NC.
I am new to side-by side shotguns and really new to Parker Brothers as I just got my first a couple of months ago.

I have been shooting rifles my whole life. I had always wanted to try trap and skeet and later sporting clays for a long time. I finally tried sporting clays last year and instantly became obsessed with it. Yes, shooting long distance and punching holes in paper is fun - but - hitting moving clay targets is a BLAST!!!

A good friend let me shoot his (not sure I should say here) hammer 1899 side-by-side on a clays course one Sunday afternoon. I immediately fell in love with it and eventually bought it. The history of and holding a 100-year-old gun is magical to me. Shot it at the Southern Side by Side this past spring and have such an appreciation for these old guns. I love these old side by sides.

I wanted a 10 gauge to shoot in the side by side big-bore events. To be honest, I really just wanted another old side by side. Told my friend what I was looking for and he brought me a Parker Brothers 10 ga “under lift” hammer with 30” barrels to try – what I was looking for along with matching numbers and at least 100 years old. I really wanted Damascus barrels after passing one up at the Southern SxS in the spring. But, after shooting this one, it is one of the most amazing guns I have ever shot. I so enjoy this old hammer side by side. I just need to find components to reload so I can shoot it more!

Andy · 09-29-2025, 03:50 PM

Congrats and welcome, and you should join the PGCA and become one of us, the afflicted ones. The membership is the best little money you will spend, I guarantee it. And I get a kick out of people who say, "My Parker is 100 years old," as MOST of them are that age or older. When I tell my bird hunting buddies I use a 120 year old gun they are floored. They're great guns and addicting and again, welcome Eddie.

Dean Romig · 09-29-2025, 05:40 PM

Welcome to the fold Eddie. We all love these old side by sides too. In fact we love and revere them so much that some of us actually collect (hoard) them!

.

Bill Murphy · 09-30-2025, 07:49 AM

You're so lucky to be able to sleep in your own bed for the four or five days of the Southern.

Chris Pope · 09-30-2025, 08:08 AM

You've riuined your life. Warn your family. Isn't it wonderful?!

William Woods · 10-01-2025, 12:04 PM

I feel a bit awkward welcoming a new member as I feel as though I am a relatively new member myself. I was an annual member for a few years before becoming a life member myself.

I too, would suggest that you become not only a member, but a life member. I suspect that you will become the caretaker of more Parkers and the savings on letters will pay for the life membership over time. Additionally, the amount of information you will obtain from being a member will be of interest to you.

The entertainment value of the good natured bickering between Dean Romig and one other member here is worth the price of admission alone. I have never met any of the other members but you live in an area that you could interact with, and participate in the activities of, members of the organization.

Good luck, and best wishes. Oh, and welcome.