Parker bro's 410 barrel releif at receiver?

[SXS OHIO]

Some of the 410 guns...the barrels have been milled just in front of the cambers (barrels and water table) right above the for-end iron. But others are not. This removed metal makes for too many angles and looks odd. Look at the pictures of the one listed on G.I. (Steve Barnett) and then look at the VH-410 Steven Cobb has listed on his web sight. Cobbs gun flows better, looks normal like all other Parkers.... What say we about this. SXS ohio

[Mills]

I understand the early 410s did not have the step and it was added later. Do some of our experts know why? It must have been function or safety related

[ED J, MORGAN]

Reduced weight

[Fishtail]

I wouldn't say it looks odd, necessarily. I think it's kinda interesting, unique, and it serves as a quick way for a person to spot a .410*

*I always love it when I read a novel wherein the tough guy's toughness is reinforced by his use of a .410 shotgun. Nothing makes a guy tougher than pulling out the .410 and stopping a Greyhound bus with it by shooting a hole in the engine block.

[Dean Romig]

The .410's with the exaggerated step look normal to me - probably because that style was some of the first Parker .410's I had ever seen.

Stay tuned for the featured Parker Bros. .410 in the Fall Issue of Parker Pages.