Parkers with cut barrels! Why?

Eric Yee · 07-31-2010, 03:30 AM

Been looking at online dealers and noticed several Parkers being offered with "cut barrels" or "no chokes...probably been cut". In fact, there are lots of them!

Why in the world would anyone ruin a beautiful Parker by cutting down the barrels? In my opinion, what a waste!

Am I missing something here? I've just started researching / learning about these beautiful double guns - so if anyone can help me understand this, I'd appreciate it!

SXS OHIO · 07-31-2010, 06:49 AM

Good many may have been damaged at the muzzle...snow or mud in the tubes and would need cut back...others that have had one inch or so removed to reduce choke effect. Im sure there are other reasons as well? thanks Kenny SXS ohio....(-:

Brush Buster · 07-31-2010, 07:20 AM

Eric , from your post ,I am assuming up to now you haven't owned a Parker shotgun ,since you are studying this site ,I am also assuming some day you probably will ! Once you do ,if your first Parker is choked full and full ,you will soon realize the full chokes are very tight ,and shoot a very tight pattern ,I believe years ago the older hunter that could afford a Parker ,ordered the chokes they wanted and were probably somewhat accomplished shooters ,as Parkers were never an inexpensive shotgun ,but as these old guns got handed down folks were buying them up and had problems hitting what they were shooting at ,the old fashion way was to cut the tight choke out of the barrels by shortening them down to where the pattern opened up and made hitting their game easier ! Fortunatly today people realize the value of these old guns and I believe with the invention of " Spreader Loads" and better ammo choices ,the practice has mostly been put by the way side ! Just an opinion ,but I believe that is the biggest reason for so many cut off barrels ! If you are considering buying a Parker Shotgun ,stick around this site and enjoy ,there is a lot to be learned here from the members of this forum ! Russ

Roundsworth · 07-31-2010, 11:23 AM

It is not uncommon amongst the Cowboy Action Shooters to cut barrels off.

tom tutwiler · 08-01-2010, 07:57 AM

Went to a auction about 2 years ago in the coastal area of Virginia. Had probably 7 doubles there. One Parker DH 20 gauge is what made me come, although there were several Fox doubles there. I was the only one in the crowd who came armed with a Skeet's gauge. I was the only one in the crowd who determined every gun there had cut barrels (except a Fox A grade 12 gauge). The fellow who had previously owned all of these guns was avid quail hunter with a good set of pointing dogs and had 6 of the 7 guns sawed off to remove choke. PS. I didn't even stay for the auction after determining that all the barrels had been cut although I should have stayed just to bid on the uncut Fox. In addition the 20 gauge DH had been restored as well. I also believe there was another member of the PGCA there from Va. Beach.

Researcher · 08-01-2010, 12:53 PM

I lay the blame at Lewiston, Idaho. We had 30 + years of Jack O'Connor being the Shooting Editor of Outdoor Life, extolling his perceived virtues of his 26-inch barrel upland doubles.

Rod N. Gunn · 08-01-2010, 08:53 PM

If a gun is owned by 10 or 12 people there is a decent chance that somewhere along the way someone will want to make "improvements." They might cut the barrels, cut the stock, blue the receiver, add a white line pad, hog out the chambers, sand down the stock, etc, etc. A huge percentage of vintage guns have been "upgraded." The temptation to tinker can be strong and I am not immune... fight the urge.