Parker Repo SS 12ga

Paul Bramble · 03-09-2026, 01:09 PM

I was the winner at the G&D auction for the above gun (lot 6). My interest was purely the ability to shoot steel through the gun, something I will most likely never do, but I like having that option. However, in reading a few threads today, I came across an interview posted from this forum that stated all Parker Repos could handle steel loads

https://parkerguns.org/forums/album....pictureid=1064

The quote is in the middle of the second column, in the third paragraph.

My question is, what made the SS models special? Why did they give these guns that designation if all of the Repos could handle steel (albeit, with the caveat that chokes tighter than mod should not shoot steel)? Is it the 3" Chamber?

Thanks for any input!

edgarspencer · 03-09-2026, 01:18 PM

Greg Baehman can best answer this, but IF I recall, the steel shot guns were chrome lined in Mod only. All repro barrels were chrome moly steel.

Reggie B · 03-09-2026, 01:20 PM

I am not the person to answer a question about a the 12 gauge steel shot guns but I think they were all 28" guns with IC/M chokes. The more open chokes for shooting steel shot. I don't think you would want to shoot steel in tighter restricted barrels. Others will most likely know more about this subject matter.

Bill Murphy · 03-09-2026, 01:41 PM

The standard 12 gauge 28" guns were bored modified and full. The improved cylinder and modified chokes were considered more steel shot friendly.

Dean Romig · 03-09-2026, 02:48 PM

A marketing idea, just as Q1 & Q2 were also marketing ideas.

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John Allen · 03-09-2026, 10:18 PM

As Reggie said, the steel shot specials were 28" IC/Mod guns with 3" chambers. The SS marked guns were ordered by me when I worked for Paul Jaeger division of Dunn's in Grand Junction,Tn. We had them marked with the SS prefix in order to differentiate them from standard repros. We ordered 350 of them through the program. The factory actually shipped 360 to Jaegers. I have the prototype steel shot special serial number 26. It is not marked SS because it came off of the production line before the SS was added. It is the first 12 gauge to come off of the line. I have a letter from Jack Skeuse verifying it as the first 12.

Wild Skies · 03-10-2026, 06:20 PM

It was reported in The Parker Story that Parker Reproduction Steel Shot Specials were ordered (beside the standard DHE 12ga. w/28" bbls., 3" chambers and choked IC/M) to have .740 bores, choked .006/.018, have strengthened frames and be stamped "SS" on the water table.

But, the above is not what has been reported here on the website. Differences noted by owners of these guns is that SSSs will typically have .735 bores (not .740), be choked .006/.011 (not .018), be stamped "SS" as part of the serial number and have chrome lining thru the choke area (non-SS stamped guns will have chrome lined bores, but no chrome lining thru the choke area. No one has reported any strengthening of the frames. One other difference of note is that SS stamped guns is a longer choke geometry: chokes of SSS stamped guns will begin ~2 9/16" behind the muzzle and taper to ~3/8" where they will flatten out to the muzzle. The non-SS marked guns the choke area starts just <2" behind the muzzle and taper out to the muzzle.