Barrel Work by Mike Orlen today

[BRDHNTR]

This morning I drove out to Amherst, Mass and met with Mike Orlen at his house. The plan was to open the chokes on a 12 ga VHE from Mod and Full to Improved and Mod. Mike was kind enough to allow me to watch him at work which I found very interesting. Anyway, in about ten minutes he had everything done. Now I have my 'upland' gun.

Just want to share with my PGCA colleagues that MIke is a real professional when it comes to this type of barrel work and a great guy on top of that. I'd highly recommend him.

[Dean Romig]

I too have visited Mike for some choke work. He is a very accommodating guy and I am very satisfied with his work.





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[Bill Murphy]

I have an AHE 32" trap gun that has full and full chokes. I would like to shoot our local five stand where very soft and close targets are thrown. Would Mike Orlen be the person to approach about my choke modifications to cylinder and skeet?

[Wild Skies]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

I have an AHE 32" trap gun that has full and full chokes. I would like to shoot our local five stand where very soft and close targets are thrown. Would Mike Orlen be the person to approach about my choke modifications to cylinder and skeet?

Although Mike is very reasonably priced with an expedient turnaround, I recommend you save both time and money by simply putting your AHE's barrels in a vise and whack them off about 3.5" with a hacksaw. This should result in the chokes coming in just about perfect for your needs, the gun might end up being a little more dynamic and a little lighter to boot.

[C.O.B.]

Originally Posted by Greg Baehman

Although Mike is very reasonably priced with an expedient turnaround, I recommend you save both time and money by simply putting your AHE's barrels in a vise and whack them off about 3.5" with a hacksaw. This should result in the chokes coming in just about perfect for your needs, the gun might end up being a little more dynamic and a little lighter to boot.

I wouldn't open the chokes on that gun for anything. Shoot spreaders or just make smoke which is better yet.

[Double Play]

Too late, Greg beat me to it.

[Buddy Marson]

The Parker barrel maker that worked on those barrels will roll over in his grave if you screw with those chokes. If you're on the bird it will break. If it doesn't, practice, practice, practice!!!

[Double Lab]

Originally Posted by Buddy Marson

The Parker barrel maker that worked on those barrels will roll over in his grave if you screw with those chokes. If you're on the bird it will break. If it doesn't, practice, practice, practice!!!

Just remember- choke is measured in inches, misses are measured in feet.

[Wild Skies]

Originally Posted by Buddy Marson

The Parker barrel maker that worked on those barrels will roll over in his grave if you screw with those chokes. If you're on the bird it will break. If it doesn't, practice, practice, practice!!!

Are you limiting your opinion to just screwing with the chokes?

How about other alterations from original such as refinishing or honing of fluid or composite barrels, adding a pad, stock bending, adding finish or complete refinishing the stock, restocking, re-cutting the checkering, etc. on any Parker gun whether it's been messed with previously or not?

If you feel the same about other alterations there might be enough seismic activity to measure on the Richter Scale from all the grave rolling going on in the Meriden cemetery, not to mention the upheaval coming out of the gunsmithing community.

[Buddy Marson]

Wild Skies, if you read my post , chokes being altered is the only thing I mentioned. Your comments are not pertinent to my post and certainly not appreciated. If you want to stir the pot start your own post.
Buddy Marson