My Conversation with Simmons

[Ed Blake]

While at the Southern I missed the opportunity to talk to the guys at Simmons regarding their Parker barrel replacement project. I got the basics from guys who did speak to them, and also from the earlier thread here, but wanted to talk to them myself so I called today. My interest is in two sets of #1 frame 20 gauge barrels in 30" and 32" that would compliment the 12 gauge barrels currently on the guns. One is a D2 hammergun, the other a DH, both #1 framed guns, of course. The guys at Simmons were very helpful. They explained (which I knew) that they needed an order of 5 barrels sets to make it worthwhile. What I didn't know was that as long as the frame size is the same, they can mix hammergun and hammerless barrels in the same order. No problem. They do mark the barrels with their stamp to distinguish their's from originals. Fair enough. they will also profile the new barrels to match the balance of the old ones. They say they can also make the gun shoot 50/50, or 60/40, or whatever you want. Even better. All this and fitted and blued for $2,800. I can't help but think about the Wind River debacle that the LC Smith boys went through a while back. Some guy promised what he couldn't deliver. In no way do I mean to disparage Simmons, it's just that I have not seen their product yet. They are presently working on an order of #O frame barrels. I can't wait to hear about the final product. This sounds almost too good to be true. Is it?