Gun Evaluation Checklist (for beginners like me)

[Chris Pope]

I am still a rookie Parker fan and am about to purchase my 3rd Parker. I have always found checklists useful but understand many do not. Even with a checklist there are certain things that I don’t know what I’m looking at, in which case, I have been extremely fortunate to get some great advice from members here. So thank you PGCA for that!

Below is the draft checklist for beginners like me. I searched some previous threads (2014 and 2016) for help putting this together. I would welcome thoughts, edits, corrections and improvements. The intent is simply to have a guide for new folks to get started when looking over a possible Parker purchase. Thanks.

1. Does the gun fit?
2. Verify visible serial numbers
3. Look-up Serial Numbers- match subject shotgun?
4. Order factory letter from PGCA
5. Condition of screws
6. Butt Plate original? Fit?
7. Proper barrel finish/condition, dents, pits
8. Bore condition
9. Muzzle- keels, barrels cut?
10. Ribs, rib joints- loose? ring barrels (consider B.Dudley “oil in the crack of the rib test”)
11. Proper wood and wood finish
12. Checkering- mullered borders
13. Any cracks/chips/wood repairs
14. Butt plate original
15. Cap original
16. Metal finish and engraving
17. Top Lever operation and position
18. Lock up tight and on-face, with/without forend
19. Ejectors operate
20. Forend tight, latch operates
21. Trigger pull/Firing pins operate/trigger guard
22. Safety operates
23. Barrel wall thickness
24. Measure chambers
25. Chokes