Why do SXS barrel bore diamiters vary?

[Jawjadawg]

I was thinking balance might be used as an indicator. The VH 1-frame 12ga I have beside me right now balances perfectly with one finger directly under the hinge. I am below a neophyte in terms of Parker experience, but I would think the balance point would be moved back toward the stock if one or more barrels had been back bored. A variance in bore diameter AND a rearward balance point might lend itself to further suspicion. ???

[Big Friend Ten (BFT)]

Originally Posted by will evans

I would think the balance point would be moved back toward the stock if one or more barrels had been back bored.

Will,
Removal of a few thousands from the bores will lighten a gun by a surprizing small amount. Chances are that the balance would not noticably change.
Mark

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Mark Ouellette

Chances are that the balance would not noticably change.
Mark

And if Parker Bros bored a barrel oversize or back bored it and the gun no longer balanced and felt as it should, I'm pretty sure they would have invisibly remedied the situation. Of course we can't say as much for an aftermarket back boring job by someone other than the factory.

[Bill Murphy]

When gun shopping, I would rather be equipped with a bore micrometer than a scale. A smallbore Parker with .010 variation in bore diameter from left to right has been screwed with, end of story.

[David Noble]

Originally Posted by will evans

The VH 1-frame 12ga I have beside me right now balances perfectly with one finger directly under the hinge. I am below a neophyte in terms of Parker experience, but I would think the balance point would be moved back toward the stock if one or more barrels had been back bored. ???

Will, not all Parkers balance perfectly at the hinge.
Of the Parkers I keep in my office, here is what I found.

All are original configuration.

Trojan 16ga 28" "1" frame ............ 1/4" behind hinge (towards trigger guard)

VHE 20ga 2 barrel "0" frame, 26" bbls ..... 3/4" behind hinge
-------------------------- 30" bbls .... at hinge pin

VH 410 26" "000" frame .................. 1 1/8" behind hinge

GH 16ga 26" "0" frame ................. 3/4" behind hinge

GHE 16ga 28" "1" frame ................. 1/2" behind hinge

DHE 20ga 28" "0" frame .................. 5/8" behind hinge

Five of my hammer guns are barrel heavy and balance ahead
of the hinge. (towards muzzle) One has 1" shortened barrels and one has a recoil pad.

[Jawjadawg]

Originally Posted by David Noble

Will, not all Parkers balance perfectly at the hinge.
Of the Parkers I keep in my office, here is what I found.

All are original configuration.

Trojan 16ga 28" "1" frame ............ 1/4" behind hinge (towards trigger guard)

VHE 20ga 2 barrel "0" frame, 26" bbls ..... 3/4" behind hinge
-------------------------- 30" bbls .... at hinge pin

VH 410 26" "000" frame .................. 1 1/8" behind hinge

GH 16ga 26" "0" frame ................. 3/4" behind hinge

GHE 16ga 28" "1" frame ................. 1/2" behind hinge

DHE 20ga 28" "0" frame .................. 5/8" behind hinge

Five of my hammer guns are barrel heavy and balance ahead
of the hinge. (towards muzzle) One has 1" shortened barrels and one has a recoil pad.

Hmmm...Sounds like you must have a bunch of back bored barrels, David.
Where did I read that most are balanced on the hinge? Wherever, it was obviously wrong. Thanks for correcting me, as I might have thought being well off from the hinge would indicate an increased likelihood of something amiss. Sounds like a pretty nice assortment you've got there, too.