First Parker Purchase and now I'm scared I messed up

[J.B. Books]

I find it difficult to know how to respond. I am sure you know advice regarding such things is valuable prior to a purchase and not so much after. Sadly, in my opinion your fears of having overpaid are correct. Buying and collecting Parker's often has a tuition cost to becoming educated, you are not alone.

That said, the recoil pad is not original, the checkering is not original and the stock was either modified or is not original as the shape of the pistol grip looks a little funny to me.

In the first picture the lever looks to be quite left of center and the line around the dolls head extension, where the barrels meet the receiver looks like it could be an uneven fit. When the gun is closed are the barrels tight to the frame or do they wiggle? Can you see light between the barrels and the receiver when held up to a light bulb? If the barrels are loose, it's called "off-face" and it is a fairly expensive repair.

Good luck to you going forward.

[Gunner]

Stephanie,
The bottom of the bbls under your fingers looks like an OV to me in the photo. Sometimes they are not stamped evenly or as deeply in a consistent manner. I am at a loss to explain the "R" at the moment maybe someone else will chime in on that.
Erick

[gary cutler]

Originally Posted by Pete Lester

I find it difficult to know how to respond. I am sure you know advice regarding such things is valuable prior to a purchase and not so much after. Sadly, in my opinion your fears of having overpaid are correct. Buying and collecting Parker's often has a tuition cost to becoming educated, you are not alone.

That said, the recoil pad is not original, the checkering is not original and the stock was either modified or is not original as the shape of the pistol grip looks a little funny to me.

In the first picture the lever looks to be quite left of center and the line around the dolls head extension, where the barrels meet the receiver looks like it could be an uneven fit. When the gun is closed are the barrels tight to the frame or do they wiggle? Can you see light between the barrels and the receiver when held up to a light bulb? If the barrels are loose, it's called "off-face" and it is a fairly expensive repair.

Good luck to you going forward.

Pete,
I have a VH 12 ga. with cut barrels to 25", cyl & cyl, which has a paper thin space in the action which shows against a light. Can I use a light target load such as Winchester AA, low noise, low recoil, 2 3/4", 6,200 psi, without any concern? The action is otherwise tight.
Thanks, Gary


Gary

[Chris T.]

Hey Stephanie, You'll find we have all paid too much for a gun, car motorcycle etc. at some point. All you can do is learn from the experience, at this point the cost is irrelevant. Don't let the price ruin the moment, give it to granddad, I guarantee it'll be his favorite gun. It won't hurt for long!!