I don't want to be an alarmist, but....

[Dean Romig]

The dealer drop-off at gun shows, I have been told by dealers themselves, is because so many of them do much better selling guns from their Internet sites. That's without having to pack loads of guns and related equipment halfway across the country. It's a matter of simple economics.





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[John Truitt]

Changes in social ideas/ interest, and economics are two big factors. Gun enthusiast are a small group of our population and side by side folks are an even smaller percentage of that population. That group is aging and we are unfortuntately loosing more than we are growing. I do believe we had a big bubble that started back in the 1990's and was carried into about 2006/ 2007. Events like the Vintage Cup and Southern Side by Side and other side by side shoots were born and created a venue for us to do our thing. Even more influential was the birth of collectors associations, ie: PGCA, that have been our base/ home of operations and center for information/ etc. Yes the internet has made the sell and purchasing of guns more readily available and conventient.
All of these things play a role in how it is all going/ will go/ etc. IMO the base upon which it all matters is in exposing people to the guns. We as Parker enthusiasts are not only entrusted with the guns but also a responsibility to "pass along the torch" to our neighbors, younger generations, sons/ daughters/ wives (girl friends), etc. Opportunities exist. It is in how we perceive these opportunities that will determine the direction of our path. I believe, and maybe I am wrong ( I know I am wrong more than I am right), but I believe we hold the future of gun collecting in our own hands. I am certain it will not be conducted in the same manner as it has been in the past. Times they are a changing and we must be willing to adapt and adjust our course so we do not become extinct.
The prices for guns/ collectibles will vary as things go their cycle. People must see the object as valueable for it to hold any worth and be of any importance.

[Bill Murphy]

New blood in double gun use and collecting can start at your gun club. Kevin McCormack and I were raised from childhood in the same gun clubs. When we were kids, we were the only ones shooting double guns. Early on, Kevin and I only owned one Parker apiece. As time went on, we educated our fellow club members in the world of double guns, and now our shooting companions own hundreds of double guns and Kevin and I have been through hundreds of double guns ourselves. These people were not dragged, kicking and screaming into this world, they just watched and saw how much fun were were having.

[Eric Johanen]

I find that the decline in prices and those purchasing them is mostly due to the loss of economic gains for the middle class in the last 10 years and the lack of young people in the shooting sports. While there are young people shooting and more women on the clays course, It is not enough to maintain the market. There is growing participation for special side by side events, it is still a small niche. Develop a plan to draft a young family member or a friend with younger children or grand children into the shooting sports in general and side by side shotguns in particular is a slow process but the only one that holds out hope for the future. I have a friend or two that are shooting fine American and English guns and they in turn have interested their sons. They are selectively buying and all are shooting them both on the course an in the field. I have been lucky in that my nephew, who is in law enforcement is a shooter and has taken up the side by side habit several years ago due to my encouragement. I started him out shooting my best guns and he has developed a keen interest. In his early 30's and raising a family he is not an active buyer at this time. (he has an uncle that is doing that). He has access to my guns and has an appreciation for them. He will be attending his first 4 day side by side event with me this year and is really looking forward to it. He shoots them all very well and I do have to work to beat him for scores (to have young eyes and reflexes again). He knows what they are and their values and when my time comes, they will be passed to him. He in turn will pass them on to his son. I rest easy knowing that I will not have to sell any and they will end up being used and well taken care of.