Help on Hammer Parker

[Jim Kucaba]

Originally Posted by Jerry Andrews

It's the first one of these under lifters I've handled that has not been really lose on the hinge pin. I'm kinda intrigued by the gun! Wonder if it would be safe with black powder loads? Jake

Jerry ... You'd be smart to have a gunsmith who knows Parkers and early barrels examine the gun before shooting it ... If the smith says the barrels are sound, you can shoot LOW PRESSURE nitro shells from Polywad or RST in the gun and you won't have to deal with the messy cleanup after shooting black powder ... Most PGCA members shoot one of those shell brands in their hammer guns.

Jim Kucaba ... AriZOOna Cactus Patch ... Email: JimKucaba@aol.com

[Jerry Andrews]

I always thought anything but blackpowder in a non fluid steel gun was a no-no. Or do you mean a blackpowder substitute? Thanks, Jake

[DDowner]

Jerry, many of us shoot low pressure nitro loads in our composite steel barrels. I have a 1886 O grade top lever hammer gun that I shoot hundreds of 7/8 oz. loads. You should read the Sherman Bell articles in the Double Gun Journal. Unsafe guns where tested with proof loads and lots of myths where addressed. If interested I'll get you the journal numbers, there good reading.
The gun to the left is a 1890 NH 10 ga. with Twist barrels that I hand load Bismuth and Nice Shot in the 2 7/8" ten, great fun.