Barrel Work by Mike Orlen today

[Bill Murphy]

Dewey Vicknair, Dan Rossiter and Larry Del Grego and Son are the only active gunsmiths who have worked on my Parkers. Dan Rossiter built my Becker themed Parker pigeon gun. Keith Kearcher did some heroic repairs to the two sets of barrels of a DH pigeon gun, but I have never had any choke work done in sixty years of Parker shooting and collecting.

[Dean Romig]

Thanks Bill, is Dewey currently in business?





.

[Jim DiSpagno]

Dean, according to his website, yes. He is in Lititz Pa.

[Mike Poindexter]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

Mike went through a period of "nothing out, no explanation or contact". The bad part was no explanation was given. Maybe he has something to say about that dark period by now. He seems to be back in business, for now.

For what its worth, about 12 years ago I sent Mike (after talking to him on the phone) a pair of 16ga VHE barrels to reblue, relay short rib, lengthen cones, and open chokes to Q1 and IC. He went "dark" and it took 8 months to get the barrels back, even with half a dozen phone messages and e-mails. While the chokes and cones were done perfectly, the rib relay, while serviceable, was not done as well as I expected (gaps in the solder), and the blue was done well, but he didn't polish off the sides and bottoms of the lugs. It seemed to me the job had been "hurried" to get it out, even with the 8 month delay.

That said, it seems as if Mike is back in the groove and doing excellent, timely work, based on what others are saying, and I hold no grudges for the problems I had long ago. We all go through tough times and I would try him again. But not with an AH.

[Mike of the Mountain]

Originally Posted by Buddy Marson

The Parker barrel maker that worked on those barrels will roll over in his grave if you screw with those chokes. If you're on the bird it will break. If it doesn't, practice, practice, practice!!!

Buddy, just remember that way back then the only way one could kill a bird was with a full or extra-full choke!! We have since proved that you can efficiently kill birds with open chokes too. I do 100% agree though that if you are on the target you will break it. Core patterns are basically equal, it's those fringes that some guys care about. Me, I prefer a LM over anything but I'll shoot what's in the gun and still break 'em!! It is what it is.

[C.O.B.]

Originally Posted by Greg Baehman

Although Mike is very reasonably priced with an expedient turnaround, I recommend you save both time and money by simply putting your AHE's barrels in a vise and whack them off about 3.5" with a hacksaw. This should result in the chokes coming in just about perfect for your needs, the gun might end up being a little more dynamic and a little lighter to boot.

I wouldn't open the chokes on that gun for anything. Shoot spreaders or just make smoke which is better yet.

[C.O.B.]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

I think we should also get a clarification from Mike as to whether or not he works on composite barrels.





.

Mike did some choke work for me on a set of Damascus barrels. The chokes came out perfect.