Rib Width Question

[Bruce Day]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

Two or three years ago we had quite a discussion here on this very topic. There were a good number of pictures posted by discussion participants and a lot of discussion ensued though I don't think we arrived at anything conclusive.

I'm sure someone could dredge up those old threads and link them right here.

Dean, I searched and did not find a thread on this topic. We did however, have a significant discussion with photos on rib matting terminations. Perhaps that was what you recalled?

I'm not sure others had noticed that there are differences.

Bill, no letter that I know of mentions it and I have letters on guns with the narrow ribs that could. But, I have not asked Mark if he has seen any mention of it. The rib issue is the sort of matter that I believe individual shooters could have a preference, I know that on a longer barrel for long deliberate shots, I prefer the narrow rib. Others prefer the raised ventilated rib for the same targets.

Others have raised that it is a weight and balance issue. I'm not sure that it is, because I can point to substantially equal guns with equal length barrels, and some will have the narrow rib, others the wider.

But there is a lot about Parkers I don't know, and this is another.

[Bill Murphy]

Order #143,202, an Abercrombie and Fitch order that should be framed and displayed, includes several guns specifying "narrow rib". Sure enough, some of those guns are light. A friend owns a 28" 12 gauge AAHE from that order that is one of the "narrow rib" guns and was specified to weigh 6 1/2 pounds. I have owned guns with tapered ribs that are narrow on the front end. I would have to look at my friend's AAHE again to determine whether it is narrow from end to end or tapered to a narrow front end.

[John Truitt]

Yes Sir Mr. Swanson. I had planned to include a picture of that one.

Guys give me until this weekend. I have alot burning at both ends right now. I will include pictures of ribs, their width, barrel length, and unstruck barrel weights.
I can provide this for 30", 32", and 34" guns. Some are lighter weight guns some are heavy.
Any other info that would be helpful?

John