Parker Frame weight

[Bruce Day]

There are no records denominating guns made with the various frame sizes.

TPS lists the frame sizes available for each gauge. Yes, there are 12ga's in 1, 1 1/2, 2 and some in 3 frame size.

The weight variance between frame sizes is slight, a matter of a few ounces. What makes a big difference is the barrels to fit them. And then the barrels can be contoured so that it is again only a matter of a few ounces. For example, there are 1 frame 30" guns that weight 8lbs, others at 7. There are 2 frame 12 30's at 7 1/2, others at over 8.

If you are looking for a Parker, my recommendation is to look at each gun individually. As a general rule, the smaller the frame size, the lighter the gun, but at the result of having lighter/thinner barrels. There are some very nice 2 frame guns that weigh more or less 7 1/2 lbs, which makes them ideal for target shooting and shooting heavier hunting loads. If you are interested in guns of a certain weight, then look for the weight rather than frame size. When these guns were being made, buyers ordered by total gun weight and Parker selected frame size accordingly. I am not aware of any Parker order in which the buyer specified a frame size, but my knowledge of those records is limited by what I have seen or been told.

I see Dave Noreen responded at the same time as I did. I think we are in agreement. To me, the more important question is "what do you want to do with the gun, what shooting activities do you want it for?".

[Fritz Dornan]

Dave, Bruce
Thank you for your informed reply. Dave the photo you posted has to be one of the heaviest walled 12 ga. guns I have ever seen ,and in beautiful condition I would add. If I am understanding correctly, it appears that not only the barrel weight attached to a particular frame makes a difference in the feel of the gun but more importantly HOW the barrels are constructed, wall thickness, when they swamp and length of the barrels themselves that make the biggest difference…. We all have picked up shotguns of equal weight and one will feel “dead” and the other will feel very dynamic and alive at hand. All of the different ways and combinations that Parker utilized when making their guns explains why they can all feel a little different when handled. Your explanations have opened up a whole new area of thought and confusion. Thank you….I think

Fritz