Preferred Parker Reproduction Options

[Gary Laudermilch]

What I like about this forum is that there is a wide variety of likes and dislikes. It is interesting to hear a variety of opinions. When I saw this thread I thought, oh boy this is tailor made for the light gun guys.

Well, I'm not of that persuasion and I'm an old duffer grouse hunter. I've been down the light gun road more times than I care to remember. Tom says that 6-12 is too heavy for a 20 but to me that is the ideal weight for a 20 gauge grouse gun. My 26" repro weighs 6-12 and is, in my opinion, the finest grouse gun I have ever used. Precisely why I prefer repros to original 20's - they weigh what a 20 should weigh. Just my opinion of course!

[tom tutwiler]

Originally Posted by Gary Laudermilch

What I like about this forum is that there is a wide variety of likes and dislikes. It is interesting to hear a variety of opinions. When I saw this thread I thought, oh boy this is tailor made for the light gun guys.

Well, I'm not of that persuasion and I'm an old duffer grouse hunter. I've been down the light gun road more times than I care to remember. Tom says that 6-12 is too heavy for a 20 but to me that is the ideal weight for a 20 gauge grouse gun. My 26" repro weighs 6-12 and is, in my opinion, the finest grouse gun I have ever used. Precisely why I prefer repros to original 20's - they weigh what a 20 should weigh. Just my opinion of course!

IMO that's the ideal weight of a 16 gauge grouse gun, not a 20. I describe my grouse hunting in the local mountains as Chukar hunting with tree's. Hard to carry a 6 lb 12 ounce gun in one hand while you are using the other hand to either push limbs out of the way, or to put on the ground as you are sliding down a pile of shale down the mountain trying not to die.

[MD*GSP]

Originally Posted by tom tutwiler

sliding down a pile of shale down the mountain trying not to die.

Okay, I'm convinced..gotta' start taking trips north and get into some Grouse next season

[Rex Northen]

Seems like there's something of a consensus, from a very small sample size, on a couple of few items:

28 Gauge is most preferred
Double triggers preferred
Beavertail preferred
Straight grip preferred
Bad wood is a non-starter

That's pretty much what I expected - thanks!

I probably won't get around to any statistical analysis on it, but the delta in pricing from a PG, splinter, single trigger 20 gauge to a straight grip, BT, double trigger 28 gauge is 70-100%.

Total 20 gauge production was over 6000 while 28 gauge was around 4200, but I'm guessing that only a small percentage of the 4200 were straight grip, BT, double trigger; while a large percentage of the 20 gauge was PG, splinter, single trigger... Supply and demand.

[Rex Northen]

Was typing when Gary responded, but an entirely different opinion.

I decided to shoot my 28 gauge on sporting clays yesterday, and the small contact area, combined with 100 rounds in a couple of hours definitely left a mark!

[Dean Romig]

Well, Tom left a few things out... Like the blackberry vines that will shred your skin, the grapevines that will 'clothesline' you, the old deserted beaver bogs that will swallow you whole, the webs of little dead branches in the black spruce thickets that try to poke your eyes out and fall down inside the back of your shirt, the surprise snow squalls that create 'white-out' conditions... the list goes on and on - so a short, light gun is the right gun for grouse hunting.





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[Bill Murphy]

I don't remember ever thinking I was going to die, while pheasant hunting. On the other hand, I have vivid memories of thinking I was going to die while grouse hunting, and wondering whether I would ever be found by my companions. I would still rather be "out there" than anywhere else.

[Gary Laudermilch]

Believe me I have hunted it all. By far the worst cover to be in is a huge multiflora rose patch. You have not grouse hunted real tough cover until you try a rose thicket. The only thing that comes close is the greenbrier of West Virginia. Steep sidehill? Why do you think my one leg is shorter than the other.

I can one hand my repro 20 easily but then it has a pistol grip, not a straight grip. Another difference of opinion. I guess it depends on whether you want to worry about carrying a gun or shooting it often enough to shoot well with it. I'll take the latter.

[Gary Laudermilch]

For those of you that are not fully aware of ruffed grouse biology, here is a little known but often demonstrated fact. When a grouse flushes their eyes become disconnected so that one eye looks forward and the other looks backward. The rear focused eye is what enables them to put the only tree or bush on the landscape between you and them.

I certainly hope you know I'm joking but if you have hunted them I am sure you have had similar thoughts.

[MD*GSP]

I am always struck by the kindness amongst folks that love good double guns and good bird dogs, what a kind gesture Rich.

Leaves are not even on the trees yet and somehow the colors of fall beckon.

Signs of Spring sure beats a stick in the eye though