Barrel Work by Mike Orlen today

[BRDHNTR]

I don't see this any different than if Parker Bros were still in business and after ordering the gun with mod and full chokes, the customer decided to send it back to Parker and have them open up the chokes. Parker Bros would be only too pleased to satisfy this customer. It's now much more suitable for upland hunting. Parker Bros would be pleased I'm sure with the restocking of this VHE done by Brad Bachelder and the georgous wood from Cecil Fredis shop. The original owner had the stock cut way down for his wife. This VHE was not in all original condition when it came from the family that inherited it. If it came to me in all original condition, I most probably would have sold it long before now and/or traded it for something more suitable.

[Wild Skies]

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!!!

Are you limiting your opinion to just screwing with the chokes?

How about other alterations from original such as refinishing or honing of fluid or composite barrels, adding a pad, stock bending, adding finish or complete refinishing the stock, restocking, re-cutting the checkering, etc. on any Parker gun whether it's been messed with previously or not?

If you feel the same about other alterations there might be enough seismic activity to measure on the Richter Scale from all the grave rolling going on in the Meriden cemetery, not to mention the upheaval coming out of the gunsmithing community.

[Buddy Marson]

Wild Skies, if you read my post , chokes being altered is the only thing I mentioned. Your comments are not pertinent to my post and certainly not appreciated. If you want to stir the pot start your own post.
Buddy Marson

[Wild Skies]

Mr. Marson,
It would appear your post regarding screwing with the chokes "stirred the pot" initially and I only responded to it. I meant no harm, in fact, I personally have evolved in my philosophy of altering guns from original to one of 'doing no harm'.

If you feel my post was not pertinent to your post, I apologize.

Regards,
Greg Baehman

[BRDHNTR]

If I thought that we'd get all choked up over this subject, I wouldn't have written this post. Seriously though, my view is that if the gun is all original, leave it alone but if it's already been altered or changed then make it suite your purpose if that's your desire.

[William Davis]

My guess is a gun returned to Parker for choke work would be reamed honed and tested for pattern. Most New Parker’s were ordered with specific pellet count and distance requirements, I would think a gun returned the same.

Most, not all, gunsmith today open to a specified measurement, not testing the gun for pattern or point of impact. If a Parker, its done in a barrel that was bent to regulate not machine made all alike like modern barrels. Not a simple job to set up. A lathe cuts fast takes a lot of time and experience to set up the work. Further from true harder the set up.

Best way to tell how the work will be done is the cost. Low cost means quick machine work with no testing. Pay a lot you should get good work.

William

[Mike of the Mountain]

I sent my BSS 12g to Mike about 3-4 years ago to open those full/x-full chokes to LM/LM. Had the gun back in maybe a week and he did a great job for a very fair price.

[BRDHNTR]

I shot this VHE on skeet today and my scores went up dramatically. Quite satisfied with Mike's work.

[Bill Murphy]

Not a comment for the other posters, but tales of ruined barrels by gun butchers are rampant. If you have gotten good work from the gun butchers, congratulations.

[Dean Romig]

Bill, have you had barrel work done on any of your Parkers? Any work of any kind on any of your Parkers?
Do you have a preferred gunsmith whose name you'd like to add or share?





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