Lucky find

[Mattdowdall]

Yeah I figured it was redone. It fits well and shoulders well so I will likely just leave as is for now . But who knows maybe in the future it would be worth getting a proper stock. On that note would this beba 2.5" or 2.75" chamber ?

[Dean Romig]

Probably a 2 1/2 or 2 5/8 chambers. You can shoot 2 3/4 ammo in it without a problem. Keep in mind that a 20 ga. Parker is going to give you a bit of a wallop if you shoot heavy loads in it.

[Mattdowdall]

Yeah Ive shot heavy game loads in my CBC single and it'll wake you up lol.

[Mattdowdall]

Would you folks recommend a certain type of easily attainable shells ?

[Bob Brown]

Matt, I often use Winchester AA Low Recoil, Low Noise for my Parker 12 gauges. The Parker's lock up will handle heavy loads, but these are gentle on the wood. Only about 960 fps but plenty for most clays or grouse. Unfortunately in Canada we don't have the selection of shells for vintage guns they have in the U.S.

[Mattdowdall]

Thanks bob I will need to have a look and see if I can find those. I am curious if perhaps there is a buckshot load available that would be safe in this old beauty. Or perhaps I should be wary of a certain dram equivalent ?

[David Hamilton]

Beware game loads and buckshot in full and full barrels will definitely put a strain on the gun! I would stay away from such a load. David

[Bob Brown]

You should be able to find the Winchester AA LR,LN in any of the larger sports stores. In southern Alberta I expect that Wholesale Sports or Bass Pro Shop in Calgary would have them. I've had an on and off urge to rattle up and take a nice whitetail buck with a Parker for a few years. No luck so far, but I've found the Remington managed recoil slugs to be fairly gentle. Nothing exciting about the ballistics compared to the smoking slugs that are out there, but 1200 fps and a 1 oz slug will work for as far as I would try to shoot without sights. I had to try several of my Parkers before I found one that shot them relatively accurately with both barrels fairly well regulated. They're made to work with full chokes and your 4/4 weight 2 frame barrels are fairly stout. My only concern would be how well the stock head is inletted. It looks like a replacement and glass bedding it to the receiver might be a good idea.
I just re-read your post, Matt. For some reason I read slugs rather than buckshot. I don't know about buckshot loads, but if there are some that are low/managed recoil I expect they would be fine.

[Mattdowdall]

Thanks for all the input guys. Love the folks here very helpful. Just waiting for my membership to kick in lol then I'll have to order a letter on this old girl.

[B. Dudley]

Yes, buttstock is a replacement. Forend is original.
That buttstock could possibly be worked over some to make it more correct looking. But hard to tell for sure from the photos.

You stole the gun at $200. But then again, the Canadian dollar is worth More than ours is now.