28 Gauge Repro

[Kevin McCormack]

The problem I found with the Repro 28s were 1) almost everyone I saw was a 26" gun with pistol grip and single trigger, and 2) they were invariably stocked WAY too high for me. Like most people after a Repro 28, I wanted a straight grip, double triggers, with 28" barrels NOT bored MOD and FULL, with approximate stock dimensions of 1 1/2" DAC, 2 1/4-1/2" DAH, around 14 1/2 LOP.

When a very nice Repro 28 came up with the usual combinations (single trigger, 26" barrel, 14 5/8 LOP, and Q1 & Q2 chokes (Q=quail), I jumped on it, figuring it would be my 'starter' Repro 28. I shoot a lot and especially a lot of 28 ga. for both clays and hunting (I had 2 other 28s when I bought the Repro.

My experiences with the gun were very enlightening. If I had to make a list of unpleasant surprises, they would be as follows: First and foremost, the gun in that configuration is WAY too light! It was nice to carry in the woods, but on clays and a few times on fast-flushing woodcock, it nearly flew out of my hands; Secondly, the very high (for me) stock dimensions had me shooting over nearly everything I shot at, much to my disgust. Lastly, the picturesque and dainty skeleton buttplate beat the living hell out of my shoulder during a round of 50 clays - its too narrow and not deep enough from toe to heel to distribute the recoil evenly across the pocket of muscle your shoulder makes when you mount the gun. And of course if you put a slip-on Galco-type pad to ease the pain, you increase the LOP and by definition the DAH, which plays hob with your shooting.

As the saying goes, "Reality Bites" - after trying to fit myself to the gun, I came to my senses and traded it away for a really nice CE Fox 12 ga. which fits me like a glove. If I ever do it again, I'm going to find a straight grip, DT, 28" bbl. Repro that has the weight and feel of their 20 ga. in that configuration with IC and MOD chokes. I've shot a few of those and the heavier ones have just about ideal handling qualities, especially for dove, pigeon, and longer shots at wild quail.

Ammo selection for the 28 is pretty much confined to 7 1/2, 8s, and 9s so far as practicality goes. For sporting clays I always shoot 7 1/2s and 8s which suit me fine. For railbird and woodcock, I go to RST's #10 spreader loads and wide open chokes, which is about like shooting sugar. At anything over 35 yards, the little guns like more choke than usual and will really surprise you in the performance category with good quality ammo.

I hope this helps - good luck and I hope you get a nice 28 Repro, but by all means if at all possible SHOOT ONE FIRST! They are out there!

[Bill Murphy]

I could use my 28 Repro for anything I cared to shoot. I wouldn't opt for the Q-1 Q-2 chokes or the modified and full for most game, but the improved cylinder and modified should be a good compromise for all purpose use. Normally, this combination is only available in 26". We don't normally look for ammo "on the shelf", but prepare for the future with a stash. Most of us who use the 28 on a regular basis load our own. 28s are ten bucks a box and more and a reloaded box of 28s usually sets us back about three dollars or a bit more.

[Joe Bernfeld]

I love 28 ga. guns! I have 4: a Beretta 687 EELL, a Garbi 101 with 2 sets of barrels, an Ithaca Classic Double, and of course a Parker Reproduction. Technically the Parker Repro. is no longer mine since my wife loved it so much, she appropriated it for herself.

28 ga guns work best at closer ranges (30-35 yards or less) and for smaller birds (quail, doves, Ruffed Grouse). For those reasons they don't need tight chokes. Mine range from Cyl/IC, to Mod/IM on the 30" Garbi barrels (great for longer shots at doves). The Parker Repro. my wife uses is Q1/Q2, which is a fine combination. They pattern great with 3/4 oz. of shot. If you want to use more shot, the proper gauge would be a 20.

28 ga ammo is not that hard to find, and you can order it by the case so you don't have to worry about not finding it. I use only # 7 1/2 or 8 shot. I prefer to reload since I can make high quality, low recoil loads that pattern very well, and save some money to boot. Also I always know I will have ammo available. My wife and I often shoot doves with 5/8 oz. reloads that have very little recoil and work fine if you don't try excessively long shots.

Depending on your size, the Parker Repro. might fit quite well. I find the comb to be the perfect height, but most of them were made with 14 1/4"-14 3/8" LOP; quite short by today's standards. There are Repros. out there with 14 3/4" LOP (I have a 12 ga. with that length). In fact I've seen more than 1 28 ga. with 14 3/4" LOP on Guns International. As for the weight, mine has a pistol grip and beavertail, which makes it weigh around 5 3/4 lbs. They are too light to comfortably shoot lots of clay pigeons with, but that's not why I shoot 28 ga. guns !