Winchester 21 or Parker DH?

[Byron Teates]

I truly enjoy my 16 gauge parker VH. It has its place as a great carry field gun that makes the miles of walking for pheasants pleasant. I also own a Model 21 trap gun bored full and full that is a very handsome gun, that is at home on the sporting clay course as well as Hunting when you don't have to carry it all day. They both have a time and place to be carried and used.

I have other SXS's that I also enjoy depending on the day and sport that I would rather shoot and not worry about screwing up a $5K-12K gun. Just another tool in the tool box.

Just My opinion...

Byron...

[Twombly setters]

how can I avoid seeing any more model 21s on this site?
or a dh parker come on!

[Mike Franzen]

I have wanted a gun like this since it was featured in the DGJ

[C.O.B.]

You would think that a two barrel set would be the epitome of versatility. My experience with them is that only one set of barrels is used 95% of the time. the Hollywood gun is a skeet/trap set and the trap barrels have never been on the gun in the 9 years I've had it. I have an AAHE up grade 28 with a second set of 28ga barrels from James Purdy that have been on the gun only a couple of times.

[Mills]

Rich is right about two barrel sets. The only thing the extra set is good for is enabling you to say you have a two barrel set

[Big D]

I have a M21 20 gauge skeet grade 2 bbl set 26" were used for grouse until I decided not to carry a $12K stumpknocker. The 30" bbls are great for preserve birds with my Lab

[Bob Hardison]

Gee thanks guys. I am considering the purchase of a 2 barrel set. Bob

[C.O.B.]

Originally Posted by Bob Hardison

Gee thanks guys. I am considering the purchase of a 2 barrel set. Bob

Bob buy two guns you'll get more use out of them.

Dig D I fell last year Grouse hunting with a CHE 20, one of only 8 with 26 inch Damascus bbls. I was bruised and banged up a little but thankfully the gun was unscathed.

[Setter Man]

A friend has a beautiful graded 20 g M21, two barrel set (28" & 30", I believe). English stock, traditional btfe. It's the ONLY M21 I have handled that didn't feel like a 2x4, it was more like a broomstick. Beautiful gun, but just didn't have the "soul" an old Parker has. M21's are about the only shotgun I don't have an affliction for.

[Snap Cap]

Mills, I couldn't disagree with you more about original two barrel sets. First they offer the owner an immediately available, fitted replacement set of barrels that are "correct" to that gun, should the first set become damaged or destroyed. How many otherwise nice Parker guns have you seen that have been relegated to wall hanger status or cannibalized for parts due to barrel damage, excessive pitting, etc? Each year there are fewer original configuration shootable Parker Brother guns existent, but each year there seems to be an increase in the number of available orphan receivers for sale. I wish that all Parker guns had originally been built with at least two sets of barrels. If we accept Rich's premise that 95% of the time the second set of barrels wouldn't have seen use, then a lot of these guns would still be in service.

Rich, I always like the idea of buying two guns better than just one. Imagine you could back to 1932 and order a new Parker VH gun. Lets say it is an 0 frame VH 28 with 28 inc barrels. Fast forward to today and if all goes well the gun is worth the appreciated value of one VH 28. If, however, you were to were to fall, let's say last year while grouse hunting and the barrels on the VH 28 were damaged beyond repair, you are left with essentially the value of some 0 frame VH 20 grade assorted extra parts, basically a win or loss situation. On the other hand, suppose you had ordered a second original barrel in the same configuration. Fast forward to today. If all went well you would have the value of a complete VH 28 plus you could sell that second 28 ga. barrel for enough to buy another nice VH 20 or two. If you still suffered that fall, you would still have the extra barrel that would allow you to retain the full value of a complete VH 28 plus an extra monoblock, a win win or win situation. My vote will always be for more original Parker guns with more original Parker barrels and more PGCA members.