Winchester 21 or Parker DH?

[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.

[Opening Day]

Or another answer for the question about two barrel sets are they worthwhile or not is my AHE two barrel set one set of barrels is 20 ga and the other is 28 ga. Now that kind of combination really makes sense.

[C.O.B.]

Originally Posted by Eric Eis

Or another answer for the question about two barrel sets are they worthwhile or not is my AHE two barrel set one set of barrels is 20 ga and the other is 28 ga. Now that kind of combination really makes sense.

If it makes so much sense how come you never shoot it
I have taken a bad fall in the Grouse woods only once thankfully and it was with a very nice CHE 20. The premise that one set of barrels might become damaged doesn't justify the need for a second set. If you damaged one so badly that you needed to use the second set you could just go to the second gun instead.

[Fishtail]

I tend to agree that a 2 barrel set is not that great. It's really like owning 1-1/2 guns. Every time I look at the second set of barrels I think "Man, if only I had a receiver and stock I'd have two guns!"

As for the 'damaged barrels' concept, it's not a bad thought but are we really seeing Parkers with damaged barrels that much anyore? I'd rather have a spare buttstock.

[Alfred Greeson]

I never stop learning from you guys. But, I almost had to laugh, you started out comparing a model 21 to a Parker and all of a sudden it took a sharp turn and we are on to a discussion about 2 barrel Parkers, also very informative and interesting. I had to cringe at the thought of falling with a C grade 20 gauge and somewhere along the line we forgot all about the model 21's. If you love Parkers, you just love Parkers, no use wasting time on anything else. I have a VHE 16 on an 0 frame that I love which makes me look like a great shot, but it is the gun! It may not be an AHE but I wouldn't trade it for any model 21. Thanks for all the great info. , you guys are great.

[SXS OHIO]

No surprise here....Parker men prefer Parkers! I am a upland hunter. I like light guns that swing natural and are a tad wispy. Weight coupled with balance must be just right. Not all parkers have this quality but a fair number in all gauges do. This is the quality that the English best gun is known for. I have a couple Parkers that have this quality......GHE-20 28" at 5lbs-15oz and a VH-16 that really has it! The 16 gun sports 26" tubes and comes in at 6lbs-1oz. My mind thinks 28" barrels are best but this gun proves different! I can't miss in the heavy thickets with it. Did I mention that it is a original two barrel set and the 2 marked set is 32" long mod and full!, and yes they get used when hunting roosters, man do they swing nice! Lets talk about the model 21....I would think they make for great duck and target guns. Strong and over built...all the weight is at the center of the gun and here lies the trouble. This makes for a poky gun that does not track and stay with the target. A feller can learn to shoot any gun if he shoots it long enough but will seldom say he can't miss with it! Like Parker guns Winchester built a few that have these qualities of proper balance. Maybe the 6lb 20ga. or the 6lb-6oz 16ga. have it? I own just one model 21, its a 16 gauge and its nice at 6lbs-8oz Its a early built, double trigger, pistol grip, splinter. The tubes are 26" and the gun does not have that special balance I want....close but not just right. Its muzzle end is too light and does not have that follow thou swing like the two Parkers noted above have. As a personal note....I like the look the Parker frame has over the 21. The 21 frame is long, plain and has little going on. They stole the bullet point look from the Fox gun and to own a grade above field that never had the fine engraving the Parkers have. The 21 are cost prohibitive in todays market due to the fact that few were made. So there you have it.....This is why the safe has so many Parkers and only one field grade 21 that I have not used to hunt birds with, why would I when I have such a bird shooting Parker gun that doe's not miss !!!!...(-: Thanks all SXS ohio

[Richard Flanders]

I'm surprised that no one has related the torture test story on I think it was the mod 21. Winchester or someone torture tested every dbl gun on the planet to where they broke but in the end were unable to hurt a mod 21 after some gawdawful amount of rounds. They finally just gave up. Someone must have the stats on that testing.

[Parkerman]

I believe that was John Olin's test for strength! The 21 tested never did fail.

[Setter Man]

Question: did anyone ever shoot them for long? Just asking because there are a couple of "reputable" dealers on the east coast that have dozens of them listed for sale, all of them in 95%-97% condition. ;-)

[Pay Dirt]

Originally Posted by Richard Flanders

I'm surprised that no one has related the torture test story on I think it was the mod 21. Winchester or someone torture tested every dbl gun on the planet to where they broke but in the end were unable to hurt a mod 21 after some gawdawful amount of rounds. They finally just gave up. Someone must have the stats on that testing.

Originally Posted by Bobby Cash

Umm...Hello...
My favorite part of the story relates that well after the failure of all of the other doubles,
Winchester began to disassemble their test gun and continue to fire it with integral parts missing to see if they could produce a failure.