2018 Parker vs LC Smith 16 ga and 20 ga Challenge Events

[Craig Larter]

I shot with Brian at Drakes and full disclosure I offered to give him a Fox if he agreed to shoot for Team Fox, he is a fantastic shot! Unfortunately for team Fox he didn't take the bait.

[C grade]

Our iconic PGCA member, friend and gunsmith Dave Fjelline currently has 8 Parkers for sale. The important feature is none of these Parkers were viable before Dave went to work on them. Two were just empty receivers, most were sans barrels and all were missing many parts. He was able to bring these Parkers back to life and the highest price one is $1,800. The point of this story is that the majority of the guns John Truit shoots were unshootable before John resurrected them. I have seen John, with Fjelline's help, take many pieces of Parker junk and after much time and $$ create a good shooting Parker.
Are they "original" Parkers? Who cares. JMHO David

[George M. Purtill Member #28]

Very true David and as I said above I don't think I own an original Parker.
If we imposed "originality" on LC Smith, I think none of their shooters could shoot.
I don't see why we can't allow Repros. They are Remington Parkers with different badging. We allow CSMC Foxes.

[Dean Romig]

I think that if a gun started life as a Meriden or Illion Parker, or a medley of such guns, it is an original Parker.





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[Mike of the Mountain]

I'm looking for shooters, not collector pieces. I use my guns and don't need a closet queen.

[C.O.B.]

I use mine as well. One of my favorites is a DHE 20 with all the options. I bought the gun 15+ years ago with 90% case color, it now has probably 80% maybe slightly less, I really don't care as I'll never sell it so I'll enjoy it.

[C grade]

Rich
I know . I tried to buy it from you!
David

[John Truitt]

Thanks for the compliments Mr Dwyer

My guns are always available for anyone to look at, discuss, etc.

I have a lot of original guns. My thing in the past was D grade straight grip no safety guns. I have a few of those still around. But over many years I have enjoyed taking an otherwise unusable/ unsafe Parker and turning her into what I want/ or would order from Parker today if they were still in business.
I have been fortunate to know Dave Fjelline and be able to have him work on my guns as well as other notable gunsmiths/ artians.

I believe form follows function. I have specific things I like in my guns to help me shoot my best. I have tried to resurrect these guns into what I want/ my formula. If I were to wait around for an all original unmolested Parker in the configuration I like, I would never find what I am looking for or would never ever be able to afford.

It has been a very fun and educational approach. I know it offends several people and is not for them but I am not trying to please anyone other than myself. I do ask those to remember that I am not and have not ever taken a safe or usuable Parker and molested it. As Mr Dwyer so plainly put, these were otherwise unusable pieces of "junk" (in some peoples opinion. You see junk I see potential) and resurrected them back to something usable and put them back in the field.

[FRANK HALSEY]

John. I would like to thank you for all you do for the PGCA and for shooters too. I would love to come to the spring or the fall s x s if my health would let me. Many people don't know how lucky they are to have a supporter like you and having the good health to do all this. Count your blessing for John and enjoy as long as you can. It can end very quick.

[Mike of the Mountain]

BTW, if anyone out there doesn't think the "Challenge" events are not all about competition AND winning, all you need to do is read the LCSCA newsletter or talk to some of their shooters. The smack has already begun. "The trophy will be returned to it's rightful place in 2018", comments on Team Parker getting lucky, etc.....

If ya don't care about winning, play soccer and get a participation prize.