The Donor

[Milton C Starr]

Originally Posted by Randy G Roberts

Reincarnation to a 34" 20 gauge Charlie.

I have wondered about this before when you have the barrels monoblocked longer , can you retain the original rib by having a section added to it , or do you get a complete new one made ?

[Randy Roberts]

My understanding of that is that it is a very difficult thing to do and make look right. There is a problem with the taper of the rib when you go to longer barrels that has to be dealt with. Then there is the swamping if you will of the longer barrels that requires the rib to have material added to the bottom of it. If you do choose to use Parker ribs and you attempt to weld two of them together I have been told that results are acceptable at best no matter how good the craftsman that does it is. Most of the barrel folks that I have talked to have advised against using Parker ribs but it can be done.

[Milton C Starr]

Originally Posted by Randy G Roberts

My understanding of that is that it is a very difficult thing to do and make look right. There is a problem with the taper of the rib when you go to longer barrels that has to be dealt with. Then there is the swamping if you will of the longer barrels that requires the rib to have material added to the bottom of it. If you do choose to use Parker ribs and you attempt to weld two of them together I have been told that results are acceptable at best no matter how good the craftsman that does it is. Most of the barrel folks that I have talked to have advised against using Parker ribs but it can be done.

So in the case I reckon its better to just have a new one made to fit the new barrels . When they make a new rib how do that mark it ?

I was reading a article a few months back about monoblocking/sleeving barrels in the U.K . Some of the shooters over there are doing it not because the barrels are bad but because it allows them to build a custom double for a fraction of the cost of a new one . They buy a Victorian era double , restock it , monoblock the barrels for whatever weight/length they want .

[Randy Roberts]

Building a custom gun is the reason that I am doing what I am doing. I would suppose that salvaging a gun you already own with bad barrels would be the other reason, there may also be other reasons that I'm unaware of to do this. I was able to acquire two donor guns at a very reasonable price. My plan is to proceed forward with a 34 in 28 gauge and the same in a 20-gauge. My mind tells me that the odds of me ever coming across the opportunity to acquire one of these in an original Parker is minuscule at best, thus my decision. if I ever did come across one the price would be much more than I am going to have in these guns which is understandable. Having said that I would still rather have an original but.,.

[Milton C Starr]

Originally Posted by Randy G Roberts

Building a custom gun is the reason that I am doing what I am doing. I would suppose that salvaging a gun you already own with bad barrels would be the other reason, there may also be other reasons that I'm unaware of to do this. I was able to acquire two donor guns at a very reasonable price. My plan is to proceed forward with a 34 in 28 gauge and the same in a 20-gauge. My mind tells me that the odds of me ever coming across the opportunity to acquire one of these in an original Parker is minuscule at best, thus my decision. if I ever did come across one the price would be much more than I am going to have in these guns which is understandable. Having said that I would still rather have an original but.,.

I have thought of doing the same before . I keep thinking how nice a long heavy 16 ga #3 frame would be with . Parker made a few but finding one and be able to buy it is a different story . For some reason I have always wanted a 16 ga on a 10 ga frame . I asked Briley years ago about a 16 ga tube set for the 10 ga but they said no .

I have seen alot of 16 gauges on 20 ga frames , 12 ga on 16 gauge frames etc . I am the opposite though I like guns built on a size up with some weight behind it .

These projects you got planned are right up my alley , cant wait to see them.
If you dont mind me asking who is doing the barrels for you Merrington ?

[Randy Roberts]

Aaron Little is the barrel man.

[Milton C Starr]

Originally Posted by Randy G Roberts

Aaron Little is the barrel man.

Ok , I found his facebook page I see he has done a 34" 28 gauge before .

And his barrel work is almost seamless !