28ga Repro vs RBL

Sam Casey · 01-22-2011, 06:44 PM

I would like to buy a English stocked (longer 14 1/2 LOP), DT, BTFE 28ga SXS with 28" Bbls with some choke. IC/MOD or tighter. I have a 26" ST Q1/Q2 28ga Repro that I like and have had no problems with, but probably shoot more clays than live birds and am thus inclined to try the RBL28. I can buy the RBL with great wood for $4K +/-. I know this is Parker HQ, and am simply looking for any reason I should buy another Repro vs the 28 RBL. Thanks in advance, Sam I am.

Bill Murphy · 01-22-2011, 06:54 PM

You should buy both. The RBL 28 is a screaming gun and those who have bought them have been very pleased. Oh, same thing goes for the Repro. Of course, an original Parker 28 isn't too bad a gun either.

Sam Casey · 01-22-2011, 07:14 PM

Bill - I am really a hunter/clay target shooter ... not so much a collector, so the idea of an original Parker 28ga is not really an option (I'd buy another Kgun first). Am inclined to try the RBL only because I have the Q1/Q2 Repro 28 as well as a 20/16 set. Have been tempted by the Repro 28ga 28" M/F barrels that are offered from time to time, but own a 20 and 16 ga RBL and have been pretty happy with both. Only negatives I see for RBL's are weak case colors.

Big D · 01-22-2011, 07:31 PM

I wouldn't call the RBL colors "Weak" - actually I would say that the Repro colors are weaker. Interesting, tho - I have a case colored RBL 20 which I really like, but there is something weird about the Case Colors. Within a couple of weeks, I had colors chip off (not wear off) at the top of the receiver where the top lever is mated to the receiver. CSM repaired/redid the colors with no question. I wonder what the process is. Is is something baked on?

Sam Casey · 01-22-2011, 07:40 PM

Big D - I am tempted by a 28ga RBL I saw at OGCA (where you bot the .270). A beautiful as new gun that is claimed to be shot very little, yet there are pronounced rings around firing pins ... down to bare steel. I have a 16ga case colored gun shot a lot by me that does not show such wear. Were there issues with the the CC on the 20/28ga? Sam I am.

GH-16 · 01-22-2011, 08:16 PM

IMO the RBL 28ga is the best of the lot of all the RBL gauges. Tony got it right when he scaled the 28ga and the engraving was a much nicer pattern than the launch edition 20's. The one my buddy had was a really nice gun!

Even with that said I still fall in the reproduction camp. I bit on the RBL deal the first week of the launch edition, paid in full, waited through all the drama and then shot the gun some and sold it because I felt it didn't match up to the reproduction Parkers I owned.

Then I ordered an RBL 28ga, paid in full the first week you could order one. Then during the wait, I found a repro 28ga with a single set of 28" barrels,double triggers and bought it. After shooting the repro I cancelled the RBL order and haven't looked back since.

The only place I see the RBL's have anything over the repro's is they are made in America. Rather than an American design made in Japan. I do admire Tony Galazan for what he is doing for the double gunning community and made in America to boot. The RBL just isn't my cup of tea.

Chuck Heald · 01-23-2011, 08:06 AM

There's something comforting about having the mfr still in business for a high volume target gun.

My choice would be a RBL for targets. It'd have the longest barrels, BTFE, SST, PG and any other options that would get the forward and overall weight up. I'd just get a bare reciever (coin) since target shooting puts some wear on them quickly.

I have a 5 1/2 lb 28" Repro and it's fine for hunting, but not particularly great at extended target shooting with standard target loads.

SXS OHIO · 01-24-2011, 08:00 AM

Good luck findin a DT repreo 28ga with english stock and beavertail and 28 inchers...few of them around! Personally....the repro feels solid and well made....the RBL does not have that same feel. I have a RBL-28 two barrel set,dt-pg, plinter and beaver tail for ends that I had made to my likes...it has the best wood of any gun I own or ever owned! If I had to sell any 28 gauges, the RBL would go ahead of my repro 28 guns for sure! The repro guns will be a better investment as well...sure to continue to rise in value. I have a RBL-20 that I want to sell...probably take a bath on that one! Thanks all SXS ohio...(-: