Sat down to buy a new shotgun today

[Garth Gustafson]

I love 16ga and both of my Parkers are 16s. But unless you load your own, just know we are dealing with a long term 16ga ammo shortage for our vintage 2-1/2" chambered guns. You'll be very disappointed when it comes time to buy shells. 12 ga and 20 ga shells are more available. Happy hunting!

[24 grams]

Originally Posted by Dan Steingraber

You could own a beautiful D grade 12 gauge Parker in your price range or a great “shooter” V grade 12 gauge for $1,500 or less.

Good luck finding a D grade gun in good condition for $2,000.
I would rather have a high condition V, than a beat-up D.

[Andy]

I would take a 16 or 20 Trojan in 28” that fit me all day long. I felt the same about Trojans till I bought one in 16g. 12 tend to be heavy but don’t let the simplicity of a Trojan fool you. That’s their beauty. Handle a 16 Trojan before you judge one. It will still be going a century after you’re 6 feet on the wrong side of the flower bed!

[Stepmac]

Originally Posted by Wayne Owens

My suggestion is to pay $40 and become a PGCA member. You will then have access to the For Sale section on this forum where many nice guns at good prices have been, are, and will be listed.

I think I am a member. When I sign in my name comes up. I joined in 2011, I think. Sorry, my memory is shot. I used to be able to recall when and where and for how much I purchased each of my guns and I owned hundreds. Sold about half of them after I turned 78. Figured I'd give others a chance to love them as I had done for 50 years. I love being alive tho and am enjoying the Parker Pages and reading old copies of Double Gun.

[todd allen]

I've got a really sweet little 28" 20 gauge Trojan, and it is a magic wand!

[Stepmac]

Originally Posted by Andrew Sacco

I would take a 16 or 20 Trojan in 28” that fit me all day long. I felt the same about Trojans till I bought one in 16g. 12 tend to be heavy but don’t let the simplicity of a Trojan fool you. That’s their beauty. Handle a 16 Trojan before you judge one. It will still be going a century after you’re 6 feet on the wrong side of the flower bed!

Ah, yes. Most of my old friends and many squadron mates (I was a Marine fighter pilot) are gone. While I loved flying attack fighters and operating off of
carriers, the absolutely favorite times in my life were hunting bob white quail in western Kansas. I shot a Japanese O/U Browning. My uncle shot a Win Model 12 and we had a ball. There were half a dozen of us shooting. No dogs. Ah there is a blond who creeps into my memory.....

[Stepmac]

Originally Posted by Russ Jackson

One other suggestion ,you probably won't be looking at Damascus Barreled guns if you're new to buying Old Doubles but should one catch your eye with Damascus Barrels ask about the Bore Condition and the Minimal Barrel Wall Thickness as the early powders caused corrosion ,hence possible pitting ,this is especially important with the guns that are advertised with exceptionally clean Inside Bores ,which may have been honed and again make sure of the return policy to give you time to get the Wall Thickness Measured !

I am 80 and have been shooting and buying guns for a long time. I was a Marine when we thought the M-14 was cutting edge. I've been shooting antique shotguns for 50 years. I prefer damascus barrels. I appreciate your concerns. But really, as we, me, creep up to the end of our lives things change
.

[Stan Hillis]

Originally Posted by Steve McCarty

Ah, yes. Most of my old friends and many squadron mates (I was a Marine fighter pilot) are gone. While I loved flying attack fighters and operating off of
carriers, the absolutely favorite times in my life were hunting bob white quail in western Kansas. I shot a Japanese O/U Browning. My uncle shot a Win Model 12 and we had a ball. There were half a dozen of us shooting. No dogs. Ah there is a blond who creeps into my memory.....

Thank you for your service, Steve. One of the best friends I ever had flew F4-U Corsairs in the latter part of WWII (briefly with Pappy Boyington) and also Korea. He flew off carriers as well. I'd love to be able to sit down with you and hear some of your stories the way I used to do with Maj. Jerome Wilson, USMC.

Good luck with your "hunt".

[Bill Murphy]

Steve, if you think you are a member of PGCA, you should get a Parker Pages quarterly and your name on your post should include "PGCA Member". Contact our administrator for information.

[Stepmac]

Thank you folks for your comments. I own a very nice Fox Sterlingworth and have for 50 years and I love it. I came with a leg-a-muffin case. The gun is a 12 and locks up like a bank vault. It's a F and Mod and since I have been pretty much shooting nothing but Skeet I haven't shot it much. But it is a wonderful old shotgun.

As for my on going search for a new gun, I have looked at hundreds....thousands? I have pretty much settled on a Baker Paragon. It appears like new and is a side lock gun, which I prefer. (Most of my guns are boxlocks tho.) I like the history of Baker guns and this Paragon is a thing of beauty. Price $1900. My decision is still in the works. I appreciate your comments folks. I am somehow challenged by my age....80. While I feel great, I am 80. I'm not sure what my future holds for me...but I ain't dead yet and I feel wonderful. My shooting buddies are either dead or have moved away. But darn it, I want a new shotgun.