Straight Grip Premium

[Wild Skies]

Auctions can sometimes be fickle and bring surprising results. If two, three or more potential buyers are bidding on the same item, emotions very often take over and the "winner" will often pay a premium to get what he wants -- some may say he came away the loser. If there's only a single bidder he can often walk away with an item under current market conditions -- some may say he walked away with the best-buy-of-the-auction.

IMO and generally speaking, that scenario you described John, yes a straight grip Repro would sell for more than a pistol grip gun. Having said this there's a couple that have posted in this thread that would probably disagree with that. The old lady often said as she kissed the cow's a$$, "To each their own taste."

As an aside, many years ago I visited New England Arms in Kittery Point, ME. Their salesman Steven McCarthy told me at that time that a Parker Bros. gun with an original straight grip would be priced at about $1000 more in their shop than one with a pistol grip, given similar condition and grade.

[BRDHNTR]

Thank you Greg

[edgarspencer]

Originally Posted by John Nagel

Last week a 20ga straight grip SST 26” UNFIRED repro sold on pook & pook auction for $5500. Would it be safe to assume a gun in the same configuration in unfored condition but pistol grip would fetch near that?

John, with commission it sold for $4530.

[Copper John]

Originally Posted by edgarspencer

John, with commission it sold for $4530.

On my end is shows bid ending at $4664 plus 26% buyers premium.

[edgarspencer]

Originally Posted by John Nagel

On my end is shows bid ending at $4664 plus 26% buyers premium.

It hammered at $3600 plus commission. Trust me. My buddy bought it.

[Setter Man]

I'm trying to understand why anyone would pay $4,350 for a 20 ga Repro when one could probably find a 20 ga VH in the same configuration for close to the same cost?

[Setter Man]

Interesting discussion. PG vs English/Straight has always seemed more personal preference that technical superiority, but that's a conversation for another thread.

Let's switch this up a bit: hypothetically, how much would the gun have sold for if it were a 28 in the same configuration?

[Bill Murphy]

Some day, I will buy a 20 gauge Repro, because I think they are great guns. However, in the meantime, I will buy 28s and 12s, which I think are HOT. I have enough, so I recommend my PGCA friends to buy the 28 and 12 gauge Repros.

[Bill Murphy]

I probably shoot smallbore pistol grip guns better than I do straight grip smallbores. However, the straight grip guns look so much better, and that is why they bring more money. 28 and .410 Parker skeet guns are very rare, but 28 and .410 skeet guns are off the charts rare with pistol grip stocks. I think the reason for this is that most 28 and .410 bore Parker skeet guns were meant for hunting birds, not clay targets. Bird hunters liked straight grip stocks because they look good.

[Setter Man]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

Bird hunters liked straight grip stocks because they look good.

In addition to the cool factor, I have always been told my forehand should have most of the actual grip on the gun and should control gun movement/swing and the rear hand should only apply enough grip to keep the gun shouldered properly and to keep the trigger finger in contact with the trigger(s). IMHO PG's are fine for single trigger guns, but double trigger guns allow me to adjust grip to more smoothly reach the rear trigger.