Parker repros vs. Parker originals

[Bruce Day]

[quote=Mills Morrison;64488].... Still would not mind having one or two reproductions for shooting modern loads. ..../quote]


If by this comment, you are implying that a person is not able to shoot "modern" loads through an original Parker, that would be in error. All a person needs to do is to look at the Parker service and proof load table in TPS to dispel that notion. There is nothing infirm or lesser about an original Parker. Both vintage and Repros were designed to shoot SAAMI standard service loads, and I argue that applies to damascus barreled guns as well, since Parker did not treat them differently. A person may choose to shoot lesser loads in any gun, after all, who wants to pound his shoulder and gun needlessly, but there is nothing less capable about the barrels on a vintage Parker. In fact, if the reports of Repro stock fractures through the wrist are to be believed, I suggest that it could be argued that Repros are less capable than originals.

Parker provided tables matching gun weight and gauge to load for best shooting; those apply equally to vintage and Repro guns.

[Mills]

Thanks for the correction. I have a growing collection of Damascus barreled Parkers and enjoy shooting them. Don't quite have the nerve to shoot modern loads in them, but I actually enjoy shooting low pressure RST loads. Something about the low recoil and weight of the Damascus barrels that improves my shooting.

[edgarspencer]

Oh man, first they tell me I can't shoot my damascus guns, and now they tell me I can't shoot 'modern' loads in my steel barreled guns. What's next? I guess I'll just sit on this stump and let the guys with those up and down guns get the birdies.

[Richard Flanders]

I worry more about the wood than the bbls, especially, as Bruce says, on those pesky Reproductions. Trigg had a Repro20 that broke a stock. He sent it off and had a new stock made and on the first test shot it broke clean in half again. Some bad juju going on there somehow. I tailor my loads to the gun and shoot light loads in light guns with thinner stocks and bbls and heavier loads in heavier guns with stout wood and bbls. It's a matter of "it's supposed to be fun" and not an exercise in shoulder punishment. My stout 32" 1883 twist bbl 12ga hammer gun doesn't even burp when digesting old paper 1-1/2oz magnums and the recoil isn't bad at all. My wand-like 26" 6#10oz GHE 12 never gets anything heavier than a lightly loaded 1oz load and we're both much the happier for it and that puppy is deadly on woodcock and ruffies... and chukars...... and pheasants.... and sharptails.

[Duckman]

Here is a photo of Parker Reproduction and an original Parker VH in nice shape. They both make me happy.
Below them is a picture of me waiting for doves with an original Parker VHE. Below that is a picture of me with an old departed friend and a Parker Reproduction. I had fun both times and didn't think much about when either gun was made or by whom.
Finally, this is a picture of a cookstove in our kitchen that we use all the time during winter, which lasts 8 months here. My wife and I were once part of a Christmas home tour and a woman on the tour asked me if this stove was a "repo". I told her no it most certainly was not but was made in 1923 and was fully paid for.

[Chuck Heald]

What gauge is that stove?

[Duckman]

I don't think it matter since it "fires" whatever I put in it.

[Chuck Heald]

[Mills]

You are right. I want a Parker 28 and a reproduction is the only way I will be able to afford one. My favorite gun in my collection is a Parker Trojan 20, although I have higher grades.

[Charles Dawley]

My favorite (not to stray to far from the focus of the thread) is a Parker VH O frame 20ga which has been completely redone and is a seductive looking thing. It even opens and closes as if new....so, a face lift is always an option