GHE difficult to close

[Mike Lescarbeau]

Purchased what I thought was a very high condition, all original GHE off of GI. Thought I'd asked all the right questions, but was surprised to find the forend very hard to attach and the action equally tough to close. As someone who's still new to Parker guns, I'm wondering, is this a common, relatively simple issue? Or did I just plain waste a bunch of money?

[Buddy Marson]

Take a close look at the forend lug. That could have broken lose. Not an uncommon problem.
Good luck,
Buddy

[B. Dudley]

Do you notice the forend wood moving at all when trying to close the gun?

[Mike Lescarbeau]

Thank you for the quick responses. The forend lug seems anchored well, but there is a little movement in the forend itself as the gun closes. I feel the forend move just a bit when I reopen the gun, too.

[Mike Lescarbeau]

Thank you Jent, I guess my next question is, assuming that's the problem, is a bulge in that spot something that could ever be fixed?

[Kensal Rise]

Mike:
Diagnosing your problem via these posts is risky at best. If I were to put in my guess, I'd say the clearance between your barrel loop and forend iron cut is too tight. This is a simple fix for a good 'smith. Emphasis on GOOD. But... physical inspection by a good 'smith will reveal the actual problem. It is probably not expensive to fix. In your part of the country, I'd contact Hugh Lomas. He's in WI. And he is good.

Best, Kensal

[Bruce Day]

Take the gun to Puglisi's in Duluth and have John or Jason look at it

OR

Bring the gun to Pheasant Fest in St Paul in Feb and we'll look at it.

On near new Parkers, the action is so tight and stiff that closing and opening takes unusual force. The same with putting on the forend. In reverse, the forend just pops off when you start to pull. Its possible that the gun remains new and tight. We won't know until we see it.

[Mike Lescarbeau]

Thank you for the recommendations. I know Jason and will show him the gun. I did not know that particular gunsmith in Wisconsin.

Bruce, I wish this gun was so unused that it could still be a bit stiff. Truth is, I may have misled in describing it as very high condition. It's high condition for me, which means well-loved, with some nice case coloring still evident.

I appreciate all the sage advice, and will update when I've sorted out what's wrong. Hoping that's long before Pheasant Fest in February, but I've heard the best gunsmiths may require some patience.

[Jim]

Any chance this arial number was 232620?
Had that gun for awhile with the same problem. Another dealer wanted it more than I and sold it reasonably.
Jim.......

[Mike Lescarbeau]

Serial # begins with 215.