doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com are parker repros still a good buy?

I agree a M23 would be a good choice for someone looking for a well made shooter. Better value, at least in 20ga.

I bought my 28 Repro around 1994, I think from Safari Outfitter's or some such name. I still have the flyer somewhere. I called the guy (this was before the internet after all)and said I wanted a 28 w/a beavertail and double triggers and he said they had a couple - I told him to pick the one with the best wood and send it to me. I decided against a double set because it was a lot more money - $1995 vs. $2695. Of course now I wish I had bought it but $700 was a chunk of change at the time. In any case, the gun showed up NIB and I'm pleased that I still have only seen one other Repro with wood as nice.

I haven't fired it in years but back then I put a few boxes of the infamous '1oz., Max charge' loads through it. Back then, I didn't know how poor those loads are, and neither did the birds because they fell dead on impact.

I too bought a couple back when they cost 1995.00 (from the cape g I think). One for each of my sons, 28ga st grips. Oh, ya got a 20 for my dad too, not to bad a deal. Problem is 2 of the 3 sit new unfired in the box.

Tim

Looking for someone to adopt?

I've shot both the mdl-23 and the repro's and it not even close in my book. The repro's handle far better, look better,and for the most part have better wood and the skeleton butt plate. There's a reason they cost more than the mdl-23's.

Everyone needs to get over the close-out prices on the repro's those days are long gone! When the plant that was making them closed down, Jack Skeuse tried finding another place to manufacture them and decided to quit making them because he would have had to charge $10.000.00 for them at that time. These are still a good deal and I just wish I wouldn't have been stupid and broke when the close out was happening. The close-out was probably the best deal ever for a quality side by side.

I don't see that as a problem considering how they appreciate in value in that condition. You would always regret it if you were to sell them(not that you are) in that condition because the minute they are gone, they can never be replaced for that same amount.

I bought my 28ga Repro back then for the $1995 price and consider it one of a few of the better things I've done.

The dealers that "closed out" the Repros were Jaqua's, Cape Outfitters, Guns Unlimited, and I believe one other I can't think of at the moment. Don't we all wish we'd bought several!

You named the three Larry, there were just three.

As to the original question, I cannot think of a better buy of any S X S double gun than a Parker Repro. I do not believe we will see a depreciation of them in our lifetime.

You are right those are the three. I called the very day I got the flyer in the mail from Jaques. I bought the only 28" 28 gauge I could find with st grip and spinter forend. It came from Guns Unlimited. I was familar with the other two but not Guns Unlimited. I had purchased a 28 gauge W&S from Bill Jaques himself in 1979. He said it had the nicest wood he had ever seen on one and he was right! I have since had the Parker restocked in French walnut and those two 28's will be the last two guns I will ever sell. I too wish I had bought more but it was a bit of a stretch then or I would have asked for a two barrel set.

Larry,
James Wayne had a bunch of them, but I don't if he was actually one of the close out dealers of not.

I bought my 28 gauge two barrel set from Guns Unlimited and was treated very well. The fellow not only offered to select wood for me, he offered to send me three identical sets and let me select. He implied that I would probably keep all three. Now I wish I had taken him up on this generous offer. Anyone who is disappointed because he left two of his three Repros in the box only has himself to blame. They are a wonderful shooting gun and the Skeuse family will be treated as heroes in the years to come. Only guys like Steve Lamboy and Tony Galazan will be similarly honored by shotgun students as modern saviors of our tradition.