doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com PH Parker 12 gauge with twist barrels.

I am debating buying the above mentioned gun made in 1917. It is in excellent condition with 30 inch unpitted barrels that ring like chimes. This is a heavy gun. Can anyone suggest maximum pressure for a #3 frame Parker that is deemed excellent by a competent gunsmith. Would you think factory trap loads or 3 1/4 x 1 1/4 field loads would be safe in such a heavy large frame gun even though the barrels are twist. Surely there were heavy loads in 1917.
Thanks for any observations.

Dear So Vega,

I don't think that 3 1/4 x 1 1/4 field loads are a good idea in any 12ga double. Do you know the chamber length of the PH? Parker generally made the chamber an 1/8 to 1/16 shorter than the intended length of the shotshell. Pressure should be your guide. Many have recommended that the pressure be kept at or below 7000psi. I think its a good idea. BTW, I have a PH 12ga, with 3" chambers, on a 1 & 1/2 frame. I'm going to shoot it with some nice and easy 1oz trap loads.

Phil

Phil,

I have not measured the chambers but I will before I go any further toward buying this gun. I like to shoot low pressure loads because they do not kick in my 2 frame Parker and they are very efficient killing doves. I am trying to figure why someone would buy such a large frame 12 gauge if not for shooting heavy loads. I am not familiar with 1917 shotshell offerings. I would like to shoot some kind of factory field load safely to justify my purchase. Asa

I would agree with Phil and keep the presures down, no sense in beating up the old girl. Eric

Asa,

Condition is everything in the Parker game. The only thing that trumps it is extreme rarity. A 3 frame 12 is not rare. So, is the Parker that you're considering in exceptional condition? The reason that I purchased the 1 & 1/2 PH that I mentioned in my previous post was condition. It is 90%+ original condition. Buy the best condition. Pass on the rest. Keep your powder dry.

As for factory loads, It depends upon the game you intend to shoot. There are plenty of factory 12ga, 1oz, #6, low pressure loads. Look to Westley Richards, Kent, Gamebore, Midway has a low pressure Federal load. Polywad has plenty of low pressure loads, as does RST. Let us know the game you intend to shoot and your prefered shot size. I'm sure that there will be a lot of recommendations.

Phil

This gun is in excellent shooting condition with traces of case. The screws are qualified and the lop is 14 1/4 to spurred buttplate. The barrels have been cold blued and look parkerized. The dealer is asking less than $900 so I was going to buy it for a shooter. Definitely not a collector. If I need to use low pressure in a 3 frame then I may as well continue to shoot my GH 2 frame 12. I shot 100 straight skeet targets with it last August. Asa

Asa,

"Game" in my previous post referred to birds or other small game. If you intend to shoot clays, my suggestion is B&P Sub-Sound, Remington STS Low Recoil or Light Target, Winchester Low Recoil, or Federal Vintage from Midway.

Phil

Frame size is only one criteria when deciding, as you wish to do, whether one gun is more suited to the use of factory standard pressure loads than another. The assumption would be that 5-1 (Is that what they are?) marked barrels are thicker in all areas than your #2 frame GH, but you wouldn't know without measuring. We always have a good time measuring wall thickness at the Southern Side by Side. Bring your gun up north in April and we will measure it and test fire.

Asa,

I just realized that you reside in Albany. I believe that its pronounced Allbainie in GA. A friend's son just purchased a 4000 acre quail plantation, near Albany. I wonder what the quail boys would think of a 3 frame, 12ga, quail gun? I'll make the introduction, if you wish.

Phil

I believe my 0 frame 20 would be better received. I have about decided not to buy that 3 frame. Asa