Originally Posted by Ted Schefelbein
Originally Posted by Jimmy W
Yes, but when was the last time you saw the brazened lug on a Model 21 come off? Probably never? I have owned 12 Model 21s. And there are three sets of 21 barrels on the internet right now. So, they aren't that hard to find. I wouldn't stop buying them because of rumors. I had one that doubled when I bought it, but other than that I have never had one malfunction. I'll stick with my 21s.

Good Lord.

A Model 21 does not have a “brazened” lump. It has a soft soldered dovetail lump, and, since the barrels are built of 4140 steel, which is a legendary barrel material, that is notoriously difficult to keep wet in a soldering operation, they are legendary for coming apart. Repairable, but, a big pain in the ass.

This guy has fixed more of them than you will ever own. He would be someone I would consult in the event I owned a gun with a failure to the braze holding the lump to the barrels, but, I’m pretty sure I already know what his answer would be. And, it wouldn’t be, “get a model 21”.

https://vicknairgunsmithing.blogspot.com/2016/01/an-unbiased-look-at-design-of-american.html

Best,
Ted

I agree with Ted about the feasability of repairing a Parker repro with a brazed lump failure. It could probably be done by the right person. What was brazed once could be brazed again, but at what cost? I recall seeing photos of Dewey Vicknairs elaborate jig for joining double shotgun or rifle barrels. He has built barrels sets from scratch, which seems beyond the ability of the vast majority of gunsmiths. Doing a repair would involve cleaning and correcting all corrosion and contamination issues, and correcting poor fit of the parts. Doing that would almost certainly change the relationship of the barrel hook and pin, and the bolting surfaces. So headspace and chambering that was once within tight tolerances would now be incorrect. Fit to the frame would be incorrect. Maybe that could be corrected by TIG welding and refitting. Maybe not, for the same reasons that some orphan barrels cannot be mated to a gun. A skilled gunsmith/machinist might just make a mono bloc, and then salvage the old barrels and ribs to install and rechamber. By then, you've dumped a ton of money to build up a non-original sleeved shooter, when you should have just cut your losses and bought a replacement gun.

The orphan barrel route might be the most viable option, if it is indeed true that most parts on the Parker repros are interchangeable with the originals. Then all you'd need is a smaller pile of money, and luck.

Voting for anti-gun Democrats is dumber than giving treats to a dog that shits on a Persian Rug