doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Parker reproduction steel shot

I'm thinking about getting a Parker reproduction steel shot special for general hunting clays and of course waterfowl hunting. I am a little concerned about the length of pull and not having a recoil pad for shooting clays or a lot of shooting for doves. Has anyone dealt with these issues? Beautiful guns, appear to be high quality and hold their value well.

Any thoughts?

I love my AYA and Grulla but just can't find one to handle heavy loads.

One of the legitimate concerns with a Parker Repro: If the LOP is wrong, you lose that very nice skeleton buttplate.

There aren't a lot of steel shot specials out there. Think I saw one listed last time I checked the total of several dozen on gunsinternational. However, the information provided with the guns only says not to shoot steel in full choke barrels. And of course steel doesn't perform all that well in chokes tighter than mod anyhow.

I don't think you'd be disadvantaged shooting clays or doves with a 12ga Repro. (Assume you're thinking 12ga since you mention waterfowl.) For waterfowl hunting, it depends on the loads you want to shoot. The 12's I've owned have been either a little over or a little under 7 pounds, so we're not talking a real heavy gun. The Steel Shot Special is maybe half a pound heavier with 3" chambers and should be good enough for ducks. But I wonder about geese, depending on the loads you shoot. The one currently listed on GI looks very nice, but the dealer doesn't list weight. But if it's what you want, $4300 is likely a good price for a gun in very good condition like this one. They are beautiful guns, and I can't imagine how much it would cost to get a Parker Repro made today.

Here's your answer:
http://www.csmcspecials.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=Gamekeeper+slip-on+pad&Submit=Search

I've been using them, as well as the Galco brand for years. They do a yeoman's job of protecting the skeleton butt area as well as ~4" up the sides of the stock. They add 5/8" to the length of pull - if you need/want more just cut and fit some foam material and slip it in. Because of their design and availability of various sizes they can offer a fit that allows the flap to completely cover the velcro - there are competitors out there that sell similar slip-on pads, but many of them allow the velcro to show when installed - and that, to my eye, is ugly, unappealing and out of character to the attractiveness and aesthetics of a Parker Reproduction.

$4300 fur ah shot gon? souns acessive an ostentasious...

Taking a Parker into a duck blind? Waterfowl guns tend to get pretty beat up. But its your money.

Thanks for the feedback. I think I just need to get my hands on one and point it. The leather wrap recoil pad is a good idea - hate to lose the skeleton buttplate as suggested.

Yea, a beautiful and well designed shotgun needs to be used and not left in the safe. I will take it duck hunting but I'm pretty careful. Much better, in my mind, to get a few scratches than left in a safe.

WD

I purchased a Parker Reproductions Steel Shot Special when they first became available (English Grip, Splinter FE,Single Trigger)& shot it for several years at casual sporting clays & as my go to pheasant gun. I shot 7/8 oz handloads @ clays & Winchester 1 1/4 oz 3 1/4 DE pigeon loads for pheasant & recoil was not an issue.

I don't remember the specific choke constrictions but they were close to IC & Mod so worked well with lead for upland use & were supposed to be ideal for steel but I have no experience with steel.

I thought it was a really nice gun for the $$ & my only gripes were the so called "case color" which quickly wore off & the short L.O.P. The Parker style skeleton butt plate with "widows peak" @ the heel makes squaring up the butt to add a 1" recoil pad while gaining a meaningful increase in L.O.P. difficult.

I tried a slip on leather pad to increase L.O.P. but did not care for it as the increased weight spoiled the gun't balance so If you go that route take care to find something as light as possible.

Leather add on pads work very well to lengthen and protect the butt. I have been using this brand for nearly 20 years. Never worn one out, very good quality.

http://www.kick-killer-recoil-pads.com

Excellent value for the money.

SRH

Wiredducker, a PM has been sent to you.

The Steel Shot Special currently listed on GI is choked IC/M. That'd certainly make a decent waterfowl gun with steel, as far as chokes go. And a good gun for pheasants with lead. Decent for sporting clays as well.