doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com RBL VS Parker Repro. Tell me it's not so.....

With all the problems and issues reported concerning the RBL on this and several other sites it's amazing there is anyone other than a member of The RBL Apologists Club that would seriously put in them in the same league as a Parker Reproduction. The only reason I can come up with is that they are currently selling in the same price bracket...the RBL is a $3500 gun selling for $3500, the Parker Repro is a $10,000 gun selling for $4000. The RBL is a Japanese design built by an American company produced at a price point many can afford, the Parker Repro is an American design contracted out by an American company built in Japan to be able to be produced at a price point that many can afford. Now I don't hate RBL's--I have a friend who has a 28-ga. RBL, 30" bbls. DT, SG, SF with exhibition wood that's very nice--but it's not up to the same build quality of a Parker Repro.

Let's see...in the relatively brief history of the RBL several problems and issues have been reported:

* Single trigger guns doubling.
* Selective single trigger not functioning properly.
* Double trigger guns triggers not functioning properly.
* Finish peeling off.
* Ribs coming loose.
* Cheezy and poorly executed engraving.
* Proud wood.
* Poor wood to metal fit.
* Muddy case coloring.
* Burnt checkering.
* Poor checkering.
* Overly thick wrists.
* Bulbous trigger guards.
* Nose of the comb too far back--makes for a funky profile.
* 7 lb.+ 16-ga. guns.
* Ventilated rib design.
* Beavertail forend design.
* Poor handling dynamics of 16 and 12-ga. guns.


...and the list keeps growing.

Come on people---get real!

Hey guys,

It's great that we can all express our opinions. IMHO both Parker Reproductions and RBLs are very good guns. Each has its merits. I own both and have no intention of parting with either. Also, at the right price I'll buy more of each.

Mark

Man oh Man the prejudices really pop out in a discussion like this!
Those who state (and know) that they are both good guns, have it right.
Those that like old guns have it right too, if you like really old guns.
Those that only want their guns made in the USA, have it right as well (Forgetting that many of the really old guns had barrels made in Europe). By the way, where was your computer made?
You have to also eliminate any of the old guns that don't have Damascus barrels. since to be original, they have to have Damascus barrels. (That new fangeld steel will never catch on!)
Those that only like guns made in the "original factory" have it right as well. Which eliminates most of the Foxes, Ithaca's, even old or late "original" Parkers, etc.
Those new self contained cartridges have really crossed the line. Flint fired front loaders are the only way for us purists!

Most people I know wouldn't buy a Parker Repro with a single trigger and it's not just because they're heard my horror story regarding this. You're playing Russian Roulette hoping that you'll get one that works. I don't think you find many $10,000 guns, other than a Repro, that you can say this about. Nice case coloring...a bargain at $10,000. Oh, and one Repro owner says that his gun even fits him and there might be one or two more out there. Who knows? If you like them, that's fine. Buy as many as you like.

As for "The RBL Apologists Club" nonsense, I consider the source. I doubt, reading his diatribe, that he has ever owned, shot, or even handled an RBL. His list of "RBL faults" should convince you of this. Do you really think he's handled a 12/16ga. RBL?.....or has a clue as to what good "handle dynamics" consist of? Not a chance.

"The RBL is a Japanese design built by an American company...."

That is old territory. If, however, you claim that the RBL is based on other designs, which it is, at least give proper attribution. CSMC does. What proprietary design was taken from the SKB? Since they don't have any, take your time in answering. (Hint: maybe the Model 21 single trigger?....Southgate ejectors?...Anson & Deeley boxlock?) Yes!!! All of the above are really SKB intellectual property.

Most people who own RBL's don't claim that they are the finest shotgun ever made. They do have pride in owning a fine American double that works flawlessly for most and, in the event you do have a problem, prompt factory service is available.

I've put thousands of rounds through my RBL-16ga/20ga/28ga guns and can tell you they are good guns and great shooters. I bought them for field and clay targets and would recommend them for either or both these activities.

I've considered buying RBLs with every new gauge introduction and have even filled out order forms on a couple of them. I've handled a few and find them pretty well balanced but have never shot one. I have three Repros and a bunch of originals and I keep buying Parkers and putting thoughts of an RBL on the back shelf. I've had a broken ejector hammer on my skeet Repro and a SST that got stuck but cleaned it and haven't had a problem with it in years. I don't know what it is but for some reason I just keep buying Repros and originals and can't seem to get excited about having an RBL. Am I cheating myself?? I don't think so . . . especially when it's my money I'm spending.

P.S. There is no sweeter handling gun on ruffed grouse and woodcock than a Parker Repro in 28 ga. - I don't care who makes it or how much it cost you.

I'm the same way....every non-Parker gun I buy is one less Parker I can buy.

There aren't any bad 28 gauge guns, including Parker Repros. Somebody is out there with a Parker Repro with a Miller (Howard & Delbert) Single Trigger and a true oil finish.

It is about as nice a P.R. as you'll find anywhere. It took two years to get it to where it was an incredible gun but it is now. It will never misfire...ever. After all I went through to get it there, it took all the fun out of owning it and was moved to pay to for an ICD. I've never looked back.

I have two Ithaca Classic Doubles in 28ga and have are my primary grouse/woodcock guns. I bought an RBL-28 as a rainy day/backup gun but, you know, they are pretty nice guns and well worth the money in spite of some comments made here. At 5lbs, 14oz, with 30" bbls, you wonn't kill yourself carrying it either. It's choked Skeet/IC and is grouse poison.

My Repro has a single trigger for each barrel....

My friend and I both purchased 12 ga RBL's for duck hunting and shot them this summer to work out any possible issues. While duck hunting this week his bottom rib separated and the left trigger on mine stopped working. They need to do a better job getting them right the first time out the door in my opinion.

For what ever reason, the barrels with the 12/16ga guns have had "issues". This is, obviously, unacceptable and unlike CSMC. Guns brake....every gun but this seems to be happening too often.

I have two 16ga. RBL's and have had no barrel problems with either gun. It would be interesting to hear what CSMC has to say about the problem. If you talk to them, please let us know what they have to say.