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Forums10
Topics38,373
Posts543,985
Members14,389
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Most Online1,131 Jan 21st, 2024
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Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 104 Likes: 7
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 104 Likes: 7 |
I haven’t been on here in a while, busy with my other passion training and running my field trial Golden’s, but I wanted to report in before hunting season was over. Last spring someone on here, (thank you very much), turned me on to a very nice original condition Parker VH at a good price.
I had been looking for years, decades really, for a classic American side by side within my budget. I started around 1998 with a nice condition Lefever DS 12 that I really liked, but it alway shot a foot left, I paid $300 to bend the stock but it still shot left, so I sold it.
Then I bought a pretty LC Smith FW 12 with 28” barrels. This gun had been restocked to modern dimensions, mirror bores, rust blued barrels and recast colored. The gun seems to fit great when I shoulder it, but I don’t shoot it well at all compared to my Ruger RL sporting clays. My next step was a Sterlingworth Pin gun I bought from a very nice member here. 12 ga, good condition, all original with 30” barrels. This gun I can shoot well, yay finally, except it pops open on shooting occasionally. My local smith tried several things, the seller sent me a part free of charge, but nothing worked. It’s been with another smith over a year, still waiting as I really like it.
Finally I got that Parker last spring. Over the years I kind of resisted the Parker mystique, thinking they were nice guns, but overpriced, so I didn’t pay much attention to them, but that deal on the VH was too good to pass up so I bought it. ONG what a nicely balanced gun. At slightly less than seven and a half pounds, I thought it would wear me out carrying it all day in the field chasing pheasants, but it feels so good in hand and handles so well when shooting, it’s just a very reassuring feel.
Now I’ve got a half a season of duck and pheasant hunting in on it and I shoot it very well, I just love this gun.
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1 member likes this:
ClapperZapper |
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,960 Likes: 89
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,960 Likes: 89 |
John, I imagine many of us have to go through the same process before finding THAT GUN. And there is no way to tell before actually taking it to the field. Parker’s can surprise a feller. I love them but surprisingly enough my $400 Lefever G 12 seems to have a lot of the magical whatever it is. And I have a “low class” Parker Trojan that comes close. But the one that tops them all is a Sauer sidelock from about 1895 that I literally fell into. A friend bought it on Gunbroker and for some reason was going to return it but I liked the way it handled and ended up with it. Have never handled any gun that fit me so well and is so perfectly balanced for me! And icing on the cake is it’s only a notch away from new condition.
My! what a long journey it can be to find just the right gun! Congratulations on finally reaching it.
When an old man dies a library burns to the ground. (Old African proverb)
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2 members like this:
DoubleTake, Glacierjohn |
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Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 104 Likes: 7
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 104 Likes: 7 |
I’d like to post pictures off my phone, but the process explained in the FAQ section seems overly complicated and set for an actual computer. Can anybody explain the process for an iPhone?
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1,408 Likes: 181
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1,408 Likes: 181 |
John, Once you finally find your "holy grail", NEVER let it go! Karl
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,718 Likes: 94
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,718 Likes: 94 |
never heard of a fox or a smith popping open on firing...they both have rotary bolts which prohibit that from happening...
keep it simple and keep it safe...
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,127 Likes: 1126
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,127 Likes: 1126 |
The things you haven't heard of concerning double guns would fill volumes. If the rotary bolting wears, or is improperly fitted, it can cause a Smith or a Fox to partially open at the first shot. A weak top lever spring can also contribute to it.
I have a Smith at the gunsmith at this moment being repaired for this very thing.
May God bless America and those who defend her.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,718 Likes: 94
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,718 Likes: 94 |
well stan, here we go ah gin...partially opening on firing aint the same as popping open...
even ah no dat...
Last edited by ed good; 11/27/21 08:36 PM.
keep it simple and keep it safe...
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,127 Likes: 1126
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,127 Likes: 1126 |
This will be my last word on this. The first signs are when it partially opens. Continued firing in this condition quickly accelerates the condition. Eventually, it will open.
If you were as knowledgeable about double guns as you pretend to be that wouldn't have to be spelled out to you. I'm done.
May God bless America and those who defend her.
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 229 Likes: 4
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 229 Likes: 4 |
Glacierjohn, Congratulation on finding YOUR Parker. Also welcome to the club of satisfied Parker shooters.
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1 member likes this:
Hussey |
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Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 104 Likes: 7
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 104 Likes: 7 |
It completely pops open and somehow the lever gets pushed all the way right. I spoke on the phone to Jason at Pumpkin gun works, he thought it was the way the rotary bolt engaged the slot in the barrel extension. I’m not sure my gunsmith is buying into that idea.
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