doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Choices in a 28: Parker repro vs. CSM vs. AYA

There's a hole in the gun cabinet that's 28 gauge. It needs filling. With a target price around 3500-4000, which seems to be the buy-in for Parkers and CSM's with AYA's slightly less, any opinions on which is the best buy? I currently hunt birds with a Parker VH 20 and it fits me quite well.

I just bought a 28g Repro. I think it has a proven record of value appreciation. You're gonna look long and hard for a 28g Repro for under $4k. More like $4500-5000 for most out there.

Bite the bullet and get it over with. The repro is the way to go!

I'm mighty pleased with my RBL-28 made in the U.S.A.

I have a Repro 28 with 28" barrels (DT, English, splinter, M/F) and an RBL 28 with 30" barrels (DT, English, splinter, M/F), and a hankerin' for an AyA. If you can still find a base RBL, it's by far the best value of the bunch and a fine looking piece. The Repro will hold its value better (probably), but a good one will be over your budget. Both are great shooters. If you need a long LOP, the nod goes to the RBL because you can get a 14-3/4" LOP as standard, even before adding a pad. Adding a pad to a Repro is a criminal offense if the Repro still has its skeleton steel butt plate. Both are available with tight chokes if that is your preference (it is mine).

Cabela's in Boise has a couple of AyA No. 2 Roundbodies in 28 ga with 29" barrels choked IC/M. One is new and one is as new. I think either could be had for right at $4K, maybe plus a hundred. Call Sean at the Gun Library and buy one so that I don't. Please. If you are thinking about an AyA boxlock like one of the 4/53 variants, I think they are wildly overpriced by most sellers. I'd go with an RBL.

You might also look at the AOC/SG (Ugartechea) from Aspen Outfitting. I have one in .410 and it is sweet. I would expect the 28 to be equally nice, and they pop up new or near new for $2500. Prices may have softened since I last looked at them. I think it's a nicer gun than the 4/53.

I've shot a VHE 20ga for about 30 years and bought a 28ga Repro. Hunted with it a few times plus a few rounds of skeet then sold the Repro because the stock just didn't fit. It was stocked too high and I couldn't get my eye down in line with the rib. I was afraid to bend that thin wrist with irregular grain. I like it better than the CSM but I don't know the AyA well enough for that comparison. Make sure you get one that fits. I put a slip on leather pad to protect the skeleton butt when hunting.

Good point on fit, Jerry. There's a significant difference between a Repro stock and most original Parker stocks. Guys who shoot one well may have trouble adjusting to the other. On the other hand, a friend just bought an original 20 which seems too low for me when I throw it up, but he shoots it well--and also has a couple Repros.

I've got a 28 ga Repro and a 28 AyA #4 DeLuxe (boxlock). I agree with most of the comments above, especially the stock fit on the Repro. I love the gun, but the stock is way too short. I use a strap on leather pad stuffed with carpet backing to add an inch.

An advantage for the AyA is that you'll likely be able to get longer barrels if that's what you want.

You'll be able to find a used AyA for a lot less than a used Repro. You should be able to find a new AyA #2 (sidelock) for similar $ to a good Repro. I have a #2 in 20ga and love it. Would like to pick one up in 28ga some day.

No question that if properly bought and cared for, the Repro will hold it's value.

BTW, I like both my guns a lot. I can't comment on the RBL as I have no personal experience. Good luck.

OK--my.02cents! I've owned numerous Parker 28 Repro's and still have 2. They are a superb gun, but I can only shoot them fair and I have to think about what I'm doing when I use one. They are stocked short and high. I see the whole rib on most. The one I shoot best is a 28 Repro that a previous owner---cut off the skeleton butt and added a pad--a truly excellent job, by the way. It is now 15" LOP and that gets me further back on the stock and I can shoot it decently. I have 2 RBL 28's. To sum them up in a few words--they are SHOOTERS!! The dimensions are great and both shoot right where I'm looking. The 1st one I got was an ordered gun with the PIF discount. It is a 30" IC/MOD with a PG and the only option was a BT. It has double triggers and super "standard" wood. It weighs 5lbs 12oz and is a bird and clay target killing machine. The 2nd I bought in Vegas from a private seller at a VERY good price. It's a 26" skeet/IC gun with SG, DT and splinter--the classic Woodcock/Grouse gun. It's 5lbs 9oz. This gun, like it's long barrel brother is another fine shooting gun. Everyone who picks up these guns seems to shoot them very well. I have no 1st hand experience with the AYA's you are considering. The AYA# 2 is a fine gun! I shoot lot's of 28ga shells(mostly reloads) in a variety of guns. I think the RBL 28 is the best of the RBL experiment. I've had 20's and a 16--all are GONE! You missed the boat on the discount and now the remaining guns are all loaded up and over 4K. BUT--if for some reason I had to replace my RBLs--I'd get one--either new or on the secondary market. There a few used/like new ones out there. You just gotta look around. If CSMC stays true to their word that the RBL's are done--the value will stay there or at least close to current levels. If I needed to sell off my 28's--the RBL would be the last out the door. OK--enough rambling by me. Please go easy on the flame throwers!!!