doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Opening chokes on a Parker

Larry, I wouldn't open the chokes. I have two 16 gauge Parker Hammer guns, that are both choked about full. I use spreader loads and shoot low gun skeet in the 20's. If you choose to sell the little 20 gauge, I would be interested in talking with you.
asphaltdave@comcast.net

The same argument about opening chokes "because you bought it to use" can be used when discussing cutting the stock for your eight year old or cutting the barrels because "I missed a grouse because I hit the muzzle on a tree." Do what you want, but by 1985, your gun's value may suffer from its modifications. Oh, my gosh, it's 2007 already and we have learned a little about Damascus guns and screwing with them. A fellow down the street from me sleeved or rebarrelled probably 500 medium to high condition Damascus Parkers through the fifties, sixties, and seventies. Another guy up the street the other way probably bought and sold another 500 medium to high condition Damascus Parkers and didn't sleeve them. Some of the readers here know who those two guys are and can back up my illustration. Those who refuse to learn from their past experience (and the experience of others) are destined to repeat it, good or bad.

Looks like another old irreplacable is going to the butcher shop. Why not backbore it, port it, and open the chambers to 3" so it'll take those 1-1/4 oz moron loads? Some guys shouldn't have possession of these old guns. Chopper

Great diplomatic post, Chopperlump. I was grinding mine out while you were doing the same with yours. Why is it that everyone who owns a pigeon gun wants it to be a quail gun and everyone who owns a grouse gun want to shoot geese with it? Most of these guys have about thirty of each.

Several questions have not been asked or answered. Do you use it now or does it sit in the safe because the chokes are too tight? Would you use it a lot more if the chokes suited your needs? Do you plan to sell it anytime soon? Have you given it enough use to really determine how well it performs, as is? Do you want to buy or spend time making up spreader loads? Give all these questions your honest answers and make your decision. I'm on the side with Paul, Joe and Ed. I might only suggest not going as extreme as SK1 and 2 to start with. IC/Mod would be my first stop.

And I will only saw mine off two inches rather than the four inches I was contemplating. Just kidding, Jim. Frankly, my dear, xxxxxxxx.

Who cares if you will use it more if you modify it or plan to sell it any time soon? That has nothing to do with whether or not it is a good idea to open the chokes.

How many people sit around years later peering at their (insert your item of pride and joy) and say, 'Well, If I'da known it woulda been worth so much someday I'da never (insert your choice of stupid modification)?

The gun is far more important than some miscellaneous owner's miscellaneous need to place fewer pellets in a circle at 40 yards, or to not have to bend his neck 1 more centimeter, or to have a slightly softer surface to place against his shoulder when shooting.

I am sure there are those who would buy the Mona Lisa, were she for sale, and finally fix that glaring omission of a mustache.

Personally, I wonder why you need to open the chokes.

So you miss a few birds - is that a big deal?

To me, it's not. I would rather keep the gun original and hunt those birds up again on another day.

If you're blowing birds apart, let them get out there a bit before you pull the trigger.

OWD

It has everything to do with the decision, IMO. It's his gun. Who else has the right or authority to decide if it "is a good idea"? You? The gun is not more important than the owner's wishes. The owners enjoyment is more important than what some self-appointed purist's idea of what he should be allowed to do with his own property. It's just an object, to be used and enjoyed by the person who owns it. The world will not be altered one way or the other by what he does to his shotgun. Opening chokes to suit your needs/wants is not a "stupid modification". "Stupid modifications" are things like 12" forcing cones and backboring, thinking either will reduce recoil.
I thought the Mona Lisa HAD a mustache! Her mother did. JMO, of course.

I am probably going to regret asking this question, but how would anyone know chokes were altered anyway if done by a first rate shop like Briley or Kolar or some lesser known but expert barrel person?