First of all, I thank everybody for their reasoned, non lecturing guidance, I find it all valuable and enlightening. I’m not going to do anything rash, but it is my intention to hunt with this gun, not simply rotate it into the lineup. But regularly, like 2-3 times a week from October to January. I take good care of my guns, but buy them to use them.
Regarding this particular gun, it was pointed out to me by a forum member, thank you Limapapa for that, it is a nice gun in good shape for a fair price, but it’s not a holy grail gun. It’s a standard VH in better than average original condition, it’s not a graded gun or even a VHE, that said If it was a normal full and full, I wouldn’t even consider opening the choke. Notice I said choke, I’m not talking about converting it to IC and Mod, I’m talking about making it full and full by opening up the .045 barrel to match the other .035 barrel.
The way I look at it is I have three choices; 1) Try patterning the gun as is with various loads including spreader loads and possibly shoot it as is. 2) Having tried that and determined the .045 is just too dang tight, open it to .035-.035 and enjoy it in a configuration that would have even been more practical in 1929 when the gun was made, or 3) Sell the gun for a profit and buy a nice gun the way I need it. The problem with the last option is the next owner could end up doing crazy stuff to the gun, way beyond opening one choke slightly. He might think it’s a good candidate to restock with nice wood, engrave a D pattern and re-color case harden it.
Regardless, I won’t do anything rash. I’m renewing my Parker membership to get the letter on the gun, and I’ll try it the way it is first. Again, thank you for all the great comments.
Last edited by Glacierjohn; 03/20/21 09:26 AM.