Parker Shotguns - Everything you need to know about ‘Old Reliable’

We take a look at Parker Shotguns - ana American double gun legend!
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[@lorendixon3093]

As a shotgun lover I have to laugh that I have to have a Britt Johnny is the only person on KZbin that makes awesome videos of the guns that I love thank you

[@grayjr11]

Love TGS, Orvis, and Greg! Let's do one of these, but on Fox guns

[@wholeNwon]

Very enjoyable. There are just a few misconceptions. Parker was very much aware of the complexity of their action and the time required to fit it properly. So the gun engineer James Hayes was hired and, in 1916 or so, he was able to reduce the number of parts in the cocking mechanism from 18 to 4. Their guns were popular on the trap circuit and a world's record was set in 1920 of 589 broken in succession without a miss. Fine shooting. The locking mechanism was sophisticated and fitted under magnification to achieve the desired result. Yes, a single trigger was offered starting in 1922. In addition to the single barreled trap gun you shot, Parker offered a double gun with ventilated rib that was also used by trap shooters. That was in 1926. They are very rare and highly desirable. A few 12 ga. with very long barrels were produced. The various grades also differed by barrel materials, of course, as was common in the black powder days. As to the chamber lengths, Walter King and Parker stated that their usual 2 5/8 in. was intended for 2 3/4" shells. Actually the rise in pressure was minimal though I would be cautions with the laminated or Damascus because one never knows what abusive pressures they might have been subjected to in the transition period from bulk to dense smokeless powders when hand loaders could easily create pressures that would be dangerous in modern guns. That was when Parker actually bought an insurance policy from Lloyds of London to protect themselves from liability if a hand loader was injured from abuse leading to gun failure. No claims were ever made.

[@royjennison3916]

Thank you for that info , that was a great read

[@the45er]

You just alienated a huge proportion of the country by calling the north the “good guys” in the Civil war!😂😂😂. We’re all “good guys”, just like in 1776! Seriously, I really enjoy your channel Johnny. Keep it up!

[@eddieb4227]

He obviously does not know that the British backed the south. They felt that the southerners were more gentleman like themselves. Even helped them get supplies and run the blockages.

[@robagrant1969]

@@eddieb4227 Actually we British aren’t that congenial, we wanted cotton.

[@joegraziano5849]

Commenting on another country’s civil war is rarely a good idea. When I moved to Alabama, I had a portrait of Abe Lincoln on the wall in my living room. I didn’t think that was controversial. I was wrong. 😂

[@randomguy-xp7se]

Im from the North and calling only one side good guys is a stretch. It was a war. Not a tea party.

[@rbgfishboy]

Johnny, your videos are, at least to me, the most entertaining and interesting of all the gun videos. I have not watched one I didn’t like! And this one especially, as I own a Parker VH in 16 gauge which belonged to my great grandfather. I don’t shoot it much but it is a true joy to shoot! I live in North Carolina, and we happen to have a gun dealer in our state that has the largest collection of Parker’s I have seen or heard of. If fact, I was there earlier today looking at several of these, as I want to find a VH like mine in 20 gauge. What a great video and thanks for doing it!

[@richardespinoza6243]

Parker is the only manufacturer to make an odd number shotgun which is the 11 Gauge. Parker also made an 18 Gauge and 14 Gauge which does not exist anymore.

[@mallardcutter7209]

Love the videos ! We need more on the L. C. Smith , A. H. Fox , and Ithaca doubles Just got back from the Southern SxS shoot in Sanford, NC.

[@williamwalter4441]

Agreed. For those of us Yanks considering getting into the American Shotgun nostalgia market, having a TGS- style review would be fun! I very much enjoyed this review and the history lesson provided by the experts in this group.

[@30STR8]

Me too. Went sunday, rain had some vendors leaving early but I wanted to see the black powder event. It was smashing

[@paulvenn4447]

Hope you got to check out the ACGG areas!

[@5_star_stays]

Every day is a school day on this channel! Excellent work as always Chaps. I also caught the cholera joke! 😀

[@gnarshread]

Funny how I have to go to a channel from the UK to get solid information on guns from the country I live in. I realy appreciated this one!

[@grahambamford9073]

Funny how I have to go to a channel from the UK to read a comment from the US (assuming) and I'm watching in Ireland....... 😅

[@tomhman6441]

While discussing other old shotgun companies it was great to hear the name Baker shotguns added into the mix. I own a Baker Batavia leader 16 gauge. Baker is usually left out of old American shotgun conversations. Great video we do love our old side by sides.

[@masterclassanonymous1292]

Wish they would have discussed the parker Repro element a bit more but altogether an absolutely excellent video.

[@michelt4390]

I guess that a good idea for 1) a another video or 2) Johny's future purchase...

[@subterfusion4005]

You can get around all the shooter/collector double conundrum by acquiring a vastly superior and less expensive Fox gun!

[@ditzydoo4378]

I simply love my Parker Reproduction (Winchester) DHE 20-Bore. It is light, nimble and has great muzzle authority. I shall never part with it.

[@killforkylie]

Are you sure that guy isn't Walter White?

[@randomguy-xp7se]

Not pretentious and insulting enough.

[@zachherman5997]

Very nice video. Would be cool to see a similar one about L.C. Smith.

[@DFox-ud3gx]

Johnny are you back in the USA 🇺🇸 again..yes I like the Parker guns but my first gun was a LC Smith Damascus barrels I'm looking for another now. Johnny have a wonderful day

[@martinsteven2643]

Great video especially if you love guns. And thanks to those of you who supplied additional information in the Comments. All very interesting and informative😊👍

[@mattfritsche7281]

Love everything you guys do, would love to see you guys shoot some old ithaca shotguns

[@glenns7139]

Thanks for another brilliant informative video jonny. Love them all 🍻🍻👍

[@michaelbaines1525]

I've only ever seen one Parker here in the U.K. It was in the Dealer's scrap pile because 'it didn't work'. Got it for nothing as a result. It had no cocking hook. A bit of fiddly work with a file etc. and a bit of research and made a replacement. It was a GH 12 bore with Damascus barrels and English Nitro Proof. Sold it on for £40. Profit!

[@jaydgardner]

Great “Parker 101” video covering all of the basics. I was surprised when the guy from Orvis said that you can’t find 2-1/2” ammunition; that is not correct. RST makes 2-1/2” shells in a full range of shot size and power measure, in 12, 16, 20, and 28 gauges. Inexpensive, they aren’t but they are available.

[@coon3869]

Really? Because they’re sold out right now.

[@jaydgardner]

@@coon3869 My interpretation of what he said was that no one makes 2-1/2” ammo. As for availability, the last time I checked they had a few shot sizes in 12 and 16 but that was the first time in quite a while I saw that they had anything available. Parker barrels were made stout and I wouldn’t be afraid of shooting low pressure, lite, 2-3/4” ammo but not a lot of it.

[@coon3869]

@@jaydgardner that’s not what he meant at all. He meant you can’t get them hardly ever, because you can’t.

[@jaydgardner]

@@coon3869 they do have 16’s and 20’s now. No 12’s.

[@coon3869]

@@jaydgardner yep

[@peterbarnett5838]

Excellent video as usual, nice to see guns that I know nothing about.I would really like the single barrel gun 😀

[@tonynapoli5549]

Lovely shotguns Thanks for sharing

[@paulwilson7234]

A very interesting and informative video.

[@dgoodman1484]

Good quality vids with entertaining hosts of old fine hunting guns are my favorite but unfortunately somewhat rare. I don’t care if the guns are American, British or German or if they are shotguns or rifles just that generally are pre WWII. Keep up the good work! Maybe find a good Sauer drilling someday and give us your thoughts on how it handles 👍🏼

[@va2ndamendment477]

Johnny, the single barrel is an American trap gun, similar to English DTL but one shot only.

[@michelt4390]

Actually, it kind of reminded me of the Greener Single trap, or the Ithaca single for that matter.

[@paulallen7651]

You read my mind, information about classic American side by sides. Fox?

[@TheSteve2305]

Just to educate johnny a little bit.....Union didn't necessarily mean "good guy" and Confederate didn't necessarily mean "bad guy"

[@tgsoutdoors]

😂 aren’t the winners always declared the good guys?

[@TheSteve2305]

@TGS Outdoors may be but where I'm from the good guys wore gray....keep up the good work, love your stuff!!

[@wholeNwon]

@@tgsoutdoors Depends on the war.

[@ericsmith5919]

I believe in the true Confederate flag: 🏳 And yes, the confederates were the bad guys. The varied personal motivations of individual soldiers didn't erase the goals of the army they fought for.

[@TheSteve2305]

@@ericsmith5919 here's my flag to you 🖕

[@CCH-R]

Ever do any CZ over under reviews or SxS reviews? Just didn’t know what you’d think because I know they aren’t high dollar but I’ve put 4000 through my redhead premier target without a single hiccup

[@danhill6333]

As I recall Jonny said "Cee Zead" shotguns are very uncommon in the UK.

[@CCH-R]

@@danhill6333 honestly doesn’t surprise me. But thank you for letting me know!

[@skutchmason1331]

Howdy Johnny I applaud your coverage of Old Reliable! However, I’m disappointed with your Parker “experts.” Surely one of them should be aware that the Parker Single Barrel Trap Shotgun was designed specifically for American Trap. The Parker SBT competed with the ‘usual American suspects’. AH Fox, Ithaca (check out their Sousa Grade Guns’s), LC Smith, Baker, and Lefever, not to mention the many English makers’ SBT’s from all the London Makers including Purdey, H&H, Westley Richards, etc. plus Birmingham Makers! They all competed for the Trapshooters’ favor as the numbers were staggering! Until the New York Marathon exceeded 5,000 runners during the 1990’s, the GA Handicap was the largest single participant sporting event in the World beginning at the inception of of the 20th century! Definitely not a “Pigeon Gun” since from inception “Live Bird” shoots permitted “full use of the gun,” I.e. 2 barrels the same as in the UK and on the Continent. The Parker SBT grades, in descending order, and corresponding numbers produced, per the Parker Collectors Association, follow: SA1 4 SAA. 1 SA 32 SB 96 SC 1,779 I treasure my grandfather’s Parker SC. He purchased the gun upon his return from frontline duty during WWI in the US Army at the ripe old age of 31. He won his handicap yardage group at the Grand American Trapshooter that same year, 1919.

[@30STR8]

Parkers are by far the best. A 32" IM/Full with a miller trigger on a 2 frame... Money Son.

[@AF-O6]

Greatest machine made guns ever made! …certainly the best U.S. gun.

[@jamesgentry6864]

I just came into a 1923 Parker 20g but nowhere on the outside reads 20g or 2 3/4 or whatever. Under the barrels it has 20 and an O underneath. I’d like to know what to shoot before I throw one in the tube and take off. Any help would be greatly appreciated. It’s a VH grade

[@charlessmith4242]

* You'll have to measure the chambers, remember to account for the unfolding of the crimp. The "O " represents the size of the frame.

[@Remarkable_Fishing]

Hi Does Tweedl ship worldwide Because im in South Africa

[@pauljones9746]

I wanna know why there isnt as much following for LeFevers as there are for Parkers and LC Smiths

[@wholeNwon]

The Optimus was undoubtedly one of, it not the, most beautiful guns ever made in the USA.

[@bruceking2574]

Great show Johnny! I have seen many Parkers here in the USA and am not that impressed other than i love the history of most guns, which Parker has. I think they are ugly at best and a bit clunky. LC Smith IMHO is a way nicer shooting double. Keep up the good work. Winchester 21 is all ya'll need to know.

[@charlessmith4242]

* If my memory is correct, clunky is the word Parker used to describe the Win. 21. Sent Win. back to the drawing board. As far as a durable SxS, A.H.Fox is the king in that department.

[@SteveWebber-xe8vn]

History of Ithaca and there grades of shotguns would be a great review for ya as well.

[@MegaRiffraff]

👍🏻

[@TheStockingFiller]

This channel is good and all, but it needs more browning and yildiz content

[@tgsoutdoors]

😂

[@theoisaac9948]

👍👍💯

[@paulstuhrenberg9165]

One of the Good guys 🧐?

[@lucastolson3570]

I heard that too

[@kutterharrison7116]

“So he was a good guy?” A) guess which side the British were selling guns to B) guess which side buys more shotguns today Not the wisest choice of words mate

[@joegraziano5849]

Jonny, I love your videos and am a TGS member. I’m also a member of the Parker Gun Collector’s Association. This video has ignited quite the instant firestorm among Parker enthusiasts. The Orvis gents don’t seem to know a whole lot about Parkers. The timing is especially bad as many of us have just returned from the Southern, where the PGCA held its annual banquet. I love TGS but this video really misses the mark.

[@tgsoutdoors]

😬 interesting!

[@dgoodman1484]

You had the opportunity to enlighten us all on how you believe it missed the mark yet didn’t.🤷🏽‍♂️ 👎🏼

[@seanjustice4831]

Sorry bud, he said they didn’t make a pigeon gun, ahhh yes they did, many, some without safety mech. Come on fellas

[@seanjustice4831]

Some of the best pigeon shooters in the World shot Parker’s. That single is a trap gun.

[@jpb1231000]

Tired of CONFEDERATES being called BAD GUYS!

[@ddoherty5956]

American cheap to charming?

[@freedomman06]

So because he was a union guy, that meant he was a goodie...... gotchya. No need to actually understand the history folks, just north good south bad mmmmmkaaaayyy back to sleep you go.

[@royjennison3916]

mmmmm cannot see any value in theses , just dont float my boat , and i love side by sides .

[@wholeNwon]

To each his own. I have a couple and don't reach for them first, either.

[@matthewdeepblue]

I can pretty well tell you he was wrong 14:20 when he said that 12 gauge is king. It is in places. America's too big for one king. East of the Mississippi, I really should say east of the Mississippi Delta because 20 gauges are popular in Arkansas. But east of the Mississippi 20 gauge has been king. Quail, rough grouse, teal, snipe, obviously we're in 20 gauge country. That said, you can take a 20 gauge and shoot Canadian geese with it. I haven't, mostly because every time I've gone for whatever reason we never saw a goose. Lots of woodpecker, we joke there's some sort of curse. It's just 20 gauge. Gives you a lot of different options to do well. If I owned two shotguns, I own one. It would be 20 gauge and 28 gauge. The rest can go to hell. I really wish you'd do some Fox. Connecticut shotgun has an old one for sale that just drives me nuts. A.H. Fox - XE Grade, SxS, 16ga. 30". Sometimes I just go online and look at it. It's $24,000. I got student loan payments. So unless I'm going to do like my buddy and pick up and flee the country to South America, That's right, people are fleeing their student loan debts, Anyway, unless I do that it ain't happening. I really wish you guys would look at some foxes though, blows my mind. Also look at some Jarrett rifles, especially the jakar, or however you say it