16ga.com ~ View topic

Member Joined: 24 May 2008 Posts: 56 Location: N. Idaho

Hi Guys,

I need the groups expert input on this one.

Been a 16 ga guy a long time but mostly on the relatively inexpensive side, back when 16s were passé and my budget could only afford <$400 guns, i.e. 870s, 311s, a couple of bargains I found on Sweet 16s, and one Baker Black Beauty with a split wrist in the stock that I keep thinking of getting fixed. As I got older and my budget allowed, I picked up a Citori White Lightning, so the others don't get out much anymore.

Now I have a chance to buy one of two Parkers at "brother-in-law" prices. Both are 16s in size 1 frames with 28 in barrels with good wood and metal condition. The difference is the Trojan has been re-blued and is at $900, while the VHE has lost all its original case coloring on the action and is at $2700. My gut tells me to go with the VHE--but it will take some refinish work and I'm not sure the ejectors and dog head on the butt plate are worth the extra $1800 (though I will admit the dog head is very appealing). Neither gun will get much use unless it really outdoes the Citori; I mostly want one for the nostalgia and "cool" factor, and it will keep the guns in the family.

Which would you go with?

Thanks in advance.

Joined: 25 Jan 2014 Posts: 229 Location: MN

Since it is Christmas, I say buy both and gift one.

Get the one with the most open chokes Smile

Mike

I would buy the Trojan as it does NOT have ejectors and will
be easier to open and close

Joined: 17 Oct 2019 Posts: 456 Location: New Jersey

I have a Trojan 16, one of my favorite shotguns and $900 is a steal of a deal as is the VHE. I personally (if I had the money) would go for the VHE. Only because, well it’s a VHE, not a Trojan. Both will serve you well however. But in all seriousness, buy the one that fits you best.

Joined: 26 Apr 2010 Posts: 3178 Location: NCWa

I bought a VHE from Doggai a few years back and I've never regretted it. It's a great gun, although it is on an 0 frame so is slightly lighter than a 1 frame. I don't have any experience with Trojans so can't give a comparison.

Joined: 17 Oct 2019 Posts: 456 Location: New Jersey

The O frame Parker 16 is a Holy Grail gun in every sense.

Joined: 17 Oct 2019 Posts: 456 Location: New Jersey

Holy Grail grouse gun that is.

Joined: 12 Sep 2010 Posts: 1973 Location: Maine

2700 is not a brother-in-law price for a 16 ga VHE on a 1 frame. It might be a good price for a DHE on a 1 frame. But your description of this VHE's condition tells me a good price for a VHE might be in the 1300-1700 range.

900 for the Trojan is a good price and you should jump on it. To put it in perspective, in 2015 I had to have the ribs relaid and the barrels reblued on my 20 ga Trojan. DelGrego did the work. Not counting shipping, that cost me almost $200 for the ribs and another $600 for the blue job. If this gun has been properly reblued such that the rib solder is not affected (i.e., not a hot blue job but rather a rust blue), at 900 you're getting the gun for $300 or so.

The two guns are likely to handle about the same. If you can't tell the difference with your eyes closed (the old blind taste test...), if I were in your shoes I'd go with the Trojan.

I have a 16ga Trojan and that's about what I paid for mine some years ago. While I still favor my Foxes, the Trojan has been a great gun and accounted for my only true pheasant double. When you say the Trojan has been re-blued, do you mean the barrels or the action; action would have been case-colored originally. Also, if the barrels, how were they blued? Some processes can result in rust or loose ribs eventually. I do prefer the frame profile in the graded Parkers over the Trojan but as you say: maybe not worth $1800. JMO.