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< 16ga. General Discussion ~ Fox, Parker, or Smith |
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Posted:
Tue Dec 18, 2007 6:03 pm
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Joined: 17 Dec 2007
Posts: 21
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Which is the best Fox, Parker Brothers, or L.C Smith. I am thinking of buying a Fox AE 16ga with 26inch barrels. Thanks |
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Posted:
Tue Dec 18, 2007 6:48 pm
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Member
Joined: 31 Aug 2007
Posts: 238
Location: Lodi, CA
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I am probably going to get flamed for this, but IMHO its the Fox hands down.
However, I would look for a Fox with 28 in. barrels. 26 in. barrels are just too short for me. If you can shoot 26 in barrels and like'em, you should save yourself a bunch of money since they usually sell for less. |
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Posted:
Tue Dec 18, 2007 6:56 pm
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Joined: 08 Oct 2005
Posts: 241
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They are all good guns that have stood the test of time. Other then repros a new Fox. Parker, or LC have not been made for 60+ years and many are still in the field. You have to judge the individual gun.
That all being said …
I think almost all Parkers are greatly overpriced and many do not have shootable stock dimensions. I have never owned a Parker.
I have owned several LC’s and everyone had the crack behind the sideplate. Of course this is fixable. LC’s seem to carry the lowest price in comparison to the other two.
I have seen very few Foxes over the years and owned 2. Both were beaters but solid guns. Prices on Foxes are high but not Parker high. I liked my Foxes, both Sterlingworths.
Almost all these guns have short 2 9/16” chambers in 16 gauge, but not all. In all guns of this age that I own I only fire low pressure reloads.
I am sure someone has a different opinion but these are mine.
16crazy |
Last edited by 16crazy on Tue Dec 18, 2007 7:23 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Posted:
Tue Dec 18, 2007 6:56 pm
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Member
Joined: 28 Dec 2005
Posts: 2016
Location: Glendale, AZ
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Posted:
Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:41 pm
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Member
Joined: 31 Oct 2005
Posts: 446
Location: Wisconsin
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I think you should buy the gun rather than the name.
A Mint Fox AE is a better gun than a beat LC Smith 20 gauge SKEET grade.
I had a guy offer me the LC and I wouldn't touch it at any price but a Fox AE Mint I would!-Dick |
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Posted:
Tue Dec 18, 2007 11:06 pm
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Member
Joined: 31 Aug 2007
Posts: 238
Location: Lodi, CA
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I had a 12 ga. Fox with 26" barrels and a straight grip conversion. It was a decent "shooter" (I hate that term).
While I confess that I have never owned a Parker or an Elsie, I have opened up a Fox. They are very simple and solid guns. Parkers are also very solid but as already mentioned they are over priced due to collectors, some have damascus twist barrels that have been blued to pass as steel, and they are mechanically more complex than a Fox. Then there are Elsies as mentioned. Great guns and very innovative. However they are the most complex mechanically and as already mentioned they often crack at the head of the stock.
The real question here I guess is not what is the better gun. These three makers are all world class guns in my book. The real question is what exactly are "you" looking for in a gun? Is this a shooter? A project? A fair weather game gun that looks pretty?
Just to give you an idea of the simplicity of a fox, look at these shots of my old fox...
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Posted:
Wed Dec 19, 2007 6:00 am
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Joined: 17 Dec 2007
Posts: 21
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thanks for all the replys, I think Fox is the one I am going to look for, I have owned all three at some point, but needed other's input. keep the replys coming. thanks |
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Posted:
Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:08 am
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Member
Joined: 14 Jan 2006
Posts: 1007
Location: Lancaster county, Pa
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Buy one of each. All good guns I have 2 LC's and a Fox. I like all of them never had any problems. I shoot the Ideal grade with 26" barrels best but I like them all. I would like to own a Parker but I'm not paying what they want for a beat up Parker. I saw a beat up ugly LC feild grade at Bass Pro Shops for $2875 whats that guy smoking? |
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Posted:
Wed Dec 19, 2007 8:04 am
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16shell I own all three, well actually I have four Foxes, two Parker's and a token L C. all 16s of course and quite frankly I don't know why I am hanging on to the Parker's and L C. When i go shooting I always grab one or two of the Foxes. They are simply great guns no matter what grade or configuration. |
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Posted:
Wed Dec 19, 2007 1:42 pm
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Member
Joined: 01 Jan 2006
Posts: 610
Location: Parker,CO,US
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I have also had LeFevers which are no slouches either. I have had everything but Parkers. But my vote goes to the Foxes - - best bang for the buck as the lower grade models are outstanding examples of classic American gunmaking. |
_________________ Let's not forget our fighting men and women in foreign lands. |
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Posted:
Thu Dec 20, 2007 11:05 am
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Joined: 21 Feb 2007
Posts: 42
Location: TX
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Quote: |
Other then repros a new Fox. Parker, or LC have not been made for 60+ years and many are still in the field.
I think almost all Parkers are greatly overpriced
I have owned several LC’s and everyone had the crack behind the sideplate.
Prices on Foxes are high but not Parker high.
I have opened up a Fox. They are very simple and solid guns.
Parkers are also very solid but they are mechanically more complex than a Fox.
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There is really nothing left to add, the above post hits the proverbial primer in the sweat spot. Good post 16crazy.
Since you have already owned all three I don't have to advise that a good gunsmith is a must. Old guns need TLC. Ask your smith which gun he would have the least amount of trouble repairing normal issues. |
_________________
1928 A. H. Fox CE 16ga. |
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Posted:
Thu Dec 20, 2007 12:11 pm
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Member
Joined: 27 Jun 2005
Posts: 1545
Location: Michigan
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MCHunter wrote: |
Quote: |
Other then repros a new Fox. Parker, or LC have not been made for 60+ years and many are still in the field.
I think almost all Parkers are greatly overpriced
I have owned several LC’s and everyone had the crack behind the sideplate.
Prices on Foxes are high but not Parker high.
I have opened up a Fox. They are very simple and solid guns.
Parkers are also very solid but they are mechanically more complex than a Fox.
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There is really nothing left to add, the above post hits the proverbial primer in the sweat spot. Good post 16crazy.
Since you have already owned all three I don't have to advise that a good gunsmith is a must. Old guns need TLC. Ask your smith which gun he would have the least amount of trouble repairing normal issues.
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Yea, then ask him which one hardly ever has to work on. Parker maybe.
Just because a Fox is simplier in design, doesn't make it better.
I have 1000's of rounds threw my 16 gauge Parkers. Only repair ever needed, was to have the sears recut on my 1878 Hammer gun. |
_________________ What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. |
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Posted:
Thu Dec 20, 2007 12:40 pm
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Joined: 21 Feb 2007
Posts: 42
Location: TX
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A Fox isn't calledThe Finest Shotgun In The World for nothing! |
_________________
1928 A. H. Fox CE 16ga. |
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Posted:
Thu Dec 20, 2007 12:51 pm
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Member
Joined: 27 Jun 2005
Posts: 1545
Location: Michigan
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Yes, and Parker isn't called " Ole Reliable" for nothing. |
_________________ What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. |
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Posted:
Thu Dec 20, 2007 10:50 pm
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Member
Joined: 02 Feb 2006
Posts: 602
Location: western pa
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Another vote for "The Finest Gun in the World". |
_________________ Always get get a drink upstream of the herd-Will Rogers |
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