Last edited on Mon Jan 21st, 2008 03:40 am by Lon E. You really owe it to yourself to handle an original 16 gauge Model 21, problem is finding one! Sincerely, Lon You will never see a factory original 20 gauge/ 16 gauge combo! The model 21 was over engineered, but they don't malfunction and they don't break! They only made 35,000 model 21's start to finish, and all parts are available through CSMC. The 16 gauge model 21 is a real bastard child, as it is built on a 20 gauge size frame, but that is where the similarity ends, the action is totally different, including the width of the firing pins. It is perfectly balanced and weighs 7.5 lbs. It is unique, in that it is factory original with 3 inch chambers (try to find that ammunition), 32 inch barrels choked full and full, straight stock, with B/T forearm. Now the bad part! What I haven't told you is that I have an original, 16 gauge Model 21, that is the best handling shot gun I have ever held, which is precisely why I own it. Most of you have heard me complain about my 12 gauge model 21 being "clubby", and it is, but I can really shoot that gun "clubby" or not! I think the Parker shotgun grade for grade is probably the most elegant gun ever made! Great gun for the field, just great, but just not the kind of shotgun for a grudge match. It was hot stuff on the first 50 clays, but after that the continual act of turning the gun over for loading took a toll on the wrists (true!) and I couldn't wait to finish. One day this past summer I put 200 rounds through a 1947 37T. I totally agree with you about the aesthetics of Ithaca's doubles and the M37 being their salvation to allow them to survive post-war. If I wanted to argue with myself, I would point out that Winchester was selling a boatload of M21s druing the depression when everyone else was vapor locked, so maybe I'm still missing something. Put another way, what does the M21 offer that a Parker doesn't? I think that comparing the fit and finish to a Ruger comes pretty close to the truth. But objectively (market conditions aside), if it were layed down next to a VHE trap of similar conditon, the Parker have to get the nod as the nicer gun. It's worth a small fortune and I treasure it. But bear in mind, I have a 100% original, 100% condition trap model in my cabinet. Yeah, I know I'm being harsh, and I feel kind of bad talking like that.
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