Parker-Hale Rifles

[sumpnz]

Any of you know much about Parker-Hale rifles? There's one on gunbroker right now (Model 2700 Lightweight) that is in the caliber I want (6.5 Swede) and the price is what I'm willing to pay (if my wife can find it in the buget that is). But, I know almost nothing about the brand. All I know about this particular specimen is that it was made in the early 1990's at the Gibbs Rifle Co. Martinsburg, WV plant, and is based on the 1903 Springfield action and has a 24" barrel. Seller is rating the rifle as Excellent condition based on NRA criteria (from the pictures that would appear to be accurate, but without a detailed inspection of course it's hard to say for sure).

So, are these rifles usually pretty accurate? How's the overall quality and relialibity? With a 1903 action I assume they are controlled round feed, or is it push feed? How is the stock trigger, and is it easy to adjust? How heavy is the barrel (i.e. is real thin to save weight but heats up fast, or is it a bit heavier to handel the heat better)

Thanks for any input.

 

[sumpnz]

btt

Come on guys, someone has to know something about these rifles or at least other Gibbs rifles produced around the same time frame (10-15 years ago).

 

[DEG1911]

I bought a parker-hale a few years back. The gun shop couldn't move it at the time. I got it for a pretty good price (I thought). I do not claim to know much about them, but I'm happy with this rifle. I'm not sure of the model number. It was a new 30.06. Mauser Action (controlled round feed), my guess being a FN action. Trigger is crisp with little overtravel. Safety was a Mod 700 style. Very nice wood. Action was glass bedded. Shoots great. I wouldn't trade the rifle. I'd love to have it in 6.5x55.

Hope this helps.

 

[sumpnz]

DEG1911, thanks for the response.

Check your PM's.

 

[Wildalaska]

I had one, sold it, didnt shoot

Wildbuya70Alaska

 

[Radagast]

http://www.gunandgame.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-14918.html

http://www.gunboards.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=50139&#285492

Gibbs doesn't have a reputation for consistent quality. Parker Hale was/is an English maker of quality rifles, Gibbs may have imported them (good) or bought the name and rebadged some other product (bad). I think I'd pass unless I could try the gun first.

Ken

 

[JohnBT]

I looked it up last night. According to last year's Blue Book the 2700 is a lightweight version of the 2600 and brings $340 in 100% condition.

Looking at the entire P-H listing, the 2700 was on the bottom end of their offerings pricewise. Must not be too much demand for them (and that always raises a flag in my mind.)

John

 

[Lone Star]

Parker-Hale was better known for their .303 sporters and for oil, sights, and other accessories.

They did make a nice rifle on a Spanish Mauser action in the early 1990's, but I don't think it sold well here. The arsenal that made the '98 type action was Santa Barbara, I believe. Not real smooth actions. The FN was a better Mauser, but discontinued by then, I think.

Lone Star

 

[sumpnz]

Well sounds like this may be a rifle to pass on. Starting bid for it is $320, which would seem fair enough if the gun is in as good a condition as the seller describes. But, I sent him an email asking for a bunch more detailed information and extra pictures about the same time as my original post and he has yet to respond.

The rifle was made under license by Gibbs; it was not imported.

Wild, I've been seeing a few M70s in 6.5 Swede. Trust me, if I had the money for one, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. But, in just the last few weeks my dogs have just cost me a bunch of money (broke the patio door, vet bill from valley fever, and training for a behavioral problem), I had to get the car fixed, and my wife got robbed (this also spurred her into finally deciding she needs a pistol, she got a .38 snubbie). So, as I'm sure you can imagine, $6-700 for a rifle ain't gonna happen, at least until after hunting season. With creative accounting I could swing the $360 or so for this rifle ($320+$22ship+$20FFL) but even that will be a tight squeeze.

Anyway, short of the seller getting back with the requested info soon, and the rifle being one of the the ones made on a good day I'll probably pass on it.

 

[256M-S]

Never been overly impressed with the Parker Hale centerfire offerings--especially since what was geared for US Export tended to have shiny stocks a some Brit interpretation of American stock design. The actions were Spanish made Mausers and, for me at least, there were better Mauser actions available.

What PARKER-HALE did do well, was the ENFIELD cap and ball pieces for Navy Arms in their initial production of the 1853 3-band Muskets and the lovely little ENFIELD 1861 MUSKETOON. Early production was made, allegedly, on the original machinery. The little .577 musketoon was one of the first light weight big bore sporters available and needed no work out of the box to make a lovely hunting rifle. Seems to me that production quality went down sometime after they changed manufacturers in the early '80's. Don't have the dates, but I surely like mine. Great hunting rifle if you feel a need for the 577 bore. Easy carrying, fast to hand, lively little big bore for them as likes cap n' ball guns.

 

[RandyG]

I've owned and used a Parker Hale 1200 Super in .270 for over 30 years.
Mine was built on a Mauser 98 action, trigger looks like a Timney clone.
Barrel med. weight 24" Rifle shoots great and I've never has a problem.
The Springfield 1903 is a CF action and was one of the best bolt actions made at the time. From what I know of Parker Hale is that they buy actions barrels
triggers sights etc. from others and then put them together.Mine I've been very happy with and think that in quailty it equals the Mauser 98 Brownings that were being made at the same time. I can't say anything more about the one your looking at, but I would gladly pay that price for mine.

 

[Sunray]

Parker-Hale and Gibbs ain't the same thing. Parker-Hale made good rifles. Some based on Mauser actions, some on Lee-Enfield actions. Gibbs is, I think, building questionable rifles, built on questionable actions. A pure Parker-Hale is a good rifle. A buddy of mine has a .243 that will drive tacks with his handloads.
I'd pass just because it's an auction thing. I don't trust on-line auctions. You really have no ideas what you're buying.
You looking for a sporting rifle or a milsurp in 6.5 x 55? Think Swedish mauser or any commercial rifle in that calibre. Excellent for deer/bear/moose.

 

[sumpnz]

Sunray, Thanks for the input. I think I've already decided that I will pass on this rifle. The seller finally got back to me, and if nothing else, the LOP would be enough to make me pass. It only has a 12.75" LOP and for a rifle to fit me, I'd need it to be at least 1" longer, 1.25" longer would be about perfect. By the time I fixed just that I'd have been able to buy a brand new CZ 550 which I know will fit me.

To answer your question, I'm looking for a sporting rifle in 6.5 Swede. I already have a mil-surp Swede (Carl Gustaf M96, mfg 1919). If I can't scratch up the money for a 550 or M70, I'll probably hunt with the mil-surp this year, but I was really hoping to find a good deal on a sporter. I thought this rifle might be the one, but apparently not.