The Perazzi Maze
- Thread starter CharlesP
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CharlesP
Well-known member
At the moment I'm just trying to understand the models through the firm's history.
From that, and browsing the web, and looking around, I may find one I like and that fits me. I will try to borrow one to shoot for a while, and then we'll see.
From that, and browsing the web, and looking around, I may find one I like and that fits me. I will try to borrow one to shoot for a while, and then we'll see.
Wonko the Sane
Well-known member
Non-ejector is easy a couple different ways and both just entail removing parts. Perazzi actions are very compact and hooking the case outta the bottom barrel may prove to be a PITA thru time. I disabled the ejectors in one and it only took a couple day's use to prompt me to put them back
Perazzi factory screw-in chokes are of four types (maybe five now) and like most manufacturers are not like any others. The different types are age dependent and easily identified. I've heard/read that one of the two earliest was the same as WinChoke but I actually have no knowledge of the truth of that. Really don't care either since Perazzi chokes are not rare and are not something that requires replacement. And there are lots of aftermarket types available as well for all but the very earliest style.
I'm personally opposed to the installation of aftermarket tubes in fixed choke barrels for a variety of reasons but you will often see guns for sale that have been molested in that manner. Good luck on that.
Stocks are nasty expensive for sure. Lots of pre-owned around tho on ebay and US forums' classified adverts. Over time I've done some bottom feeding and gathered adjusto comb things that help with the fitting. I'm currently trying to flip a few guitars to convert the guitar$ to gun$ and get one of the super adjusto TSK things for the MX1. That may take a while hahaha
Perazzi factory screw-in chokes are of four types (maybe five now) and like most manufacturers are not like any others. The different types are age dependent and easily identified. I've heard/read that one of the two earliest was the same as WinChoke but I actually have no knowledge of the truth of that. Really don't care either since Perazzi chokes are not rare and are not something that requires replacement. And there are lots of aftermarket types available as well for all but the very earliest style.
I'm personally opposed to the installation of aftermarket tubes in fixed choke barrels for a variety of reasons but you will often see guns for sale that have been molested in that manner. Good luck on that.
Stocks are nasty expensive for sure. Lots of pre-owned around tho on ebay and US forums' classified adverts. Over time I've done some bottom feeding and gathered adjusto comb things that help with the fitting. I'm currently trying to flip a few guitars to convert the guitar$ to gun$ and get one of the super adjusto TSK things for the MX1. That may take a while hahaha
Cosmicblue
Well-known member
There is some useful content on RUAG UK's web site http://www.ruag.co.uk/downloads/41-the-perazzi-experience
About half down the page is a PDF detailing the difference between and MX8 and MX12 as well as another document on ageing a Perazzi. As others have noted they are beautifully engineered bits of kit and designed, from the outset, to be maintained for virtually ever.
There are a couple of facts that are useful to understand as you delve into the wonders of Perazzi that will save you a lot of head scratching in the future:
1) There are in essence two distinct families of Perazzi shotguns, namely those with a barrel selector and those without. If your shooting history includes just about ever other makers OU shotgun i.e. Browning, Miroku, Beretta etc then you would assume barrel selectors are the norm..... So MX8 typically don't have a selector (though I believe it was an option with a switch like effort behind the trigger guard) and MX12 do.
Lots of detail differences, different actions, MX8 usually have leaf springs for the triggers and MX12 has conventional coils - I've tried both, John Jeffries of HPX Perazzi tunes the triggers on his guns and I can't tell the difference but maybe I'm just insensitive :frown:
2) Whilst it's possible to buy a standard Perazzi off the shelf many are custom made to order (it doesn't cost any more), with a myriad of options i.e. there are 5 sizes of bore size for a 12 guage I believe, the tighter sizes are favoured for clay shooters and the looser for the game orientated guns. Ribs, heights, widths, tapers etc etc. Having had a couple of HPX's made to order I can say that it's impossible to tell from the documentation (you get a little book with the dimensions) that the gun was made for someone to spec.
As Wonko has indicated Karl Lippard's book is good but not perfect, it was after all Karl's own notes assembled over a number of years as a senior exec at Perazzi Inc, just published into book format if I recall correctly it ends in the mid 70s, still a fascinating insight into the evolution of the guns.
About half down the page is a PDF detailing the difference between and MX8 and MX12 as well as another document on ageing a Perazzi. As others have noted they are beautifully engineered bits of kit and designed, from the outset, to be maintained for virtually ever.
There are a couple of facts that are useful to understand as you delve into the wonders of Perazzi that will save you a lot of head scratching in the future:
1) There are in essence two distinct families of Perazzi shotguns, namely those with a barrel selector and those without. If your shooting history includes just about ever other makers OU shotgun i.e. Browning, Miroku, Beretta etc then you would assume barrel selectors are the norm..... So MX8 typically don't have a selector (though I believe it was an option with a switch like effort behind the trigger guard) and MX12 do.
Lots of detail differences, different actions, MX8 usually have leaf springs for the triggers and MX12 has conventional coils - I've tried both, John Jeffries of HPX Perazzi tunes the triggers on his guns and I can't tell the difference but maybe I'm just insensitive :frown:
2) Whilst it's possible to buy a standard Perazzi off the shelf many are custom made to order (it doesn't cost any more), with a myriad of options i.e. there are 5 sizes of bore size for a 12 guage I believe, the tighter sizes are favoured for clay shooters and the looser for the game orientated guns. Ribs, heights, widths, tapers etc etc. Having had a couple of HPX's made to order I can say that it's impossible to tell from the documentation (you get a little book with the dimensions) that the gun was made for someone to spec.
As Wonko has indicated Karl Lippard's book is good but not perfect, it was after all Karl's own notes assembled over a number of years as a senior exec at Perazzi Inc, just published into book format if I recall correctly it ends in the mid 70s, still a fascinating insight into the evolution of the guns.
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Wonko the Sane
Well-known member
Aside from all the other options for me the elements are basic. Which action form do you like - there are two - and do you want dropout triggers or fixed plate triggers? That selection will provide you with a basic model # to search for.
good hunting
good hunting
CharlesP
Well-known member
I have finally received the book, and am a little nonplussed to discover that the book I have paid $36.85 for is in fact the "Trade" version, which according to the preface is intended for me to carry around "free of all the bulk, costly photography and other trappings associated with a hard bound book". The vendor includes a voucher for £14.95 towards the version that does include the other stuff.
Well Mr Lippard it's a bit of a shame you didn't tell me that in the advert on FleaBay, because it's precisely that bulk and photography and trappings that I wanted, and thought I was getting.
The ever-helpful and informed members of this forum have given me more actual information in this thread. Mr Lippard suffers from the all-pervading American disease of "what's-it-worth-itis" and sadly appears to have modelled his writing style on Marvel Comics speech balloons.
A disappointing afternoon.
Thanks everyone, you have been most kind. You are a good bunch.
Well Mr Lippard it's a bit of a shame you didn't tell me that in the advert on FleaBay, because it's precisely that bulk and photography and trappings that I wanted, and thought I was getting.
The ever-helpful and informed members of this forum have given me more actual information in this thread. Mr Lippard suffers from the all-pervading American disease of "what's-it-worth-itis" and sadly appears to have modelled his writing style on Marvel Comics speech balloons.
A disappointing afternoon.
Thanks everyone, you have been most kind. You are a good bunch.
Wonko the Sane
Well-known member
The hard cover edition has never emerged. And likely never will. Your "voucher" will certainly be more useful as something else. A good part, I'm assuming, of Mr. Lippard's motivation was to promote his business. I've heard people speak ill of him but I have to say that the times I've spoken with or contacted him he has been an easy person to deal with.
" suffers from the all-pervading American disease of "what's-it-worth-itis" " Might be a bit harsh as a generalization. And FWIW a good part of Lippard's business is appraising collectible firearms. IIRC I only paid $15 twenty years ago for the copy I have. But those $15 are prolly near $40 by now so it's hard to tell if you got ripped or not.
A few Perazzi catalogs, older and current, can easily guide you thru the models. Way cool cat's too BTW. Bearing in mind of course that any "standard" model can be modified in about any way imaginable on order.
" suffers from the all-pervading American disease of "what's-it-worth-itis" " Might be a bit harsh as a generalization. And FWIW a good part of Lippard's business is appraising collectible firearms. IIRC I only paid $15 twenty years ago for the copy I have. But those $15 are prolly near $40 by now so it's hard to tell if you got ripped or not.
A few Perazzi catalogs, older and current, can easily guide you thru the models. Way cool cat's too BTW. Bearing in mind of course that any "standard" model can be modified in about any way imaginable on order.
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