doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Ithaca Perazzi MX 8

Can someone possibly provide some information about a Perazzi MX 8 for me, or point me towards a source of same? The gun is serialed 480XX, has 31 7/8" barrels and a stepped vent rib. Originally choked full and full it was most probably a trap gun. Inscriptions are as follows: Left barrel chamber area - ITHACA GUN COMPANY-ITHACA-NEW YORK, 12 GA. 2 3/4 CHAMBER, MADE IN ITALY, MX 8 (in gold). Right barrel chamber area - CUSTOM CRAFTED BY MANIFATTURA ARMI PERAZZI. Underneath bottom barrel - ACCIAIC SPECIAL.

It has simple border engraving around the chamber area, engraving on and around the hinge pin and engraving on the top lever and a small area behind the rib.

It is obviously pretty old, not much bluing left, but locks up perfectly with top lever still slightly right of center. And, oh yeah, she moves and shoots like a dream and has a wonderful (non selective) trigger.

Any help on this one is greatly appreciated. Stan

Stan, What kind of help are you looking for? The gun is worth probably $2,500 to just over $3,000. It was almost certainly a trap gun. The Ithaca imports were almost all trap guns. Most of them were originally choked at about 30 thou in the bottom and just over 40 thou in the top. If it has little bluing left and the top lever is right of center then the top lever has probably been replaced. Fairly simple job costs about $350 or so.
I own several of these guns as well as some of the early Winchester imports. These were made in the fairly early days of Perazzi. More handwork than the new guns. Some folks would say they are better guns. But, they don't yet sell at a premium. Most of them have been extensively worked on over the years. Backbored, ported, rechoked or choke tubes installed (not to mention the stocks). I just bought one locally in excellent condition with all original bores and matching numbers for a little under $3,000.
You should check to see if the serial numbers match. Perazzis are quite interchangable and often they are made up of odd parts or at least some don't match.
If you could be more specific on your question, I can give you more information.

Best regards, Jake

Jake,

You just told me most of what I wanted to know. I just never knew any history on Perazzis imported by Ithaca. This one has new Perazzi wood with an adjustable comb and a Gra-Coil on the butt with a Kik-Eez pad. The chokes have been opened to .020 bottom and .025 top. Screw-in chokes could be installed but probably only Briley's ultra-thin jobs, and they are pretty fragile. I'm considering getting it in a swap deal to shoot sporting with. I know it's over-choked for most of the presentations, but I shot a round with it Sat. that included some very close dying birds as well as some long ones. It gave me an 89 first time out, then a 22 on the 5-stand competition. The birds I dropped were not the gun's fault, but brain f***s on my part. I'm impressed with the quality, lock-up, and trigger. But, most of all with the way it moves which is much more suitable to my style shooting than a K-gun. Thanks again. Stan

Stan,
The gun you shot was made in 1976. At that time, Perazzi was importing to America both through Ithaca and Winchester. I agree with you about how a Perazzi moves. To me, they almost feel organic. There is a good reason that a large majority of international competition shooters use Perazzis.
I do not know what the ACCIAIC SPECIAL engraved on the gun means. Maybe someone else can enlighten us.
Enjoy the gun. Don't worry about the chokes. When Digweed won the recent all around shotgun challenge, I am told he used the same gun with 32" barrels and M/F chokes for all events, including skeet.
Regards, Jake

Thanks again for the helpful info, Jake. If I can work the deal to suit me, and I think I can, I won't worry about the chokes. I'd much rather be a bit overchoked than underchoked anytime. Besides, the way those targets just go away in dust clouds when solidly hit with a .020 or .025 is really confidence building. Makes it easy on the scorers. There's always the chance of picking up another set of barrels in the future.

All my best, Stan

OBTW, all serial numbers match.

accachio speciale (sp) = special steel.

Mike

Thanks Mike. Do you know what "special steel" means in real terms? Was it different from the usual Perazzis?

Regards, Jake

Maybe someone could explain the mechanical differences in the early guns, whether the differences should make us stay away from the early guns, what the serial number cutoffs are for unacceptable guns. I understand there is a difference in the forend that is a consideration too. Help.

Eightbore,
Aside from being a great shooting gun, the Perazzi was designed to be a high end custom gun and have interchangable parts.
There is no significant difference from the early guns to the new ones regarding the frame, trigger (which drops out and is completely interchangable), barrels or stocks. The forearms evolved from type 1 through type 4. The type 4 became standard I believe in the late 70s. I can check that date when I get home if you care. The significance is that a type 1,2,3 or 4 forearm will only match a barrel with the same type latch. The barrels will fit all the same receivers but the forearm iron is different. Often, barrels are sold with forearms which makes them essentially interchangable with any Perazzi. Also, the forearm lug on the old style barrels can be changed out for a type 4 if necessary.
The old guns had less bells and whistles than the new ones have such as adjustable ribs etc. which have become popular in ATA trapshooting. But the guns are basically the same.
I believe that the older guns are actually better. They had more hand finishing than the new ones. In fact, some of the new ones have laser engraving (yuc!). I have had several conversations with Perazzi trained smiths and they have all agreed, though not dramatically, they preferred the old guns.
One thing, we are discussing the basic MX-8 guns. Most Perazzis are built on the MX-8 frame even if called a Mirage, SC-1, SC-3, SC-0 etc.
The MX-3 guns are the exception. The barrels on that gun are not interchangable with the MX-8s (the stocks and triggers are interchangable)unless they are the MX-3 Special which have interchangable barrels also. Also, the MX-6 did not have drop out triggers and is somewhat unique. Essentially, the MX-6 is its own gun.
Wew. Does that help?
Regards, Jake

The MX-8 first appeared at the 1968 Olympics is Mexico City. I believe it won the trap event. I never owned one but shot a few that some friends loaned me to shoot. I believe they were the finest shotgun I ever shot.

Regards
M.L.