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
