I did this write up because I couldn't find any recent information about fitting experience at the Perazzi factory. I think the information might help some folks make an informed decision about buying a custom fitted Perazzi shotgun.
I had the opportunity to visit the Perazzi factory in Botticino Mattina on 27 & 28 September 2011 to gun fit a MX8 for bunker trap. Specifications included a lightweight 29.5inch length, fixed choke barrels, glove fit with adjustable comb, no wood upgrade. My traveling companion was a 70-year-old gentleman that ordered a MX2000/8 with similar specs plus upgraded wood.
Our plane landed in Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) at about 7am, 26 September. Took the fast rail service Malpensa Express train to Milan Central Station in Milan that took about 50 minutes.
From Milan Central Railway Station we took at 46min train to Brescia. From the train station, it was 15euro taxi ride to the hotel Villa Fenaroli Palace Hotel (http://www.booking.com/VillaFenaroliPalace). This hotel is about 3.4km to the Perazzi factory and was recommended Ms Bianca from Perazzi. I did some research on the internet and this was the closest one that could be booked online. I booked the cheapest room from 26th to 29th for a total of 285euros.
We arrived at the hotel at 1.30pm and unpacked. There is great wifi connection on the 1st floor. 2nd floor internet access is via ethernet cable.
After breakfast at 830am, we took the back door out of the hotel and walked about west, then north to the factory. That took about 40-50min via the iPhone GPS.
At the factory gate, we buzzed an intercom and were granted access to the main entrance. Boutique was on the left, we could see the factory floor about 20 meters from the front door. The showroom with all the shotguns is on the right after reception. The guns are all locked up though. Opening hours are 8am-12pm and 1pm to 5pm. They are closed at lunchtime. We then met with Ms Bianca that we corresponded with and she led us to meet the master gun fitter.
The rest are in point form:
1. He took a look at me and proceeded to setup a try gun with my MX8 barrels and receiver. I was surprised that the receiver was silver but he mentioned that ALL MX8s in Italy are silver now (different from the brochures). Personally I don't really mind that it was in silver. I'm buying the gun for shooting, not so much for aesthetics.
2. I put the try gun on and was surprised how well it felt. My trigger finger felt right. The LOP felt right. By the way, LOP was shorter than my forearm. I closed my eyes, put the comb to my cheek, opened my eyes and I was looking straight down the barrel. He mentioned that balance of the gun will be shifted behind the hinge pin, majority bunker shooters prefer it that way. After using stock MX8s, I know what he means, it's slightly more tiring when the gun is centered on the hinge pin, one is more prone using left forearm. By the way, both Ms Bianca and the Perazzi master gun fitter possessed good working English so we could nail finer details without much effort.
3. We brought the guns to the firing range to check POI and alignment. 1st shot was spot on 70/30 and 2nd shot very slightly left. Turns out it's common for right hand shooters to shoot a little left on the 2nd shot. I asked about shooting on the trap range and found out there's no tryout on the trap range. I was quite disappointed with that but also realized that even with the number of customers who were at the factory, I didn't hear any shots coming from the range.
4. We then went to the room where they kept the wood. My choices were quite limited due to the larger block needed for the glove fit stock. But I ended up a wood grain I liked.
5. We went back to the area where we met the gun fitter and looked at a selection of forearms. For bunker trap, we only had 2 types (with 2 sizes each) to choose from.
6. We were then offered to come back the next day in the morning at 10am to do a last tryout with the gun done up with the actual forearms and stock. I was surprised, I had read the process took only a day. Thank God I factored an extra day just in case.
7. After that, we went to the boutique and saw that Perazzi had new shooting glasses not mentioned in the online catalogs. They had re-branded Pilla shooting glasses with 2 lenses. Not sure about the type but it had a bayonet temple. We then took a walk back to the hotel (wasn't too difficult in 27c weather).
8. We came back the next morning at 930am. Ms Bianca took us to see the guns. It was awesome. The MX8 was 99% done up, with the selected wood and all (no checkering yet). I lifted it up and put it to my cheeks, it felt really good but felt it was a bit odd when I swung the gun. Ms Bianca saw that and mentioned the balancing will be done later.
9. We went to the range to try the POI and it was about the same as the 1st day. Spot on 70/30 on the 1st shot and slightly left on the 2nd.
10. After the final fitting, we left the next morning on the early train. Had to get the hotel to book at 6.15am taxi as our flight in Milan was 11.55am.
That's about as detailed as I can get. Hope the information helps.
Best
Wesley
I had the opportunity to visit the Perazzi factory in Botticino Mattina on 27 & 28 September 2011 to gun fit a MX8 for bunker trap. Specifications included a lightweight 29.5inch length, fixed choke barrels, glove fit with adjustable comb, no wood upgrade. My traveling companion was a 70-year-old gentleman that ordered a MX2000/8 with similar specs plus upgraded wood.
Our plane landed in Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) at about 7am, 26 September. Took the fast rail service Malpensa Express train to Milan Central Station in Milan that took about 50 minutes.
From Milan Central Railway Station we took at 46min train to Brescia. From the train station, it was 15euro taxi ride to the hotel Villa Fenaroli Palace Hotel (http://www.booking.com/VillaFenaroliPalace). This hotel is about 3.4km to the Perazzi factory and was recommended Ms Bianca from Perazzi. I did some research on the internet and this was the closest one that could be booked online. I booked the cheapest room from 26th to 29th for a total of 285euros.
We arrived at the hotel at 1.30pm and unpacked. There is great wifi connection on the 1st floor. 2nd floor internet access is via ethernet cable.
After breakfast at 830am, we took the back door out of the hotel and walked about west, then north to the factory. That took about 40-50min via the iPhone GPS.
At the factory gate, we buzzed an intercom and were granted access to the main entrance. Boutique was on the left, we could see the factory floor about 20 meters from the front door. The showroom with all the shotguns is on the right after reception. The guns are all locked up though. Opening hours are 8am-12pm and 1pm to 5pm. They are closed at lunchtime. We then met with Ms Bianca that we corresponded with and she led us to meet the master gun fitter.
The rest are in point form:
1. He took a look at me and proceeded to setup a try gun with my MX8 barrels and receiver. I was surprised that the receiver was silver but he mentioned that ALL MX8s in Italy are silver now (different from the brochures). Personally I don't really mind that it was in silver. I'm buying the gun for shooting, not so much for aesthetics.
2. I put the try gun on and was surprised how well it felt. My trigger finger felt right. The LOP felt right. By the way, LOP was shorter than my forearm. I closed my eyes, put the comb to my cheek, opened my eyes and I was looking straight down the barrel. He mentioned that balance of the gun will be shifted behind the hinge pin, majority bunker shooters prefer it that way. After using stock MX8s, I know what he means, it's slightly more tiring when the gun is centered on the hinge pin, one is more prone using left forearm. By the way, both Ms Bianca and the Perazzi master gun fitter possessed good working English so we could nail finer details without much effort.
3. We brought the guns to the firing range to check POI and alignment. 1st shot was spot on 70/30 and 2nd shot very slightly left. Turns out it's common for right hand shooters to shoot a little left on the 2nd shot. I asked about shooting on the trap range and found out there's no tryout on the trap range. I was quite disappointed with that but also realized that even with the number of customers who were at the factory, I didn't hear any shots coming from the range.
4. We then went to the room where they kept the wood. My choices were quite limited due to the larger block needed for the glove fit stock. But I ended up a wood grain I liked.
5. We went back to the area where we met the gun fitter and looked at a selection of forearms. For bunker trap, we only had 2 types (with 2 sizes each) to choose from.
6. We were then offered to come back the next day in the morning at 10am to do a last tryout with the gun done up with the actual forearms and stock. I was surprised, I had read the process took only a day. Thank God I factored an extra day just in case.
7. After that, we went to the boutique and saw that Perazzi had new shooting glasses not mentioned in the online catalogs. They had re-branded Pilla shooting glasses with 2 lenses. Not sure about the type but it had a bayonet temple. We then took a walk back to the hotel (wasn't too difficult in 27c weather).
8. We came back the next morning at 930am. Ms Bianca took us to see the guns. It was awesome. The MX8 was 99% done up, with the selected wood and all (no checkering yet). I lifted it up and put it to my cheeks, it felt really good but felt it was a bit odd when I swung the gun. Ms Bianca saw that and mentioned the balancing will be done later.
9. We went to the range to try the POI and it was about the same as the 1st day. Spot on 70/30 on the 1st shot and slightly left on the 2nd.
10. After the final fitting, we left the next morning on the early train. Had to get the hotel to book at 6.15am taxi as our flight in Milan was 11.55am.
That's about as detailed as I can get. Hope the information helps.
Best
Wesley
