doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com My new Perazzi DC12 SC3

Hi all,

I've been experimenting with various different SXSs this year. AYA, Tate, SIACE, M21, Beretta 486, and others. I absolutely love the styling and form of the SXS compared to the over-under. However, the one thing I do not like about the SXSs is the shooting them. I've had them fitted and they shoot where I am looking, but the feel, pointability, recoil, and sight picture are just wrong to me. I'm used to shooting competition over-unders and I understand that SXSs are a completely different beast.

I recently discovered how wonderful Perazzi shotguns are. My favorite is the MX8 platform. Such a beautiful shotgun and shoots like a dream with no recoil and very natural feeling in the hand. I didn't realize Perazzi also made SXSs until I seen the DC12 model. I had the opportunity to shoot a newer Perazzi DC12 DC3 recently and it was shocking how similar it was to the MX8. I had no idea I was shooting a SXS when using it at 5-stand and sporting clays. It felt, moved, and sight picture was identical to an over-under.

I really think the Winchester M21 was ahead of its time with the stepped rib, which gets your eyes out of the barrels. I believe the sight picture is my major problem with all traditional SXSs, followed by feel when mounted. The Winchester M21 and Perazzi DC12 brings up the rib so the sight picture looks just like an over-under. The M21 was also ahead of its time with its forend, which protected your left hand from the hot barrels. Trying to shoot a semi-beaver or splinter forend at competition or tournament is not really possible and very uncomfortable. The barrels become way too hot and very difficult to contend with. The M21 feel a bit short when it comes to the ergonomics of its stock, grip, and pointability.

The Perazzi DC12 solves all of the above problems in a lovely SXS configuration. The DC12 takes the stepped rib, full beaver tail forend, and adds the Perazzi stock with adjustable comb, pistol grip, and drop-out trigger group. I spent a day with the Perazzi DC12 and MX8 shooting them interchangeably between stations without having to worry about which one I am shooting. My scores didn't suffer a bit and both felt nearly identical. The only major difference is that the MX8 weights a little less than the DC12. My DC12 weights in at 8 pounds and 14 ounces. Shooting 1oz 1300fps FITASC loads had absolutely no recoil with the DC12.

I'm really happy that the Perazzi MX8 and DC12 use the exact same trigger group, springs, and firing pins. I can consolidate my maintenance parts for both platforms. Here are some shots of my Perazzi DC12. I'm very happy with it and I'm able to shoot it like there's no tomorrow, which I wasn't able to see with my other SXS adventures.

The engraving was done by Angelo Galeazzi's son, Fausto Galeazzi.

Interesting posts and great pics.

I'm glad you have found the S x S that you can shoot better than all others. It's no doubt a very fine gun, built to last more than a lifetime, like the Perazzi O/Us. I'm a MX8 fan and shooter. I put more rounds through my 31 1/2" MX8 (stepped rib) in a year, at sporting clays, than all my other shotguns put together. But...................I don't have the problem you do with shooting S x S guns in other configurations than the DC12. I can actually shoot S x Ss very well, from time to time. Not because they have a stepped rib like my MX8, none do.

You said

That is quite impossible, IMO. It may have felt and moved the same, but if the sight picture was the same it was because you were looking at the clay so hard you didn't notice the difference in the barrel structure.

I understand how hard it is to describe the "sight picture" when we see lead over the barrels of a double, whether superposed or S x S. But, that doesn't mean we are seeing the same thing. We aren't. It's just that we are focused so hard on what is important (the clay, or the bird) that we don't remember what the barrels looked like clearly. We just center them when we establish the lead. JMO, from my experience.

I'd really like to have the opportunity to shoot a 100 bird round with a DC12 to see if it was as wonderful for me as it was for you, but I also have to wonder if the cost would justify the end.

All my best, SRH

Nice gun. Amazing what $25K will buy.
JR

That�s a sweet gun. 32� barrels? A friend of mine has the same gun, an SC3 with a different SC3 engraving pattern but with the same stepped rib. I personally like your gun�s engraving better, your gun having my favorite SC3 pattern. My buddy let me shoot his gun and what a treat. You have a very fine gun there.

I bought the plain jane version of your gun this summer. Fixed chokes, flat rib, and conventional,albeit, high stock. It weighs 8.5 lbs and swings a lot like a #2 frame Parker. It would not be be mistaken for an O/U. Wonderful trigger. I�m convinced the lock up will never shoot loose. It�s given me a lot of enjoyment so far.

Thanks, Stan. The sight picture I am describing isn't impossible and isn't because I'm focusing so hard on the bird. The DC12 stepped rib (and the M21 stepped rib as the same phenomenon) has a near identical sight picture as my MX8 11x7mm flat rib. All I can see in my peripheral vision is the stepped rib/tower, no double barrels at all. I hope you get the opportunity to try a stepped rib on a SXS, I found it quite amazing experience.

Yes these are 32" barrels. My favorite pattern as well. Very cool that you were able to shoot one as well.