Need a little education on Pardini SP please

I am just starting to look around at buying an SP for Bullseye.

What are my issues with buying a used one vs a new one? Are the Nygord ones better or worse than new? I've seen a couple priced quite well.

Will Pardini USA repair the older guns still?

I don't mind spending less (duh) but also don't mind saving a little longer and buying brand new if the new ones are so upgraded that it makes sense to buy new.

I have read everything I can find, but still have questions.

Tough question!
I do own a new SP&HP
I do know they have changed the SP several times trying to improve it. 
The high quality of today’s 22’s I think they can only do so much. If the used pistol is in good shape and the money works buy it.

Hi Mike Margolis:

I own a Pardini SP New Bullseye edition that I purchased new in 2013.  I have also shot a number of other Pardini's, the old Nygoord ones, the SP New ones before they came out with the Bullseye edition, and also the recently introduced ones with the 5 inch barrel with compensator, and the longer 6 inch barrel editions.  I also own a FWB AW 093 and a couple of Model 41's.  I have also owned a Bailkal 035M, otherwise referred affectionately as "that Russian POS".  Oh yeah, i also own and shoot a Pardini K22 that I shoot for fun cause I just cannot see the irons. 

The Nygoords are awesome guns.  No doubt about it, beautifully made, simply awesome.  the problem with the Nygoords are that you need to figure out how to put a red dot on them. There are some good solutions like Larry Carters scope mount, some lousy solutions, and some really OMG WTF were they thinking solutions.  Would not hesitate to recommend a Nygoord to a shooter that could not afford the SP New.  

In the 2000s or so, they came out with the SP New which included a series of counterweights.  the early ones had four counterweights in the muzzle and that was late expanded to six counterweights.  In my opinion, a excellent improvement since the Nygoord was a little bit light weight and the counterweights significantly reduce recoil and improve your scores in timed and rapid.  Plus, with the shooter can custom tune the weight of the pistol by removing weights or replacing them with heavier tungston counterweights.  The only problem with the SP New is that the shooter is not able to remove the red dot and use the iron sights, then replace the red dot and retain the zero.  As far as I know, there are no feasible options to alleviate this problem.  Furthermore, a number of shooters were having problems with the red dot creeping on the rails as they used the pistol.  Pardini USA came out with specifically machined rings to address this, and a number of bullseye supply houses (KC from S. Carolina) have manufactured mounts for microdots that eliminate this problem. 

In 2013, they came out with the bullseye edition of the SP new.  Basically, they found that with a slightly heavier bolt that they could tweak a fraction more accuracy out of the pistol with the sacrifice of slightly slower reloading time when compared to the regular edition or the rapid fire edition.  Personally, I have a hard time recognizing the advantages for a particular shooting discipline since the differences are so minor.  I remain skeptical as to the particular advantages but am open to any new information available.  For what it is worth, pardini was marketing the SP New pistol, the SP Rapid fire pistol, and the SP Bullseye edition with the difference being the weight of the bolt and the corresponding improvements in accuracy or cycling time.  

More recently, Pardini came out with the 5 inch ported barrel model and the 6 inch barrel edition.  these had a weaver or picatinny mount way out there by the muzzle as a attempt to address the red dot mounting issue.  In my humble opinion, the weaver mount way up front missed the mark and I also think that the longer barrel is less accurate for a regular human shooter. I am not sure why they did not put a cantilever mount similar to what you see on some rifled deer hunting shotgun barrels but I suppose the height above barrel issue  would surface. 

Anyways, the Nygoord pardini is a awesome pistol for bullseye.  I would give a slight nod to the newer models with the recoil reducing counterweights for the added versatility and shooting comfort.  As for the longer 5 or 6 inch barrels?  I would pass on those.  As for buying new or used?  I do not know if Pardini USA supports the Nygoord models so I would find out before putting a bid on one.  I purchased mine new and have been amazed at the support from Pardini USA.  It was worth it to me to purchase new for that support although I have not had a issue with my firearm.  I figure I have over 100,000 rounds through my firearm and I have not had a non ammo related alibi (knock on wood) in that time.  Parts that I have replaced?  the rubber recoil buffer.  Yup, thats it.  Oh yeah, I also replaced a plastic magazine base when it shattered when I dropped it on the floor and I did need a replacement dry fire plug cause the llittle handle broke off when it got jammed after a marathon session of dry firing. 

Bottom line, get the SP New.  I am sure Pardini USA will support you if you buy used but that is the model I would recommend.  

Sincerely, 
George

More information.  

Another shortcoming of the pardini is that there is not a good gripping surface to rack the bolt.  While this is not a issue with the bolt cocked, it is significantly more difficult once the trigger has been pulled either on a dud or when dry firing.  Consequently, since I do so much dry firing and was developing a blister on my thumb and fingers from recocking the pistol, I mounted a high standard bolt racker on the left wing of the bolt to assist me in racking the bolt.  I mentioned this to Vladimir at Pardini when they were at Camp Perry but since I am a mere expert, not sure that they heard me.  

Anyways, a couple of my teammates saw my slide racker and I have installed one on their pistol as well. 

Sincerely, 
Crankster

Even more information......

They also had a electronic trigger edition of the SP new.  I am not sure that they even support these anymore at pardini usa but they had a lot of problems and I would steer clear of the electronic triggers.

One additional consideration is whether you would ever consider adding a 32 conversion unit. The newer conversion units do not fit the older guns.

CrankyThunder wrote:Anyways, a couple of my teammates saw my slide racker and I have installed one on their pistol as well. 

Would you have a pic or two of that?

Great reply to the question by the way.  It is nice to read the comparisons between models by someone that has played with them all.

Before I purchased mine, I had many of the same questions. I found Vladimir, at Pardini USA, to be most helpful. I think he gave me an extremely accurate view of the pros and cons of new versus old, as well as what they would work on, and more importantly parts availability. I would suggest you call him directly.

Thank you so much for all the help and advice.

Hugely appreciated.

I own a Nygord era pistol SP along with a pre-Nygord HP and I have no problem keeping scopes in place. Warne make a set for the 19mm dovetail and there is no slip even on my 32L HP model. The SP model that Nygord sold had the proper rings for the integral dovetail. Works great 20 years on. I believe he sold his "Bullseye Master" edition guns with an excellent grip and ADCO dot starting in 1999 or 2000. I've had no problem with any part of mine after thousands of rounds.

The Nygord editions have the four counterweights also, its the ones before he imported that didn't have them. The weights don't add that much since its a .22lr. If the price is right I would not avoid a pistol without them as long as it had the added frame stiffening tabs.

Those of you who would like a photo of my slide racker, shoot me a pm with your phone number.   I will get right on it after Thanksgiving

I've had a Nygord-era SP and several versions of the SP New and SP Bullseye.  Along with several minor differences, there were a couple big changes between the Nygord-era SP and the newer versions (SP New and SP Bullseye) that I think are key factors when shopping for an SP:

1.  The trigger design and its adjustments have changed significantly between the Nygord-era and the newer guns, and (IMHO) for the better.

2.  IIRC, some of the barrel shrouds in the Nygord-era didn't have spring-loaded counterweights (or perhaps some of the later guns of that era had only four counterweights, while newer guns have six.

For me, #1 above alone was reason enough for me to sell my older SP and get one of the newer versions.  Between the SP New and the SP Bullseye, despite Pardini USA's claims, I can't tell a difference in accuracy.  I suppose theoretically the greater inertial mass of the SP Bullseye's bolt might keep it in battery a fraction of a second longer thus maybe make it slightly more accurate, but I could never tell the difference.  So for me, the choice between an SP New and SP Bullseye comes down to whether or not you want to also shoot with a .32swl or .32acp conversion unit, since SP New frames can't accept the conversion kits, while SP Bullseye frames can.  If you're absolutely sure you'll never want to shoot with a .32 conversion unit, used SP News are sometimes cheaper than used SP Bullseyes.

Here's what the barrel weights look like in my SP New, without the muzzle cover plate.

I got hooked on Pardini many years ago by trying out a friend's older SP model.
Finally ran into a Team Canada Rapid Fire shooter who needed to sell his SPNew to finance one with electronic trigger to help him practice the ISSF rapid fire discipline. I bought one of his mechanical trigger models and we were both happy.

Had a new shooter join our club who like mine but couldn't afford one, as he was still a student at the time. Found an older SP model for a reasonable price and told him about it. he bought it and hasn't looked back since.

Btw: Mine does not like CCI SV or other US made ammo that tends to be slightly longer then Euro ammo. Gets hung up in magazines when dirty.
I buy SK ammo by the case. No problems. Eley Round nose also OK and RWS.

Mine must be rare all I shoot is CCI SV! Not one hiccup

I bought my Pardini SP new from Champion's Choice in June 2019.
I've put about 7,500 rounds through it in total from June to end November - off for the winter now.
About 1,500 Eley Target, mostly in competition, very few if any alibi's that I recall.
About 3,000 Federal blue box SV (the cheap stuff), practise, occasional FTE. 
About 2,000 Aguila Super Extra SV, practise, also occasional FTE.
Some other cheap practise ammo as well.
I put the FTE's down to the gun being somewhat dirty, freshly cleaned gun does not exhibit any problems.
The Aguila is accurate, but much dirtier and smokier than Eley.
The Federal was less consistent and I did get the occasional dud too.

I'm considering to switch to CMP Eley bulk ammo next year for practise once I finish my current batch of Aguila.