New Pardini SP Bullseye on its way...

I'm very excited, I have a brand spanking new Pardini SP Bullseye on its way. I will get it as soon as Firearm retail is allowed to resume and the ranges open.
Does anyone have any tips on setup or initial maintenance for the gun before shooting it?
Thanks,
Dany

Check the screws around the trigger assembly, at least one was not tight enough on my HP32 from new which allowed the trigger to slide back and contact the frame/grip which then led me on a "wild goose chase" trying to adjust the unadjustable!

If you are going to put a red dot on the gun choose the rings carefully. The standard rings that come with an Ultradot are not good. Other members say that the Pardini rings are good. I went with Warne Maxima low rings - very solid. If you choose an Aimpoint or similar micro tube then get a Kodiak Machine mount from KC.

1+ one on the screw because it got me also! I fixed it with a drop of loctite blue. I had zero issues with rings from Pardini on my ultra dot. I have the 6 inch and have since mounted my dot on the rail. 
I assume the trigger is set on 2 lbs so don’t touch any adjustment screws. Use CCI SV and don’t clean it very often.

Thanks guys, will definitely check the mentionned screws.

I ordered the Champion set that includes the UltraDot MatchDot II, and scope rings.
I can only assume it's the Pardini scope mounts.

Also, if you're tempted to start playing with all the trigger adjustments, go easy. Make very minor adjustments, then shoot it for a while. Then reevaluate.

I found the Pardini quite nose heavy. Don't hesitate to remove some of those weights to see what works for you. Pardini told me to remove in pairs from bottom to top so, if you feel the need, remove the bottom 2, then shoot it. If you want the muzzle even lighter, remove the middle pair. You can always put them back.

It's a beautiful pistol. Shoot it in good health!

dpelletier wrote:Thanks guys, will definitely check the mentionned screws.

I ordered the Champion set that includes the UltraDot MatchDot II, and scope rings.
I can only assume it's the Pardini scope mounts.

Yes those rings are the Pardini ones. When you look at the bottom of the rings you will see that they are milled down.

Agreed, I think it's too front heavy.  Instead of removing weights in the front, however, I added weight to the back.  I drilled three holes in the back bottom of the grip, and glued 230 grain hardball bullets in there.  For me, it's perfectly balanced. 

The grip: I love the European rake angle and find it more comfortable.  The problem for me was when I transitioned to the 1911; it took several shots to re-adjust the angle to where the dot wasn't below the point of aim.  So, I bought the Dick Horton grip, sanded it beyond recognition, and now have an ugly and immensely effective grip (for me).

I did not mess with the trigger, other than the blade angle and position.  Made sure everything was screwed down.  The trigger out of the box is outstanding, no need to mess with.  On this forum, you can read horror stories (and solutions) when the trigger is adjusted to much. 

Enjoy!  You will own arguably the greatest 22 target pistol ever made.

Dear Depelletier:

Congratulations on obtaining a Pardini Bullseye Edition pistol.  I have owned mine since 2013 and have shot it extensively during that time.  Since I purchase 2 to 4 cases of ammo a year, and the majority is used in the Pardini, well, I have a heck of a lot of rounds through the gun.  Furthermore, discounting malfunctions caused by ammo failures, I have not had a alibi attributable to the pistol, knock on wood.  I have had duds, low power rounds, and malfunctions using new unknown ammo when obtained during the great Obama ammo shortage but give me a good lot of CCI SV and it functions like a top.  
Personally, I have cleaned mine using Ezzox, Gunzilla, and a couple of other premier or boutique cleaning fluids and cannot say that one is better then the other.  I will say that with the Ezzox and/or Gunzilla, it seams like it bonds with the metal or coats the metal and creates a super slick surface that makes future cleaning that much easier.  I use a patch worm and/or cleaning rod with patch, have not used a brush, and the barrel is clean after a couple of patches.  

Generally, I try and clean when the layer of debris gets about 3/8th of a inch in size that gets deposited on the top side of the bolt, just above the breach.  This is about 600 rounds of CCI SV, a little sooner with other ammos, and a little bit later with others.  

I have had good performance with CCI SV, Wolf Match Target, the various SK ammos, and also GECO Bolt but I prefer CCI SV simply because the other ammos listed have very greasy lubrication that makes my grip greasy.  CCI SV tends to have a few more duds in a case then the others but the difference in price and lack of grease makes me choose CCI SV.  

During the off season when I did not have any competitions, I experimented and went over 2000 rounds without cleaning and without a alibi.  The pistol was filthy but still functioned reliably.  

I have also tried Eley Target and Aguilla Super Extra but have found that they are not reliable when the weather turns cold.  Generally speaking, during the winter months, I have to leave my pistol and ammo in the vehicle during the day and then proceed to the match with little time for the ammo to warm up.  Your mileage may vary.  

Although they are expensive, get yourself a couple more magazines.  Personally, I prefer six magazines and so I can go through 30 shots (three 10 shot targets) without reloading and would prefer 12 magazines but they are expensive.  

Hope this gives you some things to think about and if you have any questions, shoot me a PM.  If you find yourself in Michigan drop me a line, we got a spot on the line for ya!

Regards, 
Cranky

Thank you gentlemen for your input, it's really appreciated.
I had the opportunity to try one last winter and what really drew me to it was the European rake angle. I like that very much, made my wrist feel more locked-in.
I don't plan on fiddling with the trigger, at least not initially. Other than checking the tightness of the screws as some of you mentioned.
As for weight, it's good to know that it can be set to the right balance for me.
I'll probably be shooting CCI SV, at least to start. It's always what I used for matches with my S&W Model 41 and I have loads of it. I do have other stuff on order, but it may take a while given the current situation.

Have any of you had custom grips made, or you are using the stock grips? I ordered mine with the medium grip which should be right for me according to the Pardini USA measuring guide.

Thanks again and please feel free to add any comments if you think of anything else.
I'm very excited and can't wait to use it.

Dick Horton 
I don’t have one but I will

James Hensler wrote:Dick Horton 
I don’t have one but I will

I can find all kinds of references to DICK HORTON, in multiple forums, including here.
But I can't find any website or contact info.
Just curious in case I want to go that route someday.
I did find Precision Pistol Target Grips, he does 3D printing, they are not very expensive, but I'm not sure I like the look.

I sent you a PM with Dick's contact info

Thanks

Hello again:

Google Dick Horton Grips and you will get a couple hundred images to see what they look like.  I own three sets and let a fourth one go when I sold my IZH 35M.  I have a set for my FWB AW 093, my SW 41, and my Pardini.  While they are beautiful works of art, they have been engineered to fit the human hand perfectly.  The more I use mine the more I appreciate how well they work. 

If and when you order from Dick, one thing that is not apparent is that he offers two styles for the Pardini.  You can get the European rake and you can also get the 1911 angle grips but you need to specify which one you want.  

There is not a check box on the order form so you need to let him know.  

One thing about the European rake pistol grips.  They work very well and perform excellent for a majority of shooters.  Unfortunately, When I got my Pardini, I was practicing every day off my back porch and shooting from 30 to 200 rounds each and every day.  Now, after a couple weeks of this intense practice, I developed tendonitis in the tendon for the thumb on my shooting hand.  This was a sharp pain in the small V formed just above your wrist behind your thumb on top of your hand as you shoot the pistol.  I had to stop shooting for a couple months while this healed.  I ordered the Dick Horton Grips with the 1911 rake and have not had this problem with my Pardini SP new.  

For what it is worth, I also shoot a Pardini K22 free pistol with the original Pardini grips which have the high rake angle as well.  If I shoot that pistol a lot, I will get the tendonitis to reoccur even though I have angled the grips to be less European.  

This is information to know and you should shoot your new Pardini for a bit before you determine if you can handle the European rake angle or if you desire the American 1911 angle.  The European angle does tend to lock your wrist and shooting hand into a more accurate position but it just does not work for me.  

Regards, 
Crankster

I recently got a set of grips for my S&W model 41. Sent scans and gave Dick a good description of what I wanted. Received the grips in about 3 weeks and initially thought they were good. After a fair amount of dry fire I realized that the rotation of the grip was wrong for me, right handed and left eyed. Sent Dick some pictures and described the problems and he has a new set of grips to me in a week. Sent them out before he ever received my grips back. I have only been able to dry fire, but these seem perfect with just smoothing the edge at the bottom of my wrist along the upturn of the palm rest.
Can't say enough about the artisanship and customer service. Will probably get grips for my 1911 once I have had a chance to shoot it live for a while.

I had a recent experience similar to Impalanut. Dick Horton Customer Service is outstanding. But custom grips are a very personal and peculiar thing. Dick's grips are truly a work of art (my Horton grip is for an MG2).

But I have to say that for my Pardini's I prefer the Rink grips I now have. Took me two goes with Rink and considerable time and expense, but I'm (currently) very satisfied with them.

Pardini USA are now the agent for Rink and I guess have some grips in stock. If I was in or near Florida I would want to go and try a few grips first if possible. Could save a lot of time money in the long run.

dpelletier wrote:Thanks guys, will definitely check the mentionned screws.

I ordered the Champion set that includes the UltraDot MatchDot II, and scope rings.
I can only assume it's the Pardini scope mounts.

Another little thing to be careful of. Most Ultradot sights come as standard with a "trim ring" on the muzzle end of the sight - it just screws in. But they can be VERY troublesome to remove. The UD lady told me to wear ordinary rubber kitchen gloves then try to unscrew the trim ring - amazingly that tip worked like a charm - almost unbelievable! But, my advice would be to unscrew that trim ring as soon as you get the sight and put a little grease (choke tube grease is perfect, but any gun grease will do) and re-install the trim ring, but don't tighten it hard.

In any case, if your UD comes with an extension tube (in the OEM box with the UD mounts) best to install that immediately (you will need it as soon as you try to shoot into late afternoon sun) and also make sure that the polarising filter attachment fits. I prefer to leave the trim ring off (and keep the polariser in my range box just in case). IMHO.

I received same gun about six weeks ago.

I was surprised to find that the scope was not installed on the gun.

So, buy some blue loctite now, you'll be needing it.

It came with no instructions or advice on mounting the scope, and mine arrived on a Saturday, so I couldn't even call for advice.

I mounted the scope pretty much as far back as possible, and then I got a little advice that there's a screw by the iron sight that you should have access to from above. That screw is just in front of the flat plate in front of the rear iron sight, on the left side. So push the scope forward a little bit. (I have never needed that screw, but use a red dot)

I haven't touched the trigger, had them set it up how I wanted it.

Haven't messed with the weights either, it seems fine to me with all six installed.

Don't clean it too often, maybe every 500 or 1000 rounds.

I traded off the Pardini NRA large grip for same but medium, am not 100% satisfied. Had a Horton, returned it. Have my eyes open for a Rink Medium.

Awesome gun, I have seen my averages go up dramatically since I got the gun vs my high standard.

I was wondering if the scope would arrive mounted or not.
Thanks for the input.

My Pardini does not like CCI.  It does like CMP Eley.  YMMV.

Ammunition seems to vary from one gun to the other.
I've ordered various brands to run through my Pardini to see what it likes best.
SK, Wolf, Aguilla and already have CCI SV

dpelletier wrote:I was wondering if the scope would arrive mounted or not.
Thanks for the input.

No it won’t. That’s not a big deal at all. Takes 1 min

Good Afternoon dpelletier:

There are a number of posts both here on this site and also on other sites stating that the scope rings will not stay put on a Pardini.  While do not claim to know all the causes or solutions to this problem, I have experienced it and solved it both on my Pardini and a couple of my teammates Pardini's.  

When you go to mount your red dot, you need to be careful mounting it whereas the bolt and the two wings on either side rotate quite a bit when fired.  With that being said, make sure that you mount the rings such that they overlap the wings both on recoil and recovery.  Otherwise, the bolt will rotate and hit the front or the back of the ring and move them forward or backwards.  This happened to my Pardini and I noticed some dings on the front of the bottom portion of the ring and adjusted the mounting position and eliminated this problem.  It also corrected the situation on a teammates Pardini as well.  As always, make sure you tighten them with a torque wrench and use Loctite.  

Now I do not know if this is the cause of all the reports of red dot rings moving but it solved the two instances that I experienced.  

Regards, 
Crankster

Interesting, I just looked at some photos online and I see what you mean.
I'll take your information into consideration when I mount my dot.
Thanks!
Dany