Bookmark/EIC Pistol

I currently have a Browning Buck Mark Field Model as my back up bull’s-eye pistol. It has the original wooden grips with a thumb rest on one of the panels. I recall reading that the grips for EIC pistols must be symmetrical. Am I correct?

Look at the latest CMP rulebook for EIC .22 pistols. I believe you are fine. The rules for .22 are not the same as for service pistols.

4.1.6 .22 Rimfire Pistols
Pistols used in CMP-Sanctioned .22 Rimfire National Trophy and EIC Pistol Matches must  comply with this rule. The following rules apply to these pistols:
a) The pistol may be either a semi-automatic pistol or a revolver.
b) The pistol must be chambered for .22 cal. rimfire long rifle cartridges.
c) The pistol may have asymmetrical, orthopedic or specially shaped grips.
d) The pistol may have only open sights. Optical sights are not permitted.
The rear sight may be adjustable, but must have an open “U” or rectangular notch. Front sights may have fiber optic or light enhancing or tritium inserts. Adjustable front sights are permitted, but extended front sights are not permitted. The total sight radius may not be more than 10.0 inches as measured from the rear surface of the rear sight to the highest point of the front sight.
e) The pistol must have a trigger pull of at least 2.0 pounds.
f) Any system of recoil control based on barrel venting, barrel porting or other similar recoil reduction system is prohibited.

cdrt wrote:4.1.6 .22 Rimfire Pistols
Pistols used in CMP-Sanctioned .22 Rimfire National Trophy and EIC Pistol Matches must  comply with this rule. The following rules apply to these pistols:
a) The pistol may be either a semi-automatic pistol or a revolver.
b) The pistol must be chambered for .22 cal. rimfire long rifle cartridges.
c) The pistol may have asymmetrical, orthopedic or specially shaped grips.
d) The pistol may have only open sights. Optical sights are not permitted.
The rear sight may be adjustable, but must have an open “U” or rectangular notch. Front sights may have fiber optic or light enhancing or tritium inserts. Adjustable front sights are permitted, but extended front sights are not permitted. The total sight radius may not be more than 10.0 inches as measured from the rear surface of the rear sight to the highest point of the front sight.
e) The pistol must have a trigger pull of at least 2.0 pounds.
f) Any system of recoil control based on barrel venting, barrel porting or other similar recoil reduction system is prohibited.

Is a Pardini SP or a Matchguns MG legal for the .22 EIC? Or is it banned because of the "recoil dampening" that they supposedly have?

I have used a standard Matchguns MG-2 for EIC matches. It is not the "Bullseye" edition with the recoil dampening device (imo,very muzzle heavy).

TonyH wrote:I have used a standard Matchguns MG-2 for EIC matches. It is not the "Bullseye" edition with the recoil dampening device (imo,very muzzle heavy).

Interesting. I have been interested in getting one of the MG Bullseye guns. Do you find it to be balanced any different than a pardini?

"based on barrel venting, barrel porting or other similar recoil reduction system"

My understanding is that this rule refers to compensators and the like which somehow harness the combustion gases.

Plenty of folks use Pardini and/or MG2 pistols for EIC 22.

Re' the balance of an MG2. From the Legacy and Evo models onwards there are weights screwed on to both sides of the muzzle end of the frame. Balance can be adjusted by removal and/or replacement of these weights if needed. I did not find the MG2 Legacy I owned to be significantly different in terms of Balance compared to a 5" Pardini SP22. But the 6" Pardini is much more muzzle heavy. I preferred the SP22 6" for EIC 22 as it gave me the feeling of more consistent recoil recovery during TF/RF.

I have not handled one of the MG's fitted with a recoil damping system. There is at least one top level European shooter using one for ISSF Rapid Fire World Cup - I have seen that on a YouTube video. Jon Eulette commented here that he had worked on one recently - so there must be at least one example in USA.