Champion’s choice: Perazzi MX2000S review

Introduction

Most shooters will have heard of Perazzi shotguns – and for good reason. Based in Brescia, Italy, Perazzi has been building prestigious game and competition guns for more than 60 years. Each shotgun blends traditional craftsmanship, modern technology and premium materials.

One of its most successful competition models is the Perazzi MX2000S, which has excelled on the Sporting and FITASC circuit. With 31 world titles to his name, George Digweed MBE trusted this gun for over 15 years.

Custom Specification

My previous experiences with Perazzi were hindered by poor gun fit. That changed when I learned each Perazzi is built to a custom specification. Even guns on a shop rack are made to measurements chosen by the dealer.

This explains why some shooters either love or dislike them straight away. Poor fit leads to sharp recoil and awkward mounting. Perazzi offers the chance to visit its Italian factory for a fully tailored build.

While upgrades like higher-grade wood or extra engraving can raise costs, the basic customisation adds little compared to an off-the-shelf model. For serious buyers, the Perazzi Experience is worth considering.

MX2000S Overview

The MX2000S is based on the MX12 action – strong, reliable, and fitted with a fixed, non-removable trigger plate using coil springs. This design is extremely robust.

The gun includes:

• Trigger selector integrated with the safety catch

• Fixed ¾ and Full chokes (too restrictive for Sporting clays in my opinion)

• 18.4 bore barrels weighing 1,490g

• 11-7mm tapered rib for excellent target alignment

• Attractive SC2-grade walnut stock and clean action design

The review gun had a 15in length of pull, slightly longer than my preference, but otherwise very typical of Sporting shotguns.

Field Test

Handling was close to ideal. Balance was slightly forward of the hinge pin; I would have preferred a little more weight in the stock. Despite this, it performed well on both close technical targets and long crossers.

Recoil was noticeable with 28g fibre loads – but this was more about gun fit than design. Trigger pulls were crisp and reliability flawless, as expected from Perazzi.

If I bought one, I would order it custom-fitted and slightly heavier to suit my build and shooting style.

Conclusion

The Perazzi MX2000S has earned its reputation in world-class competition. It is reliable, elegant, and offers a level of customisation few brands can match without charging a premium.

At around £14,000, it represents excellent value for a dream custom Sporting shotgun – especially one trusted by a legend like George Digweed.