Today, we're taking a closer look at Perazzi, one of the most iconic names in the world of fine Italian shotguns. Known for their fully custom builds and legendary performance, Perazzi shotguns are used by top competitors around the world. We traveled to Louisiana to meet with Steven Berger of Berg's Outdoors and get an inside look at what makes these high-end shotguns so special. Let’s dive in!

If you have experience with Perazzi shotguns, please let us know your thoughts on the TFL COMMUNITY!   

A DEEP-DIVE INTO PERAZZI SHOTGUNS // FT. STEVEN BERGER OF BERGS OUTDOORS

When it comes to legendary shotgun makers, few names carry the prestige and reputation of Perazzi. Known for their fully custom, competition-ready shotguns, Perazzi has long been a dream brand for serious clay shooters and collectors alike. But what exactly makes these Italian shotguns so iconic—and so expensive?

We headed down to Lafayette, Louisiana to meet up with Steven Berger of Berg's Outdoors, one of the select Perazzi dealers in the U.S., to get a hands-on look at what makes this brand so special. If you’ve ever wondered whether a Perazzi is worth the investment, this video—and this blog—are for you. Let’s dive in.

FROM STARTUP TO THE OLYMPICS

Founded in 1957 by Daniele Perazzi, the company had a simple but ambitious goal: to create the world’s finest competition shotguns. Daniele, a self-taught gunsmith with a passion for shooting sports, began building shotguns in a small workshop located outside Brescia, Italy. His early designs quickly gained attention for their innovation, craftsmanship, and durability. By the mid-1960s, Perazzi had already made its mark on the global stage when Italian shooter Ennio Mattarelli used a Perazzi MX8 to win the 1964 Olympic gold medal in trap shooting—a victory that launched the brand into international fame.

What set Perazzi apart from the beginning was their focus on customization and competition performance. Unlike many traditional manufacturers, Perazzi offered shooters the ability to build a gun specifically tailored to their needs—stock dimensions, barrel lengths, trigger types, and even balance could be personalized. Their famous MX8 model (named for the 1968 Mexico City Olympics) became an instant classic and remains one of the most successful competition shotgun designs ever created. Today, Perazzi shotguns are still handcrafted in Italy, upholding their reputation as the gold standard for serious shooters worldwide.

WHY PERAZZI SHOTGUNS STAND OUT

What sets Perazzi apart? In two words: customization and quality.

Every Perazzi shotgun is built for you, from the trigger style to the engraving, from the barrel length to the stock dimensions. Nothing is off the table. Whether you're shooting trap, skeet, sporting clays, or pigeons, there's a Perazzi build for it—and for you.

Price Range: $16,000 to $135,000+ 

Fully Custom Fit: Stock, forend, rib style, triggers, engraving, wood grade, you name it.

Longevity: Built to withstand hundreds of thousands—and potentially even millions—of rounds

These guns are made to last generations and remain the go-to for top-level competitors who demand reliability, balance, and fit.

HI-TECH VS. MX SERIES

Perazzi shotguns are built on two primary platforms: the Hi-Tech series and the MX Series. Both use the legendary Boss-style locking system, but with a few key differences:

Hi-Tech Receivers: Slightly wider, with more mass centered between the hands. Provides a lower bore axis and potentially smoother recoil management.

MX Series: Slimmer profile, available in various configurations like MX8 (dropout trigger) and MX12 (fixed trigger).

Compatibility: Barrels and stocks can often be interchanged between Hi-Tech and MX platforms.

These platforms can be tailored to your discipline.

DROP-OUT TRIGGERS & SPRING OPTIONS

Perazzi is known for its drop-out trigger groups, which are incredibly easy to maintain and swap. You have a choice between:

Leaf Springs (V-springs): Offer a crisper feel but can suffer catastrophic failure if broken.

Coil Springs: More durable—if part of the spring fails, the gun will usually still fire.

Many shooters have strong preferences here, but the best way to know what you like is to try both.

FIXED VS. MULTI-CHOKE BARRELS

Most high-end Perazzi builds come with fixed choke barrels, which offer a lighter overall weight and improved balance; however, the choice is yours.

However, multi-choke barrels are available and offer more flexibility if you’re shooting different disciplines with the same gun.

WOOD GRADES & ENGRAVING OPTIONS

Perazzi's attention to detail extends to the artistry of the gun. Wood grades range from SC2 (base) to Extra Gold (exhibition level). Engravings can be:

Machine-made, hand-engraved by Italian master engravers, customized with gold inlays, pierced top levers, and more.

Every detail can be personalized—including grip dimensions, palm swell, toe, and pitch—based on your preferences or measurements from a gun you already love.

PERAZZI IN THE FIELD

Perazzi shotguns aren’t just wall-hangers. These guns are made to be used. The gun we handled that retails for $134,000? It's a working gun with over 200,000 rounds through it. That’s the kind of durability and performance Perazzi is known for. We got hands-on with several models and even hunted with one of them during our visit to Covey Rise in Louisiana. More to come on that soon.

When it comes to service, you can replace springs, hinge pins, locking lugs, and refinish internals. That level of rebuildability keeps these guns running for decades.

TFL TAKEAWAY: IS A PERAZZI WORTH IT?

This is such a personal question. What is worth it to one person is not necessarily worth it to another. If you’re serious about shotgun sports and want a firearm that’s completely tailored to you and you have the resources to do so, Perazzi makes a mighty fine shotgun.

We’ll be putting some of these beauties to the test soon in upcoming videos. Make sure to Subscribe to TFL so you don’t miss the latest. And if you're ready to spec your own Perazzi, connect with Steven at Bergs Outdoors—he'll walk you through every detail to get the gun of your dreams.

📣 Join the TFL COMMUNITY and let us know: Have you ever shot a Perazzi? Would you buy one?

 Whether our targets in the field or our targets in life, we will only hit what we are focused on, so live the #targetfocusedlife