Pardini SP Rapid Fire

Pardini Armi S.r.l. · Pistol · In Production · 1990

Also known as: Pardini SP RF, Pardini SP Rapid Fire

Overview

The Pardini SP Rapid Fire is an Italian semi-automatic target pistol built for the ISSF 25 m Rapid Fire Pistol discipline, which was contested with the .22 Short cartridge until the 2004 Olympics. Derived from the acclaimed Pardini SP sport pistol, it uses a fleeting-mass blowback action with a shock-absorbing steel bolt to minimise disturbance between the five rapid shots, mated to a short barrel, low bore axis and adjustable counterweights for fast target-to-target recovery. The pistol carries a five-round magazine, a fully adjustable two-stage trigger with dry-fire capability and an anatomically shaped, adjustable target grip. Designed under Giampiero Pardini, it became a mainstay of Olympic and World Cup rapid-fire shooting, and later versions were rechambered to .22 LR after the discipline's rule change.

Specifications

Weight (empty)1150 g (40.6 oz)
Overall Length295 mm (11.61")
Barrel Length120 mm (4.72")
Height140 mm (5.51")
Width49 mm (1.93")
Sight Radius220 mm (8.66")
Action TypeBlowback
Firing MechanismHammer Fired
Trigger TypeSingle Action
Trigger Pull10 N (2.2 lbf)
Magazine Capacity5 rounds
Magazine TypeDetachable Box
Muzzle Velocity329 m/s (1079 fps)
Muzzle Energy102 J (75 ft·lbf)
Effective Range25 m (27 yd)
Maximum Range150 m (164 yd)
Barrel Rifling6 Grooves, Right-Hand
Rifling Twist406 mm (15.98")
Number of Grooves6
Frame MaterialAluminium Alloy
Slide MaterialSteel
Barrel MaterialSteel
Stock MaterialWalnut
FinishAnodized

Calibers

Features

Base model

Pardini-Sp

Production

Production years: 1990-present

Ongoing production at Pardini Armi in Lido di Camaiore, Italy; current models chambered in .22 LR.

Origin

Country of origin: Italy

Designer: Giampiero Pardini

Notes

The classic Rapid Fire configuration was chambered in .22 Short for the pre-2004 ISSF event; Pardini's current SP RF models are chambered in .22 LR following the rule change.

Background

Pardini rapid-fire pistols have won numerous Olympic and World Championship medals in the 25 m Rapid Fire Pistol event, one of the fastest and most demanding disciplines in Olympic shooting, requiring five aimed shots on five targets in as little as four seconds.