Give Jim White a call

WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!GIOCOMO!!!

Doug can do anything they can do

John..... For a total tune up on the Perazzi, Doug Braker is as good as they come. Excellent work, fast turn around, and won't break the bank. He is the only one I will let touch my Perazzi right now. He can also handle the bueing job. As for choke work, you didn't say if you wanted choke tubes installed, or just want your chokes re-worked. Either way, I would only go to two places: Tom Wilkinson or Kerry Allor! They are the best. I don't know if Doug can do the GraCoil unit, but, if not, call Ken Rucker, (Speedbump Stockworks) in Texas. Great work, great guy! He also has a unit "like" the GraCoil, but, I think a little nicer, called the BumpBuster. In my opinion, you are wanting 3 seperate things done for your gun. If it were mine, I would do each project individually and have them done right, by the best craftsmen available for that job..... Just my experience.... Dan Thome (Trap2)

ran a gun business for 30 years...dealt with Giacomo exclusively for P gun repairs....simply the best MHO, puablo

All the above are excellent choices. All of the above may require the same time due to business. When your good, it takes time.

Personally, Giacomo and Kerry Allor.

Jim Chapman

Hell, Michigan

Perazzi USA

Lucio is good...

ernie

GunDr Doug Breaker. Quality work Fast turn around. steve

Giacomo............They are the Best! There is a reason for the waiting list. The best are worth waiting for IMHO.

Jon

I did this same search last year. Went with Giacomo and have never regretted it. I did wait for it, but worth every second of it. The gun I got back was not the one I sent him, it looked brand new. Dan will get mine again soon for the annual tune up, and I'll try and be patient waiting for it to come back. But I already know it's worth it.

Hal Hitchcock

Thanks for the great information!

I have a TMX with about 400,000 rounds through it. I bought it new over 20 years ago. Giacomo is the only one who ever touched it. I have never had any thing break, knock on wood, Giacomo (now Dan) does an inspection every year and I fix what he says needs fixed. Gun is almost as tight as when I bought it.

I'm glad to hear so many good things about Dan..and Giacomo.. I just got off the phone with Dan.. If you need your gun reblued.. stock refinished.. recheckered.. YES.. plan on 4 to 6 weeks... BUT if you are only looking for a annual.. maybe fitting a new barrel.. trigger job.. it is still 10 days..2 weeks turnaround time.. The cosmetic work eats time.. Nothing can change that.. Thanks you all for your kind words.. Dan/Giacomo's will continue to keep up their flawless work.. Perfection takes a little more time.. All Good.. Mike

Horror story for you...I took mine to a reputable large gunsmith and was severly dissappointed in this companies work. So much I posted what to do here. Trapshooters forum members said give him another chance and I did. I told him how I felt and he said he would personally look after it. I got it back from him after a special talk about my concerns and the very concerns were not corrected. I am now going to send it off to Giacomo and NEVER go anywhere else.

Bruce Bowen is right up there w/ perazzi's as well

jd

Hi, I very recently was in need of a TM 1 rebuild. By reputation and word of mouth I was convinced that Giacomo's was the only place to send it. I had special concerns on condition of my gun that I wanted answered before sending it away. I made repeated attempts to talk to Dan (by phone) with absolutely no luck whatever. Finally, out of frustration, I talked to a nice gentleman about my gun and price for service. All he could do was consult a price sheet, item by item, with what seemed like very little knowledge of the guns workings. His non binding price "quote" was in the area of $1400. I was also told that if I sent the gun in now, it would be approx 8 weeks before they could look at it. Many postings on this site as well as talking with people that have had similar service done at Giacomo's seemed to indicate $500-$750 was the expected price for refurbishing. Once again I attemtped to contact Dan for further info and clarification. Once again he was not available but was promised he would call me back. Never happened. I then searched for service elsewhere.

In reviewing my needs for Perazzi Service on TS.com I saw repeated good comments about Doug Braker. One phone call to Doug answered all the questions I had. I sent my gun to Doug the following day. When received Doug called me and refurbishing was authorized at a considerable savings. Turn around time would be approx three weeks. I have not yet received the TM 1 after refurb but I am confident all will be OK.

Please do not consider this thread to be a vote of no confidence in Giacomo's abilities or expertise. I guess they had too much on their plate to provide me with the personal service I required. I would not hesitate to give them another opportunity should the need arise, and I expect it will.

Marc

Marc:

Thanks for telling us about your experience with Giacomo. I have also had a difficult time getting Dan to call me back with information that I'd requested. Let us know how your TM 1 turns out.

John

Those of us who know how busy Dan is at Giacomo's are willing to wait. It's nice that Doug Baker had the time to take care of you. Hope all goes well for you.

I have read all of these threads and nobody recommended Allems guncraft in Zionsville Pa. I have heard that many people like their release triggers. Comments...

There is a big difference between release triggers and rebuilding a gun. Dan is the Perazzi man and he did some fine work for me while at the Grand this year. While at the Dollar last year he stopped what he was doing to help me with an small emergency on my K gun. I have had others work on my Perazzi's but the work has usually had to be redone.

Don

When I was shooting a P-Gun, I had Doug do most of the work on both my TM-1 and MX-8. Anytime he did any work on my guns it was flawless. I've known Doug for close to 25 yrs., we met when he woekd for Jack Gracey in Lake Geneva.I have kept in touch since I left Illinois and two years ago, I was having problems with the release triggers in my Kolar. I sent the trigger up to Doug; he heavied up both the trigger sets and had it back to me in a week working perfectly.

Giaccomo's facility is first rate. They rebuilt my MX-8 before I sold it and when I got it back it was like new.

If I still shot a P-Gun I would not hesitate to use either Doug or Giaccomo. But I would call Doug first. He is a fine gunsmith. Knowledable, honest, fair and one fine person as well. I still think he is going to be trampled by a Moose up there in the wilds of Minn.

Mooney-Glenn Wedding

A question for Puablo. If you have used Giacomo exclusively, how do you know he is the best? Understand, I'm not knocking Giacomo. I had them adjust a TM-1 trigger that was falling out at inoportune times at the Grand. They were quite busy, but fixed it quickly so I could make my trap time and at reasonable cost. I've also had dealings with Doug Braker and found him to be willing to help with free information and to be proficient and reasonably priced in his work.

Buz

Buz, I would kinda think that maybe you answered your own question...when a smith gets you going that fast and that good...maybe I should have qualified my statement so as to say...Best I have ever experienced. But when I deal with a guy that is straight up, and super quality, guess what? They are the best as far as I can tell. So, sorry bout that, Buz... puablo

Puablo

Giacomo is retired-GONE

ernie

Is Giacomo doing any work now days or is it all being done by Dan and employees?

John

Unfortunately for those of us who used his services for many years, Giacomo is no longer doing any work for Giacomo Sporting.

Perazzi repair shops busy. Work having to be re-done. Gurus retiring. I hope all you shooters ready to make the jump to a high-end gun are taking notes.

Giacomo sold his store to Dan.. his son-in-law.. Dan trained and worked under Giacomo for the last 16 years.. I..as most of you know.. worked for Dan at the Grand this year.. I must tell you..Dan is as good as its going to get..Giacomo has passed down to Dan.. his knowledge of all aspects of Perazzi repair.. and by sheer numbers of Perazzi's Dan has worked on under Giacomo's skillful eye..has left nothing undescovered.

In some instances..for certain things..Dan might even exceed Giacomo.. Every gunsmith has things he does a little better than most.. A brand he works on a little better than the next guy.. Dan has not littered his head with Beretta.. Krieghoff... Kolar.. Remington.. Winchester.. Savage..etc.. He works on one gun.. one gun only.. PERAZZI.. period..

At the GRAND.. we repaired over 500 Perazzi shotguns.. We worked from about 4AM to 7pm.. and did our BEST.. to have your guns ready for you.. Very few people were disappointed.. Each and everyone of those guns were inspected and checked out by Dan personally.. How many gunsmiths work on that many Perazzi's in a lifetime..??

Having said all this..we all miss Giacomo.. but your Perazzi will not.. Last time I spoke to Giacomo.. he was looking forward to his new comming Grandchild.. and a turkey hunt.. He's put in his years.. It's time to relax..

Any gun has little tricks to make it run its best..Ask Ross Carter about a 1911.. If you think just anyone can build a great 1911..you'd be amazed.. Now.. that doesn't mean your gunsmith at home can't fix yours.. Just there is a vast difference between him..and say Ross..or the Wilson custom shop..getting those little tricks down .. It come with experience.. So.. newcommers..don't be afraid of a Perazzi.. There are many excellent gunsmiths out there should anything ever happen to Dan.. Working with Dan..he gets my first vote for being a great Perazzi gunsmith.. and knowing the "tricks" Giacomo showed me years ago..and knowing a myrid of others I never heard about.. but saw in action..

As always.. All Good.. The GRAND is 4th thru the 14th of August 2010.. Look forward to seeing you all at Giacomo's.. For those of you who don't know me.. I'm the old grey haired guy..working on the right hand bench.. All Good..Mike

I used Giacomo for years and was very happy with the service I received. However, last year I sent my P gun to them with a broken trigger. They charged me $350 to repair something we had not discussed. They could not get the trigger to fail and returned the gun to me. It failed immediately again for me. I showed it to another gunsmith who said he could fix it but did not have the parts. This gunsmith wrote down a description of what was going wrong and I sent that and the gun back to Giacomo. Again they said they could not get the gun to fail and returned it to me. Again it failed immediately for me. Getting very frustrated, I gave it to the gunsmith who had seen it fail. He was able to fix it in about an hour. The last note I got from Giacomo said that the failure described by the other gunsmith was "not possible".

I don't know what to think!

Jack

I'd like to know what was the problem.. Like Giacomo.. Dan is a master of the file and stone.. Using all gauges needed to see all parts are in spec.. would take Dan no more than 20 minutes to completely gauge a trigger..The problem hard to find is when holes and pivots are welded up and recut..and off .002 then reblued.. There are many "triggersmiths""????? wrecking triggers every day.. They work for a while.. and then unexpectedly fail..

Dan tries hard to use only what is needed to save a trigger.. He's a master of saving parts that many would say.. a new part is needed..and Dan will change it.. IF he can't save the part to give satisfactory service..

Again..I'd like to know what was the problem... and what parts were needed to fix it.. I'm eagar to learn too..

All Good.. Mike

PerazziBigBore

I was just relaying what happened to me. Both times Dan had the gun, he said that he could not get the trigger to fail. However upon returning it to me, I was unable to get more than 4 shells thru the gun before it hung up. It failed right away every time.

As far as the eventual fix goes, I don't know that it required any parts. All I know is that I have put an additional 5,000 shells thru the gun since then and it has not failed once.

I am not trying to slam anyone, I am just relaying what happened to me. I had been using Giacomo for 15 years prior to this and was always super happy with the service.

All good....Jack

I meant no disrespect to anyone.. Just this year Dan is going to teach me about Perazzi triggers.. and I'm wanting to learn all I can.. If there was a really difficult problem out there.. I'd like to know what to ask about... how to discover it.. and how to fix it.. That's how I learn.. I'm really not the sharpest knife in the drawer...but I'm easily teachable...

Ross Carter has piled many years of learning about 1911's in about 6 months with me.. I still have much to learn...but having built.. or help build.. or rebuilt over 50 this year..my learning curve has been radically shortened..

I've learned so much from Dan and Giacomo over the years..an education money can't buy.. To me.. priceless..

The workings of the Perazzi trigger.. the fine points.. the problem points..the tiny details..All that comes in time..Having the right questions..at the right time would be ever so useful to me... Anyone can go thru a trigger that has no problems.. and return it with no problems.. I want to know the problems..and especially the hard problems.. Remember.. the trigger is new to me... I rebuild receivers..fit barrels..and forends.. Triggers are for next year.. If you could find out the problem.. I'd be ever grateful for knowing what it.. All good.. Mike

PerazziBigBore

The gun in question is an MX12. After I got the gun back from the first visit to Giacomo, I took the gun to the Oklahoma State Shoot (Sporting Clays). As I indicated before, after trying it on a practice round, it immediately "froze" up and would not fire the top barrel. I took it to a gunsmith at the shoot. We took the stock off and viewed the problem. The inertia block (tree) was lodged against the right sear. It took a screw driver to "unlodge" it. (I wish I had taken a picture of it locked up). Anyway, the gunsmith was kind enough to write down a description of what we saw. I forwarded this description and the gun back to Giacomo. Dan fabricated and installed a large inertia block and modified sears (at no charge). He then fired 50 shells thru the gun and returned it to me with a note that said "It is not possible for the tree to jam on the sear". Upon receipt of the gun, I took it to the Missouri State Shoot. Again, I tried a practice round. I shot exactly 3 shells thru the gun before it quit firing the top barrel again. Fortunately for me, the gunsmith that was at the Okla. shoot was also at this shoot. He took the gun and worked on it for about an hour. He then returned it to me and it has been fine ever since. I am not a gunsmith so all I can tell you is what I experienced. I am sure that if I sent another one of my P guns to Dan he would do a fine job of fixing it but for whatever reason, it did not happen that time.

Perazzi triggers are a work of art!

All good....Jack

Well.. that explains half of it.. I hate fixed trigger groups.. Yes.. I know they are basically the same as drop triggers.. but?????? not the same.. I'll ask Dan about the incident..I hope he remembers.. thanks for the comeback.. All Good.. Mike

I am relatively new to Perazzis but now own two. I too had difficulty reaching Dan at Giacomo's---at first I was irritated, but then I "really" needed to talk to him and spent the better part of a day off and on trying to reach him. When I did it was apparent that I had made a good choice in waiting to talk to him (do not expect a call back from a message unless he knows you and you have done business with them---as he says 'we are blessed to have a good business'). The reason to have two Perazzis is that whoever works on one will probably have it longer than you want it to be gone. Just remember that the best always know something the people in third or fourth place don't --- I do not know Braker and will be in touch with him, so this is no slight.., you don;t have the privilege of restamping s/n's as if you were the factory without living up to the reuptation

I just got my gun back from Giacomo on Tuesday. I had them go over and replace springs etc. While there I also had them re-blue the gun. It looks like new and feels great!! It took about 6 weeks from when sent till I got it back but could not be happier!

While a locking bolt and trigger job can be done quickly.. to reblue a Perazzi correctly takes time.. and lots of it.. Just the polishing before you blue takes hours..IF you have no real problems.. Dan..years ago went to the factory to see all of their ins and outs.. and once returned home made the modifications to the bluing process to give EXACTLY the same results.. Rust bluing can't be hurried.. It takes time.. Most of you would be amazed at who sends their Perazzis to Dan and Doug to refinish.. and relay side and top ribs..

Now wanting to give Dan all the credit.. Doug..Dan brother is incharge of the refinishing of wood and metal.. While not the fastest..Doug does excellent work..and is a stickler for details.. They make a excellent team..

Those just needing reguar repairs.. The guns can be turned around in about 2 week... Refinishing and rebluing still takes 4 to 6 weeks.

Dan and I are already looking to the Grand in 2010.. Hope to see you all there.. All Good.. Mike

zarathrusta, In response to your comment: "Perazzi repair shops busy. Work having to be re-done. Gurus retiring. I hope all you shooters ready to make the jump to a high-end gun are taking notes."

I have sent my TM 1 off for refurbishing after long term storage. Prior to laying it up for the last 32 years, mostly neglected during that time period, it had in excess of 250,000 shots fired through it. During that entire period of use it required replacement of one leaf type hammer spring. THAT'S ALL, PERIOD!! And that replacement was accomplished in less than five minutes without seeking the services of a gun smith.

And the best part of all is that after all the years of hard use and neglect this finely made piece of machinery can economically be refurbished to as good or better than new. Try that with a gun that is not "HIGH END".

From your comments, which I personally found offensive, It seems you have never owned a "high end" shotgun or been exposed to one long enough to know the difference. I extend to you my sympathies.

Better luck in the future, Marc

Marc.. while I'm sure you're telling the truth here.. I emplore my fellow Perazzi owners to change the top lever return spring every few years..It goes a very long way to keeping the locking bolt tight.. and in good order.. next would be firing pin springs.. properly cleaned and maintained.. 250,000 rounds is the half life of a Perazzi shotgun..

PerazziBigBore You are exactly right about the top lever return spring. After years of storage the spring had weakened considerably, too much to still be useful. I have to state that I was a fanatic in regard to cleaning and lubing my guns.

I know the life expectancy of a leaf spring is far less than what I experienced. About 1974, in Vandalia, I was shooting with a squad that had three very nice guys visiting from Italy. My hammer spring broke and they gave me one to put into my gun plus two spares. They stated that the heat treatment on the factory spring was slightly off and the springs they gave me had a special treatment. I had nothing to lose so I gave it a try. I am still using that same spring with no apparent loss of tension. Still have the two spares.

What did you mean when you said "half life". Does that mean after 500,000 rounds the gun is too far gone to be economically rebuilt?

I have appreciated many of the comments and advice you have posted on TS. Keep up the good work.

Thanks, Marc

The self imposed limit of 500,000 comes from seeing a few guns that have done it... First.. a barrel expands and contracts with every shot fired..As I am TOTALLY squemish about barrel bursts..and blowups..why press your luck.. the hotter the load.. the sooner you'll have metal fatigue.. Next.. the barrel mono-block pivots will wear..causing headspace..I don't care how well you take care of your gun.. At 500,000.. and often sooner..especially if you don't take care of your gun..it will be an issue.. Next are firing pin holes..To get to 500,000 rounds.. you will have had to either weld them up a few times..or use Pat Laibs insert..which BTW works excellent... Then comes the track the locking bolt slides back and forth in.. Oversize bolts only get so big..and that's NOT getting rebuilt.. Last but not least are the receiver pivots.. They will be worn too.. and expensive to replace.... Once a Perazzi goes this far.. I'd scrap the barrel.. maybe reuse the mono-block..reweld the pivots..and recut.. easy to do on a mill once the barrel is off.. and restructure its life to either back up gun.. or light field use.. In other words.. easy street..

All is this is not to say it can't be rebuilt to go another 500,000...Which COULD be done.. but the cost would exceed the cost of a new receiver..or lightly used one.. i'd venture a guess that most trapguns seldon see 200,000 rounds in their life.. It's not the nature of us.. We buy.. we shoot.. and if the gun gets us somewhere.. we either put it in the safe.. or trade/sell it to buy a new gun..

Anyway.. I hope this helps... but keeping a gun CLEAN will do more for its overall life than anything else.. I remember the 1 year old Perazzi that's locking bolt track looked like the gun had shot 1,000,000 rounds... i'd hate to be the buyer of that gun.. Looked as new outside.. and totally destroyed inside.. Bolt face was as new.. Only oversized locking bolts will keep it running..and those are not easy to come by..

All Good.. Mike

Any experts in the testing field know of a test for gunbarrels to see if they have metal fatigue without destroying a barrel???? or testing for how many "blue pills" have been shot thru it..???? and only slightly expanding a barrel..then hidden by backboring???

I didn't have much luck getting Dan either, Dan and his wife are at the hospital having a baby, so I was told ten minutes ago by the office girl.

I can't speak for Dan.. but I work for him at the GRAND.. If it's a question about a Perazzi.. maybe I can help... E-mail me directly Perazzi@att.net and I'll do whatever I can to help you.. All Good.. Mike