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Pardini · Pistol

Pardini SP Rapid Fire

Blowback (semi-automatic) · .22 Short · introduced 1990

Also known as Pardini SP RF, Pardini SP Rapid Fire

About the Pardini SP Rapid Fire

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.

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.

Pardini SP Rapid Fire specifications

General

Type
Pistol
Action
Blowback (semi-automatic)
Firing mechanism
Hammer-fired
Trigger
Single action
Trigger pull
1.0 kg (2.2 lb)
Calibres
.22 Short
Magazine capacity
5 rounds
Magazine
Detachable box magazine

Dimensions

Barrel length
120 mm (4.7 in)
Overall length
295 mm (11.6 in)
Height
140 mm (5.5 in)
Width
49 mm (1.9 in)
Weight (empty)
1.15 kg (2.54 lb)
Sight radius
220 mm (8.7 in)

Barrel

Rifling twist
1:16 in (406 mm)
Rifling
6 grooves, right-hand
Grooves
6

Materials

Barrel
Steel
Receiver / frame
Aluminium alloy
Slide
Steel
Stock
Walnut
Finish
anodized

Performance

Muzzle velocity (typical)
329 m/s (1079 fps)
Muzzle energy (typical)
102 J (75 ft·lb)
Effective range
25 m

History

Introduced
1990
Production status
In production
Country of origin
IT
Designer
Giampiero Pardini

Features

  • Fully adjustable two-stage trigger
  • Dry-fire capability
  • Adjustable rear sight with variable notch width
  • Interchangeable front sights
  • Anatomical adjustable target grip
  • Fleeting-mass blowback bolt with integral shock absorber
  • Adjustable counterweights

Safety

  • Manual safety

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.

This is a variant of the Pardini SP.

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