Salvinelli Monaco

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Few guns, have been much more imitated than the Perazzi MX8 (created originally for the Mexico Olympics of 1968). Basque gun makers were copying MX8s in somewhat simplified form decades ago. More recently, Gamba, Perugino & Visini, Kemen, Zoli and Webley (who market a Zoli gun under their own name) have got in on the act. Even the illustrious firm of Purdey are now making a generic Perazzi style gun in association with P&V - though let me set the record straight on one point - that magnificent machine is 60% plus made in the Purdey factory at Hammersmith (where the action, the trigger body, the monobloc, and the extractors are all machined by refined and very high tech processes).

Salvinelli are aiming at a quite different market sector, but they have also recognised the inherent strengths and popularity of the Perazzi design (itself influenced by Boss, Woodward and Edwinson Green). Some years back, Salvinelli introduced their black actioned Monza model - which looked much like an MX8 but had a fixed trigger lock (as many Perazzis now have, and as the first Spanish clones - guns such as the Kromson - incorporated).

The new Salvinelli gun is called a Monaco. It sells in fixed choke form for £2,300 and in multi-choked, selective trigger form, as tested, for £2,650 - a very competitive price by today's standard. David Connor of Sport-Kemen is bringing the guns into the UK (and may be contacted on 07876 335557). David I might also mention is Mike Megisson’s son-in-law.

Pro-Fit Stock

Is this just the Monza by another name? Well, yes and no. The gun looks almost identical to the old Monza, but, critically, the trigger and selector mechanism has been redesigned for increased reliability. The new gun also benefits from the interesting new Pro-Fit stock system as developed by David (initially for the new Monaco, but soon for other guns with some design input from yours truly). It is certainly a very attractive concept (which is why I have became involved with it). You can have a Monaco with any one of 12 different stocks. The idea is that Monaco dealers will keep in stock 12 different types. They will supply you with the one best suited to your physique and style, give it to you with the gun, and then re-order from David to fill the stock gap (no pun intended) if required. Pro-Fit offers custom gun-fitting at a fraction of the normal price.

First impressions of the Monaco are good (as they were of the Monza). Aesthetically, I have always liked black-actioned guns for clay busting. All the more in this case as the action is tastefully finished with a little well executed scroll engraving. The gun is quite hefty at about 8lbs - as a clay gun should be. The balance is slightly muzzle heavy. Our Monaco has 31” tubes, but there are 30 and 32” options (my advice would be to go for the long options – 31” and 32” - which suit this gun well). The use of a fixed - in other words, conventional - lock mechanism allows for a straightforward action design and also adds a little extra strength in the grip. Less wood needs to be removed to accommodate the trigger mechanism than on the detachable trigger lock
guns.

The action is well machined, well put together and nicely finished as noted. Coil springs power the hammers (something now incorporated into many Perazzis too). All the controls function well. The trigger blade is quite wide but well shaped, and gold-plated - not my thing, but many will think it well suited to the gun. The trigger mechanism is inertia operated and trigger pulls are quite crisp and not too heavy (always a bonus in a competition gun). The gun locks up in more or less Boss-like fashion. It's not quite London best, but it looks very business-like.

Tight Barrels

Let’s put the rest of the gun under the spotlight. The barrels are, of course, monobloc - the system where two tubes are inserted into a short machined block that carries the extractor work. Jointing of tubes into the monobloc is very competent (as, indeed, is the jointing between barrels and action). The barrels have well machined 2 ¾” (70mm) chambers and longer than average forcing cones. The ventilated sighting rib is slightly tapered (there is also a 10mm parallel option). Side ribs are vented as well (which helps to keep barrel weight reasonable). The internal and external finish of the barrels appears good. My only comment is that the bore size on the test gun was quite tight at 18.4mm.

These guns, however, come in a variety of barrel weights - bore size may vary from 18.4 – 18.6. Mike Meggison told me a while back: “we are offering the Monaco with different weights to suit the customer… starting with an ideal of about 1580 grams on the 32” gun, 1550-1570 on the 31” and 1530-1550 on the 30” sporter… we will go up to 1600 or 1620 on the trap barrels - the DTL boys preferring heavier barrels.”

If I had my way all target crunching twelve bores would have bores of 18.7mm. My experience is that this reduces felt recoil and may improve patterning.

The Monaco has a stock of generous, or should I say, comfortable proportions. Wood on the test gun was dark, pretty dense and well figured. The comb was quite full, but not as bulbous as the combs sometimes seen on Italian trap guns. The grip is of a good size too and quite tightly radiused for a sporter. It filled my hand well, nevertheless. There was no palm swell, but if you wanted one - and I can't imagine why you would - there are both right and left hand trap style stocks on offer with palm swells amongst the many Pro Fit options. The forend was of Schnabel pattern - not my favourite. This one had quite pronounced curves and a larger than average lip, but it felt comfortable and provided good purchase with excellent chequering. Sensible grip and forend shape allowed one to control the muzzles effectively.

Shooting Impressions

The gun shot well. I would characterise it as a steady, predictable, clay busting machine. Balance is a little forward. But, this is not excessive. Indeed, one notes a fairly even weight distribution throughout the rest of the gun; it is not a design where all the weight is concentrated in the middle (as tends to be more preferable in a game gun). I went out of my way to fault the trigger using a variety of Express loads in 24 and 28 grams. I couldn’t do it. It operated perfectly. Overall, I thought this a well made, attractive, gun offering good value. It comes with a 10 years parts and labour guarantee too.

If you are looking for a new sporter without busting the bank, this is worth serious consideration.

PRICE (RRP): £2,650 as tested (starting from £2,300)