Balance of FWB AW93 vs Pardini

Mike M. · Post by **Mike M.** » Tue Nov 20, 2012 11:29 am

I'm considering either an AW93 or a Pardini for my next .22 pistol. Right now, I'm leaning toward the Feinwerkbau, but tend to favor a muzzle-heavy gun (I shoot a Hammerli 280 with 2 steel weights, or a Hammerli 208S with the 250g weight). What's the balance like on these two guns? Thanks.

Bob-Riegl · Post by **Bob-Riegl** » Tue Nov 20, 2012 12:42 pm

Using the relationship between AW93/ IZH35M balance wise due to "similarity" in design (owning the IZZY not the AW). I favor the Pardini SP as far as balance and the forward weight and grip rake angle are near perfect IMHO. I have shot the SP, HP for better than twenty years and currently use a new SP mechanical trigger. Included also is the fact that the Pardini has six tungsten weights in the barrel front which can be removed in case the fore end weight is too heavy. The Pardinit two stage trigger is a dream. A friend shot the AW for four years in Bullseye and has given up on it for several reasons and moved to the Pardini---color him happy. . I am sure you can get weights for the AW similar to the ones made available by after market for the IZH. JMHO ..."Doc"

Isabel1130 · Post by **Isabel1130** » Tue Nov 20, 2012 1:16 pm

The Hammerli 208s with the 250g weight is still a lighter gun muzzle weight wise than the AW with the standard recoil buffer. Are there any other reasons why you think you might prefer the Pardini or the AW?

yana · Post by **yana** » Tue Nov 20, 2012 1:58 pm

I also favoured the Pardine above the FWB.
The Tesro was even frontheavier than the Pardini.Didnt like the FWB grip either, loved the pardini's.

Mike M. · Post by **Mike M.** » Tue Nov 20, 2012 9:02 pm

Isabel1130 wrote:The Hammerli 208s with the 250g weight is still a lighter gun muzzle weight wise than the AW with the standard recoil buffer. Are there any other reasons why you think you might prefer the Pardini or the AW?

I tend to favor a muzzle-heavy gun. But I like the Hammerli grip angle.

shadow · Post by **shadow** » Tue Nov 20, 2012 9:27 pm

You can always add weight - even with wheel weights - but it is hard to remove weight.

David M · Post by **David M** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 2:07 pm

If you shoot a 280 and like it feel and trigger, look at the Hammerli SP20RRS. This is their third version with all the bugs out and well proven.
Same trigger assy with all the ajustments.
Very light in the nose without weights, but will take a internal weight just foeward of the trigger to weight it aft towards your hand or a external barrel weight (different weights) to weight the front. Very adjustable weight anf feel.
I have both the .22 and .32, the .32 unweighted and the .22 internally weighted to balance the same as the .32. (The .32 has the heavier slide.)

Muffo · Post by **Muffo** » Fri Nov 23, 2012 12:12 am

What are you using it to shoot. If it's rapid or standard the aw would be on the very bottom of the list the barrel line is way to high. If it's sport the aw would be looking good

Mike M. · Post by **Mike M.** » Fri Nov 23, 2012 4:24 pm

Standard, possibly Rapid.

Muffo · Post by **Muffo** » Fri Nov 23, 2012 6:49 pm

Mike M. wrote:Standard, possibly Rapid.

Aw is very accurate and fine for dueling because you don't have a follow uo shot. For 10 seconds and rapid the barrel is way to high and it has way to much muzzle flip.

Tycho · Post by **Tycho** » Sat Nov 24, 2012 3:14 am

You can get the barrel axis almost down on the hand, but for the normal shooter, muzzle flip on the AW93 is a problem. FWB bought the design where the slide runs up a angled ramp towards the rear. That would get you a bit of torque against the muzzle jump, IF you've got a really strong wrist. If not, the contrary happens and the pistol moves a lot more than if the slide ran straight back., and that is the case for almost everybody. The only current pistol jumping around worse than the AW93 is the SSP.

The Pardini really only works well with a angled grip. If you're coming from the 208/280, that may be a problem. The SP20 is not a lot better in that department, but a bit, and has probably the best trigger system around. If you want some steel on that gun, and a really upright grip angle, and not a lot of muzzle jump, and you're not "trigger sensitive", I'd take a look at the Benelli MP90S.