Value of a Perazzi DB81 top single combo set?

I recently looked at a used (mint condition) DB81 combo. The gun had an adjustable comb and but plate, factory threaded chokes, and a fixed rib. I have no expierience with Perazzi so I was hoping someone could help me estimate value. Thanks

 

$6,500 and maybe a little higher.

 

Are they very popular guns? Is reliability an issue? Sorry for the questions I've never shot/owned a Perazzi.

 

very good gun owned for longtime shoot vey good double

 

Great guns, reliable, been around for ever, DB-81 has the higher rib which I prefer, I'm not into guns with choke tubes ... $6,500 sounds reasonable if the gun is super nice ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

Does the receiver finish make a difference in price? The model I looked at was case hardened but other models I saw online had blue finishes. Thanks

 

On a DB81, I don't think case hardened or blued finish would matter too much. I think $6500 is on the high side. The gun is 35+ years old. Essentially it's a MX8 with a higher rib. I personally wouldn't pay more than $5500 for the combo unless the barrels were fixed choked (no aftermarket work) and the wood was exceptional. Look around and see what MX8 type IV guns sell for. A DB81 is the same with the exception of a little higher rib but price wise, should be similiar. If anything, a little lower in price than its MX8 cousin.

But they are workhorses. If taken care of, it'll last your lifetime and then some. In my opinion the MX8 is the best over under shot gun you can buy for the clays sports. The DB81 is built on the same frame.

 

Larry Sterett reviewed the DB-81 in the below issue of Trap & Field.

DB-81 Combo TRAP & FIELD, November 1982, page 22-25

I have it scanned in my files, but from a bound volume of 1982 magazines so the center line very bleary and nearly impossible to read the words in that area. Perhaps someone has a single issue and will make a clear scan and post for all to read.

Here are the specifications for the DB-81.

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And here are the test pattern averages.

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HB

 

I've never seen pattern tests like that before. Are those numbers in the in the circles the amount of BB''s in each section?

 

Yep

 

Those patterns imply that its a flat shooter to say the least … I have a TMX (basically same gun, not a combo) with the comb set right it shoots approx. 80/20 which would be considerably higher than those patterns are showing … I shoot a gun that shoots 100% high normally, but because of the higher rib 80/20 works out well on this particular gun … WPT … (YAC) …

 

I did a little bending and was able to open the pages of my bound copies of Trap & Field a little more and rescanned. At least it is now readable. Here's the report on the Perazzi DB-81.

Enjoy

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Id have zero issue with 6500.00 for it, if it had true factory chokes and mint condition.. figure that really is a good price compared to a new combo today. The key would be how much has it been shot? They are great guns and normally do shoot flat. Big difference between 20,000 rounds and 200,000 rounds. Check to see if it has the original locking block in it etc etc. IMHO only

 

The biggest problem with the DB81 combo is the rib height is different from the O/U to the single. I loved the gun but this was a major issue for me.

 

I am pretty sure that was by design. DB essentially designed the gun for Perazzi and he designed it for ATA shooting.
Many (most) trapshooters like their singles and handicap guns to shoot higher than their doubles shooting gun. Most good doubles shooters (DB included) hold their gun in the expected path of the first bird of doubles and essentially "trap it" and shoot with VERY little gun movement. Then, they swing to the second bird and it is usually shot at about the top of its arc. A flat shooting gun is better for that game and target presentation. Singles and handicap is shooting the fast rising targets that need the built in "lead" from a 70/30 or higher pattern which is what most of us desire when shooting those rising singles and handicap birds.
It wasn't a mistake that the single and double are set up differently on the DB-81. It was supposed to be a refinement specifically for the American games of ATA trap.
Jake