TargetTalk

If I was to get a gun for 25m sports and standard pistol, would I then have an advantage in getting an MG2 rapid instead of an regular MG2? I mean, lesser recoil is always better, but are there any downsides?

Recoil is the same, shot recovery is slightly different. IMHO, if you're not shooting RF, not worth the (hefty) extra price, the standard MG2 is already very nice to shoot. Things like grip angle etc. have a much greater impact on percepted recoil recovery that the slide brakes or the lighter slide. In our experience, the RF is slightly more finicky regarding ammo and cleaning, as the slide doesn't close as hard & fast as on the standard. Otherwise, they are very similar. But, of course, the RF looks much better :-)

Nice reply, thanks a lot!

I held both and soon decided that the RF was too heavy for my tastes. I think it would affect my shooting well before a match was over.

There are two different versions of the RF barrel shroud, steel and alu. For me, the steel is too heavy, on my MG2 I use the alu shroud + 2 slide brakes + weights in the slide cover. On the MG2E, the steel one is definitely too heavy. Matchguns recommends the alu shroud, too, especially for RF.

Hello Tycho...I have an MG2 RF,with the steel shroud/barrel weight, but have no knowledge of the aluminium component you have mentioned. As you know, the barrel weight on the RF version is pressed on to the barrel and the two become one, and to change the weight would require some sophisticated engineering. Could you elaborate, or guide me to a web link that provides more info.
My RF model has been updated by the factory with new slide which incorporates a totally re designed extractor, and the pistol will now shoot any ammo, without any malfunctions...and without cleaning...very happy .....thank you Stefano Calzetti.

Pressed? I don't think so... On some blocks, there are two screws, a small one under a larger one, and on most new ones simply a 2.5mm allen screw under the front sight... no engineering required, I'm switching barrel shrouds all over the place, and I'm definitely no engineer :-) Older pistols have the barrel loctited into place, but if you have both screws out, the rest is up to the hammer.

I haven.t looked under the front sight....always the place you don't look isn't it ? Tell me more about the aluminium weight, .... Matchguns website lists counterweight as being available in steel or ergal...is this what you have..ergal?. It sounds interesting, and would add to the pistols versatility. By the way, the gunsmith I use told me the barrel weight and the barrel were an interference fit......you learn something every day. Thanks for enlightening me....now, where's that 2.5mm. Allen key I.ve got a front sight to remove.

Just buy some more pistols designed by Cesare - you'll get used to look for interesting stuff in the strangest places :-) Just weighed my blocks - steel + 2 slide brakes = 294gr, alu ("ergal" - whatever) + 2 slide brakes + 2 Pardini SP New tungsten bolts (2mm too long, otherwise perfect fit) = 183gr. So with the 50gr steel block inside the slide cover, I'm still substantially lower than with the steel barrel shroud, which is too heavy (for my taste) for RF and duel stage. Newest generation shrouds have additional holes for two inertial absorbers, talk to Stefano for that.

Thanks Tycho, but I am still a bit confused about one thing. My counterweight doesn't have provision for side plates to be attached...its an angular, and heavy piece that has four shock absorbing arrangements built in [ that I assume are called slide brakes ], and is attached by the three bolts up front. The standard MG2 with the bolt on side weights sounds very similar to what you are describing. Please forgive my ignorance, but are you attaching the counterweight from a standard MG2, or is there a separate alu part for the MG2RF, that still incorporates two/ four slide brakes. Also, could you please explain how you attach weights to the slide cover. Once again, I am sorry to drag this out, but my curiosity, and a need to lighten the front end if I so desire has me motivated.
My owners manual for the RF is of no help, as it only covers the standard MG2, and doesn't show the different counterweight or absorbing system from the RF version. thanks.

Yes/no, we are talking about the same block, just something lost in translation :-) I didn't realize that people actually read target pistol manuals with the expectation of finding useful information - LOL... The RF weight is available in steel or alu. The standard weight (no absorbers, side plates) is also available in steel or alu. I'm using (and talking about) the RF weights only, but with only two absorbers, as I'm shooting the old recoil springs in my MG2, which are not really compatible with the slide brakes. I put the Pardini tungsten bolts into the upper two shock absorber holes, with the standard cover screws. If you take off the slide cover, there are two 2.5mm threaded holes (ok, they are there even if the slide cover is mounted, but you can't see their purpose) between the hammer spring and the front end. There you can attach a 50gr (or 2 x 25gr) steel plate from the inside. You can get them from Stefano, but my one is homemade, it's very easy to make. If you have the new version MG2 with rubber buffer behind the slide, check that the new weight doesn't crush the buffer, or the slide won't move anymore.

Great response Tycho. Very helpful and informative. I am now a man on a mission to acquire one of the alu RF counterweights.