The Brixia (Valtro) PM5 super thread!

C

CDNsldr

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
23   0   0
Hello gun-nutters!

I've decided to create a "super thread" in the hope of collecting and re-posting the small amount of information that's scattered around the 'net; as well as document the journey with my new Brixia PM5 :d

There is a lot of speculation around just how identical the Brixia model is to the Valtro. Hopefully others will chime in so these differences (or lack there of) can be cleared up.

Things I've noticed that people have had questions about:

- No ported barrel on the new Brixia
- No front fibre optic
- Iron sites are still useless (pic rail blocks most of the front post)
- Fixed choke measured 0.723" on the Brixia (between Skeet and ImpCyl)
- External barrel threads measured to 40 threads/inch (imperial) or .635 pitch in mm (metric). External diameter measured .864" or 21.95mm
- Brixia is chambered for 3"
- LOP is long, but at 5'11" I find it manageable
- Fit and finish appears great!
- Bolt locks to the rear with an empty mag



Now for some pics!





The take down pins seem very secure and pops out with a small bump from a pointed object.











Externally threaded from chokes. Fixed choked measured 0.723"






My first mod will be to modify 11rd SAP6 mags to fit. A few others on this forum have successfully pioneered this. I am by not means taking credit.

I had a 6rd SAP6 mag, so I took a few pictures along side the rock n lock PM5 magazine. SAP6 mag is about a mm wider FWIW.

(Valtro mag near, SAP6 mag far)



IMG_1757.jpg
[/URL]







[URL=http://s1005.photobucket.com/user/hockeyrocks_89/media/IMG_1761.jpg.html]
 
Last edited:
As I edited above...external barrel threads measured to 40 threads/inch (imperial) or .635 (metric). External diameter measured .864" or 21.95mm.

This really confuses me as it appears Brixia used an imperial thread pitch on an M22 (metric) size barrel...


If anyone has measured the threads on the original Valtro I wouldn't mind hearing if they are different!
 
Last edited:
updated the other thread... apparently this imperial thread pitch is now discontinued.
All Brixia PM5's that were sold in Canada are using the same imperial thread pitch as the old Valtro's. I know this because I contact Brixia and they told me they don't carry chokes that will fit our shotguns (i.e. the old style.)

The new Brixia PM5's (which I don't believe have come to Canada) are now using a different pitch.
Cheers~
 
G37 said:
updated the other thread... apparently this imperial thread pitch is now discontinued.
All Brixia PM5's that were sold in Canada are using the same imperial thread pitch as the old Valtro's. I know this because I contact Brixia and they told me they don't carry chokes that will fit our shotguns (i.e. the old style.)

The new Brixia PM5's (which I don't believe have come to Canada) are now using a different pitch.
Cheers~
Click to expand...

Thanks for the information! I guess this is good news that the Brixia PM5's currently available in Canada share the same threads as the old Valtro. Means these chokes > http://www.brignoliarmi.com/11478/h...esterni---benelli---franchi---yildiz---hatsan should be good to go. Credit for finding that Italian source goes to Phat Eagle.

I am going to be placing an order for probably a Modified and Full choke if anyone wants to get in to save some shipping fees...might order a second set anyways to re-sell on the EE.
 
Headed out to the sticks today you feed some shells through her and zero my optic. Fired a mix of 2 3/4 and 3". 30 slugs, 15 buck, and 20 target loads from a distance of 10-50m. Every shell worked great! On had one failure-to-eject which was a user fault...I racked the pump back at about half speed. Wasn't really able to get reliable groupings with the slugs.

My question is: What sort of slug groupings can I expect to see from 50m with the 13.5" barrel? Most of my shooting was off-hand with a few shots using a branch as a monopod.


So, Ive got a bit of a confession to make... this is my first owned shotgun. Before today I've only shot maybe a half dozen 12 gauge shells in my life of birdshot and buck. I've seen lots of shells on the shelf labelled "reduced recoil" and I have always thought to myself..."wow what bunch of pansies can't handle the recoil of a shotgun?" ....today was a rude awakening! haha. For anyone that doesn't know, the PM5 weighs 6.6lbs empty and with the hard plastic butt stock and no recoil pad in sight, 3" magnum load slugs kick like an angry mule. I've gotta say my shoulder is BLOODY KILLING! Normal #8 target load felt like firing a BB gun in comparison :cool:
 
Limb Saver Installation!

Addressing the lack of recoil pad was one of my first priorities. The already excessive LOP made installing a simple slip over pad a no-go, plus I think they are fugly. I plan to modify a stock adaptor in the near future, but the Mesa LEO's are a little hard to find ATM.

I brought the stock and butt plate into Cabelas this morning a found a model on the shelf that had the same distance between the screw holes. LIMBSAVER Precision-fit model 10001. I gathered some tools and headed into the shop...

This model will bolt on directly to the stock, and the plastic back plate is flexible enough to bend to the contour of the stock when the screws are tightened down. The lines don't line up all that well and your LOP will be increased just over an inch, but it is an option if you don't want to modify your stock.



Perhaps a little bit of time with a heat gun and the backing plate will bend easier so less stress on the small screws that are only threaded into plastic.




Now if you want your LOP increased as minimally as possible then you would proceed to chop the stock down. It pretty nerve racking taking a chop saw to a object that is almost nearly impossible to replace.

First step was to drill down the plastic threads so the screws could be sunk a little deeper without the potential of splitting the plastic. I used a 9/64 bit.


I marked off approx 5/8" and levelled it in the vice of the chop saw. I wanted to use a bandsaw, but it's currently not working. Heck, you could even use a hack saw, would just spend a little more time with a flat surface and sandpaper making sure it was "square".


Chopped!



Next step, trace the outline of the stock and spend some time "forming" the contours. You could do this by hand with a sanding block, but I had access to a bench disk sander. Material gets taken off very quickly! Take less material initially and use a sanding block to finish.





I got some shorter screws so they wouldn't plunge as deep.



All back together.
















Lines are far from perfect, but I am satisfied with the outcome. All the trimming was done free-hand. A jig for the sander would have made it a little more pretty, but oh well. I doubt many will notice the imperfections.

All in all, LOP was only increased about 1cm. Im more than willing to accept that "penalty" when pumping off magnum loads! This will work until I can get a stock adaptor sorted out.

Don't hesitate to throw any questions my way.
 
Last edited:
OK so I've been operating my original Valtro PM5 since 2000 with the 14" ported barrel. Does anyone know if or where I can find a 20" barrel for it? I'd just like to shoot without blowing my hat off. And my wife won't let me sell it.
 
freezer filler said:
Your shottie looks great. Just wondering if it's like the DA mag guns where you can slam your wrist off the mag when pumping? Took away from the cool factor for me lol.
Click to expand...

I've never heard to that complaint with this platform. I just cycled through a mag with mine and I think you'd have to be deformed to come close to smacking the magazine.
 
Digger1 said:
OK so I've been operating my original Valtro PM5 since 2000 with the 14" ported barrel. Does anyone know if or where I can find a 20" barrel for it? I'd just like to shoot without blowing my hat off. And my wife won't let me sell it.
Click to expand...


Best bet would be to contact Brixia in Italy (info@brixiashotguns.net) The only other option, IMO, would be to have one custom made. But that is $$$$$$

Actually, I believe there are a small amount in the US. I think they are all longer barrels as their laws are a little funky down there. Worth a shot I guess.
 
Here is a fully body shot with the new retrofitted limbsaver




And this is the after math from cleaning the barrel. New barrel +30 slugs = a crapload of plastic and lead residue. The only way to get the barrel spotless was the old cordless drill with a smaller bore brush and scotchbrite pad wrapped around it trick. I pulled a regular brass barrel brush through about 200 times even after letting the solvent soak in for hours then over night, it still wasn't doing much. The drill tricked worked in about 30 seconds. Winning.



 
freezer filler said:
Might just have to look in to one of these lol
Click to expand...

Currently $540 from Westrifle. ;) Free shipping as well. I'm so happy I found this shotgun. I'm even happier that my recently bought SAP6 tactical just sold for a minimal loss. After handling the SAP6, the build quality of the Brixia is even more apparent.


Mags are pricey ($110) but if you're handy you can retrofit the SAP6 mags to work.
 
freezer filler said:
Wow! she's a keeper!
Click to expand...
The true story is, the first time I took my future wife shooting, I gave her the Valtro and on her first shot she took out the left half of the bulls eye at 30 yards with a slug. So the PM5 and her Brno #2 .22 are never to be sold!
A few years ago a bunch of 20" PM5s with screw on chokes were brought into Canada, but I haven't been able to locate a 20" barrel.
Oh well, I guess my sore shoulder and diminishing hairdo will have to be relegated to the old Rem 1187 for comfort sakes, and the valiant tooth scarred Valtro will be saved for impressing the young folk on Thanksgiving after dinner.
 
Last edited:
Phat Eagle said:
Note you'll need a cheek riser too... The AR stock adapter puts the buffer tube way lower than the comb of the regular stock.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but at least there are infinite options with an AR stock lol.


Has anybody experimented with making the front sight useable?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom