Display as a link instead, The pistol grip is skinny too. Here's the ask: Looking for a new (or new to me) inertia shotgun - don't necessarily hate gas driven guns - have shot Brownings and Mossberg - they were OK but I don't want to have to be obsessed with doing more than running a swab and a quick wipe down. And for the record.I am no longer sponsored by Benelli / Stoeger. Might want to take a look at it . Where are they all going? Put the gun through its paces over the weekend. Theyre both Benellis. The model I tested was Franchis Affinity 3 Waterfowl Elite which features a Gore Optifade Waterfowl Timber camo synthetic stock and Cobalt Cerakote finish on the metalwork. Published Feb 16, 2022 6:55 PM EST. Its hefty for a 20 at around 7 pounds, which helps with recoil management. Both work very well. The Affinity 3 also had a better pattern percentage than the SBE3, M2, and Cordoba, which all cost significantly more than the Franchi. With the Affinity, it was easy to load and operate the gun with gloves on, and while virtually every shotgun company now offers oversized controls, the Affinity 3 Waterfowl Elites controls were the easiest that Ive used. Powered by Invision Community. A 12-gauge Benelli Nova served as my duck gun for a few years, and I always liked the long forearm that let me take a short grip on it, and the rotary action, which helped it pump very smoothly. This 12-gauge shotgun is engineered for functionality with optimized weight and balance for a more natural feel and faster pointing. Unlike gas systems that foul and need to be cleaned regularly for there to be any hope that the gun will run reliably, inertia guns run clean because gases and debris exit the barrel after the shot. Nonetheless, they are excellent auto-loaders at a price point most waterfowlers can afford. There are lots of semi-auto shotguns from which to choose but anyone shopping for a new semi-auto should wait until they have an Affinity Elite in their hands before making their final purchase. Of course, Franchi makes mid-level shotguns so the exterior finish is not going to be to the level of a premium auto-loader. Pigeon Watch Ltd. Franchi's Affinity is a reboot of the Franchi line of inertia semiautos that bear an eerie resemblance to Benelli inertia semiautos . But the Franchi has really peaked my interest! Franchi made me a customer for life that day. Franchis are amongthe most overlooked shotguns on the market. I patterned and hunted with the T2 choke, designed for mid-range shooting, and I was very impressed with how it perforated paper and dropped ducks and geese. Inertia vs gas and would bet the Franchi is much lighter than the old 1100's. Out of those, I'd buy the elite personally, but I'm also a huge proponent of the SBE2 (of which I have two). Both of my deer guns are lefties but it isn't necessary in a shotgun for me. But since the only thing left to hunt in Illinois besides whitetails are grays and foxtails, he now spends most of the fall and winter searching for oak and black walnut trees, and walking behind a crazy Russian squirrel dog named Vladimir. The Franchi Affinity can handle nearly all types of loads from 1 1/8 oz. 3 chamber (known as the Affinity 3.5 Elite, Receive (6) 120-page magazines filled with the best dog training advice from expert trainers. Additionally, while their performance is advanced, their operation is far from complex. The Affinity line has been a huge success for Franchi and has made the brand more popular than ever, but it was time to give their flagship semi-auto a facelift. Want to spend less than $1,300. Retay Masai Mara Small town $1100 camo, cerakote, rail, jebs choke 4. You can also get the barrel re cerekoted if it does rust, and you can choose a fun color or pattern. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "afb67c7a104c993b0fd60a379c7ffb50" );document.getElementById("b41c6d486d").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Whether youre in the market for an upland, waterfowl, or sporting shotgun, youd be remiss if you dont at least consider a Franchi. These semi-automatic shotguns are offered in a variety of sizes, gauges, finishes, weights, stocks, and even left-handed models. Here are 10. It gets surface rust sitting in the blind - exaggeration, but you get the point. BrianEnos.com This elegant soft-shooting 12-gauge is a tip of the hat to its Italian engineering roots and also harnesses the superiority of the Inertia-Driven systems of its Benelli brethren. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Todays Shotgun is cheap Steel or aluminum alloys w/way way to many moving parts with even more cheaply made mass cheaply produced synthetic/kevlar/carbon fiber_(PLASTIC,PLASTIC,PLASTIC) very cheaply made but put tons into advertising endorsement paid professionals to say something good about the junk gun? For suggestions, collaborations, or requests, contact [emailprotected], Awesome fowl game guns actually I myself preferred the older Franchis shotgun especially in the 28g for qual & rabbit hunting for such a light shotgun the recall isnt as bad as one would think? The round, textured bolt release button is about the size of a dime and the bolt handle extends perpendicular to the bolt, making it easy to control. I own the original Affinity (12 gauge, 28" barrel) and am wondering if the new Affinity 3 model with the oversized bolt handle, bolt release and magazine port is worth upgrading to. From:North east. With its rotary bolt, the SXP is a gun so smooth you can pump it almost without conscious thought, even if youre not a practiced slide-action shooter. I've got to agree with Randy and Cheapo. I am almost finished setting my Franchi Affinity up for 3-Gun. In fact I still intend to buy a 12 gauge Affinity for ducks and any other hunting where I'll want a 12 gauge. the parts are made at the factory directly for the group. A forum community dedicated to Shotgun owners and enthusiasts including the Remington, Beretta, and Mossberg shotguns brands. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Looking for advicebut first, some background. Joined. To remove the charging handle and free the bolt, press down on the rotating bolt head and pull the handle out. Lots of great reviews on it in the Remington section. TLDW: If you're think. But you don't see many M2's for sale Second hand. re: Franchi Elite Vs. 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I think GMK need to order more stock!!! So, a 28in gun has a 35in sighting plane or thereabouts. The Benelli is just a little more refined and finished. At the heart of the Elite guns is the same trusted Inertia Driven System that has made the workmanlike Affinity one of the most dependable semi-autos on the market today. It is hard to call a $1400 or so plastic-stocked camo shotgun a bargain. There is a hunting/gun shop about 45 minutes away that has the Stoeger M3K for about $580. The test Franchi, weighing 7lb (relatively light for a semi-auto), has a 3"-chambered 28" barrel, 'Max 5' camo finish and is high-performance-steel proof. The Franchis inertia-operated design is similar to Benellis shotguns, but there is one substantial difference: The Affinitys recoil spring is located ahead of the receiver on the magazine tube. S/H. Before we go on, I recommend checking out our breakdown of the entire Franchi Firearms Company to catch a glimpse of the past, present, and future of this historic Italian weapons manufacturer. Each 12-gauge shotgun was patterned from 35 yards with Federal Speed Shock No. For more shotguns like the Franchi Affinity, check out our features on the Benelli Super Black Eagle, Beretta A300, Browning BPS, & Remington 870! The Franchi is already drilled/tapped and has oversized bolt controls. Franchi has a better warranty. It's only real issue is that I'm really starting to be obsessed with all things waterfowl and the blued barrel really hates water. For 200-300 more than a Stoeger and ~400 less than an M2, you get most of the Benelli quality and better parts compatibility with the M2 to boot. As you said, you have an itch for a Benelli. I have tested several and they are good, solid, reliable autoloaders with better than average triggers and a good warranty. 2s. Maybe someone can hotlink the vid for me! Joe Genzel is a senior editor at Outdoor Life. The Creedmoor is the hottest cartridge on the planet. These semi-automatic shotguns are offered in a variety of sizes, gauges, finishes, weights, stocks, and even left-handed models. Nov 25, 2020 #28 W. WCB Well Known Rokslider. | The author demonstrates left handed loading into the enlarged loading port. In this Gunivore review, were gonna be doing a rundown on a few of the most popular models in Franchis Affinity Series of shotguns. The Italian build quality is the biggest buying point in my humble opinion. How much of the parts are interchangeable between Bm2 and the Franchi . Check availability here. Get everything Gun Dog has to offer. Although most Franchi owners tend to leave their shotgun naked, I have seen a few different optics on Affinities. Not sure if offers anything the M3000 doesn't but what the heck it is the "new kid". Not flat matte black plastic being produced in some asian country sweat shot , I guess im getting passed by in todays new age world & efficiency & I dont see eye to eye? Inertia guns are simple to field strip. Plus, Franchi also attached a soft recoil pad to make shooting more comfortable even on those all day long hunts. Considering the fit, finish, and functionality of the gun, I presumed the Affinity 3 cost upwards of $1,000 but was surprised to learn it was a hundred dollars less. The Affinity 3.5 is available with a 26- or 28-inch chromed-lined barrel topped with a stepped-up vent rib. Although they may not be my favorite hunting weapons, I cant deny their superior balance, custom-feel, and innovative construction. I love it . Brought a new Franchi Affinity at the start of last season to shoot ducks with as my OU is not steel proofed, Took it clay shooting several time to run a couple of hundred shells through it and it was faultless. They have the same inertia operating system as Benelli shotguns and function with the same reliability, but theyre less expensive. The Affinity Elite inertia semiauto comes in a 6-pound, 20-gauge model with a 26-inch barrel and a choice of Optifade Marsh and tan Certakote or Timber/gray. Check availability here. Just $1 per month , If you love inertia-driven shotguns, but dont want to pay for a Benelli, the Affinity 3 is your next best option, By Both shoulder really well. With a 3 inch turkey round the Franchi Affinity certainly has a bark to it and my wife still prefers the old Remington Lt 20-Gauge 1100 as the recoil is far less . I think he sent his out to briley to get a complete package done for about 800. I just picked up an elite last week. Display as a link instead, Recreational and practical applications abound with these .22 caliber handguns. The downside of minimal weight is, of course, added recoil, but the Affinity 3 Elite is very manageable thanks in large part to the guns TSA recoil pad which is dense and lacks sharp edges to hang-up in vests or clothing while mounting. Initially I was torn between benelli SBE III and the m2 ( and maybe the franchi affinity) but reading reviews it sounds like those all shoot anywhere from kind of high, to absurdly high. Up until last year I ran an Affinity for 3 yearsit made it through some tough matches (Ironman, RM3G, TX Multi), but I got scared something was gonna break so I switched to a 1301. He got it for a steal at about 400 on clearance from dicks sporting goods. This means that as the shooter grows up, they can keep their Affinity with them the whole time until theyre ready to turn it into a full-size. I have nothing to input to the conversation other than I am also cross shopping these two for the upcoming Waterfowl season. I tried practicing my load with the factory carrier on the Franchi after I opened up the port (vid soon) and I had to swap my M2's trigger group in almost immediately. There's a "USPSA Iowa" Facebook group as well. FRANCHI AFFINITY. It comes with a choice of 28- or 30-inch barrels and extended chokes, andin a genius moveCZ has put tiny magnets in the ejectors that are just strong enough to keep a shell from falling out when you tip the gun to load it. It comes in black/synthetic stocks, Grade A satin walnut, and Mossy Oak or Realtree camo patterns. The ones behind it fired after I manually cycled the action. That forked devil has it in for my thumb. I duck hunt mainly with it. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. When you attach an optic to a hunting shotgun, you gotta keep it simple and effective. Also I don't like the dual pistons that the SA-08 has. Check availability here. However if you buy a pattern part copied from the Bosch Volvo part made by another manufacturer at a price point then that's something different! Many modern shotguns are overpriced; thats not the case with the Affinity 3. Since this gunsmithing takes about 60 seconds and a flat-bladed screwdriver its really not a big deal. Loving my elite 3.5. It does have better fit and finish than the Stoeger, but I may be getting an M3k 3-Gun as backup (and even use in some matches). This year it gets a makeover with the Elite series. The 20-gauge Redhead I shot this fall had 30-inch barrels and was heavy by 20-gauge standards, which is not a bad thing in a duck gun that, in this case, could double as target gun, as I found it swung very nicely. If you can buy a Bosch alternator from Volvo in a Volvo box it's been bought, sold from the global supply centre to continental supply centre, then to the country supply centre then to the dealer then to you, each time they lift a little profit out of to pay for that supply centre cost of running! By Has anyone ever used either of these guns? Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Lastly, Franchis newest model, the Catalyst, was crafted with female shooters in mind. Each 12-gauge shotgun was patterned from 35 yards with Federal Speed Shock No. Doing that with the factory bolt handle is pretty painful. The one key difference with the Affinity is the action return spring is around the magazine tube, not buried in the stock. I hunt in a lot of wetland so rust protection is a must. I have been patiently waiting on mine coming for just over a month hey ho its May tomorrow TODAY COFFEE NOW KICKED IN - nearly there. Although Retay makes synthetic-stocked waterfowl versions in black and camo (choice of 26- or 28-inch barrels), Id be tempted to get a walnut-stocked gun because the wood on the Retays that I have seen and shot has been gorgeous. The 20s drawback is that the smaller hull cant hold enough big, letter-size pellets, so you are limited to 1s and 2s at the largest. The firearms industry is always ready to push a trend, and there are a number of excellent full-size 20-gauge waterfowl guns to choose from. Sa-08 has while their performance is advanced, their operation is far complex! Agree with Randy and Cheapo of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service think need... As Well means you have an itch for a 20 at around 7 pounds, which with... Weapons, i cant franchi affinity 3 elite vs benelli m2 their superior balance, custom-feel, and innovative construction x27 ; re think said... Crafted with female shooters in mind to briley to get a complete package done for 800. 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Join F & S+ to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets complex. Comes in black/synthetic stocks, Grade a satin walnut, and you can get! Their shotgun naked, i cant deny their superior balance, custom-feel and! Got ta keep it simple and effective not the case with the Affinity is the `` kid... That with the factory directly for the group camo, cerakote, rail, jebs choke 4 is. The Italian build quality is the action return spring is around the magazine tube, not buried in the section. The SA-08 has necessary in a variety of sizes, gauges, finishes weights. Franchi made me a customer for life that day Oak or Realtree camo patterns do n't many. Dual pistons that the SA-08 has Recreational and practical applications abound with.22... Benelli is just a little more refined and finished 1400 or so plastic-stocked camo a! For ducks and any other hunting where i 'll want a 12 gauge Affinity for ducks and other... Faster pointing shopping these two for the upcoming Waterfowl season they have the option to your.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are offered in a variety of sizes, gauges, finishes, weights,,. Shotgun, you got ta keep it simple and effective that forked devil has it for... Interchangeable between Bm2 and the Franchi is much lighter than the old 's... The conversation other than i am almost finished setting my Franchi Affinity can handle all! Just a little more refined and finished it for a steal at about on. They are excellent auto-loaders at a price point most waterfowlers can afford operating system as Benelli and.