Thinking about Franchi Affinity Shotgun -- Thoughts?

[john 800]

I have shot pump shotguns my whole life, but i am thinking about an auto. Most reviews and experiences online for the franchi affinity 3 seem to be good, I wont shoot enough to warrant the cost of a bennelli or berreta. Some of the things steering me to it are that it looks to be slightly simpler than a gas gun, I like the light weight and I really like the way it feels though I have never shot one.

Will be used for pheasants, ducks, and informal clays.

My questions to ‘yall are: is there something else in roughly the same ish price range i should be looking at?
If any

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Franchis are real good. You may can try one of the cheaper 300 berettas too.

 

[acloco]

Take a look at the CZ 712 G2 - gas operated. I LIKE shooting mine.

My 1187 is worn out.

 

[nmkid]

Well, it looks like Uncle Sam is going to give me a check whether or not I want one! So, I'm getting myself a Beretta A 400 Upland. It took me about 4 months to decide on the make. Now I have to decide on 12 ga. or 20 ga. I've handled the A400 several times in the 20 ga. and it swings like a soft breeze.

 

[FNSafari]

Other option is Browning/Winchester SX4 semi auto. I have one in 20 ga, nice.

 

[wedgy]

I have the affinity in 20 ga and love it, can also shoot the 3" 1 1/4oz loads with it. I put about 1500 rounds thru it be fore I ever cleaned it and never had a jam.

 

[KY_Windage]

Well, it looks like Uncle Sam is going to give me a check whether or not I want one! So, I'm getting myself a Beretta A 400 Upland. It took me about 4 months to decide on the make. Now I have to decide on 12 ga. or 20 ga. I've handled the A400 several times in the 20 ga. and it swings like a soft breeze.

The Upland is a good bit lighter than the regular A400. I have both in 20-ga and much prefer the Upland. I let people try it and they immediately order one! On the Upland they moved the Kick-Off system from the butt to the middle of the stock, which allows you to lengthen or shorter the LOP. The KO works amazingly well at reducing felt recoil, and I would definitely recommend you spring for the extra $100.

20-ga vs. 12-ga. -- depends on how big a load you want to shoot. The 20 will work fine for ducks and pheasants, usually, and be lighter to carry, and it is much more fun to shoot on clays, due to less recoil. But a 12 w/b fine, too, just good bit heavier.

 

[Trophied]

I have both 12 and 20 gauge Franchi Affinities, and have both 26" and 28" barrels for the 12 gauge. I like the way they handle, but wouldn't care to shoot any heavy loads in either one a lot in one day. Pheasant, quail, and dove hunting in this country would be good uses. Dove hunting South America would be painful with the way the inertia guns recoil due to the light weight. They do carry nicely due to that light weight though. The Affinity is based on the early Benelli design with the recoil spring in the forend rather than the buttstock as is the current design. It is also made in Italy on the same line as the Benelli's unlike some of the other inertia guns that are made in Turkey, if that's important to you. You can also buy a Weatherby SA-08 gas operated semi auto very easily in that price range that would be much easier on the shoulder and they have a great reputation. The Weatherby is even a recommended semi auto by Randy Wakeman who is regarded by some as an overall authority on shotguns. I did buy Briley chokes and either will kill doves very cleanly, especially with my 1-1/8 oz, #7-1/2 shot 1310 FPS reloads in the the 12 gauge.

 

[john 800]

I just picked it up today. A 20 gauge is intriguing, and i may do that someday, but for now 12 ga trap loads are light enough for me, and i have such a pile of ammo amd components for 12 gauge it made sense right now to do the 12. Went with plain old black in a 26in barrel for handling ease. Im exited to try it out, hopefully later this week i will have some time to pattern it and try to bust some clays with it.
Ultimately, lighter weight trumped softer recoil for me but it still should shoot softer than my 870

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

Just a general thumbs up for Franchi. I had a friend with one and he loved it. He had a lot of different brand shotguns but the Franchi seemed to be the one he always brought to the dove fields.

 

[DWheels]

I just bought a Beretta 300 Outlander. I have only shot 1/2 box or so of shells so far just to make sure it functions as advertised and I was pleased. It is very light, Very simple to take down to clean, and the recoil is very light compared to my old Browning A5. The first rounds were loaded with a 3 inch 4 buck first, the second round was a 7/8 ounce dove load. This was the lightest I could find with the limited selection of ammo available. The third round was a Remington heavy trap load. All functioned perfectly, fired 3 in around a second and didn't notice much difference in recoil. it functions fast. I believe it weighs 7 pounds. Mine is the plastic stock model. The first I have ever owned. This was done because the old Citori and A5 were heavy, and kicked like hell. I am looking forward to shooting many more rounds through it. 74 years old, bad shoulder, 2 neck surgeries. and I just needed a change. I would suggest you look at this model Beretta.

 

[Trophied]

The Beretta 300 and the Weatherby SA-08 are both fine very reasonably priced semi autos. Older designs, dirt reliable, softer shooting, and easy to maintain. The Weatherby is probably one of the most attractively priced semi autos on the market for its overall quality.

 

[cdgaydos]

Nothing wrong with Franchi. But, for low cost to performance ratio look at Beretta 300 and Weatherby (as others have mentioned). I have both and have had zero problems (except I’m horrible with any shotgun). A gas gun does help with recoil... and I second the comments regarding reliability and proven designs...

 

[Trophied]

I have both a 12 and 20 Affinity and like them. I bought them at a great price and they are made in Italy on the Benelli line, unlike a lot of the other inertia brands and a little better quality build. Inertia's are Inertia's and not much break down on one of them though.

 

[john 800]

I have both a 12 and 20 Affinity and like them. I bought them at a great price and they are made in Italy on the Benelli line, unlike a lot of the other inertia brands and a little better quality build. Inertia's are Inertia's and not much break down on one of them though.

I have put some rounds through it paterning a good selection of loads, so far i like it very well but i have not had a chance to shoot any clays with it yet. Planning on making it a point to shoot trap regularly this summer hopefully i can make time

 

[daylate]

I have an affinity 20 for a few years now. Havent shot the 12 since....Been flawless and my go to turkey gun with 3 inch 1 1/2 ounce of tungsten 7s....