Franchi Shotguns?

[JMikeyH]

Hi all,

Growing tired of the budget Hatsan Escort, and I'm looking to sell one on and get a more refined semi for pest control. Quite fancy the look of the Franchi Raptor or the Affinity, does anyone have some first hand experience with Franchi shotguns or can recommend another shotgun I can look at along the same sort of lines?

Must be at least a 3inch chamber, multichoke and magnum/steel proofed, and adjustable LOP by shims or some other system

Not after a top shelf Benelli, but anything up to £800 is an option

Cheers

 

[bogtrotter]

They are ok cheaper than a Benelli ,Franchi Benelli all part of the Beretta family.

 

[Millerich]

I’ve got an affinity. Cheaper feel than the Benellli, but the inertia system is similar albeit mounted forward not in the stock. Had mine a couple of years. It has been thoroughly reliable. Seven year warranty speaks volumes.

 

[JMikeyH]

I’ve got an affinity. Cheaper feel than the Benellli, but the inertia system is similar albeit mounted forward not in the stock. Had mine a couple of years. It has been thoroughly reliable. Seven year warranty speaks volumes.

As long as it isn't as cheap of a feel as the Escort I will be alright with it Thanks for the replies

 

[Dawnrazor]

My first semi auto was a 5 shot, when you could get one on a shotgun certificate, with the barrel recoil!

 

[hammer 1]

Have you considered the Beretta a300?

 

[Heym SR20]

I have a left handed Affinity. I use it on the foreshore and the ducks and geese really don’t like it. I had one misfire, but that was down to operator error and loading in an old well rusted cartridge. It sort of went phut. Pulled open the handle - extracted cartridge spilling pellets all over the inside. Wad was only half out of catridge. Shook everything loose, swearing as a flock of geese were circling and ****ing themselves laughing. They buggered off, put in a fresh shell and shot a mallard a few moments later. I mostly use three inch steel in mine.

It doesn't cycle very light 21 gm loads, but then its not meant to.

Handles beutifully and so much nicer than a Hatsan. Internals are pretty much a Benenelli M2. Only major difference is recoil spring is around magazine tube rather than in the stock.

They are light in weight, yet kick with heavy three inch shells is very manageable.

Love it.

 

[JMikeyH]

I have a left handed Affinity. I use it on the foreshore and the ducks and geese really don’t like it. I had one misfire, but that was down to operator error and loading in an old well rusted cartridge. It sort of went phut. Pulled open the handle - extracted cartridge spilling pellets all over the inside. Wad was only half out of catridge. Shook everything loose, swearing as a flock of geese were circling and ****ing themselves laughing. They buggered off, put in a fresh shell and shot a mallard a few moments later. I mostly use three inch steel in mine.

It doesn't cycle very light 21 gm loads, but then its not meant to.

Handles beutifully and so much nicer than a Hatsan. Internals are pretty much a Benenelli M2. Only major difference is recoil spring is around magazine tube rather than in the stock.

They are light in weight, yet kick with heavy three inch shells is very manageable.

Love it.

Thanks Heym, I put a deposit down on a 712 Raptor this morning, cannot wait to pick it up once I get a little bit of space in the safe!

 

[Heym SR20]

Thanks Heym, I put a deposit down on a 712 Raptor this morning, cannot wait to pick it up once I get a little bit of space in the safe!

From what i can see / read the Raptor was from 2005 era and was a gas operated semi auto.

The Affinity, which I have, is like the Bennelli M2, an Inertia operated action. At the shot the bolt stay stationary as the rest of gun moves rearward, locking the lugs closed for a moment before it catches up the rest of the gun and reloads itself. All powder residue goes out the muzzle.

On a gas operated gun, gas is bled from the barrel and this then operates the action. It gets grubby over time.

Saying the, the Raptor is a prettier gun than the plastic stocked Affinity, although do a wooden handled version as well.

 

[Heym SR20]

A good review of the left handed Affinity. Pretty much mirrors my views on it.

Review: Franchi Affinity 12ga Shotgun - Guns and Ammo

The 12ga Affinity 3.5, chambered for 2-, 3-, and 3 1/2-inch shells and the Affinity 3 is offered in 12 or 20ga, both with 2- and 3-inch chambers

www.gunsandammo.com

 

[wully1234]

I had an old franchi 48Al, was a brilliant gun so can only imagine the modern ones are as good as any other top brand, if not better