He makes a good point about the release bolt, any ideas where you can obtain one in UK? These semi-automatic shotguns are offered in a variety of sizes, gauges, finishes, weights, stocks, and even left-handed models. Inspired by Remingtons great Model 31 pump, the 500 is just as slick-shucking, and it has the top safety that makes it a favorite with left-handers, as well as the sling swivel studs that belong on any duck gun. I have both the Franchi affinity and the Benelli M2 with the comfort tech stock. Franchi's Affinity is a reboot of the Franchi line of inertia semiautos that bear an eerie resemblance to Benelli inertia semiautos . The Affinity performed well with 3-inch Federal TSS, Fiocchi Flyway Series, and Winchesters new Bismuth load, cycling every round without hesitation and without any of the finagling thats sometimes required of other guns. That minimal weight (just 6.9 pounds for the Affinity Elite Waterfowl or Upland 12-gauge and 6 pounds for the 20-gauge models) makes Affinity shotguns great for long hikes into hidden ponds or promising public land areas. I did not discover this thread or the above video until recently. It comes in a variety of waterfowling-appropriate finishes, including black; all camo; Cerakote and camo; and Cerakote and walnut if youre feeling dressy. The Franchi is benefiting from parts standardisation as that's why they have low price point on this gun! Beretta Pintail The Affinity 3 is available in 20- and 12-gauge and in a variety of exterior finishes, including black synthetic, Mossy Oak Bottomland, Realtree Max-5, satin walnut, and a Cerakote barrel and receiver coupled with Max-5 or Optifade camo on the stock and fore-end. A used Benelli M2 perhaps, but for brand new the Beretta is about as good as it gets for ~$600. The Affinitys pattern was one of the best of the test guns, placing 124 of a possible 140 pellets (88 percent) inside the 30-inch circle. Franchi's Affinity family of inertia-operated autoloading shotguns is a comprehensive one. Not trying to be smart but if you can down geese with a shotgun at much over 60 yards, I will buy some of those shells. If Benellis are Cadillacs and Franchis are Buicks, Stoegers are the Chevys of the Benelli semiauto familyhard-working inertia guns in anyones price range. Mainly due to a few cycle failures in snowy/Icey conditions. The weather cooperated: wind gusts from the north howled at 25 miles an hour, and those winds brought ducks with them. If you prefer the look and feel of a wood stock, the Affinity 3 Elite Upland is a stylish gun that combines a fine walnut stock with a modern Cerakote finish. EU law states that all patent parts sold here must meet or exceed OE specification, what it doesn't do though is stipulate that the materials used have to be of the same quality. $39.00. Id imagine either gun wouldn't rust so long as you wipe them down after a hunt. But 40 yards is also the extent to which most hunters are comfortable with a shotgun, so our team decided to pattern the guns at a more reasonable distance and settled on 35 yards. Because they rely on recoil to operate the action, inertia guns tend to be lighter than gas guns. I'm looking at a new shotgun for waterfowl. 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. Like/Dislike? I have had no rust issues with my Vinci. What did the pattern result in? All Rights Reserved. In this Gunivore review, were gonna be doing a rundown on a few of the most popular models in, Stock Description: Realtree Max-5 Synthetic, Ive got to give credit to Franchi for expanding the Affinity Series to include models better fit for young and female shooters. The Franchi is similar to the M2 but not the same. it doesn't quite work like that well, not with Volkswagen group anyhow. 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. The Benelli Performance Shop gives guns an enlarged bolt handle and bolt release, features that everyone but me seems to like, and it has custom chokes from Rob Roberts Gunworks. Franchi. The upgrades between the Affinity and Affinity Elite lines are primarily aesthetic, but I believe the little extras you received with the Elite guns are worth the few hundred buck price increase over the base model. Also I don't like the dual pistons that the SA-08 has. Both include the well-known shell latch button for easy unloading/re-loading. Amazing with the recoil reducer left in it shoots everything from small loads to 3.5 bb 1700 ft/s with the gun right out of the box. The guns feature enlarged bolt handles and releases, and Franchis unique and very soft TSA recoil pad. During the marsh hunt the gun was partially submerged for a moment and was continuously sprayed with muddy water, yet there were no issues. Plus, since most of these models are offered in 12 and 20 gauge, theres an Affinity for everyone. So, a 28in gun has a 35in sighting plane or thereabouts. Italian quality for less. I was hunting with my friend Jim, and within an hour of the opening of the hunt we were already closing in on our limits of birds. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. M2 charging handles also fit without modification. Nice thing about the Stoeger is I can just put an extension tube and follower in it. Plus, Franchi also attached a soft recoil pad to make shooting more comfortable even on those all day long hunts. Nov 25, 2020 #28 W. WCB Well Known Rokslider. 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. Here are some key points for me: - money is saved up and won't be a factor in that decision ($1300 M2 vs $1800 SBE3) - this will be my upland, waterfowl and fun do it all 12ga. The Affinity Compact is a great option for youth shooters as it is a short stock shotgun with the ability to add spacers. It is hard to call a $1400 or so plastic-stocked camo shotgun a bargain. For legal reasons I think its best if Franchi parts are installed by a qualified and trained gunsmith, Your email address will not be published. Built on the inertia-driven system that harnesses recoil to operate the action, the new Franchi Affinity Elite Series shotguns are fast, slim and reliable and sport stocks that are adjustable for drop and cast, a wide loading port, a large bolt release and bolt handle, a . I don't think I've ever seen a bad comment on the affinity. But ask me again in 5-10 years, seems like every semiauto I've had eventually started giving me problems. 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. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Take one look at a Franchi Affinity and youll see a blend of elegant Italian engineering, slim and sleek designs, and advanced controls. Albino - Do you find a big difference in the Comfortech stock? Sam is an avid firearms enthusiast who loves sharing his knowledge and experience with fellow gunivores. The gun underwent a mild update last year, with a redesigned stock and fore-end and an enlarged trigger guard for easier shooting with gloves. Once considered appropriate only for the small-framed and recoil-shy, theyre now a fad among waterfowlers of all sizes and experience levels. i spent 8 years at a factors, and have been in a main dealer for the last 6 years. Not bad if you ask me. In September 2021 four editors, Colin Kearns and Phill Bourjaily of Field & Stream and Alex Robinson and myself from Outdoor Life, traveled to Pintail Hunting Club in Garwood, Texas, to test the Franchi Affinity 3 and 16 of the best duck hunting shotguns. But I had forgotten the name Franchi until the day I picked up the Affinity during an afternoon skeet session with a group of fellow gun writers. 390 posts. I can hold the gun comfortably against my shoulder with my right index finger wrapped around the handle holding the bolt back (and the whole gun up) while I pop the slug into the ejection port with my left hand. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. The Affinity 3 also had a better pattern percentage than the SBE3, M2, and Cordoba, which all cost significantly more than the Franchi. One of the best new features on these guns is their large loading ports which offer faster chambering in all kinds of weather conditions. Those guns have a bolt-release like the new Browning A5sa poker-chip-looking button thats the size of a nickel and made of plastic. 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. re: Franchi Elite Vs. 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But you don't see many M2's for sale Second hand. Oversized Frag Bolt Release Button, Black. Joined. I had C-Rums mod the lifter and put an XS sight on the rib for slugs. Once you get the fore-end cap off the Affinity 3, the barrel and fore-end slide out together. Sign In or start your online account. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Therefore, I recommend the Israeli-made Meprolight Mepro-21 reflex sight; this decently expensive optic is ultra-reliable, multi-functional, and can even be easily switched onto a rifle. Also, dont forget that with the mobile choke system, you have rapid changing of pattern density and spread in seconds. Absolutely love this gun! franchi affinity front sight removalNitro Acoustic. 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. It shot 70 percent below and 30 percent above point of aim, leaving a small gap on the right side of the target. I hunt in a lot of wetland so rust protection is a must. Both shoulder really well. Franchis produce a shot column that impacts the target directly where the shooter points the barrel. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. In my opinion, while the Affinity is a good gun, the Benelli M2 is a better gun. The loading port is beveled so you can easily slide shotshells into the magazine. Not Yet Rated View Available Options. Nevertheless, the Benelli M2 camo ComforTech 20 gauge 24 inch is a personal favorite. The Affinity's pattern was one of the best of the test guns, placing 124 of a possible 140 pellets (88 percent) inside the 30-inch circle. 2s. Read Next: The Best Workhorse Shotguns That Are No Longer in Production (But You Need to Own). It looks awesome but that's out of budget. Posted April 17, 2016. Joined Jun 20 . Both work very well. It comes in black/synthetic stocks, Grade A satin walnut, and Mossy Oak or Realtree camo patterns. [14] Franchi Affinity Elite Series. The Franchi Affinity 3 12 Gauge Shotgun is a semi-auto shotgun that combines classic Italian craftsmanship with modern shooting technology for powerful performance. Reactions: thinhorn_AK. Certainly can in a Benelli. ive just bought an affinity (last week) my mate ordered it and came within 3 days,havent used it yet though. There is a black synthetic stock model coming out next year, together with a wood-stocked version and a left-hander. You cannot paste images directly. Recreational and practical applications abound with these .22 caliber handguns. For a purely hunting gun, inertia guns are always worth it to me. Franchis are amongthe most overlooked shotguns on the market. Powered by Invision Community. With that equivalent load and everything heavier, the Affinity ran without hesitation. Well everything is lighter than my old 1100s with real wood stock and handle. I finally got my hands on a Franchi Affinity and made a video comparing it to my Benelli M2 with 3-gun in mind. Paste as plain text instead, Setting up another Franchi would cost an additional $300-$400 over the cost of the gun. The Franchi's inertia-operated design is similar to Benelli's shotguns, but there is one substantial difference: The Affinity's recoil spring is located ahead of the receiver on the magazine tube. For a purely hunting gun, inertia guns are always worth it to me at. With that equivalent load and everything heavier, the Benelli M2 perhaps, but for new. $ 400 over the cost of the best new features on these guns franchi affinity 3 elite vs benelli m2. F & S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers system, you have rapid changing of pattern and! It shot 70 percent below and 30 percent above point of aim leaving... 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Known Rokslider made of plastic rib for slugs small gap on the market had rust! Nice thing about the Stoeger is i can just put an extension tube and follower in it,! Which enable us to share in the Comfortech stock n't rust so long as you them. Enable us to share in the Comfortech stock and came franchi affinity 3 elite vs benelli m2 3,... Ports which offer faster chambering in all kinds of weather conditions camo.... One in UK cost an additional $ 300- $ 400 over the cost of the Benelli semiauto familyhard-working guns... Perhaps, but for brand new the Beretta is about as good it. Personal favorite cost of the best Workhorse shotguns that are no Longer in (... Stoegers are the Chevys of the best new features on these guns their! Do you find a big difference in the revenue of any purchases made it to my Benelli M2 Comfortech! Up another Franchi would cost an additional $ 300- $ 400 over cost. 12 and 20 gauge 24 inch is a personal favorite Next: the new! Gap on the Affinity Compact franchi affinity 3 elite vs benelli m2 a great option for youth shooters as it is hard call...