(I can almost promise you that the paid professional shooter didnt get his fame from any modern shotgun i can almost guarantee u) there no bluing instead today the chrome alloy spray painted blue red etc.. Apr 27, 2019 #2 bullgator Darn Flankee. Lastly, owners of an Affinity dont have to worry about the durability and long-term ability of their shotgun. Bismuth shells from a number of makers (I have been shooting Federal and Rio No. I might pull the trigger on the 24" compact for him, glad to see this thread today. These semi-automatic shotguns are offered in a variety of sizes, gauges, finishes, weights, stocks, and even left-handed models. Both shoulder really well. Italian quality for less. The 3-inch shotshells carried a muzzle velocity of 1,550 fps and a shot charge of 1 1/8 ounces. It has developed the dreaded "Click", and I cannot figure a reason why. That 10ga packs a wallop on ducks and geese. If you purchase a firearm using the links in this story, we may earn commission. 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! The huge advantage over the M3000 whether you are a pro gunsmith or a shadetree armorer like myself, is that the serial number on the Affinity is placed so you can mod the loading port to your heart's content. I've been shopping a 20ga 24" barrel for my son who is 10 and taken a liking to shooting. The Cerakote finish protects the metal parts from rugged use and the environment. Many of the Benelli autos have the Comfort Tech recoil system, which is a series of interlocking chevrons that flex when you pull the trigger. Like/Dislike? However, the new Affinity Elite line offers improved styling and even more desirable features, and the Affinity Elite makes a case for being the best semi-auto shotgun in its class. Or, you can shoot just a sprinkling of TSS mixed with steel in Federals Black Cloud TSS, which combines both No. Flush Choke Tube. As New Franchi Affinity Elite 3.5" steel proofed semi auto camo ex shop demo shot twice. A used Benelli M2 perhaps, but for brand new the Beretta is about as good as it gets for ~$600. Check availability here. But the franchi to me feels like a better fit for me. I live about 3.5 hours away from you (Western side of state near SD/NE border). Hunt the Mississippi River primarily. The Affinity shotguns operate on the same inertia-driven system as Benelli shotguns. ETA: whereabouts are you in Iowa? Take one look at a Franchi Affinity and youll see a blend of elegant Italian engineering, slim and sleek designs, and advanced controls. Posted April 17, 2016. The Franchi Affinity 3 12 Gauge Shotgun is a semi-auto shotgun that combines classic Italian craftsmanship with modern shooting technology for powerful performance. 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. Lol. I looked at them in person, and examined pictures of parts and parts diagrams and compared that to what I knew about my M2. Whether youre in the market for an upland, waterfowl, or sporting shotgun, youd be remiss if you dont at least consider a Franchi. My buddy bought the franchi as an alternative to the benelli. The 12-gauge inertia-driven gun was light but had manageable recoil. Have one transferred to your local FFL. Franchi Affinity Vs. Benelli M2. The only other discernible difference I've come across is the location of the recoil spring is in the stock for the M2 vs over the mag tube on the Affinity which makes them balance . Well everything is lighter than my old 1100s with real wood stock and handle. I'm looking to purchase a new semi auto for duck hunting. Burnt Bronze 26 in. Considering the fit, finish, and functionality of the gun, I presumed the Affinity 3 cost upwards of $1,000 but was surprised to learn it was a hundred dollars less. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Franchi Affinity 3 Elite 12 Gauge 28" OPTIFADE Waterfowl Timber Cobalt Shotgun 41230 I tried practicing my load with the factory carrier on the Franchi after I opened up the port (vid soon) and I had to swap my M2's trigger group in almost immediately. Therefore, I recommend the Israeli-made Meprolight Mepro-21 reflex sight; this decently expensive optic is ultra-reliable, multi-functional, and can even be easily switched onto a rifle. Cool! That is a far piece for me to shoot anything with a shotgun. The author demonstrates left handed loading into the enlarged loading port. Hey Rabbiter what model did you get?, I've ordered the 26" barrel but I've seen that GMK are importing the camo version now too. Required fields are marked *. But far more hunters choose 20s just because they enjoy shooting the smaller guns. Light and extremely popular, the Mossberg 500 comes in a 20-gauge black synthetic version that makes it a good choice as a duck gun you dont have to baby. First aesthetic impressions of the gun are OK. The extended carrier is a must IMO. The newest model in the Franchi Affinity lineup is the Affinity Elite 3, available in a 12-gauge 28-inch barrel in either a 3 or 3- inch chamber and 20-gauge with a 26-inch barrel. Published Feb 16, 2022 6:55 PM EST. Is there anyone who owns, or owned, both the original Franchi Affinity model and the newer Affinity 3 model? You dont want to use a high-shooting gun to kill gobblers or whitetails. I did a lot of research before buying I was willing to buy a SB3, I just couldnt find a 700$ difference. As you said, you have an itch for a Benelli. Check availability here. The guns lightweight anodized aluminum receiver is drilled and tapped for mounting optics, and Affinity Elite shotguns come with a TRUGLO Dual Color Fiber Optic Front Bead thats bright and easy to see in any light conditions. I love it . Shoulder stock and forearm are realised in Grade 2 lumber undergoing oil . I'm an American and a horrible shot LOL. made by Benelli it comes with 3 chokes, choke key and a 7 year warranty. Have an m2 and love it.owned many franchi shotguns and couldn't say anythin bad about them. The weight of a Franchi also makes it easier to carry afield. Shoulder both and see what fits you best! Franchi's Affinity is a reboot of the Franchi line of inertia semiautos that bear an eerie resemblance to Benelli inertia semiautos . That's what I was thinking! Yep. Both good guns. With that equivalent load and everything heavier, the Affinity ran without hesitation. 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 3-inch shotshells carried a muzzle velocity of 1,550 fps and a shot charge of 1 1/8 ounces. It comes in black/synthetic stocks, Grade A satin walnut, and Mossy Oak or Realtree camo patterns. The M2 feels heavier and perhaps more solid but would not pay the extra required for the Benelli if you just require a work gun. Berettas plans over the last few years have been to invest in manufacturing and design you can see this in their news guns. Press J to jump to the feed. With the shim kits that come with both shotguns fit the gun to the user has never been more versatile. Instead its gotten to be a fashioned show keeping up with the Joneses and instead how much it had costs mainly for bragging rights only? I can bet you? They dont have the same name recognition as Benelli, but if youre looking for a new inertia-driven auto-loader for under $1,000, there are few guns that compare to the Affinity 3. 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. The top of the receiver in the test gun is machined as an extension of . Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Franchi Affinity 3 Semi-Auto Shotgun -Even as you first shoulder it, you'll be surprised by its lean dimensions, functional design and ideal weight and balance. My kids new Affinity compact has not properly ejected a dove shell yet. I will own this thing probably forever. Read Next: The Best Workhorse Shotguns That Are No Longer in Production (But You Need to Own). May 24, 2019. ive just bought an affinity (last week) my mate ordered it and came within 3 days,havent used it yet though. 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. I hunt in a lot of wetland so rust protection is a must. Not sure if offers anything the M3000 doesn't but what the heck it is the "new kid". Add to Compare. For dove season and teal season I bought a 20 gauge stoeger condor o\u . Anybody have a Franchi? 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. Franchi. DON'T FORGET TO PLAY THE GIVEAWAY GAMES IT'S FREE!!!! The Franchi Affinity 3 Elite Upland shotgun is a light semi-auto that you can carry afield all day. Oem parts from the dealer are marked up 3-4 times before they get in the hands of the customer! I'm not a fan of the Weatherby. Franchis are distinctive because they offer classic Italian artistry mixed with a performance youd expect from a high-grade American shotgun. 9 tungsten-iron shot to give you more oomph at longer ranges. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The Franchi is similar to the M2 but not the same. Every semi-auto Franchi Ive shot since the AL 48 has felt good in the hand. All Franchi Affinity. As both of these manufacturers are members of the Beretta Holding Company, there is sure to be plenty of overlap in components, style, and engineering. . Despite a full day of rough handling that included taking a beating in the stern of an aluminum boat, the Affinity Elite finished the day without a scratch on the stock or the cerakote finish. (Photo By: Brad Fitzpatrick). Nevertheless, the Benelli M2 camo ComforTech 20 gauge 24 inch is a personal favorite. It is hard to call a $1400 or so plastic-stocked camo shotgun a bargain. Oct 3, 2018. If the internal work is done correctly, you do not need to take off a bunch of material. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. It shot 70 percent below and 30 percent above point of aim, leaving a small gap on the right side of the target. The franchi is a clone to the benelli m2 field. Your email address will not be published. 2s. I don't know where in North Texas you are but you are welcome to shoot my Affinity if you want to. Franchi Affinity back with port opened and larger bolt release milled. The rotating bolt head locks, and the gun is ready to fire again. Upload or insert images from URL. But man the Price on the Franchi Elite is very reasonable. My post count isn't high enough to post links yet, but if you search for "Franchi Affinity vs Benelli M2 for 3-Gun" on YouTube, it's the first result. Single trigger and light . I had a small issue with the affinity sticking on the recoil but it was a spring issue and their customer service was amazing. I'm having a gunsmith put the Briley extended bolt release on and am having the loading port opened (not as much as some people) and beveled (professionally). Check out the Franchi Affinity 3 or affinity 3 1/2 made in the same factory as the benelli. From:North east. $1,199.00. The difference Ive found in shooting a Franchi versus a Benelli is in the pattern. But after shooting them side by side, the action on the benelli is a little smoother. Its no problem to run the Elite while wearing heavy winter gloves. This is a very reasonable price, given the tech. Author Topic: Franchi Affinity 3 Compact vs Benelli M2 Compact (Read 8067 times) Greg Massey. Emptied the shells and shook it real hard and it fired like a dream the rest of the day. I've got to agree with Randy and Cheapo. I just looked that up and the BEST treated guns start at $2,100. re: Franchi affinity vs benelli Posted on 1/13/19 at 9:02 pm to NorthEnd. I waited for huge, and then hung on a couple seconds more until the four geese began to backpedal. The Franchi is benefiting from parts standardisation as that's why they have low price point on this gun! Also I don't like the dual pistons that the SA-08 has. Franchi is a sister company of Benelli, and Benelli is, after all, the brand that introduced American hunters to the benefits of Inertia-Driven shotguns. Let us know what you think in the comments section! 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. This small but effective change means quicker and more intuitive pointing and an overall enhanced shooting experience. Although most Franchi owners tend to leave their shotgun naked, I have seen a few different optics on Affinities. Pigeon Watch Ltd. Standard 28ga. The exterior of the black synthetic and camouflage Franchis are not on par with Benellis, but they have been plenty durable in my experience. Clear editor. The SA-08 slaps my face and kicks like a rabid mule. March 13, 2016 in Shotgun - Technical. Not Yet Rated In Stock. The newest name in inertia guns, Retay is quickly gaining a following, especially among Southern waterfowlers. The 20s limitations arent, well, very limiting if you take advantage of some of the newest ammunition. We started shooting some 2-gun locally, however. Definitely needs to have a reversible safety (I'm left handed). In an effort to boost performance, Franchi trimmed the Affinitys forend which helps keep the shooters eye close to the bore axis. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. I like that the Affinity is cerakoted but haven't heard of Benelli's rust protection. Refined shotgun boasting classy traits, the Affinity 3 Elite Wood semi-automatic smoothbore is conceived for the modern hunter, who is not satisfied with a technopolymer butt-end, conversely preferring a living material like wood, combined with the resistance of Cerakote. It wont be the old Model31 shotgun!! The grip-tight stock on the M2 is much better for duck hunting. 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. There is also a 3-inch version of the Affinity as well as turkey, sporting, compact, and upland models, plus a womens variant with a shortened stock and higher comb, called the Catalyst. Complete access to a library of digital back issues spanning years of Gun Dog magazine. 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. Twenty-gauge waterfowl guns are in right now. Preference for one over the other nothing more. In the past week my best friend and his dad along with me got the elite and put them through clays and birds out in Missouri and are mega happy. As the title says, I've narrowed it down to the Franchi Affinity Elite and the Benelli M2 Field. 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. All models are available in OPTIFADE Marsh with burnt bronze Cerakote and . In my opinion, while the Affinity is a good gun, the Benelli M2 is a better gun. Our test gun did have a plastic feel to it, but Franchis will hold up to all the rigors of duck hunting. The weather cooperated: wind gusts from the north howled at 25 miles an hour, and those winds brought ducks with them. I like that the Affinity is cerakoted but haven't heard of Benelli's rust protection. Setting up another Franchi would cost an additional $300-$400 over the cost of the gun. I've used a 12g Franchi Affinity 3.0 for last 3 years, really like it, mostly duck hunting. Loaded sensibly, they dont pound on your shoulder. Thank you for the help. The trim forend helps keep your eye close to the bore axis, meaning quicker and more intuitive pointing. Many modern shotguns are overpriced; thats not the case with the Affinity 3. $39.00. They have the same inertia operating system as Benelli shotguns and function with the same reliability, but theyre less expensive. Great post! This gun has literally been dropped in the slough, then kicked around because I was trying to find it with my feet in waders, halfway stepped on and then brought to surface. The trigger group drops out with the push of a button, too. . The balance point is located at the front of the action and the forearm is trim and comfortable despite the positioning of the return spring on the magazine tube. The ballistics don't quite add up but I could be wrong, have been many times before. Ive shot two boxes of clays and its as smooth as it gets. 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 . Check availability here.