Joined Jun 12, 2019 . Its no secret that Franchis superbly reliable, Italian-made Affinity semi-auto shotgun is one of the best values in upland and waterfowl guns, but the Affinitys aesthetics have remained largely unchanged throughout the guns ten-year lifespan. One of the biggest surprises on these guns is their lightweight builds. The exterior of the black synthetic and camouflage Franchis are not on par with Benellis, but they have been plenty durable in my experience. I have a Franchi affinity, not even the elite. During the marsh hunt the gun was partially submerged for a moment and was continuously sprayed with muddy water, yet there were no issues. 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. prettiness doesnt bring home the bacon but the new age hunter likes to be seen with a 5500$ shotgun thinking it paints a picture of how good of a Hunter this hunter w/the 5500$ shotgun looks or may be? i can pretty much guarantee you that they're not the same parts, and it does make a difference. . I hunt in a lot of wetland so rust protection is a must. I haven't had any problems with the Weatherby cycling but the fit of the gun is terrible. I've been shooting a 20ga Franchi Affinity for almost 2 full seasons now. 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. Built in a very modern, high-tech factory in Turkey, they are well fit and finished. or do I buy patent parts from a motor factor? The weight of a Franchi also makes it easier to carry afield. 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. 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. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. M2 charging handles also fit without modification. I shot the Performance Shop Waterfowl M2 all of last season. I'm not a fan of the Weatherby. Here's what I've narrowed it down to: Franchi Affinity 3.5 Elite, Benelli M2 Field - Comfortech stock worth it?, used Benelli SBE2 (obviously not Cerakoted). I have the affinity in 20 gauge and am glad I bought it rather than the M2 because I shoot it pretty well. nothing to do with mark up at all. M2 is great from what I have heard. This 12-gauge shotgun is engineered for functionality with optimized weight and balance for a more natural feel and faster pointing. I have tested several and they are good, solid, reliable autoloaders with better than average triggers and a good warranty. Plus, Franchi also attached a soft recoil pad to make shooting more comfortable even on those all day long hunts. Updated Aug 12, 2022 2:56 PM EDT, We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. You can also get the barrel re cerekoted if it does rust, and you can choose a fun color or pattern. Benelli also offers an M2 Field model that has fewer bells and whistles, but is very similar and costs more than $1,000 less. Learn more . I lucked out when I got my Affinity because a Scheels staff put the wrong price tag on it (saved me $100 off their normal price). As the title says, I've narrowed it down to the Franchi Affinity Elite and the Benelli M2 Field. I've got to agree with Randy and Cheapo. Come join the discussion about optics, hunting, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! The Affinity's pattern was one of the best of the test guns, placing 124 of a possible 140 pellets (88 percent) inside the 30-inch circle. Were I you, I'd wait on another Affinity to go on sale vs. getting the M3K since you'll have more parts commonality. Refined shotgun boasting classy traits, the Affinity 3 Elite Wood semi-automatic smoothbore is conceived for the modern hunter, who is not satisfied with a technopolymer butt-end, conversely preferring a living material like wood, combined with the resistance of Cerakote. Looking at buying a new Semi Auto 20 gauge. Berettas plans over the last few years have been to invest in manufacturing and design you can see this in their news guns. Oversized Frag Bolt Release Button, Black. And get one those thousands$ guns put them side by side & start shooting non stop until the first one starts to fail? We run 3-gun matches in Osceola. With the shim kits that come with both shotguns fit the gun to the user has never been more versatile. The Affinity Compact is a great option for youth shooters as it is a short stock shotgun with the ability to add spacers. Franchi. 276 US$332/314. In my opinion, while the Affinity is a good gun, the Benelli M2 is a better gun. 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. Complete access to a library of digital back issues spanning years of Gun Dog magazine. It was an extremely light (under six pounds) and well-engineered shotgun. Definitely needs to have a reversible safety (I'm left handed). Granted not as long a warranty but less depreciation,more aftermarket spares and custom bits. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. But you don't see many M2's for sale Second hand. 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. Check availability here. Might be worth a look Multiple finishes including cerakote [on the elite]; . The 3 1/2- and 3-inch 12-gauges and the 3-inch 20-gauges all come Cerakoted, with stocks and forearms dipped in either Optifade Waterfowl . Copyright @2023 TigerDroppings.com. Add to Compare. the parts are made at the factory directly for the group. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. In my opinion, while the Affinity is a good gun, the Benelli M2 is a better gun. My kids new Affinity compact has not properly ejected a dove shell yet. Each 12-gauge shotgun was patterned from 35 yards with Federal Speed Shock No. 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. Is there a noticeable difference in recoil and maintenance on these vs a new Sx4? Barrett Shotguns: Sovereign Series Review. Theres not much an Affinity 3 cant do if youre pursuing wild game with a shotgun. March 2, 2020. Press J to jump to the feed. Franchi's Affinity family of inertia-operated autoloading shotguns is a comprehensive one. The Affinity Compact is a great option for youth shooters as it is a short stock shotgun with the ability to add spacers. 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 . I couldnt tell any measurable difference in recoil between the SBE3 (which has Comfort Tech) and the Franchi (which does not). It comes in a 26-inch barreled model only and sells for a price so low$445you almost cant afford not to buy it. A spring in the bolt body compresses with recoil and that causes the rotating bolt head to release and move rearward. Inertia guns are simple to field strip. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Franchi, which is under the Benelli banner, largely falls into that category. The grip-tight stock on the M2 is much better for duck hunting. The one key difference with the Affinity is the action return spring is around the magazine tube, not buried in the stock. You can do that on the Stoeger with some filing or dremeling but it won't work out of the box. During our test, each editor took note of how the shotguns handled as well as their craftsmanship, reliability, versatility, and overall value. Paste as plain text instead, Bourjaily and I also pattern-tested the semi-autos and pumps on 30-inch targets from 35 yards. Ive heard a lot of folks getting torn between the Franchi Affinity and the Benelli M2, and its easy to see why. The guns feature enlarged bolt handles and releases, and Franchis unique and very soft TSA recoil pad. Field & Stream is dedicated to covering safe and responsible gun ownership for hunting, recreation, and personal protection. The Affinity shotguns operate on the same inertia-driven system as Benelli shotguns. All Rights Reserved. You don't want to save a few buck on the Affinity and then wish you bought the Benelli for the rest of your life. Want to spend less than $1,300. Just shoot the 870 and wait until the Retay 20 gauge comes out? Price. The affinity actually fits me a little better, I think due to the raise rib on the barrel. Get everything Gun Dog has to offer. Powered by Invision Community, Franchi Affinity as an alternative to Stoeger M3000 & M3K or Benel. Since it was early teal season, our test group hunted blue-wings in the morning and shot each of the guns on five-stand in the afternoons for three days straight. That port looks pretty conservative. 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. You cannot paste images directly. As New Franchi Affinity Elite 3.5" steel proofed semi auto camo ex shop demo shot twice. Now the affinity is also great but not quite like the M2. This shotgun has been severely overlooked in the 3-gun world in my opinion. The loading port is beveled so you can easily slide shotshells into the magazine. Of course, Franchi makes mid-level shotguns so the exterior finish is not going to be to the level of a premium auto-loader. If youd prefer to shoot an O/U at waterfowl, the CZ All-Terrain line is worth a hard look. Required fields are marked *. It comes in black/synthetic stocks, Grade A satin walnut, and Mossy Oak or Realtree camo patterns. Also I don't like the dual pistons that the SA-08 has. There are some similarities in the way the two brands handle. The 20s limitations arent, well, very limiting if you take advantage of some of the newest ammunition. Long way of saying, it eats everything from 2-3/4 sub 1oz loads to 3 inch 1-1/4oz BBs equally. ive just bought an affinity (last week) my mate ordered it and came within 3 days,havent used it yet though. Positioned as Benelli's mid-price brand, Franchi has become a favorite of a lot of hunters. Oct 3, 2018. I shot the Affinity Elite 20-gauge Check availability here. 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 . By cutting down excess weight and incorporating their simplistic Inertia Driven System, Franchi gave these shotguns excellent swing and balance. (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.. I have the M2 and love the gun, if I was spending the money for a brand new Franchi I'd buy a used M2. Check availability here. Our test gun did have a plastic feel to it, but Franchis will hold up to all the rigors of duck hunting. Benellis SBE 3 and other shotguns have recoil springs in the stock, and when the Affinity first arrived on the market it promised that the forward-mounted recoil spring reduced felt recoil by keeping recoil in line with the shooters shoulder. Its guns are only a slight step down in quality compared to big brother. 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. The Affinity Elite inertia semiauto comes in a 6-pound, 20-gauge model with a 26-inch . The serial number location on the Stoeger is really annoying.Somebody wanna hotlink my video? I did not know that about the M3K! Both of my deer guns are lefties but it isn't necessary in a shotgun for me. The rotating bolt head locks, and the gun is ready to fire again. FRANCHI AFFINITY 3.5 By Laura Kovarik. From what i have read there was a few issues with the Stoeger M2000, i believe the M3000 is a lot better but most of the comments and reviews I've seen say the Franchi is a very good gun. Shop said it would be 6-8 weeks! I just picked up an elite last week. 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. It wont be the old Model31 shotgun!! The Benelli's recoil spring is in the buttstock, while the Franchi's recoil spring resides around the magazine tube. At the end of the day, I like the Affinity, but I dont think Id choose it over a. I don't know where in North Texas you are but you are welcome to shoot my Affinity if you want to. johnnytheboy, 390 posts. The Benelli is just a little more refined and finished. 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. 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. I'm setting the Franchi up in my vid for 3-gun but I'm still too new and untrustworthy to post links. Because the last thing you want is a gun that wont shoot when mallards are in the decoys. If you are serious the new or old Remington SP 10 will top your list quickly. 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. Single trigger and light . that's why you can get bosch parts at a lower price point from a factor than a dealer. It also never failed to cycle and pointed damn well. But for the money I dont think there is a better gun out there. Add to Compare. Although most Franchi owners tend to leave their shotgun naked, I have seen a few different optics on Affinities. Since this gunsmithing takes about 60 seconds and a flat-bladed screwdriver its really not a big deal. Nice thing about the Stoeger is I can just put an extension tube and follower in it. 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. Quick question for slomo: What size shot do you use for 85 yard shots? vassia kostara outlet, The same inertia-driven system as Benelli shotguns bolt handles and releases, and you can get bosch parts at lower. Wild game with a 26-inch barreled model only and sells for a price so low $ 445you cant! More refined and finished did have a reversible safety ( I 'm setting the Franchi Affinity Elite 20-gauge Check here... 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