Franchi or Benelli?

[aye_dre]

I am currently in the market for a shotgun to shoot sporting clays and made a trip to my local gun store this morning. I had a Franchi Affinity semi auto last year (loved it), but stupidly sold it. I was expecting to make a purchase of another Affinity today. Unfortunately they did not have any in stock. Salesman told me it could be weeks until they get some in and couldn't provide an ETA of a new shipment.

They did have two shotguns that I was able to hold and mount. The first one being the Franchi Instinct (over/under) in 20 gauge. The next one was a Benelli Montefeltro in 12 gauge. Both felt great, but didn't know much about them so decided to hold off. The price difference is similar with the Franchi being $1100 and the Benelli being $999.

So which would you guys purchase?

[JagerDog]

I have a Monte 20g. I like it. But it's pretty light for extended shooting sessions.

I've shot a 28g Instinct at skeet and it was pretty sweet. Buddy has an Instinct 20g, but again for hunting, not clays. Typically an O/U will outlast an auto. But the Monte (in 20g) is very durable. It's a common shotgun in the South American dove fields that see 1000's of rounds per day.

Since I reload, I much prefer O/U's than chasing my hulls around the target field. Hunting I don't care about that and prefer the ability to top off the magazine without going out of battery.

[Bull Elk]

I own a Beretta A400 20g and a Benelli Montefeltro in 20g. I actually prefer the Monty, but I use both to hunt.

[Tarmy]

I have the Instinct in 12ga. I love that gun.

I had a problem with it...called them and talked to a human. They sent a free shipping label and off it went. Two weeks later...back in my hands and trouble free from there.

I am in the market for another semi auto and will eventually get an A400...definitely keeping and will continue to shoot the Franchi. I love old school O/Us and the breaking of the gun after shooting...something about smoke coming out of them...

[whutsup40]

I would do the Franchi o/u

[meno377]

I have a Montefeltro in 12gauge and it's a great gun. No issues with it.

[aye_dre]

Thanks for the all the replies. It is good to know both options would be solid choices and those who own each seem the be happy with the purchase. Although, doesn't help me decide on which one to get lol

I guess it will come down to my personal preference on if I want an over/under or semi-auto platform.

[MJB]

Benelli is a step above but who cares go shoot both them make your decision......gotta test drive a car!

[ceh383]

I guess it will come down to my personal preference on if I want an over/under or semi-auto platform.

Yep, it is a personal preference issue.

Me, I don't do well with SA's, so I'd always choose an OU.

[hermosabeach]

If you shot your old "Frency" well

If you don't have to consciously have to think about how to use or mount the old one

buy another

[PhoPoweR]

Spend a little extra and go with a Beretta a400.

[aye_dre]

Yep, it is a personal preference issue.

Me, I don't do well with SA's, so I'd always choose an OU.

I've never owned a O/U, and this makes me lean a bit more towards the Franchi.

If you shot your old "Frency" well

If you don't have to consciously have to think about how to use or mount the old one

buy another

Good point. I did enjoy shooting my Franchi and wish they had one in stock.

Spend a little extra and go with a Beretta a400.

I wouldn't consider $500 as a little extra haha. However, A400 does look like a great shotgun

[ceh383]

I've never owned a O/U, and this makes me lean a bit more towards the Franchi.

I know people who shoot equally well with SA's, OU's and SxS's. It's preference more than anything.
It's the archer, not the arrow...

[JagerDog]

I know people who shoot equally well with SA's, OU's and SxS's. It's preference more than anything.
It's the archer, not the arrow...

I'm one of those. How the shotgun is loaded doesn't make a difference to me. How a shotgun is "pointed" (sight picture?) makes no difference to me. I never gained proficiency with pumps so I won't consider those an my preferences for single barrel vs. double barrel aren't really affected anyways.

I might prefer different actions for different ventures but hitting the target isn't in the equation. For practical purposes I like breech loaders for targets and autos afield.

Breech loaders are readily identified as "safe" when broken open. That said, I still don't like being flagged by barrels. 2 different chokes are more functional in a target setting though there is an argument that as the bird flies away a 2nd shot being tighter choked is advantageous. Selecting which choke as the bird presents is pretty much dysfunctional in the field. Ain't nobody got time for that. I don't have to round up my empties with my breechloaders. To reload a breechloader I have to take the gun out of battery, wheras I can thumb a shell or two into my auto while still in battery. I've missed opportunites during that process.

If the goal is sporting clays, I'd likely select a double. Popularity of autos in the games seems to ebb and flow. Personally, I think a Browning Citori in target trim is one of the best values out there for targets. I've only shot Franchi Instincts a couple times and both in sub-gauge. I liked them, but I viewed them as more of a field gun being so light and I don't know their track record for reliability though I do have respect for the Franchi brand (I have a couple autos) and it could well be a sleeper. 100 rounds of warm sporting clays loads out of a 6# gun can take it's toll on the shooter.

Edit: They do appear to have different trims and weight options. Sporting trim does up the anty to $2K MSRP though. The LX is a sexy beast. The SL is well...Super Light. I likely wouldn't choose an alloy receiver for a target gun though and I generally prefer steel receivers to balance out double barrels. On the other hand, I love alloy receivered automajics.

[NATEWA]

If between Franchi or Benelli, I’d go with the Benelli. If you spend more $, the beretta a400 in 20 gauge is a nice shotgun.