Franchi has a new lineup

[Javi]

I haven't looked at their guns for a few months since I had decided at the time that I wanted a Beretta autoloader(I am now broke, yet again, so no shotgun for a while). Franchi has a new website and dropped two of their autoloaders but added this cool over under field gun at a very attractive MSRP; Franchi Instinct series







I'd love to demo the "L" some day, as it is the heavier of the two but it's still a little over 6lbs, I believe. Hope they come out with a sporting version to get it heavier. I had confused the two as sporting arms since they had the extended chokes.

[jingerale]

thanks for the vids. I've been looking into getting a O/U. Was mainly looking at CZs, because I didn't feel like dropping a lot of $ for Italian. But this looks promising.

anyone know if there are Franchi dealers in the bay area? for some reason, the dealers page on Franchi is not working for me.

[Javi]

Franchi has a 7 year warranty. I find that comforting.

[Capybara]

I spoke with Franchi about a month ago, asking if they will come out with a 30" barrel SC model of these new O/Us and they said that if these sell well, they probably will. They look like very nice guns for the money, they were the cover story in the American Rifleman last month, they tested very well.

Dan

[BigDogatPlay]

Franchi has a good track record. The Franchi 48 in 20 gauge has been around for 60+ years and is solid. I saw the recent American Rifleman reviews on the new Instinct line and the possibility of a clays model in the steel receiver based 12 gauge is intriguing to me.

If anyone develops info on a stocking dealer, please share.

[jingerale]

I guess I should ask here.

I've never shot a shotgun this light, does it really make that much of a difference?
I wanted an O/U for clay, couple rounds a month, nothing serious.

Is the L too light?

[Javi]

Jing: Im hoping to demo it at Triple B if it's available to do so. I also dont plan on shooting a ton but hope it would be comfortable for at least 4 rounds. Regardless, hope they come out with the sporting model when I have some good money. $1400 msrp please!

[BigDogatPlay]

I guess I should ask here.

I've never shot a shotgun this light, does it really make that much of a difference?
I wanted an O/U for clay, couple rounds a month, nothing serious.

Is the L too light?

Probably not for casual and occasional shooting. Bear in mind that proper gun mount, stance and a good butt pad take care of a lot of recoil.

FWIW my Baikal made O/U, which is a general knock around hunting and clays gun that I don't worry about getting a scratch on, tips the scale at 7.4 pounds with 28 inch barrels. It has a Kickeez pad and I can shoot four of five rounds of trap in an afternoon without any discomfort. The Franchi Instict L is showing 6.1 pounds, and it is definitely a hunting type of stock so it may give a bit more recoil energy, but it's not like you'd be shooting three inch buckshot or slugs through it.

By comparison the Browning BT-99 I recently ordered, a single shot, is 8.3 pounds with the 32" barrel.

[Javi]

^That's a good weight. I hope the sporting is around there. Upper 7 or 8 lbs.

[rumblebee]

I am liking the Instinct L.....there will be an o\u in my future

[FLIGHT762]

I bought a Franchi Renaissance O/U a few years ago when they were introduced. The new Instinct looks very much like a Renaissance in just one style. The Renaissance came in three grades. Looks like Franchi narrowed the line. Nothing wrong with that.

My Renaissance Classic is lightweight and is a pleasure to carry when field hunting, however, I found that it makes a poor extended Sporting clays gun due to it's lightweight. Shooting one round of clays isn't so bad, but when I took it out on a sporting clays spree where we shot about 750 rounds in three days, it was a bit too much. Beat me up a bit.

I will keep my Renaissance for hunting and for shooting short amounts of clay games, but for the heavy clay use, I'm going to buy an eight pound O/U clay gun.

[Javi]

I bought a Franchi Renaissance O/U a few years ago when they were introduced. The new Instinct looks very much like a Renaissance in just one style. The Renaissance came in three grades. Looks like Franchi narrowed the line. Nothing wrong with that.

My Renaissance Classic is lightweight and is a pleasure to carry when field hunting, however, I found that it makes a poor extended Sporting clays gun due to it's lightweight. Shooting one round of clays isn't so bad, but when I took it out on a sporting clays spree where we shot about 750 rounds in three days, it was a bit too much. Beat me up a bit.

I will keep my Renaissance for hunting and for shooting short amounts of clay games, but for the heavy clay use, I'm going to buy an eight pound O/U clay gun.

Ah, yeah some guys at Shotgunworld mentioned that it was very similar to the Renaissance. I think the Franchi I-12 that I liked turned into the "Affinity" except there's no wood furniture on it. Did they make a sporting version of that? If so, do you remember how heavy it was? I don't remember since I was looking at their auto-loaders only. Wow! I don't have the money for that much in 3 days haha. Sounds like a hell of a lot of fun, though.

Edit: Google told my "yes", there is a renaissance sporting. $2,000 through Gander Mtn. =/ Hope the Instninct is cheaper!

[Capybara]

Besides a heavier gun, if you shoot or load your own light target loads, that makes a big difference. I am amazed at how many trap shooters I see on the range that are shooting the WallyWorld game loads, those kick a lot more.

Dan

[Javi]

Besides a heavier gun, if you shoot or load your own light target loads, that makes a big difference. I am amazed at how many trap shooters I see on the range that are shooting the WallyWorld game loads, those kick a lot more.

Dan

Oh, good point. From the very little reading I did on the subject, it seems like reloading 12 g. is like reloading 9mm fmj. Not a lot of savings but you will have very good ammo. I was planning on buying mostly Federal Top Gun, maybe try some Winchester AA too.

[jingerale]

Just got back from Imbert & Smithers in San Carlos, man this thing is LIGHT!

looks pretty good, gives you that quality but not fancy(bling) feeling.

Anyway, shouldered it and it fits great. I did the trick Lou taught us, closed my eyes, bring up the gun, and bam, fiber red dot was right there.