Benelli Montefeltro vs Franchi Affinity 3 . Have shot a number of different one's but none was in the same class as that old Browning! This is my "new" favorite upland bird gun. Ultimately, benelli (the company) isnt going to mind if you purchase the benelli or franchi as they are all owned by the same company, beretta. A big part of my decision was how it looked and pointed for me. I use it a lot for clays and upland hunting . After researching and reading numerous incredibly positive reviews by gun "experts", I purchased a Grey Hunter. By now, most have heard of (or experienced) the "Benelli click" and the "Benelli thumb." The kick-off stock is great if you're shooting a lot in one day. It's a great gun. This is evidenced by the various Vinci Limited models that have plummeted in retail price to a thousand dollars or so. Pull the trigger, pump, repeat. You must log in or register to reply here. The Franchi makes more sense, dollar for dollar -- but it doesn't have the characteristic Benelli styling, with a lot of little detailed styling cues. The o/u is a blast on clays too! Bought them when they were first introduced. It is a great buy for the money and a good gun in general. It fits me okay and overall I have no real complaints, but I'm not as in love with it as I thought I would be. It's essentially a Benelli M2 without the comfortech stock. Stay Up-To-Date With the Latest on Franchi. In the specific case of my grandfather, it had to, for that was the only firearm he owned. Only the more "sophisticated" hunters bothered with 1-1/2 ounce 2-3/4 inch magnums for geese or turkey. It is a shame, as it detracts from what is otherwise a superb shotgun and a terrific value. I have a bunch of shotguns but the only one that gets any real time in the field is my Browning A-5 Sweet Sixteen which was somebody else's before it became mine. I busted some clays today with the bro-law and nephew. Light, high build-quality, innovative design (easy breakdown and cleaning) and, yes, beautiful wood. Franchi Affinity- High-performance hunting machine with excellent maintenance record and fantastic shell per game mileage. POLL: when was the last time you went to a drive-in movie? Last edited: May 18, 2018 May 18, 2018 #2 Arcola Well-known member Joined Love my Beretta A400, Very similar to the Benelli you're looking at. While this approach can work for a good long while for long recoil and some kinematic / inertia guns, it is not the best approach with gas actions. Whether that's worth more to you is your decision. These are all gas operated guns with three inch chambers. Affinity 3.5. The ultralights have fake wood. I'm curious if anyone has shot/usedboth - what are your thoughts? The new A5 "kinematic action" in 12 gauge remains a hard gun to love. Franchi Affinity 3 Upland What Gauge to get? Browning choke tubes are often not the best, but good aftermarket tubes are widely available. Then I heard about and finally handled one of their new 4LS auto-loading shotguns. Seems like your pretty into the wood stock and semi's but I have a Browning BPS with a synthetic stock that is my workhorse gun and love it. Feel free to reach out to us or read our affiliate disclosure and privacy policy. First post, not much of a water foul guy but I figured you guys should know about a reliable Semi. It is a great gun that also looks great. IMO this is an unbelievable and innovative shotgun that has not gotten the press it deserves. They kick like a mule. For a medium priced, soft shooting gun in a seven to 7-1/4 pound 12 gauge, consider the Remington V3, Winchester SX-3, Browning Silver, or Browning Maxus. It also only came with 2 chokes, no fiber optic sight and the receiver is just regular steel instead of case hardened. For the money, they are nice, reliable guns. It uses an ultrareliable Inertia Driven operating . The older I get.the more I value common sense. A forum community dedicated to Shotgun owners and enthusiasts including the Remington, Beretta, and Mossberg shotguns brands. Affinity 3 Elite Upland. It is 2-3/4" long and threads are located at the muzzle end of the choke (top of choke where choke notches are.) Their guns are used by many professional shooters and hunters, and they have a reputation for being very reliable and well-made. Is that anything I have to worry about with an inertia gun? Benelli vs Franchi Benelli was founded in 1967 by Bruno Civolani. Affinity 3. It even says benelli on the receiver. Never misses a lick. Affinity 3 Turkey Elite . Only difference is the recoil spring is under the forearm. I can't say yes. I have a mossberg 500, and a Stoeger 3000. Our sample gun was a 28"-barreled 12 gauge . 414. Beretta a400 vs benelli montefeltro Click to expand. It may not display this or other websites correctly. The Browning Maxus isgas-driven- I'm looking to get an inertia gun. Methinks he is trying to wear it out. I would go with the Montefeltro Silver. When it comes to customer service, both Benelli and Franchi are excellent. It makes for a pretty durable wood stock. I ended up getting a Franchi Instinct L at my local Scheels for $699.99 (849.99 regular). I used the ethos all last season and it was great for all day carrying. With the recoil spring being under the forearm of the Franchi, it's a little wider but still very slim feeling. It features over-sized controls that make it easy to manipulate even if you've got gloves on or damp hands from setting decoys out. I have the Franchi with(I believe) the bottom land camo. They seem pretty similar. I have no experience with the other two you're considering, but have had my share of shotguns throughout the years. Newsletter Sign-Up. :lol: Just surfing the web for info about the Affinity before I give it to my grandson. I have the affinity 3.5. Have you thought of going to a 20 ga? You can buy a high grade blued/wood gloss Weatherby Element 20 ga for $875ish, so that makes that one attractive if you don't have your heart set on a Benelli or Franchi. If you look at them side by side, though.. As far as my own preference, in a 12 gauge it would be the Fabarm USA L4S as an upland gun and the Remington V3 as a plain-Jane looking, but do everything type of autoloader. Looks like they can be had just a bit over 1500 on gunbroker. The second-best selling autoloading shotgun in history (behind the Remington 1100), the Auto-5 is no longer made. They can't be wrong. Most are easy to clean, though, and it often takes longer to describe it than to actually do it. Looking to get into a Benelli Montefeltro, Franchi Affinity, or a Weatherby Element in 20ga. I've been told that I'm "all thumbs" so it is difficult to know exactly what to measure. Affinity 3 Waterfowl Elite . If youre considering buying a Franchi shotgun, doing some research to find out which model best suits your needs is a good idea. Sometimes, we like to make things more complicated than we need to. Similar to NDGuy's purchase, I saw a baisic berretta over under for around $800, would have been a great buy. Septem/ 0 The Beretta A400 Xplor Unico is a gas operated semi-automatic . The nephew just bought the Intensity. The franchi is nice, but it is not a benelli. Specifically near the breech where the rib is attached to the barrel. There are no short-recoil shotguns of any consequence in production. Anybody have any input? It wasn't uncommon for your dove gun, pheasant gun, duck gun and recreational clays gun to be the same gun. Hold out for decent wood though. Experience flinch free shots while reducing your recoil by up to 70% when using a Precision-Fit Recoil Pad from LimbSaver. I don't think you can go wrong for the money. Reaction score. 5 stand Well-known member. March 23, 2021 in Guns and Ammo. The A400, in 12 gauge, rates as a good gun today; the smaller gauges not so much. I've narrowed down my choice to either of these two: There are some pros and cons of each. I have a Beretta Tekneys 391 that I have used and abused for years and its held up remarkable well with the Xtragrain. Maybe for that 1 shot at a turkey but multiple shots are brutal. I would think that all three would be pretty excellent guns. It's easy! In addition to shotguns, they also make rifles and pistols. This slim, trim Franchi model handles beautifully and points instinctively to bring down a variety of game birds. Ya'll can have it lol. You must log in or register to reply here. Screw 3.5" for bird hunting. Franchi has a rich history of making high-quality firearms. mazzgolf Benelli Recommends ETHOS Shotgun Starting at $2,199 View Features Select Options to Find Model Application Hunting Species Waterfowl Upland Turkey Action Semi-auto Gauge 12-Gauge 20-Gauge 12 Gauge 2 3/4", 3", 3 1/2" Stock Finish Black Synthetic Mossy Oak Bottomland Advanced Filters Price $499 $499 $3399 $3399 14 Results Reset Selections I have the sbe3,until our goose season got cut I put over 2 cases thru it a year.Only a few FTE when the gun got fowled.I have a few buds that shoot the browning maximus seems like a nice gun also. Sign up for a new account in our community. For those who get worn out with the funny colored receivers, Cole Gunsmithing can anodize your A400 receiver into a strikingly good looking gun. The montefeltro has a flat rib, the Franchi has a raised rib more like the SBE2. Gas actions handle the widest variety of loads and, for a given weight of gun, have the softest recoil. I didn't even care for the Browning A5. I can't find anything bad to say about any of those 3. Get the Benelli, bought my son a Franchi and had problems with it not ejecting casings properly. Jul 6, 2009 143 57 37 South Dakota. I enjoy their replacement (Beretta A400 Xplor) which I found in your price range used. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. Jul 2, 2017. I beat the absolute crap out of it duck, pheasant and grouse hunting and I have never had an issue. The only semi auto I've ever had was a Browning Double Auto 12ga. It was the stock version that came in a cardboard box instead of a case. The main internal difference between a Benelli and a Franchi inertia gun is that the Franchis have the return spring on the magazine tube where it is easy to inspect and clean, while Benellis. Weaponizing sound and light over private land air space. I am partial to my A400, I'm not sure if you can hit the $1500 price point. May 15, 2021 #31 . I shot 3.5 inch in my Benelli for one season. Copyright 2016 by Randy Wakeman. All in all, Franchi shotguns have some pros and cons that you should consider before making a purchase. Franchi is an Italian company that has been making high-quality shotguns for over a hundred years. If you are looking for a budget-friendly option, there are better choices out there. If you are feeling a bit strapped for cash, consider the Mossberg 930, Remington V3, or Weatherby SA-08. At last, a blue-collar price tag on an executive's shotgun. Powered by Invision Community, NJDFW 2021-2022 New Jersey Hunting and Trapping Digest, https://www.benelli.it/en/arma/super-black-eagle-3-wood. The stock on this is unreal for just a normal Monte. Is there a difference significant enough to validate almost double the cost? Head to Head Comparison. The SKB brand launched a Turkish made, dedicated clays inertia gun, the IS300 / RS300 target, in late 2013 that also hasn't gained much traction in the marketplace. One can speculate that the only 20 shotguns Benelli ever made that shoot to point of aim at 40 yards were sent to me, but the chances of that are slim to none, and Slim just left town. For the 10 year warranty and a stronger brand name, the Benelli M2 and Benelli Montefeltro are low-maintenance workhorses, albeit at a high price. Gonna call Franchi tomorrow. Affinity 3.5 Cerakote. However, Franchi still operates as an independent brand under the Benelli umbrella. I am a lefty so that is making me lean towards the Monte. They are excellent gas guns using the "two piston" idea that works quite well. In 20 gauge, the six pound Weatherby SA-08 and Benelli M2 Comfortech are tough guns, but not at all tough to carry. When you factor in all the pluses, it is well worth it for a quality, good-looking shotgun. Franchi Affinity For Sale Franchi Affinity Sportsman's Warehouse $998.16 See Deal Franchi Affinity Guns.com $659.99 See Deal More Deals Franchi Affinity Few bothered with recoil pad selection, for most of the 2-3/4 inch A-5's had no recoil pad. If you want to change the rib height, it is easy to do. At the time, I was able to purchase it for just over $1300 so it may be at the top edge of your budget. Many people who own them report being happy with their purchase. The A-5 was the only gun that Browning Arms Company (founded after the death of John M. Browning) sold for a time. Come join the discussion about safety, gear, tips, tricks, optics, hunting, gunsmithing, reviews, reports, accessories, classifieds, and more! Anything internal drastically different? How often to clean a shotgun means, to some people, when it stops working and not before. I love it. The floating part of the bolt compresses a spring and that's how the gun works. Otherwise, it has cycled everything from pigeon loads down to subsonic 15/16 ounce Winchester Feathers." Supporter+. Although I have a soft spot for the Browning Double Auto, it is not mainstream and has not been produced for many years. I love benellis, franchis, and all that they make though. The action is a lot smoother than my friend's franchi. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Benelli does make a nice shotgun though, no doubt about that. Last year I handled multiple versions of the benelli and beretta 20 gauge autos and I went with the Montefeltro. Any reason why I shouldn't get one is there a better option for around the same money. Anyone have experience with either of these guns? One of the harshest-kicking gas actions, the original A400 Xplor Unico was a problem gun. Franchi Affinity 3 Upland What Gauge to get? When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. A forum community dedicated to duck hunters and hunting enthusiasts. Pretty safe bet with either one. The Benelli brand has several solid inertia guns that are very well known. It shoulder well and Ive patterned waterfowl loads and XRs out of it and it shoots great! SBE1&2,Sport 1&2,Nova, Super Sport, Cordoba, M1, M2. If I can't kill it with 3 inch then it won't get killed. The Franchi Affinity, an inertia gun, is assembled at the Benelli facility in Urbino, Italy. The inertia driven guns kick way harder than the gas guns and difference in dependability is negligible today I wasted a few hundred dollars figuring thatout. I carry a 20 gauge montefeltro because it's very light weight . If you think I'm wrong, you might be right. Benelli has recoil spring in the stock, not under the forearm. Both companies make high-quality shotguns that are popular among shooters all over the world. I think you are right. If you are simply looking for a good, reliable shotgun that will get the job done, then a Benelli might be a good option for you. Raised rib on Franchi, low rib on Benelli, nicer wood/bluing on Benelli vs matte finish on Franchi . Newsletter Sign-Up. Very interesting, basically the same gun but the Franchi has the recoil Spring over the mag tube like the Betetta Xtrema, which I reckon makes the gun more reliable as the only thing that ever went wrong with my benellis was the recoil tube gunning up Franchi Affinity vs Benelli M2 for 3-Gun - Detailed Parts Comparison Watch on Quote A friends Monte does the same thing. killerv the franchi affinity is a very nice inertia auto imho. inertia 20ga autos aren't made to shoot the super cheap 7/8oz walmart fodder. Thanks for sharing your experiences. A pump action or semi-automatic shotgun would be a better choice. ETA COMING SOON It is the best working man's autoloader Remington has ever created and it is a very good gun. Overall, the pros and cons of the Benelli shotgun should be carefully considered before making a purchase. If Im hunting wild chukar I use my beater semi auto and I have a SBE for waterfowl. Retay vs Benelli vs Franchi 20 or 12 gau Btw, I've got a Tristar G2 410 and an Escort 20 gauge auto and really like them both. Salesman was saying benelli has a chrome lined chamber vs non on the franchi. A little over 600 shells through the affinity and I love it so far. I have an Affinity, and I am seeing rust appearing on parts of the barrel. I will try to run down the basic autoloading action types, the better offerings in those action types and why you might wish to consider one over the other. So I spent the winter testing it on clays. How did you guys who had no one to teach you get into hunting? I am looking at possibly purchasing a new shotgun for upland. Franchis fall under the Benelli umbrella of brands (along with Stoeger, Uberti, and French gunmaker Chapuis). JavaScript is disabled. In my case, it always happened when I was moving fast up to my dogs on point or brush catching the bolt handle. The montefeltro is slimmer though and not as bulky. If youre looking for a high-quality shotgun that will last you for many years, then Franchi is definitely a brand to consider. On by stoeger i purchased a heavier spring for inside the bolt and have not had the issue since, I need to find out if the Franchi also has this "Easy Locking System" that the SBE3 has -https://www.benelli.it/en/arma/super-black-eagle-3-wood.