Eyesofthewoods Posted January 3, 2021 Posted January 3, 2021 Hey all. Thinking about purchasing a franchi affinity3.5. From everything I’ve read it’s a really nice gun. Obviously I’d get it with the 28” barrel as it’s primarily going to be used for turkey/waterfowl. I’d also use it for deer possibly. it seems like a Very nice gun on the price scale. Not a crazy expensive show piece, but not a cheap gun either. the questions I have are basic ones. Durability? I used to hunt ducks with my brothers binelli and you could fall in water with the gun and it would still shoot great time after time. Is this gun just as durable? where in north jersey can I see this gun. I won’t buy a gun without at-least shouldering it and making sure it’s a good fit for myself. Thanks! also open to used ones too if anyone is looking to let go. thefirstndsecond 1
archer36 Posted January 3, 2021 Posted January 3, 2021 I own a 3.5". I bought it many years ago before new advances in ammo. I'm sure the Franchi will serve you well. A lot of people are questioning the need for a 3.5" anymore. Modern Turkey and Waterfowl loads have changed the game. If you don't mind spending two or three times more on ammo, then 12 ga 3" or even 20 ga 3" will serve you well. Me? I still think the 3.5" is a good choice if you want to shoot large steel shot and beefed up buckshot. It's nice to have the added versatility. You don't have to use it if you don't want it. Enjoy the new gun! Eyesofthewoods 1
vdep217 Posted January 3, 2021 Posted January 3, 2021 5 minutes ago, archer36 said: I own a 3.5". I bought it many years ago before new advances in ammo. I'm sure the Franchi will serve you well. A lot of people are questioning the need for a 3.5" anymore. Modern Turkey and Waterfowl loads have changed the game. If you don't mind spending two or three times more on ammo, then 12 ga 3" or even 20 ga 3" will serve you well. Me? I still think the 3.5" is a good choice if you want to shoot large steel shot and beefed up buckshot. It's nice to have the added versatility. You don't have to use it if you don't want it. Enjoy the new gun! Simple reason to shoot 3.5 if you run out you can borrow from any one with you if they run out n shoot 3 inch they're beat lol On a serious note the franchi is a good gun and will serve well TK3333 and Eyesofthewoods 2
Eyesofthewoods Posted January 3, 2021 Author Posted January 3, 2021 7 minutes ago, archer36 said: I own a 3.5". I bought it many years ago before new advances in ammo. I'm sure the Franchi will serve you well. A lot of people are questioning the need for a 3.5" anymore. Modern Turkey and Waterfowl loads have changed the game. If you don't mind spending two or three times more on ammo, then 12 ga 3" or even 20 ga 3" will serve you well. Me? I still think the 3.5" is a good choice if you want to shoot large steel shot and beefed up buckshot. It's nice to have the added versatility. You don't have to use it if you don't want it. Enjoy the new gun! That’s what I was thinking. Might not need it but have it. archer36 1
MikeStaten Posted January 3, 2021 Posted January 3, 2021 I took apart a Franchi Affinity and Benelli M2 next to each to each other while cleaning. They are almost exactly the same. The primary difference was that the M2 recoil spring is in the butt stock whereas the Franchi has the recoil spring located around the mag tube, like most other brands do. The Benelli also has the comfort tech stock or whatever they call it. If you are only using the gun for hunting, 3.5” chamber is fine. If you plan to ever shoot light target loads, you may or may not have issues cycling them in the 3.5” chambered guns. With a 3” chamber, they will cycle pretty much anything. Unless goose hunting was my primary use for the gun I’d get a 3” chamber with 26” barrels. 3.5” chamber with 28” barrels is going to be a bit of a hassle in the turkey woods. Eyesofthewoods 1
bushden Posted January 3, 2021 Posted January 3, 2021 2 hours ago, archer36 said: I own a 3.5". I bought it many years ago before new advances in ammo. I'm sure the Franchi will serve you well. A lot of people are questioning the need for a 3.5" anymore. Modern Turkey and Waterfowl loads have changed the game. If you don't mind spending two or three times more on ammo, then 12 ga 3" or even 20 ga 3" will serve you well. Me? I still think the 3.5" is a good choice if you want to shoot large steel shot and beefed up buckshot. It's nice to have the added versatility. You don't have to use it if you don't want it. Enjoy the new gun! I agree on the no need any more for the 3.5 that's a lot of blast and if you are doing a lot of shooting it really works on your accuracy after a while. The new ammo loads are a lot better than 10 years ago. I use Hevi-Shot and am very happy with results at good distances HONOR THE FALLENhttps://thefallen.militarytimes.com/ Over the years the US has sent many of its fine young men & women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return, is enough to bury those that did not return. COLIN POWELL
mazzgolf Posted January 3, 2021 Posted January 3, 2021 The pros for 3.5 (versus 3) have already been mentioned, but one negative no one mentioned yet - if you go with a 3.5", keep in mind you may find it is not able to reliably cycle low-brass/light loads like target loads or small game loads. Those 3.5" guns need to be tight to handle those heavy 3.5" loads, but that means they might have problems cycling the lighter loads. This won't be an issue if you never plan to shoot those lighter loads. But if you like to hunt small game with light loads, or if you like shooting trap/skeet with target loads, it is something to consider. Myself - I am actually looking at getting an inertia gun and the Franchi Affinity is one that made my final list (along with Benelli SBE3 and Browning A5). If you get the Franchi, let us know how you like it - I'm probably going to be in the market this summer and would be interested in how you like it (whether you get 3.5 or 3 - I'm still not sure what one I want). Eyesofthewoods 1
wrmink Posted January 5, 2021 Posted January 5, 2021 I've had the 3" Franchi Affinity (LH) for about a year now. It was my first, and is still my only, shotgun. I love it. I have shot other shotguns, and I think the Affinity really stands out as far as quality, value, and versatility goes.
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