my search for new inertia waterfowl gun continues - narrowed it down to Franchi

[mazzgolf]

Well, I finally got my hands on a Benelli SBE3 yesterday at a mom-n-pop shop that had a couple on the shelves. I was really looking forward to buying one - it shouldered nicely, but I just did not like the controls on it - the safety and bolt release both were not as smooth to operate as I was expecting an $1,800 gun to feel like. So, that's crossed off my list.

I had the Retay on my list because it seems like a nice gun, but it looks like they don't have a reversible safety for us left-handers. Still waiting on confirmation of that from the Retay folks themselves - but I'm pretty sure they don't have a reversible safety on the Masai Mara, so that's crossed off the list.

I was able to pick up a Franchi Affinity yesterday, and liked it -- felt like the controls were better than the SBE3 also (which was weird because its safety is smaller than SBE3's - but to me it just operated smoother). So I think that's the one. I'm looking to get it chambered in 3" - decided against the 3.5 because with it being an inertia gun, I don't think I'll ever shoot 3.5" shells with it even if it is chambered for it.

Who has experience with the Franchi Affinity, and if so do you have any opinions/thoughts? Good? Bad? Indifferent?

[Batsto]

They are super! Shot my son in laws Affinity. Runs smooth and minimal recoil. 

[Codaboy]

They are super! Shot my son in laws Affinity. Runs smooth and minimal recoil. 

My buddy has the affinity in 3" 20 ga. and it shoots, and swings real nicely. Well worth the money

Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk

[Bigmac]

I’m a lefty also is Franchi  safety reversible?  and did you look at new Browning A5 that is an inertia gun and safety is reversible,  just curious if you handled a Browning,  but I have friend who has Affinity and he really likes his and most reviews I’ve read are positive for the Affinity

[mazzgolf]

2 hours ago, Bigmac said:

I’m a lefty also is Franchi  safety reversible?  and did you look at new Browning A5 that is an inertia gun and safety is reversible,  just curious if you handled a Browning,  but I have friend who has Affinity and he really likes his and most reviews I’ve read are positive for the Affinity

I actually sent an email into Franchi to confirm (no answer yet), but I'm almost sure (not positive) it is reversible (all the Beretta and Benelli safeties that I know of are reversible, so I don't see any reason why the Franchi's wouldn't be). Strange thing is I can't find any YouTube videos of people showing you how to do it (like I could with the SBE and other guns) - so that's why I am questioning it. Hopefully, I will hear back from Franchi this week to confirm. I won't order the gun until I'm 100% sure it is reversible - that's a non-negotiable for me. Gotta have a left-handed safety.

I actually did briefly consider the A5. But I'm a snob and I think the humpback is ugly . I also remember finding some reviews that were less-than-favorable (and, like you, most of the reviews I see of the Affinity are very positive). So I kinda dismissed it, even though I haven't actually handled one (I admit I might not be giving it adequate attention). Prices of the A5 are on the high end (in the range of an SBE3) -- I really don't want to spend that much on a gun that I "maybe might like" and that I think is ugly  I prefer to be 100% all-in on a gun if I'm going to spend that money. If Franchi can't reverse its safety, I'll go back and revisit it and go to a shop and see if I can handle one. The Retay I'm almost positive doesn't have a reversible safety - otherwise, that would probably be on my list to consider, too. Not many inertia guns in my price range (somewhere between $1k to $2k)

[Bigmac]

32 minutes ago, mazzgolf said:

I actually sent an email into Franchi to confirm (no answer yet), but I'm almost sure (not positive) it is reversible (all the Beretta and Benelli safeties that I know of are reversible, so I don't see any reason why the Franchi's wouldn't be). Strange thing is I can't find any YouTube videos of people showing you how to do it (like I could with the SBE and other guns) - so that's why I am questioning it. Hopefully, I will hear back from Franchi this week to confirm. I won't order the gun until I'm 100% sure it is reversible - that's a non-negotiable for me. Gotta have a left-handed safety.

I actually did briefly consider the A5. But I'm a snob and I think the humpback is ugly . I also remember finding some reviews that were less-than-favorable (and, like you, most of the reviews I see of the Affinity are very positive). So I kinda dismissed it, even though I haven't actually handled one (I admit I might not be giving it adequate attention). Prices of the A5 are on the high end (in the range of an SBE3) -- I really don't want to spend that much on a gun that I "maybe might like" and that I think is ugly  I prefer to be 100% all-in on a gun if I'm going to spend that money. If Franchi can't reverse its safety, I'll go back and revisit it and go to a shop and see if I can handle one. The Retay I'm almost positive doesn't have a reversible safety - otherwise, that would probably be on my list to consider, too. Not many inertia guns in my price range (somewhere between $1k to $2k)

Ok let me know what Franchi tells you I’m interested in their 20 gauge for small game hunting,  you can always look for a left handed model I know Benelli make left handed, maybe Franchi does also

[MikeStaten]

The only thing I don’t like about the Franchi Affinity is on the all black model the matte black barrel finish rusts very easily.   Aside from that it is a really nice gun and extremely similar to the benelli m2

[Eyesofthewoods]

19 hours ago, mazzgolf said:

Well, I finally got my hands on a Benelli SBE3 yesterday at a mom-n-pop shop that had a couple on the shelves. I was really looking forward to buying one - it shouldered nicely, but I just did not like the controls on it - the safety and bolt release both were not as smooth to operate as I was expecting an $1,800 gun to feel like. So, that's crossed off my list.

I had the Retay on my list because it seems like a nice gun, but it looks like they don't have a reversible safety for us left-handers. Still waiting on confirmation of that from the Retay folks themselves - but I'm pretty sure they don't have a reversible safety on the Masai Mara, so that's crossed off the list.

I was able to pick up a Franchi Affinity yesterday, and liked it -- felt like the controls were better than the SBE3 also (which was weird because its safety is smaller than SBE3's - but to me it just operated smoother). So I think that's the one. I'm looking to get it chambered in 3" - decided against the 3.5 because with it being an inertia gun, I don't think I'll ever shoot 3.5" shells with it even if it is chambered for it.

Who has experience with the Franchi Affinity, and if so do you have any opinions/thoughts? Good? Bad? Indifferent?

I have the affinity 3.5 it’s an awesome gun.  Controls are easy and nice for big gloves in cold weather.  I like it cause I can use the gun for so much game from turkey to waterfowl to deer.  It’s affordable for a great quality gun too!  I would recomend!

[archer36]

No one has mentioned the Remington Versa Max? Oh, sorry. It's not Inertia 

Edited August 23, 2021 by archer36

[mazzgolf]

Just got the emails back so I'm 100% sure now (got the answers from the manufacturers).

Retay - safety NOT reversible (answer was "Our safeties are not yet reversible, something we are looking into.")

Franchi Affinity - safety IS reversible. ( <<--- @Bigmac)

(oh, and I asked if it's the same for Affinity 3 vs 3.5 and how do you reverse it and was told "The safety is the same for the Affinities.   The process for changing should be the same as the Benelli.") ... a few YT videos out there on how to change the SBE3 safety - that should be similar.

Edited August 23, 2021 by mazzgolf