Franchi Shotguns Anyone?

[Captain Jay Kavanagh]

So I got some gift certificates burning a hole in my pocket.

Thinking about a Franchi I-12.

Anyone shoot one?

http://www.franchiusa.com/firearms/i-12_waterfowl.php

or

http://www.franchiusa.com/firearms/i...land_field.php

They have got both a wood one and a camo one.

[gottaflylee]

Jay I would think it would be a good gun. Looks like it is built a lot like the old Browning A5 autos...

[Glenn W]

A friend of my son's has an I-12 and has been very happy with his. I am sold on the inertia action and have become a Benelli convert. The action of the I-12 is identical to the Stoeger M2000 in that the recoil sring is on the forearm instead of in the stock. This has definate advantages for those of us that are prone to get their gun wet and muddy as it is much easier to keep clean.
The fit and finish of the I-12 appears to be pretty good and is much better than the Stoeger. My son has a Stoeger M2000 and a Beretta 391. The stoeger is his go to gun for the swamps or when it is cold and wet as it cycles perfectly now that it has been broken in. In this regard, everything you hear or read about inertia system autos needing to be broken in before they are reliable is true. It will take a good case of shells to break in well, so take it out this summer and shoot the hell out of skeet with it.
The only thing we have found on the Stoeger systenm is that the channels in the receiver where the bolt rails slide need to be kept very clean with a light coating of oil. As such, my son cleans the gun before every ducking trip.
As far as wood vs synthetic--- I'm over wood for duck guns. I held out for years in refusing to buy a plastic stock gun but will never have a wooden gun again for ducking-- This I-12 will be a tool and not a piece of art and the plastic is much better as far as not getting beat up and not absorbing water---- keep the wood for the upland and target guns.
Finally, keep in mind that the receiver on inertia guns is longer than gas autos so you may want to consider a swomewhat shorter barrel. I always preferred a 28" barrel but got a 26" barrel for my Benelli and have been very happy with this decision--- although my boy's Stoeger has a 28" and points extremly well.
In short, for the price I don't think you can go wrong with the I-12 for a beating up, abusing duck gun.

[seapower]

Continuation of the "foo foo" gun post Glenn started sometime back. My sides still hurt from that post. Frank

[Bert Rodgers]

Dad has a 20gauge Franchi ( I don't know the model#), like Lee said the action is almost an exact copy of the old A5.
No matter how much we try to tweek it it hangs up with any magnum load. As a dove/sporting clays gun it's great. As a duck gun, not so much.

Bert

[Bert Rodgers]

Jay if you are going to buy a $1000+ gun get a Beneli SBE. I've had mine for about 15 years and all my other guns stay in the closet during duck season.

Bert

[Captain Jay Kavanagh]

This gun is way under a grand.

I am really torn, as I love my Ruger allweather O/U but a couple of times this year, I think I could have put a third shot to good use.

Maybee I will just use the Gift certificates for ammo?

[Glenn W]

Jay if you are going to buy a $1000+ gun get a Beneli SBE. I've had mine for about 15 years and all my other guns stay in the closet during duck season.

Bert

I would agree Bert, but the I-12 can be had for under $750 compared to the SBE now going for about $1650 and the Benelli M2 @ about $1300.

[nautiduck]

John, I have a Franchi 48/AL. It is by far my favorite field gun. I have about 12-13 12 ga autos. The Franchi is the one I grab 99% of the time. I have 2 Berettas, a Benelli, a Breda, 2 Brownings and several Mossbergs and Remys and they just sit in the safe. Theres nothing in particular I don't like about the others, I just really like shooting the Franchi. Yes it is based on the Browning action if not a copy. 'The best thing is its not an expensive gun, just a really good shooter.

[N2theBlue]

why did this get moved to junior angler forum?