Franchi Reliability ?

[kamml]

I am interested in any comments on the Franchi 612/620 series of auto shotguns.  I have any opportunity to get a 20 gauge/walnut with 3 chokes for $500.00 brand new in the box.  I was thinking my daughter could use this semi better than her 870 for skeet (2nd shot is a lot easier).  I was wondering about the any experieinces the board members may want to share regarding the Franchi 612/620 gun line.  Ken

[Zachary]

A friend of mine has a 12 gauge Franchi and he has had very little problems with it.

However, if you are willing to spend some more money and get a much better 20 gauge auto-loader, I would STRONGLY recommend the Beretta or Benelli!  I have had a couple of models from each for several years and their reliability is PERFECT!

Zachary

[southernshooter]

For $529.00 you can get a Beretta AL 390 (lightweight model) 12 ga. at Wal-Mart. Shoots all 2 3/4 or 3" mag interchangeably. You will have no problems with this Beretta.  Recoil is not too bad with the gas action in 2 3/4 loads even though it is lightweight. Comes with 3 chokes. S/S lined barrel and receiver.

[southernshooter]

On second thought buy from a private gun shop if you can. Wal Mart doesn't need the money. Problem is that anything that says Beretta or Benelli on it is $1000.00. So I had to go Wal Mart one time.

[Hawkeye421]

I purchased the Franchi 612 about two months ago...I liked the balance and feel of the gun.  It comes with 4 shims to adjust drop and cast.  The gas piston and recoil spring is located in the forearm.  It comes with 3 chokes and uses the Franchi/Benelli/Beretta chokes.  Super easy to take down and clean...just unscrew the forearm cap...If you want to take the trigger assembly out, just push out two pins.  It has cycled everything that I have fed it...from 1oz light reloads to the 3" magnum shells without a single hiccup.  I have patterned the gun and it is dead on the money accurate.  I know time will tell but so far I have been extremely pleased with the gun.

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Not sure about Franchi reliability----but every one I've handled has been very lightweight.

The 48 AL has been around for years.

There is a Franchi O/U at the local store---$1100 ----20ga---again, VERY lightweight and fast handling-----beautifull stock. I would own this gun right now if the stock was the proper shape----everytime I pick it up and shoulder it---I find myself looking down over the top of the barrels and not down the rib----the comb is just too high-----so there it sits----it has been there for over a year----just a beautifull ugly duckling---its a shame really.

[prairiedog555]

I have used one for 30 yrs.  and put a lot of rounds through it.  I mean a lot.  never a problem if you LIGHTLY oil the mag tube and action rings, just like an A5.  They are light and fast cycleing.  I believe I read they are the fastest.  anyway I like it better than Beretta or bennelli. 
As for reliability, a friend went to Argentina to dove hunt.  The guide gave them all 20ga. Franchi AL's as house guns.  He loved it.  You can immagine how many rounds they put through it.

[beadlescomb]

i have a 48 al hunter in  12 gauge 5 1/1 pounds give or take and amazing and beautiful gun it literally kills everything that i point at

[1marty]

stay away from Franchi auto loaders. I bought one 9 months back since it was based on the Benelli. It is the worse piece of junk. Except for Winchester rounds every other brand would jam "consistantly". It is a cheapo shotgun  and isn't worth $5 bucks. I traded in  for a Winchester sx3 and love it. Feel sorry for the guy who bought it.

[beadlescomb]

what franchi was  it model number

[ctrout]

I had a Beretta AL391 Urika 12 ga that I put probably 2000 rounds through in the 5 years I had it.  It hated the Winchester bulk shells from Wal-Mart and would fail to feed about 10% of the time with them.  I have far fewer rounds through my (daughter's) Franchi 620 youth gun (maybe 200 rounds).  Nearly all of those rounds have been Winchester bulk ammo and the gun has NEVER failed to fire every time.  It is an excellent shotgun for the money.  I traded off the Beretta and now I shoot with a Franchi Alcione in 12/20 gauge and it has been flawless as well with probably 600 or so rounds of 12 gauge at the trap/skeet range and maybe 75 rounds of 20 gauge on pheasant, dove, and quail.

[1marty]

I had the Franchi I12. Most of the action was plastic. Although the action is based on Benelli it is far from being one. I have yet to have a jam with any kind of ammo in the winchester which is based on the Browning.

[beadlescomb]

did you ever think that the loads werent heavy enough for the automatic to cycle

[1marty]

I tried 3 drams of target loads and they failed. I went to 3 1/4 with the same result. It's too bad. it was a nice handling gun but made way inferior to the Benelli which they were trying to copy.

[beadlescomb]

im not sure what u mean copy ive seen them come through the shop before and they need a few heavy loads run through them to break them in that or alot of people dont take them apart and clean all the cosmaline out so the internal parts gum up after a few shots with "dirty loads"

[1marty]

domestic new rifles/shotguns are not packed in cosmoline. The gun was cleaned including taking apart the bolt. 3 1/4 drams are hunting loads and did nothing to loosen the gun.