Browning Auto 5 vs Franchi friction rings

[MiG25]

It is my understanding that the Browning Auto 5 and the Franchi Automatic use the same system of friction rings.

Anyone care to comment on using the Franchi Position Three for light 2 3/4 dram loads in the Browning Auto 5.

Thanks.

 

[1963beretta]

I wouldn't use position 3...you run the risk of cracking a stock. I’ve had about to 20 Franchi 48’s over the years and still have 5 of them. I have never used the rings in either position 2 or 3. When I switch from heavy to light loads, I just flip the governor ring (steel friction ring). If you want it on heavy load setting have the tapered end facing the muzzle before the bronze friction ring. For light loads, the steel friction ring is still in the same place, but with the tapered end facing the receiver. So to clarify, the order of install is spring, metal ring then bronze ring

 

[1963beretta]

A picture is worth a 1000 words....

 

[MiG25]

Interesting, those Franchi instructions are not the same as the ones I posted.

The Auto 5 has instructions pasted inside the forend that look like Positions One and Two. It will run heavy loads in Position One, Bulk Winchester in Position Two, but won't run 2-3/4 Dram Challenger loads, hence my interest in Position Three.

 

[1963beretta]

Ya, I don't know who published the instructions you posted but they are wrong. It looks like they used photo instructions of an Auto 5. Franchi’s system is slightly different. I’ll post photos of the actual Franchi owners manual as well as well the original sticker under the forearm tomorrow. Position two and three from the photo you posted don't exist on any original Franchi material

 

[MiG25]

Those are the instructions published by Stoeger, the US importer of Franchi, yes they look like Browning instructions except Browning doesn't have Position Three from what I can tell.

 

[Jasper Morris]

1963beretta has good advice. I cracked the forend on my A5 by shooting light loads with the friction ring & collar set against the receiver. I bought it new and the A5 was still in production, so Browning replaced the forend for free but I recall it took around 8 months to arrive at my dealer. Luckily the replacement forend was close to the same shade as the buttstock.

 

[1963beretta]

Those are the instructions published by Stoeger, the US importer of Franchi, yes they look like Browning instructions except Browning doesn't have Position Three from what I can tell.

Very bizarre. Stoeger Canada dropped the ball here big time in my opinion. Those are definitely incorrect diagrams.

I forgot to take photos of the manuals and guns that I have when I was at home. I’ll have to do it tomorrow

 

[1963beretta]

These are the original Franchi manuals....