Franchi Alcione?
- Thread starter Jabbaman
- Start date
John Spartan
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Just a little more to the right...
Which version of the Alcione is this?
Franchi is now the property of Beretta. In order to protect their markets, the Franchi is built to a specification which places it slightly below Beretta's own offerings, at a lower price. (Earlier Luigi Franchi guns were works of art). The mature design of the Alcione is unusual for an Italian gun in that it uses a full width hinge pin (most Italian shotguns pivot on stub pins). The action frame is usually machined from steel, but someone once told me that there was / is an alloy version I've never seen anything but steel frames on an Alcione. The full width hinge and a full width locking bolt create a strong joint - the gun should outlast you.
Franchi have designed their guns so that the barrels are interchangeable. You can change barrel lengths, weights and gauges and make the gun handle as you wish - a real plus, but a costly one if you want to experiment. Franchi produces sub gauge barrels that will fit the 12 gauge frame - a nice touch, but I'd rather have my 20 gauge tubes on a 20 gauge frame. Still, the design offers great flexibility and is very interesting.
In the fore end, as well as the ejector hammers and springs there is also a spring system which keeps the fore end tight, and accommodates small differences between barrels. The choke tubes are the same as Beretta’s mobilchokes.
I have never heard of any particular problems with the Alcione, and if you live long enough, Stoeger Canada could eventually supply you with parts, should they ever be needed. IF the gun fits you, or can be made to fit you, and you like its balance and feel (with the supplied barrels) then it is an interesting gun which offers interchangeable barrels without the cost of a gunsmith.
Sharptail
Franchi have designed their guns so that the barrels are interchangeable. You can change barrel lengths, weights and gauges and make the gun handle as you wish - a real plus, but a costly one if you want to experiment. Franchi produces sub gauge barrels that will fit the 12 gauge frame - a nice touch, but I'd rather have my 20 gauge tubes on a 20 gauge frame. Still, the design offers great flexibility and is very interesting.
In the fore end, as well as the ejector hammers and springs there is also a spring system which keeps the fore end tight, and accommodates small differences between barrels. The choke tubes are the same as Beretta’s mobilchokes.
I have never heard of any particular problems with the Alcione, and if you live long enough, Stoeger Canada could eventually supply you with parts, should they ever be needed. IF the gun fits you, or can be made to fit you, and you like its balance and feel (with the supplied barrels) then it is an interesting gun which offers interchangeable barrels without the cost of a gunsmith.
Sharptail
Sharptail
Sharptail: I appreciate your reply, very thorough indeed.
Le Baron sells the titanium version too. I don't know of a gunshop in Vancouver that sells it so it may be hard for me to find out how it fits. Le Baron is mail order.
A shotgun is all about its fit, so maybe I should consider other makes which I can get my hands on.
Thanks
Sharptail: I appreciate your reply, very thorough indeed.
Le Baron sells the titanium version too. I don't know of a gunshop in Vancouver that sells it so it may be hard for me to find out how it fits. Le Baron is mail order.
A shotgun is all about its fit, so maybe I should consider other makes which I can get my hands on.
Thanks
Jabbaman, I believe that the Alcione is a fine firearm. As you say, though, a shotgun is all about fit - and balance. You could find an U/O that fit you, take the measurements from it and compare them to the Franchi. That still would not tell you anything about the balance. I would prefer to have my hands on the gun before I bought it. The quality of the gun will be fine, but will you like it and shoot it well?
The Alcione is not that rare - inquire at your local trap / skeet / clays range(s) and I'm sure you will find someone with one. Ask to shoot it, or at least hold it. Chances are you will like it, but it will sure be nice to know if you don't!
Sharptail
p.s. Thanks for the info re: titanium frame. Now I know.
The Alcione is not that rare - inquire at your local trap / skeet / clays range(s) and I'm sure you will find someone with one. Ask to shoot it, or at least hold it. Chances are you will like it, but it will sure be nice to know if you don't!
Sharptail
p.s. Thanks for the info re: titanium frame. Now I know.
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