Any one know if the trigger on the Franchi instinct is mechanical or inertia driven? Most of the info I have found is from 2013 and later and they all say mechanical. I just wasn't sure if any changes have been made in the past couple of years.
Franchi Instinct O/U
- Thread starter Roadhawk
- Start date
I bought an instinct L 20 ga when they first hit the market a couple of years ago . Price point then was a $1000 .00 . they are a rebadged bettinsoli produced for benelli who owns the franchi name . anyways I shot it a fair bit on the skeet field and it was soon evedent that gun was not going to stand up to the volume of shells I was putting through it for very long . they are now at a price point of around $ 1300.00 - 1400.00 which in my opinion is well over priced for what your getting . My gun had fairly heavy long travel triggers and the auto safety near drove me nuts . with slightly over a flat of shells through the gun it became quite loose in the action . I ended up trading the gun at a local shop and took a big lose on a gun that was only a couple months old . To put it bluntly in my opinion the instinct L is nothing more than an over priced entry level gun . Others may have a better experince and opinion of the gun .
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I have been reading mixed reviews about this gun. Mostly good reviews.I have also been recommended to buy a better quality gun that is used. I am not sure of buying a used over under. I prefer to buy new and have some sort of warranty in the case that something goes wrong. The Franchi comes with a 7 year warranty and seems to be a good mid level O/U. I haven't made a decision yet, but the Franchise is somewhere at the top.
Have you looked at the Bettinsoli x8 sporting . there are a couple guys shooting these at my local club for sporting clays and they are quite happy with them so far but I have no idea what they have for round count through them . they retail for around the $ 2000.00 mark .
I use mine ( a Renaissance which is just an older version from what I can see) for hunting and informal clays. I agree it would probably not stand up as a competition gun but I suspect neither would any aluminum alloyed framed gun. having said that I have well over 2K shells through the gun and it is still on face an locks up tight. I would not hesitate buying another but only as a hunting and not a competition gun.
I was thinking of buying the Franchi Instinct Sporting. It has a steel receiver, mechanical triggers, 30" barrels, extended choke tubes, and a hi viz sight. It retails for about $1800-$1900. Most of the reviews I have read on the Franchi have been positive. Most of the complaints have been about the auto safety and the aluminum receiver on the SL model. I can't find much info on the "Sporting" model. Its within my price range and has all the equipment I want. Its hard not to put this gun at the top of my list.
- Location
- Barrie, Ontario
As we have already PM'd, most of my personal thoughts on the Instinct I will not reiterate.
However, I will add that, IMO, the 20g Instinct (either model really) is not a good choice for a sporting clay gun. It is a slender, light field gun. 20g has the same essential energy as a 12, but the Instinct 20g frame is much smaller and it weighs a lot less than the 12g. This is why (usually) quality sporting guns are all built on the 12g frame and either tubed or extra barrel sets that are matched weight are available in the sub gauges for the same receiver.
The Betty and the Franchi are made in the same factory, however the X-Trail that I shot was significantly different from a Instinct L.
FWIW, I think the L only comes in a 28" barrel, not a 30. Edit, whoops, you are referring to the sporting model.. it does have 30" barrels.. Doesn't look right without the color hardened receiver though
And, if you take it hunting you would be amazed how much harder it is to break that extra 2 inches, particularly in a boat or blind..
C
However, I will add that, IMO, the 20g Instinct (either model really) is not a good choice for a sporting clay gun. It is a slender, light field gun. 20g has the same essential energy as a 12, but the Instinct 20g frame is much smaller and it weighs a lot less than the 12g. This is why (usually) quality sporting guns are all built on the 12g frame and either tubed or extra barrel sets that are matched weight are available in the sub gauges for the same receiver.
The Betty and the Franchi are made in the same factory, however the X-Trail that I shot was significantly different from a Instinct L.
FWIW, I think the L only comes in a 28" barrel, not a 30. Edit, whoops, you are referring to the sporting model.. it does have 30" barrels.. Doesn't look right without the color hardened receiver though
And, if you take it hunting you would be amazed how much harder it is to break that extra 2 inches, particularly in a boat or blind..C
As we have already PM'd, most of my personal thoughts on the Instinct I will not reiterate.
However, I will add that, IMO, the 20g Instinct (either model really) is not a good choice for a sporting clay gun. It is a slender, light field gun. 20g has the same essential energy as a 12, but the Instinct 20g frame is much smaller and it weighs a lot less than the 12g. This is why (usually) quality sporting guns are all built on the 12g frame and either tubed or extra barrel sets that are matched weight are available in the sub gauges for the same receiver.
The Betty and the Franchi are made in the same factory, however the X-Trail that I shot was significantly different from a Instinct L.
FWIW, I think the L only comes in a 28" barrel, not a 30. Edit, whoops, you are referring to the sporting model.. it does have 30" barrels.. Doesn't look right without the color hardened receiver though
C
I think I have narrowed it down to two guns. The Franchi Instinct Sporting O/U and the Beretta A400 Xcel Sporting semi-auto. Both are about the same price. The gun will mostly be used for clays and occasionally for hunting. At this point I have only seen these guns on the web. The Franchi had minimal negative reviews and the Beretta had all very positive reviews. After handling both guns, I hope to make a decision. Thanks to all who posted some helpful input.
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- Location
- Barrie, Ontario
It will be a tough choice. Personally, I would look for a used 391 urika 2 over the 400. A lot of the parts that are steel on the 391 are plastic on the 400. Not that its bad, just a preference of mine. I'm sure they wouldn't make it if it wasn't quality. Italians are funny that way when it comes to shotguns
.I have shot both (a lot), as my two best shooting friends have them and they are both excellent. I have a hard time getting used to the sound the kick off makes though. Also, the stock cannot be adjusted easily - if you cant do it with the included shims, you are in a tight spot. I am 6'3" and the Beretta Semis fit me well. YMMV.
Certainly, if waterfowling is in your future, the Beretta is the way to go. IMO. That said, I would not trade my Franchi for either, of course they are different guns for different purposes...
Also, the 400 Extreme will not cycle light target loads (Winchester super target, etc).
Good luck
C
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the spank
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Planet Earth Wearing My Tinfoil Hat
Mid level? Far ftom it. They are entry level guns plain and simple. I would take a used Citori, Superposed, Beretta, Winchester 101 over ANY of the newer low price point O/U's out there. Warranty doesn't mean jack if you have to go months without a gun tonget service or parts.
- Location
- Barrie, Ontario
I don't disagree, however, you should compare a Stoeger Condor to a Franchi Instinct and see if that changes your view of 'entry' and 'mid' level
.c
the spank
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Planet Earth Wearing My Tinfoil Hat
I don't disagree, however, you should compare a Stoeger Condor to a Franchi Instinct and see if that changes your view of 'entry' and 'mid' level
c
I clearly understand your point! IMO a Stoeger Condor is not even entry level, it is the Grade V of tire jack handles!!
I decided to buy the Beretta A400 Xcel Sporting. It fit great and was almost $500 less than the O/U. It was one they had in stock that was listed for last year's pricing. I jumped all over it. I would rather pay good money for a top grade semi than good money for an entry to mid level O/U. Thanks for all the input. It was a lesson in what to look for when purchasing a sporting shotgun. Can't wait to shoot this beast!!
the spank
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Planet Earth Wearing My Tinfoil Hat
Congrats!
- Location
- Barrie, Ontario
You are going to be very happy you purchased quality!!
An fwiw, I really like the blue receiver on them!
Do you shoot at BGC?
C
An fwiw, I really like the blue receiver on them!
Do you shoot at BGC?
C
