GuyC Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 I am looking to purchase a duck/dove gun that can also be outfitted for 3 gun in the off season. I like the Affinity by Franchi, it uses the same technology as the Benelli M2, and is owned by Benelli. I have found extended mag tubes for it, but no after market barrels shorter than 26". The Affinity is only $700 and the reviews seem to be great. I got to look at one at a local store and it seemed to be a quality gun. What do you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinT Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 I don't know anything about the Affinity, but I do know the Benelli Super Black Eagle makes a great duck / 3 gun shotgun. I paid $650 for mine at a pawn shop and have run it for 2 seasons of 3 gun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuyC Posted November 27, 2012 Author Share Posted November 27, 2012 I have looked for used Benelli's, but there not many out there around the $700 price range. I think it just might be the time of the year. Around March I could probably find a lot of them for sale at a reasonable price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwight Stearns Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 (edited) I recently purchased an affinity for 3G. I looked into others like the Benelli, versa max or mossberg JM but found they were either not affordable for me or seemed to be unavailable. In my research I stumbled onto the Affinity. After researching it I found one and made the jump. My first impression was I made a good choise. The fit and finish were good and it handled and mounted great. I have an extension tube and will begin modifications to include lifter weld, shell stop polish, loading port bevel and installing an oversize bolt release. Right now I only have about 100 rounds through it (mostly walmart Federals plus a few slugs and reloads). No issues so far. Function is perfect. Recoil seems right there with my buddy's Benelli M2. Can't wait to really put it through it's paces but the weather is starting to turn colder. At this point I think it's a really good shotgun. Well worth the money. Dwight Edited November 27, 2012 by Dwight Stearns Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuyC Posted November 27, 2012 Author Share Posted November 27, 2012 Thanks Dwight! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alphamikefoxtrot Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 A friend recently called Briley about building a 3-gun shotgun on this platform and was advised against it. I don't have any other details, but I'm sure you could call Briley and get their take on it yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuyC Posted November 27, 2012 Author Share Posted November 27, 2012 I am not just looking for a 3 gun shotgun. it also needs to be a hunting rig. I think the only thing I would do to it would be add a mag tube extension. I may have to call Briley because you now have me curious why. For $700 it looks hard to beat. I have yet to find a review saying that it doesn't run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alphamikefoxtrot Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Please report back with your findings. I was curious when my buddy told me that but we didn't get a chance to finish the conversation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roundabout Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 It's ironic that this threat popped-up. This week I too had the same question and got the same response from Briley. I didn't want to stall the gentleman I was speaking with as I'm sure he had guns to work on so we didn't go into any detail about why the Affinity wasn't comparable to the M2. One must assume that a business whose bread and butter is customizing shotguns know what they are talking about. I'll be interested to see how Dwight's rig works for him as he runs up the round count. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwight Stearns Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 I put another 150 rounds through the affinity. No issues whatsoever. Don't know what the Briley folks have issues with but I can't find any. Dwight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwight Stearns Posted December 8, 2012 Share Posted December 8, 2012 I gave the affinity another workout with slugs this week. It is grouping 5 shots into 3" at 50 yds with the group centered about 3" left of POA. This was with the improved. cylinder choke tube. Without the extension the group was about the same size but about 6" high left. I tried the modified choke tube and it grouped at POA but the group doubled. I just got a light modified and will give that a try next. I now have 265 rounds through it (100 Walmart Federals, 100 reloads, 25 low recoil buckshot and 40 low recoil slugs). The gun shoots great. Zero malfunctions. Now I just need to learn to load it. Oh well, that's what winters are for. Dwight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roundabout Posted December 9, 2012 Share Posted December 9, 2012 Are you trying different slug loads or have you just stuck to one load? I take it you are using factory choke tubes and not after-market? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwight Stearns Posted December 9, 2012 Share Posted December 9, 2012 So far all I have in stock are the Federal low recoil slugs so my tests are somewhat limited. Still, I can live with 3" left at 50 if I have to. The choke tubes have been factory tubes but i plan on trying the light modified as soon as possible. DWIGHT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwight Stearns Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Shot the Affinity at the Midwest 3 gun last weekend. It ran perfect. Wish I could say the same for me. Still impressed with the gun. Have around 650 rounds through it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
love2shoot Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 (edited) I'm running an Affinity with a Briley tube (everything else is box stock) and it works just fine. Others keep commenting on how light the thing is, but I don't think the recoil is worse than anything else I have shot, and more mild than my mossberg 500. Correction...I'm running an extended Carlsons light modified choke...otherwise stock. Edited May 23, 2013 by love2shoot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vespid_Wasp Posted May 16, 2016 Share Posted May 16, 2016 Does the Affinity take Benelli parts? Extension tube thread pitch and TTI lifter is my main focus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steppenwolf Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 (edited) Well, here is my Franchi Affinity with TTI lifter installed (as well as charging handle and safety). Nordic extension tube. Briley bolt release milled to fit (but TTI will also work). Edited May 17, 2016 by Steppenwolf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Operator_1 Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 Just finished my affinity. Check it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfcchambers Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 I too have a Franchi Affinity all set up for 3 gun. I have around 700 rounds threw mine so far and not one problem. That is including both federal 100 round value pack and the winchester univeral. It does not take the same extension as the beneli m2, but nordic makes an extension that fits it. Mine is out fitted with TTI lifter, safety, bolt release, and a nordic oversized bolt handle. Also the serial number is no where near the loading port so you can open it up to your hearts content. I highly recommend them. Watch for deals I picked up mine new off of gunbroker for $630. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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