Franchi Instinct O/U Shotgun Opinion Sought

[MontanaPat]

Hi all, I know many of you have extensive experience with a variety of shotguns and I wanted to seek some feedback. I'm wanting to get a new Over/Under shotgun in a 16 gauge for bird hunting and clays. I currently shoot an older Belgian made Browning A5 Sweet Sixteen but would like an O/U also. I like Beretta O/U's but they aren't making a 16 gauge in the Silver Pigeon so looking at other options. Browning has the low end Citori Hunter model in 16 gauge but I've also been looking at a Franchi Instinct O/U and wondering if anyone has any experience with Franchi's and what you think of them? I've never owned a Franchi shotgun of any kind but do have a couple of Benelli semi autos which I really like. I've looked at the Franchi's in 12 and 20 gauge and they seem lightweight and point nicely, but local gun store would have to order a 16 gauge or I see them on Gunbroker. Also any opinion on Rizzini or F.A.I.R o/u shotguns?

What opinions do you have about Franchi Instinct O?U's? Thanks

 

[BeeMaa]

I have two friends who own Franchi shotguns but they are both semiautomatic. That said, they are incredibly durable weapons that use an inertia drive that comes from the Benelli SBE series. Both companies fall under the Beretta ownership umbrella.

I’ve handled their O/U shotguns but they did not fit me the way I preferred and that stopped any further research.

If they are anything like their semiautomatic, I’d say you are looking at something like a Beretta 686 with a few less features and not quite the same level of fit and finish. I’m not sure what means of lockup they are using so make sure you take a look at that.

Also, these will be a field shotgun and have an automatic safety. Meaning every time you open the action, the safety automatically engages and will need to be disengaged prior to taking a shot. I had this on my Beretta 686 and after a couple rounds of skeet had the proper muscle memory to reload, click off the safety and take a shot. Some people can’t stand this. It can be a polarizing feature.

 

[trperk1]

I asked a friend of mine who owns a gun shop, one that specializes in Shotguns. They recommend Franchi as a good entry level. He said CZ makes a good entry level shotgun too. You can't go wrong with a Citori either.

 

[uplander01]

The Franchi Instinct Sideplate model in 16 ga is everything you could ever want for the low 2k price tag, its worth having a look. Been using Franchi guns for may years, very good value for the money. For what its worth, they are very Beretta 686 like, all the way down to the barrel selector button on the safety. It is a Beretta holdings company after all.......

 

[bakerb]

I’ve toyed with the Franchi 16 gauge idea for a while now too. My buddy has an Instinct in 20 gauge and it is LIGHT and points great. My only problem with pulling the trigger is I never seem to find a 16 gauge in person that is light with good wood. The wood is MEH on them, unfortunately, and really affects the weight too. I’ve held some side by side that were noticeably different weights. Plus, for $2,000, I think you should have a little figure in the wood.

 

[TTundra]

I shoot a Franchi Instinct SL in 16 gauge almost exclusively during upland season. This will be my 3rd season with it and I have been extremely happy. Only days it's not carried is when it's extremely wet.

For a production gun as long as it fits, it's a great choice. My brother bought a 12 gauge Instinct SL the day after our first hunt in the '22 season after seeing and handling mine. Great working gun IMHO.

 

[BeeMaa]

@MontanaPat - Why does it HAVE to be a 16 bore instead of a 12 or 20? Do you have a stockpile of of those shells or maybe prefer lighter than 12 bore recoil?

I don’t have any issue with your choice. After all, it’s your decision. Just wondering.

 

[TTundra]

@MontanaPat - Why does it HAVE to be a 16 bore instead of a 12 or 20? Do you have a stockpile of of those shells or maybe prefer lighter than 12 bore recoil?

I don’t have any issue with your choice. After all, it’s your decision. Just wondering.

Because 16 is for the cool kids...

 

[BeeMaa]

Because 16 is for the cool kids...

By all accounts, 28 bore is for the cool kids while the 16 is Jan Brady caught between the 12 and 20.

 

[Altitude sickness]

What about a used Fabarm. May find one near $2-3k

 

[fourfive8]

Had a Franchi O/U 20 ga many moons ago. Probably a predecessor model to the Instinct. For a standard grade factory gun absolutely no complaints. Fit me perfectly, light weight, well balanced. If they stayed with same geometry, I’m sure the current model would work equally well for me- I’m average build @ 6-3 195.

Anecdotally, that gun, with 3” #6 steel, fixed M&F barrels, yielded the highest percentage dove success I ever had on high, fast late season birds.

Nothing wrong with 16 ga other that occasionally short on ammo options. I grew up with and learned shotgun with old single shot 16.

 

[Dawg2019]

I have an Instinct in 20g and love it. It fits great and shoulders well. I shoot better with it than my Citori that cost much more. I would highly recommend it.

 

[amschind]

I bought an Instinct 12 for my stepdad and almost stole it. The thing that the Italians excel at is thin barrels: my Browning Cynergy feels like a poleaxe in comparison. I would also vote 12, having just spent plenty on an old 16 ga A5. For better or worse, the world standardized on 12 and 20; 16s and 28s are for rich guys or become safe queens. I bought two cases for my 16, one bismuth and one lead, and I'll probably die before consuming it all. In contrast, any time someone runs a sale on 12 Field loads it's a free for all, while Browning 3.5" loads push 1.5 oz of steel at 1500 FPS. A 16 carries like a 2 3/4" 20 and hits like a 2 3/4" 12, BUT 3.5" gives the 12 an insane spectrum. An ammo change turns your double from a low recoil all day clay popper into a FlaK gun.

 

[MontanaPat]

The Franchi Instinct Sideplate model in 16 ga is everything you could ever want for the low 2k price tag, its worth having a look. Been using Franchi guns for may years, very good value for the money. For what its worth, they are very Beretta 686 like, all the way down to the barrel selector button on the safety. It is a Beretta holdings company after all.......

Thanks, the instinct sideplate 16 gauge is the model I’ve been eyeing

 

[MontanaPat]

@MontanaPat - Why does it HAVE to be a 16 bore instead of a 12 or 20? Do you have a stockpile of of those shells or maybe prefer lighter than 12 bore recoil?

I don’t have any issue with your choice. After all, it’s your decision. Just wondering.

@BeeMaa I already have a Winchester 101 O/U in 12 Gauge and a Citori 425 O/U in 20 gauge. So not a need but a want, I like shooting the 16 gauge A5 I have. One of those itches!

 

[Firebird]

I own a Franchi o/u in 20 gauge and have an instinct slx 16 on order through scheels.
I like them better than beretta of which I have had several.
We USE our guns and I have zero complaints about my Franchi. Can’t wait to get the new one delivered!
I am currently using a browning 16 and my daughter has taken over the Franchi 20-hence adding another 16 to the family.

 

[MontanaPat]

I also have two 28 Gauges and two .410s, guess I just like playing with lots of different shotguns!

 

[Rickmt]

I have a Franchi instinct O/U in 20 and 12. Their aluminum receiver is a big part of why they are so light. 20 is for Huns and quail and grouse. 12 I use for pheasant.
I think mine are 12 years old and work great.

 

[amschind]

I have a Franchi instinct O/U in 20 and 12. Their aluminum receiver is a big part of why they are so light. 20 is for Huns and quail and grouse. 12 I use for pheasant.
I think mine are 12 years old and work great.

The Aluminum receiver helps, but the barrels are also much thinner than a Browning. I point this out because there are aluminum receiver Cynergy shotguns that are still much heavier than Instinct shotguns.

 

[Wyfox]

I personally believe the B. Rizzini is the best double gun for the money. Fit and finish is fantastic and the BR110 action is solid and well proven. Whether it's a $2,500 model or a $22,000 model the internals are completely the same. The Rizzini is built on a true 16 bore frame. My #1 bird gun is a 28" 28ga Rizzini that comes in under 6lbs.

I would recommend finding somewhere where you can handle both and make a decision.