Franchi mod. 612

[MikeSmith31]

Hey everybody, I am considering getting another shotgun for grouse hunting. Im looking at a Franchi 612 in 20 ga. and was wondering if any of you have ever used a Franchi, and will a 20 ga. be enough gun to penetrate the rough brush of Eastern Kentucky. I have always used a 12 ga. o/u in the past to hunt grouse and it has served me well, but I think it would be nice to have that third shot that a semi-auto will offer. It really stinks when after you have walked your butt off and you finally get a descent shot at a bird you miss with both barrels. As you can tell I am not a very good shot and my dogs can vouch for that.[:I] Any suggengions or comments would be greatly appreciated. One other thing, I really like the lightness of the Franchi, it weight a little over 6 pounds in the 20 ga.



Mike Smith

[grousegunner]

Mike,

I use a franchi & love it. mine is an old 48al in 20 ga. with a 22 inch barrel. I usually shoot an open cyl. or skeet with a 1 oz. load of 71/2 or 6 shot & that seems to be plenty of medicine. If birds arn't holding worth a darn anything other than a howitzer seems to be worthless. If your buying a new franchi I would reccomend you go with the newer gas operated models. mine is recoil operated & the recoil is considerably more noticable than a gas operated shotgun. another gun I would reccomend you take a look at is a benelli montefeltro.there mighty sweet feeling. I've got a buddy that shoots one & loves it as well, but you can't go wrong with the franchi. I'd go with the shortest barrel I could get,(24in.) they point alot better in my opinion & handle alot better in the tangley stuff. hope this info helps....Grousegunner

[MikeSmith31]

Grousegunner, Thanks for the advice, the Franchi that I am looking at is the 612 which is a combination gas and recoil operated. I have considered the Montefeltro but have heard alot of people complaining of the felt recoil. I am also looking at the Beretta Urika, which looks like a very nice gun. I hope to get make my choice very soon so I can shoot some skeet and get the feel of it before grouse season opens up. Do you know of a place a man can get a good deal on one of these types of guns.


Mike Smith

[.300Savage]

Try www.auctionarms.com. There are always good deals there.



Rocco

[grousegunner]

try Bud's gun Shop here in lexington. 859-389-8831. there prices are about the best I've found.

[rouge]

i have a vs 612 in the 12ga and love it. its a all purpose gun. i got mine when they first came out in 97 in alabama, black synthetic for 649$. wouldnt trade it for notin.