Franchi I 12

[Rockdog]

Hey all. Anybody here have an opinion of the Franchi I 12? I'm considering one for bunny hunting,and would like a little input. Thanks,Rockdog.

[James E. Whisman]

I own one and have never shot it....I plan on it though. I will let you know my opinions. I know mine is imported by Benelli, feels good, I would say it's a dandy for rabbit hunting as it is light as a feather.

Buddy Jude on here used to own one he could tell you a little about it.

[rock pushin rabbit hunter]

HAD an I-12.Hated it.It was the diamond model.Heavier than the old Franchi's.In my opinion if I was going to go with a Franchi I would get the old AL-48.I've hunted with both and the old ones are a far better shooting gun and feel alot better and point faster.12 or 20,they both do a good job.Before you spend the big bucks on a Franchi,pick up a Charles Daly 20 gauge.They are SWEET.

[barnold1]

I'd go for the 620 if you can find one; my favorite rabbit gun.

[Rockdog]

The more I read about the i12 the last week or so the more I'm doubting the quality. You see,a friend of mine picked one up for waterfowling last fall. He had been after me to take it home and shoot it before I make my next shotgun purchase. So, I did. I loved the feel and fit of the thing. Off to the back yard I go to try this thing out. It performed beautifully. I was shooting 1 oz Remmy junk. Cheap Dicks ammo I found on sale. This was before I knew they don't reccommend anything under 1 1/8 oz. It rattle them off as fast as I could stroke the trigger. Splattered a hand thrown can of pop with the first shot to boot. Then I read up on the thing and come to find it has a reputation of throwing the bolt handle, and feeding problems in general. Now I'm a little edgy about spending the fun money on a lemon. I looked at a 48 Al (?) I believe last Sun. I'm thinking it said it was made in spain. Is that correct? Nice feeling gun,but the wood to metal was pretty shabby. What is the story with the 720? It looks like a fine shooting iron on the web. I haven't handled one yet. Are they Italian made? I guess I should just go with the old faithful 11-87 20ga and forget all this. I did like how the i12 felt though. Decisions decisions.

[Ky. Hunter]

In my opinion if I was going to go with a Franchi I would get the old AL-48.I've hunted with both and the old ones are a far better shooting gun and feel alot better and point faster.12 or 20,they both do a good job.Before you spend the big bucks on a Franchi,pick up a Charles Daly 20 gauge.They are SWEET."

I have to go along with rock pushin rabbit hunter on this. I have hunted with a Franchi AL-48 for the last 4 years but near the last of this years hunting season I got a good deal on a Charles Daly 20 guage and I love it and it is almost as light as my Franchi AL-48. I have never shot the Franchi I 12 so I can't tell you anything about it.

[barnold1]

720 is pretty much the same as my 620, with a modern shaped receiver (as opposed to my 620's humpback). My 620 was purchased in '04 I believe and it's made in Italy.

My brother inlaw has the I-12 and I haven't heard of any problems experienced (I think Franchi is a dang good gun for the money). But personally, I think any 12 gauge is overkill for rabbits.

[Rockdog]

I'm inclined to agree with the 12 being a bit much for bunnies. Unless there are turkey on the agenda anyway. What would be a fair price for the 720 should I find one someplace?

[Valpoguy]

There's little difference with a 1oz load of shot be it 12ga.,20ga., or 28ga. You can load up or down, if the load is the same and the velocity is the same, there is no difference at all. Granted a 12ga. gun will usually weigh more, but if you're a 1 gun hunter, it is very versatal, especially if you reload.

[barnold1]

Valpoguy,

Just from my personal experience, when we go to skinning the rabbits, there's enough difference to tell which were shot with the 12 (7 1/2 or 8 shot) and the 20 (with 5 or 6).

[Valpoguy]

a 1oz load of 71/2 will have more pellets than a 1oz load of 6's The load of 71/2s will have a denser pattern.

[Rockdog]

Well,I was at the areas largest gun shop yesterday. Still nothing. I gotta stop reading gun reviews I guess. Handled another i12 in 24". It was $699.00, and I was still concerned about the reviews. They handed me a Beretta 3901 for comparrison. I liked it also,but I saw reviews similar to the i12 concerning extraction problems with it too. Has it come to this? There are no quality afordable semi-autos to be had? Do we have to spend $1500.00 or more for peace of mind with our sporting arm purchase? Even the trusty 11-87 is in excess of $850.00.I'm just not sold on the whole Turkish firearm scene. Not serriously ranting here by the way,jut a good natured vent. I'm off to a Gander Mtn today. Maybe I'll drop the hammer on a bunny buster today. Anyone have a nice used and proven rabbit whacker for sale?

[Rockdog]

Did it. The Gander sold me another shootin' iron today. I was just minding my own business,eyeing up the goods on the shotty rack,when this very nice 870 20ga tapped me on the shoulder. She is a purdy little thing. The price was right so I dropped the hammer and bought her. Lots of figure in the wood and typical 870 smoothness. At $499.99 I couldn't resist. Hmmm,that leaves just enough fun money for a huntin' buddy.

[rock pushin rabbit hunter]

Nice choice.Can't beat the reliabilty.