Franchi Affinity 3 Compact vs Benelli M2 Compact

[TalknTurkey]

I've narrowed my next turkey gun down to these two options. On paper, these two guns are almost identical and from my understanding come out of the same factory. I've done as much research and read through as many previous threads I can find.

The Franchi is already drilled/tapped and has oversized bolt controls. The only advantage to the M2 seems to be the comfortech stock resulting in less recoil. The only other discernible difference I've come across is the location of the recoil spring is in the stock for the M2 vs over the mag tube on the Affinity which makes them balance differently, and apparently is also a pain to get to on the M2.

Other feedback it seems I've read a lot of complaints of the M2 having a heavy trigger and not shooting POA (won't really matter since I plan to use an optic). I've also read you have to be careful when drilling/tapping because of how thin the receiver is.

Initially I had planned on getting the M2, but after doing more research, there seem to be more advantages to the Affinity. Before I pull the trigger, I just wanted to ask if there's anything I've missed that makes the M2 a better gun than the Affinity? I've not found a single reason from all my research other than the "Benelli reputation" and people claim it is "better quality", but I've yet to find any explanation in terms of what exactly that quality difference is. To be clear, budget is not a limiting factor in my decision, I am willing to spend for an M2, I'm just having a difficult time seeing what advantages it offers over the Affinity.

[Red vyper]

IMHO I would spend a little extra cash and buy the new SBE 3
Not sure tho if it's tapped for a rail
I had a Franchi 12 that kicked like a mule and Buddy has the 20 version and it bites too with mag loads

[twyatt]

I just went through this and opted for the M2.  Not for any real particular reason, and I went through everything you described when looking at the differences.   It didn't really help that my local store had the M2 in stock and not the Affinity, or I may have gone the other way, hard to say.
The Affinity is drilled and tapped, which is nice, but I read a few stories on here about it being finicky with not ejecting some shells, I can't remember exactly what they were.
In the end I think I just trusted Benelli more.  I own 3 and they've all performed flawlessly.  Yes, the trigger is not the greatest, but I just personally feel more comfortable with Benelli's from owning a bunch.   I'm sure the Franchi is a great gun and you'd be just as happy with it.
I plan on sending mine to Rob Roberts this summer to get drilled and tapped and have the trigger worked.   Ultimately it'll cost me a lot more than the Franchi, but the M2 was in stock and again, as a long time Benelli owner already, I'm just comfortable with them and trust them.   I also don't care about POI as I will be putting a red dot on it.  I don't think you can go wrong either way.

[Trkmaster88]

I have a m2 20 compact that I had dipped & cerakoted. Added a compact Mesa Tactical pistol grip and drilled/tapped myself for the 336 base with a Vortex Venom on top. It's a sweet rig but I also own a 12 and 20 Franchi Affinity for waterfowl. Same triggers on the Benelli's and Franchi's. Everything interchanges. I have polished the sear/hammers on all three and swapped out the trigger springs. I like the recoil spring around the mag tube on the Franchi's for easy access and cleaning. Recoil is no better or worse on the Benelli vs the Franchi and the 12ga isn't even bad. My Benelli comfortech stock rubbers and pad were garbage wearing like crazy with little use. POI was off on the Benelli and spot on with my two Franchi's. If there was a compact pistol grip that fit the Franchi, I'd consider replacing the m2.

[Greg Massey]

I have a m2 20 compact that I had dipped & cerakoted. Added a compact Mesa Tactical pistol grip and drilled/tapped myself for the 336 base with a Vortex Venom on top. It's a sweet rig but I also own a 12 and 20 Franchi Affinity for waterfowl. Same triggers on the Benelli's and Franchi's. Everything interchanges. I have polished the sear/hammers on all three and swapped out the trigger springs. I like the recoil spring around the mag tube on the Franchi's for easy access and cleaning. Recoil is no better or worse on the Benelli vs the Franchi and the 12ga isn't even bad. My Benelli comfortech stock rubbers and pad were garbage wearing like crazy with little use. POI was off on the Benelli and spot on with my two Franchi's. If there was a compact pistol grip that fit the Franchi, I'd consider replacing the m2.

X2 i have the Benelli, but i like the Franchi better ...

[TalknTurkey]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the feedback. I have read from a lot of people that they just had to shoulder them and one or the other just seemed to fit them better. Unfortunately, I've not been able to track down any gun shops around me that have them. The closest shop I've found that has either is a place 4.5 hours away that only has the Franchi.

At this point, I'm strongly leaning towards the Franchi. I've got a son that'll be 5 this year and all he's been talking about is wanting to go turkey hunting. I'll likely start him out in a few years with a .410, but thinking down the road I could eventually pass the Franchi down to him. The LOP goes shorter on it than the M2 so it would make it ideal for his upgrade from a .410 once he gets older.

I was curious about being able to put a pistol grip on the Franchi stock. I found some older threads where it seems like a couple guys were able to do some mods to make one fit, but didn't find any details on what exactly they did to make it work.

[SCSWAMP]

They make the franchi affinity 3 with a pistol grip now and it is the same as the compact I believe. I just ordered one in a 20 ga. I will report back once I get it. I found mine on sportsman warehouse for $850 which is a good bit cheaper than 2 of my local dealers quoted and they were expecting at least 6 months to get one.

[TalknTurkey]

They make the franchi affinity 3 with a pistol grip now and it is the same as the compact I believe. I just ordered one in a 20 ga. I will report back once I get it. I found mine on sportsman warehouse for $850 which is a good bit cheaper than 2 of my local dealers quoted and they were expecting at least 6 months to get one.

The stock on the Elite turkey with the pistol grip is different than the other Affinity's. Here's a picture of the turkey and compact side by side. With the different design of the stocks, I don't think that pistol grip would fit just by looking at it. I've also not seen the pistol grips sold separately anywhere.

[Greg Massey]

They make the franchi affinity 3 with a pistol grip now and it is the same as the compact I believe. I just ordered one in a 20 ga. I will report back once I get it. I found mine on sportsman warehouse for $850 which is a good bit cheaper than 2 of my local dealers quoted and they were expecting at least 6 months to get one.

The one i just bought was 125 mile road trip to buy the gun from a dealer. I bought the new Franchi Affinity Elite 3 - 20 ga.. I was beginning to think i wasn't going to find one in my area. 

[TalknTurkey]

IMHO I would spend a little extra cash and buy the new SBE 3
Not sure tho if it's tapped for a rail
I had a Franchi 12 that kicked like a mule and Buddy has the 20 version and it bites too with mag loads

The reason I narrowed it down to these two options is due to the 24" barrel and shorter LOP. The shortest barrel length option for the SBE3 20ga is 26", and it's not offered in a compact version. I have a shorter LOP so I need one with the shorter stock or adjustable to allow it to go shorter than standard length.

[Roost 1]

Another vote for the affinity

[Tuffonturkeys]

I just bought the franchi affinity 3 compact. My thinking is eventually benelli is gonna hafta make a compact/youth model in the sbe3.. I hope and didn't want to pay alot more for the m2 and then have that happen in the near future. I love it just got it the other day bought a sumtoy mount for it and got a couple chokes on the way.. gonna put a ff3 on it and dip it before next season.

[Greg Massey]

I just bought the franchi affinity 3 compact. My thinking is eventually benelli is gonna hafta make a compact/youth model in the sbe3.. I hope and didn't want to pay alot more for the m2 and then have that happen in the near future. I love it just got it the other day bought a sumtoy mount for it and got a couple chokes on the way.. gonna put a ff3 on it and dip it before next season.

Awesome , congrats on your new gun..

[DUCKDIGGLER]

For a turkey gun.....I went with the Affinity Compact and would do it again all over. Gun patterns awesome with a Sumtoy and TSS #7s (9's aren't legal here). I threw a Scalarworks mount and a Trijicon RMR on it and have it dipped in MOGL.....gun is light...short....shoots amazing and looks damn sweet. I'm 6 feet tall and the shorter LOP works awesome when tucked up against a tree.

[DUCKDIGGLER]

Here she is.....






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