biakalblaster Posted October 29, 2006 Report Share Posted October 29, 2006 I have been looking for a sem-auto 12g for pigeon shooting, I have found a second-hand Franchi 3-shot 12g semi auto, 1/2-choke it looks like its been used a fair bit. it cycles well and is going for £90 would this be a good buy? to get me started on a semi-auto? currently use a £50 biakal s/s, full and 1/2 choke I have no idea what model the franchi is, cant see a model number on it.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Posted October 29, 2006 Report Share Posted October 29, 2006 Try it out first if you can, check barrels inside out for pitting ect. If it keeps jamming, hand it back. If it cycles everytime, on most carts, worth keeping Frank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted October 29, 2006 Report Share Posted October 29, 2006 Walk away. A Franchi auto at £90 is £80 too dear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biakalblaster Posted October 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 Walk away. A Franchi auto at £90 is £80 too dear. ? £10 shotgun - I doubt it! no pitting in barrel, if it takes the pigeons out of sky i will take it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 Walk away. A Franchi auto at £90 is £80 too dear. A bit HARSH isn't it!! Have you even owned one? I have owned 2 of them and to be honest i think they were cracking guns for their money. They were nice and lightweight recoil operated hit what i aimed for and shot straight. One sold for £180 the other sold for £120 The £120 one has a damaged stock so i would say your £10 gun argument is a little harsh to say the least. As with all guns check the barrel lining for pitting and the stock for cracks. Also when the barrel is in place and you have the forend screwed down with the cap take hold of the barrel and the stock and try flexing the barrel (your looking for wear) if the barrel flexes where it slots into the receiver leave it well be as it's worn out. Recoil operated guns may take a bit of getting used to but they are fine Also as always TRY and get the price brought down depending on condition. LG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 Lord Geordie - sadly I have owned two. First was recoil operated, which bounced around on my shoulder, in a demented fashion. A bit off-putting. Second was a gasser, but was ultra fussy about which shells it would cycle. Compression cases were okay, but parallel tubes invited a jam. Also owned a Franchi Barrage Trap - the worst over / under I ever owned. If I have been unlucky - so be it. Fabarm was best put together auto I owned - I have had at least 12 autos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 I would say you HAVE been unlucky I have owned around 9 Semi Autos the best of which was the Browning but as said the 2 Franchis were BOTH the al-48s and i have had NO trouble with either and BOTH were used extensivley for Clays without a jam or misfire in sight. The WORST gun I had to date was a Winchester the brass on the cartridges expanded jamming the cartridges into the chamber and they needed rodding out :blink: In all i have had over 18 shotguns and only 1 was a total waste of time and that was the Winchester. All the others have been gems (inc the Baikals) Reguards LG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biakalblaster Posted October 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 Mr Geordie when you say "Also when the barrel is in place and you have the forend screwed down with the cap take hold of the barrel and the stock and try flexing the barrel (your looking for wear) if the barrel flexes where it slots into the receiver leave it well be as it's worn out. " is this twisting flex or side/side and up/down movement ? there is a bit of lateral twist movement in the wooden forend, about 0.5mm movement when twisting this relative to stock i didnt look at barrel movement relative to stock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wol the hunter Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 Walk away. A Franchi auto at £90 is £80 too dear. take no notice of comments like this.franchi is made by berreta,and are very very good guns.my franchi semi looks the part in realtree camo and has fired to date atleast 15000 shells,its got wet been in mud and still as good now than ever,however at that price there must be somthing wrong with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greener Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 The AL48 has been produced by Franchi since the early sixties, it went out of production some 4 years ago. So the price does not reflect it's worth. It may be a worthy buy for pigeons. It's disadvantages are cycling consistently 30grms and lower loads. Typical pigeon loads I think. Shoot 32grms and you are ok. But if you have a good day, prepare yourself for a bruised shoulder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 Lord Geordie - I hear what you say - maybe I was unlucky. The £10 was tongue in cheek, but I still would not buy the auto. Wol "take no notice of comments like this.franchi is made by berreta,and are very very good guns.my franchi semi looks the part in realtree camo and has fired to date atleast 15000 shells,its got wet been in mud and still as good now than ever,however at that price there must be somthing wrong with it". Wol - Beretta only took over Franchi in the last couple of years, so your auto will be a newer model, benefitting from Beretta's input. Beretta make very good autos. This auto is clearly one of the older ones at that price. My advice would remain the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 Mr Geordie when you say "Also when the barrel is in place and you have the forend screwed down with the cap take hold of the barrel and the stock and try flexing the barrel (your looking for wear) if the barrel flexes where it slots into the receiver leave it well be as it's worn out. " is this twisting flex or side/side and up/down movement ? there is a bit of lateral twist movement in the wooden forend, about 0.5mm movement when twisting this relative to stock i didnt look at barrel movement relative to stock You should look for any movement from side to side or top to bottom. Twist should ALSO be nominal but a small amount of twist in the forend wood as mentioned should be fine as long as the barrel it's self does not twistmore than JUST noticable. If it's loose side to side or top to bottom then where the barrel slots into the reciiver is wearing or worn. Though the barrel isn't going to fall out "it's held in with the forend and screwcap" it will cause trouble when cycling and CAN become dangerous. If in doubt don't buy it it's a simple strategy :blink: LG The AL48 has been produced by Franchi since the early sixties, it went out of production some 4 years ago. So the price does not reflect it's worth. It may be a worthy buy for pigeons. It's disadvantages are cycling consistently 30grms and lower loads. Typical pigeon loads I think. Shoot 32grms and you are ok. But if you have a good day, prepare yourself for a bruised shoulder. Greener My AL-48 shot 28G shells without fault. I know when i got it the guy thought it was broken as it wouldn't cycle 28s The Rings were set up for heavy cartridges i simply turned them round and it was tickety boo :blink: LG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
08shooter Posted October 31, 2006 Report Share Posted October 31, 2006 have had 2 712s no probs and also shoot a x2 winchester love them all with no probs to date Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveK Posted October 31, 2006 Report Share Posted October 31, 2006 Check to see if there's a pin throught the trigger mechanism that holds it it place. If there is make sure it's tight. I lost such a pin and, obviously, it cost me to get it fixed. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biakalblaster Posted November 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2006 thanks for all the advice people - invaluable for me. I have had another look at the gun. I found that when i pulled and locked back the ejector/loading slot lever on side. and left it locked back, this took spring tension off barrell etc and I then found that there is play in the barrell relative to reciever - up/down and side/side. I also noticed that there IS some pitting in the barrel at breech end. so I think this one is a no-go, as its near end of its usefull life. out of interest with regard to your comment LG >> "Though the barrel isn't going to fall out "it's held in with the forend and screwcap" it will cause trouble when cycling and CAN become dangerous." I understand the cycling problem - as due to the loosness the metal runners on barrell may not slide smoothly in slots on reciever, but in what way CAN this be dangerous? But, the experience of getting advice on this forum, and therefore having an idea of what to check has been very usefull and I now know what to check on other guns I look at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted November 1, 2006 Report Share Posted November 1, 2006 If the receiver becomes worn then the barrel support ring can chatter along the Mag tube and may wear through the tube OR the receiver may fail if it's walls are worn thin as it's only Aluminium on the AL-48s Any Gun (shotgun rifle or hand gun) out of tolerance (worn) can become dangerous. If you say there is Lateral movement just walk away and leave it. There are HEAPS of cheap semis about. Bennelli Baikal Escort A lot can be found for around £200 to £300 in very good nick or brand new. LG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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