How do I tell what choke my Franchi 48AL has?

[1KPerDay]

12 gauge. Fixed choke. Non-vent-rib, 28-inch barrel (though I'd like to find a VR in Modified or interchangeable chokes in 26-inch... think anyone will have one?)

I took the barrel off the gun last night and looked closely at the markings on the bottom of the barrel... and I can't see any obvious marks that would determine the choke size. There are a lot of "finito" proof marks and other stuff but I don't know what the choke would be in italian. And no, I don't have a set of inside calipers. Any home remedies for determining choke size?:D

[oneounceload]

Have you patterned the gun yet? If so, what did it show you?

[MCgunner]

Tried the dime test? You can tell with a dime. If it won't go in it's full or turkey or some tight choke, if it almost or barely fits in, it's mod, if it'll rattle around in there, it's more open, IC, Skeet or something. Crude, but effective. :D

[EShell]

Because choke constriction is relative to actual bore diameter, the pattern test is the only real story, regardless of what's stamped on the barrel.

That said, the newer Franchi 48AL barrels are marked on the right side of the barrel with the name of the choke designation. Older models use a series of stars on the underside to identify fixed choke.

I have two 48ALs and several extra barrels, but they're in back of the safe and it's getting kinda late to start dragging that stuff out tonight.

IIRC:
* = Full
** = Improved Modified
*** = Modified
**** = Improved Cylinder

ETA: Verified/corrected/link added: See "Italian" column: http://www.griffinhowe.com/choke_chart.cfm

[1KPerDay]

THANK YOU.

Mine has three stars. And a dime slips in but it doesn't have any room to move around. So I guess MCgunner's method is pretty accurate also. :D

Thanks again... mind telling me where you got your spare barrels from? Are yours 12 or 20 gauge?Lovely guns, aren't they? Best deal around... last 12 gauge 48AL I saw listed was for about $350-$400. People are paying $1200 for Benellis that weigh more. LOL


Also I don't have a manual... is there an official directive on reversing the spring spacer on the mag tube for heavier/light loads? Mine has the spring, a silver spacer with the bevel on the lower edge, then a thick brass bushing with a smaller black bushing around it... is that right?

[EShell]

I had picked up extra "Franchi" barrels from several sources, mostly opportunistic buys at various gun shows or sporting goods stores. If you find one that takes "Fran-Choke" tubes, IIRC they also fit Benelli choke tubes.

FWIW, Hastings makes a nice replaceable choke barrel that is all I ever needed, but I didn't find that until I had bought some fixed choke options. Hastings also makes a fully rifled iron-sighted slug barrel that works great.

Both of mine are 2-3/4" 12 gauges, one is set up with the 24" Hastings choke-tube barrel for birds, the other sports the rifled barrel. They don't make a cantilevered slug barrel, due to the long recoil action and large amount of reciprocating mass.

I'm still kicking myself for not buying a 3" 12 I saw at a shop once, and a 20 gauge I played with at a gun show. The 20 is REALLY sweet and would be a beautiful gun for early doves, quail & grouse.

ETA, I'll have to look for a manual and/or look at the guns for setting the friction rings system.

[machinisttx]

IIRC, Numrich gun parts corp had some Fran-Choke 48AL barrels not too long ago.

[1KPerDay]

I'll have to look for a manual and/or look at the guns for setting the friction rings system.
I'd appreciate it. :)

IIRC, Numrich gun parts corp had some Fran-Choke 48AL barrels not too long ago.Don't see any there now... BTW how do I tell if I have a "late model"?


eShell, I can't see anything for Franchis on the hastings site either...
http://www.hastingsbarrels.com/12guide.html

[Virginian]

Try:
http://www.corsonsbarrels.com/

[1KPerDay]

Thanks... looks like they only have the Xtra Full in vent rib, but I'll keep my eye on that site. :cool:

[EShell]

I found the friction ring setup in the manual.

The tube should always be lightly oiled. The spring always goes on first and seats down against the receiver. IIRC, the Browning A-5 stores the governor under the spring during light load use, but not the Franchi 48AL.

The "governor" is the steel ring with an internal bevel cut on one side, with the other side flat.

For light loads: The beveled side of the governor goes against the end of the spring. The bronze friction ring, with it's steel tension sleeve, sits against the flat side of the governor. This setting provides minimum friction.

For heavy loads: The flat side of the governor goes against the end of the spring. The bronze friction ring, with it's steel tension sleeve, has a "male" beveled edge that goes into the "female" beveled side of the governor. This setting provides maximum friction by wedging the friction ring tightly against the tube during recoil.

FYI: According to the manual, 2-3/4" magnums can be fired in the standard 2-3/4" gun in the "heavy load" setting, but this will create "unusual recoil and wear". They sell a "magnum" recoil spring and this is recommended if one plans to shoot a lot of 2-3/4" mags. The (12 ga) magnum spring part number is 12-117M.


ETA: Hasting must have discontinued barrels for the 48 AL. I know they offered them at one time, because I have both a 24" WadLock choke tube model and the fully rifled slug barrel. You may be able to find one used, or Hastings may have a couple left around that they didn't bother cataloging. They might also be able to put you onto a distributor who may have stocked these at one time and could have some left. FWIW - IIRC, I bought mine through Cabelas way back when . . .

[1KPerDay]

thank you thank you thank you. :cool:

[msgttbar]

Wanna know when it was made? These ID's will be on the frame and barrel and may not be the same year for both. My barrel was made in 1974 and the frame in 1975.

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa251/msgttbar/Manufacture_Dates.jpg

By the way, these older AL48's are worth more than you think. In 95% or better, think $700 and up.
If it is chambered for 3", add 50%.
IMHO this is the best upland game auto made. Not for skeet or trap though, strictly a hunting shotgun.

[EShell]

IMHO this is the best upland game auto made. Not for skeet or trap though, strictly a hunting shotgun.Agreed. I was given my first one at about age 12 and it has been a GREAT hunting shotgun. It fit me so well and was so quick to point, when I had the opportunity to buy a "spare", I felt compelled. The second one is definitely newer, but is about the same gun with a slightly lesser level of finish. I'll have to look at the first one and compare it to the chart you've posted. IIRC, it was purchased new in '69.