Good condition (80%-85% or better, IMO), FIE import stamp, black receiver with polished sides, skeet fixed choke on 24" or 26" barrel, no scratches or dents on furniture and only minor finish thinning on the edges of the metal.
Being a sucker for a long recoil action, I like it (despite having the bolt release on the wrong side of the receiver) and think it'd make a dandy field gun. :) This sounds like a decent deal to me - what say y'all?
If you enjoyed reading about "Found a Franchi 48AL 20ga for $400 - should I buy it?" here in TheHighRoad.org archive, you'll LOVE our community. Come join TheHighRoad.org today for the full version!
Virginian
July 31, 2009, 12:27 AM
I don't like long recoil actions, but if you do, the Franchi is a much better handling gun to me that the Browning Auto 5s. Very dependable. I would say that's a good price, not a great price. Go for it.
Snarlingiron
July 31, 2009, 12:31 AM
I got to shoot one of those once at the skeet range. Very nice.
I don't really know about the value, but if I found one for that price I would be very tempted.
earlthegoat2
July 31, 2009, 10:43 AM
I would buy it at that price. Like was said it is a good price not a great price. They dont come up for sale horribly often (any 20 gauge auto dosnt come up for sale that often for that matter).
ArmedBear
July 31, 2009, 12:10 PM
Rib or no?
rbernie
July 31, 2009, 12:16 PM
Rib.
Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow
July 31, 2009, 12:29 PM
I just paid $700 plus for a new one, so I'd say yes, definitely, particularly if you do a lot of close-in upland bird hunting and favor semis over double guns. What could be better for stuff like quail than that one?
The 20s come in regular and "short" stock lengths - which is this one? Is the bbl 24 or 26"?
rbernie, could you please explain why you like the long recoil action?
Virginian, could you please explain why you don't?
ArmedBear
July 31, 2009, 01:21 PM
$400 for a ribbed one isn't bad.
Around here, 20 Gauge anything seems somewhat scarce. Seems like people hang onto them.
rbernie
July 31, 2009, 01:27 PM
Regular stock length. Dunno about the barrels - I didn't get to measure them but they looked a bit short.
I like the long recoil action because I have been schooled on anecdotal stories that lead me to believe that they are among the most durable autoloading designs available. My range shotgun sees 125-150 rounds per weekend through it, and for some time now it's been a 1936 Auto5 that still works like a freakin' champ. Gotta love that.
They point fine for me, I don't find the balance bad at all, and in generally they really just 'speak' to me.
ArmedBear
July 31, 2009, 01:39 PM
WRT pointing, IMO the Franchi 48 balances and swings very well, especially for a gun that's so light!
The special lightweight Benellis that compare to it do not. They're butt-heavy, since it seems that the extra weight comes out of the magazine and foreend.
kentucky_smith
July 31, 2009, 01:48 PM
Great guns, especially in 20.
Cougfan2
July 31, 2009, 01:57 PM
Sounds like a dandy quail gun. Would be nice for Chukars out here in the West too.
RetiredLawman
July 31, 2009, 02:09 PM
Buy it and you will have something to play with all your days. I love mine and wouldn't take $400 for it. Of course, it is only 50 years old and has never given a problem of any kind. I also have a 20 gauge that is much newer that I use for upland hunting.
Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow
July 31, 2009, 02:44 PM
and for some time now it's been a 1936 Auto5 that still works like a freakin' champ. Gotta love that. :eek: Yes. Yes, you do.
DaleCooper51
July 31, 2009, 03:33 PM
Saw a new Al 48 in 28ga today for $799. If it's in good shape and you're looking for an upland gun, then give it a shot. The thing I noticed on the one today was the barrel was marked made in Italy, while the receiver was marked made in Spain.
ArmedBear
July 31, 2009, 04:00 PM
How light was it? Did it feel okay in the hands?
I think the 28 might even be TOO light.:)
rbernie
July 31, 2009, 07:37 PM
Well, I put it on layaway.
kentucky_smith
July 31, 2009, 08:15 PM
I think the 28 might even be TOO light
They're the same weight.
Virginian
July 31, 2009, 11:08 PM
I do not like the feeling that the gun is flying apart every time I shoot it. Also, they do not reduce kick nearly as much as a gas gun in my opinion - contrary to the Benelli owner's "fit determines kick" latest line. One of my earliest guns was a Browning Auto 5 in 20 gauge. That was my last long recoil action. I have had zero reliability issues with Remington gas semiautos for 46 years in all kinds of conditions.
I don't fault the guys who like recoil guns; to each their own.
bearmgc
August 1, 2009, 02:41 AM
Yes.
Tijeras_Slim
August 1, 2009, 10:58 AM
I have one in 28 and it is a great gun. Very light and dependable, even cycled with some reloads I made that had "love handles" above the brass. Only gripe is that the trigger is a bit rough.
Dave McCracken
August 4, 2009, 11:09 PM
Call me crazy, but an AL48 in 20 gauge strikes me as the best quail gun under a couple grand around.
Durable, light, and a good pointer.
Downside, kicks a bit more than I'd want in a clays gun, and it's so light that one HAS to work a bit to keep it moving. Great for close, fast work, not a 45 yard clay crusher.
For me, I'd need a bit more stock than standard, and a premium pad on a 5 lb something gun is nigh mandatory.
$400 strikes me as a "Great if you want one" price.
Enjoy.
If you enjoyed reading about "Found a Franchi 48AL 20ga for $400 - should I buy it?" here in TheHighRoad.org archive, you'll LOVE our community. Come join TheHighRoad.org today for the full version!
