Franchi Shotgun, Unknown, Help Please

Slugs should be fine through the barrel. Usually the more open chokes are recommended for slugs, but tighter chokes should be safe. This topic actually seems to come up pretty regularly here. Do a search for "slugs + choke" or something like that and you will get a lot of hits.

As for them being safe in the gun, I don't know. I would guess that they would be fine, but wait for more knowledgeable people to answer that.

ETA: Does your barrel have any other markings on it? Like little marks towards the muzzle? Does it say anything at all on the barrel? There are guys here that are really familiar with that shotgun, and may be able to tell you what choke it is. Pics would be best.

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The only marks other than proof marks and number are the maker and city. The model (48AL) isn't marked anywhere on the gun. The fixed choke is identified only by the stars stamped on the bottom of the barrel near the breech.

I will most likely not even hunt with it though.

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That's a pity, that's what it's made for. Probably the most underrated upland gun out there IMO. Astoundingly light for a 12 gauge.

Slugs are fine... don't know why you'd want to shoot slugs through it though unless just for fun. They won't be fun.

stick to 2 3/4" until you are quite sure whether it's a magnum or not. Once you get the forend off you can take a look at the friction ring/s and post that info at the shotgunworld franchi forum and the experts will be able to tell you.

There's a way to flip the friction ring and spacer around and shoot lighter loads vs. heavier loads, but mine runs perfectly with game loads so I've left it alone.

If you're not going to fire it give it to me. I could use a backup.

BTW what break actions did you get?


You sure you're turning the cap to the left?

I found an old THR thread that says that would be a modified choke.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=4944082

One of the links in that thread was from Griffin & Howe (who make shotguns worth more than my car). http://www.griffinhowe.com/choke_chart.cfm

According to their chart, it is a modified.

I found an old THR thread that says that would be a modified choke.

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Yeah, that's where I learned that mine has the three stars/modified choke I mentioned in my post above.

Yeah, I saw it was your thread.

I didn't see that you mentioned what they meant, only that the stars represented the choke.

I'm a bit confused after my lab today, sorry. My brain is worn out, but I think I understand now.

Would you be going to a clays range for trap, skeet, or sporting clays? Well, even if just to shoot it into a dirt backstop, at a safe distance, you can use birdshot such as no. 7, 8, or 9. Be sure to check the chamber length and use shells that size or smaller. I suspect you'll be needing 2.5 or 2.75 inch long shells.

2 3/4" cheap wal-mart federal, remington, or winchester, about $22 for 100 is great target/blasting ammo.

Dunno what safe close spray means... but your fixed modified choke is good for hand thrown clays, IMO. Mine works fine. Hold it tight to your shoulder and get your head down on the stock. For me, the LOP is a bit short and it points high for me unless I really concentrate on getting my head down. I should put a recoil pad on it to fix the LOP but I'm lazy.. and it's nice to carry as is.

I don't know - depends on the range I would think. Do they allow birdshot, or slugs only? I have never shot at an indoor range, other than in the Army, so I don't have any ideas really.

I do recommend maybe trying to find an Isaac Walton or something like that around you. I think you would enjoy that gun a lot more shooting at some clays or hunting with it. If you can find a local trap or skeet range, I bet they have a new shooters day every now and then.