Franchi 48 al
- Thread starter moellermd
- Start date
onpoint
Active member
I had a 20ga. The only draw back was the 2.75" chamber. Back then they were something like $500.00. Now they are rivaling a nice used Benelli Montefeltro and it will shoot 3" shell's. If you can get one for around $500.00 it may be a good choice for a light fast swinging auto.
jnormanh
New member
I shot one of them in 20 ga for a good while. Light weight and good handling. In the end I didn't like the "double-shuffle" long recoil action, which is essentially the same as the Browning A5/ Rem 11/ Savage 550.
The one I shot had an aluminum receiver, and I wonder whether it will stand up like a steel one. I put maybe 1000 shells through mine and it was reliable for that long, which may be plenty for a hunting gun.
The one I shot had an aluminum receiver, and I wonder whether it will stand up like a steel one. I put maybe 1000 shells through mine and it was reliable for that long, which may be plenty for a hunting gun.
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tmrichardson
Banned
There are a large # of AL48's still in service after decades of use.
They don't make them in 12 gauge anymore, my understanding was there were a few problems with stocks cracking behind the receiver. I've seen one myself--what I don't know is whether they had the friction ring set up right. I think many people do it wrong.
You can occasionally find very reasonable priced used 12's on the market and I've been very sorely tempted by them a couple of times. Some nice 20's as well.
I have not found the recoil objectionable at all, but it is a bit different feel for some. Several kids have handled mine with no problems.
I have shot a good number of pheasants with my AL48 in 20, and it does the job if I take reasonable length shots. It's short chamber is a bit of a drawback for pheasants IMO but then I don't know if I'd want to shoot a 3" shell out of one either--they are very light guns.
If you'd get a 20 (again new 12's are no longer made) and use it primarily for pheasants--and can afford the extra $2-300--I'd look at a benelli monteltro instead. A bit more versatile with their longer chambers. Or one of the lightweight Beretta 391's, which would soak up a bit more recoil with their gas action.
Mine is one of the few guns in the safe I will never sell or trade--unless it's for another one of the same. They are really nice light trim guns, just about the perfect grouse/woodcock auto in my book.
They don't make them in 12 gauge anymore, my understanding was there were a few problems with stocks cracking behind the receiver. I've seen one myself--what I don't know is whether they had the friction ring set up right. I think many people do it wrong.
You can occasionally find very reasonable priced used 12's on the market and I've been very sorely tempted by them a couple of times. Some nice 20's as well.
I have not found the recoil objectionable at all, but it is a bit different feel for some. Several kids have handled mine with no problems.
I have shot a good number of pheasants with my AL48 in 20, and it does the job if I take reasonable length shots. It's short chamber is a bit of a drawback for pheasants IMO but then I don't know if I'd want to shoot a 3" shell out of one either--they are very light guns.
If you'd get a 20 (again new 12's are no longer made) and use it primarily for pheasants--and can afford the extra $2-300--I'd look at a benelli monteltro instead. A bit more versatile with their longer chambers. Or one of the lightweight Beretta 391's, which would soak up a bit more recoil with their gas action.
Mine is one of the few guns in the safe I will never sell or trade--unless it's for another one of the same. They are really nice light trim guns, just about the perfect grouse/woodcock auto in my book.
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. Just kidding; but actually the only time I notice it was when I borrowed it to shoot some clays for practice. I never notice recoil or barrel movement on a shot bird.