What are your thoughs on the new Franchi Insinct

[whackemstackem]

Hey all,
I am looking at buying a new over and under and have narrowed it down.  The only gun I don't have much knowledge on is the Franchi Instinct.  Just wanted to ask anyone who owns or has shot one, what their experience was in regards to sny shortcomings they have noticed?  It is a nice looking gun that isn't quite as spendy as some of the other well known manufacturers and should miss just as good as my last one

[CP]

I looked long and hard at them, fondled a few but ended up buying a CZ instead.  They are good looking guns, I would not mind owning one. 

[whackemstackem]

I was between the Mossberg Silver, Charles Daly and this one.  Somehow this one whispers sweet nothing into my ears when pull up so I am just trying to get over being a tightwad and buy the dang thing.  I still have a hard time splitting from the mantra that I don't need anything more than what works and I'm hoping the extra money buys gun quality not finish quality. 

[Stilly bay]

I was between the Mossberg Silver, Charles Daly and this one.  Somehow this one whispers sweet nothing into my ears when pull up so I am just trying to get over being a tightwad and buy the dang thing.  I still have a hard time splitting from the mantra that I don't need anything more than what works and I'm hoping the extra money buys gun quality not finish quality.

IMO they are a step down in quality and a step up in price from franchi's old line up. they are still a far *censored*e better than mossbergs O/U abomination. older charles dalys are damn fine guns, but keep in mind you might not be able to shoot steel out of them.

do your self a favor and buy a CZ O/U.

[thinkingman]

I chose to buy second-hand quality than retail offerings I didn't want to pay for.
I got a Citori White Lightning in mint condition for a few dollars more than I would pay for one of the guns mentioned by the OP.
I would shop the sites for SKB, Miroku, Browning, Weatherby, 1st gen Win 101, before dropping coin on a turkish (Savage, Remington, Huglu) offering.

[Glockster]

I just got the Instinct SL 20ga.....love it.  Have killt 5 grouse so far.  Beautiful gun for the money!

it is my first and last over under.

[whackemstackem]

Well I looked for a used over and under to no avail. I am going back to look at CZ's and the old and new Franchi.  I am leaning towards those two only because the length of pull fits me the best so far.  Going to try them today with a thick jacket on to see if I get very many hang ups.   I may just have a pic to post yet.

Thanks for all of the input so far.  I am now deciding if a 26 inch barrel is too short for a solid swing or not versus my usual 28?  Any experience using a 26 for qail and pheasant?

[Glockster]

Mine has the 26" barrels.  I wanted a shorter gun and lighter weight for the brush. 

I am still getting used to it and need to practice alot more before I can get as good as IM' used to.  It is definitely a lot "whippier" to point.  But I sure like the gun...just gotta practice more with it.

[Stilly bay]

Well I looked for a used over and under to no avail. I am going back to look at CZ's and the old and new Franchi.  I am leaning towards those two only because the length of pull fits me the best so far.  Going to try them today with a thick jacket on to see if I get very many hang ups.   I may just have a pic to post yet.

Thanks for all of the input so far.  I am now deciding if a 26 inch barrel is too short for a solid swing or not versus my usual 28?  Any experience using a 26 for qail and pheasant?

if  a certain LOP is the main criteria you are after, I have a hand saw you can borrow. a little choppy chop can broaden your horizons a great deal.

get the 28" barrels. they swing a lot smoother, and because the 26" barrels don't swing as well they are much less desirable and it hurts their resale value. it seems like as soon as you purchase a short barreled O/U (under 28") they drop in value a couple hundred$ before you even get out of the store.

FWIW: even my grouse guns have 30" inch barrels. my 28 gauge that I use when brush busting early season grouse has 30" bbls.

[whackemstackem]

I understand the longer barrel preference as well since I have used 28-30" in the past.  I just wanted to see what the difference might be with a shorter barrel for a quicker swing for those bird areas that  have limited shooting lanes.

I did end up buying the 26" franchi instinct mostly because of fit, price and customer service given at the front counter.  I think I made the right choice and hopefully won't recieve too much crap from my old hunting buddies as a "highbrow" hunter.  Guess I better ding it quick.  Thanks for all the info everyone