Shotgun Advice: Franchi Affinity 3.5 vs Winchester SX4

[offthemap]

Any of you guys have any experience with either of these shotguns?

It will primarily be used as a duck gun a couple weekends a month during season with the possibility of 1 goose hunt per year. I've decided on 28"bbl, 3.5" chamber in matte black or wood. I'll likely have the stock dipped & the metal cerekote'd if I go black.

I have a Stoeger M2000 that has basically an identical inertia system to the Affinity and it has been a very reliable gun. It kicks a bit but not enough to send me shopping for a new gun.

Both point very well for me, too (in the store at least). I can get the Affinity 3.5 for $835 out the door from a local gun shop but Cabelea's is having a sale on the SX4 @ $749 plus a $100 mail-in rebate so I could bring it home for around $695 out the door.

Any thoughts or experience with either?

[ultralite09]

I had an Affinity for a few years, great gun and bought it for my ex to use on duck hunts with me. We abused it and put it through the paces for a solid 3 years, never missed a beat and I would not be afraid to recommend it (behind my Beretta a400 of course) it's a solid gun for sure, I don't have any experience with the sx4 though

[ChickenWilly]

I have an affinity and abused all duck season long this past season and it even got to put down a gobbler this spring. I have zero complaints about it!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[offthemap]

I had an Affinity for a few years, great gun and bought it for my ex to use on duck hunts with me. We abused it and put it through the paces for a solid 3 years, never missed a beat and I would not be afraid to recommend it (behind my Beretta a400 of course) it's a solid gun for sure, I don't have any experience with the sx4 though

I have an affinity and abused all duck season long this past season and it even got to put down a gobbler this spring. I have zero complaints about it!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

This seems to be general consensus!

[offthemap]

I have an affinity and abused all duck season long this past season and it even got to put down a gobbler this spring. I have zero complaints about it!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Do you have the 3" or 3.5"? I'm curious how it will handle the lighter loads around 1oz.

[ChickenWilly]

Mine is actually a 20 gauge so 3 is the max with it. But I have shot everything from the cheapest shells from walmart to heavy turkey and duck loads and it hasn't missed a beat. Now my old beretta 12 gauge won't eject anything less than 1 1/8 ounce of shot but so far my franchi hasn't been picky at all. Have 2 other buddies with the affinity in 12 gauge and they both love theirs also. They are both the 3 inch models though

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[Lowe]

Another vote for the Affinity, bought because of the way it points. Drastically improved my shooting.

[Mayhem]

My brother has a Super X4 and I was impressed with it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[cuttingedge]

I have a friend who has the SX4. He went goose hunting with a group of buddies and the weather was extremely cold and miserable. He said all of the other auto-loaders were having issues cycling, but his SX4 just kept on running.

Don't know if you will hunting in extreme conditions, but he is sold on the SX4.

[Axis FMJ]

Franchi is a way better product than Winchester. The Italians really have the best shotguns.

[offthemap]

Franchi is a way better product than Winchester. The Italians really have the best shotguns.

One thing that speaks to that end is the Franchi has a 7 year warranty and the Winchester has zero warranty...

[tigerscowboy]

I've had several Franchi auto shotguns and never regretted the purchases.

Even bought one in my 20's that was heavily used. It would jam in the field sometimes, but I got so good at taking it down and shooting again that I kept it for years.

FYI - my upgrade after that 1st one was a Mossberg 500 for $180. I was living day to day and dollar by dollar.

[SaintBlaise]

If you ever plan on selling it, I would get the 3.5"

[friscopaint]

I had a franchi variomax that ended up with a feed problem with magazine cutoff, called them, they said send it in and they fixed it for free. I wasn't original owner and never registered it, I was impressed with that customer service !

[Sleepy]

Franchi

It is essentially a SBE but with the recoil spring over the tube rather than in the stock.