Hunters fell in love with the Franchi Affinity 13 years ago when the company introduced the first iteration. The gun’s Inertia Driven semi-auto action cycles everything from light loads to magnum loads, after all. Since then every kind of specially built Affinity has been introduced—upland, turkey, sporting, trap, compact—except one. Now, waterfowl hunters will cheer the latest specially built iteration of the popular gun: the Affinity 3.5 and Affinity 3 Waterfowl Elite.
The shotgun is built for the waterfowler who wants everything in one package at his fingertips. The fresh look screams from its Italian roots. Its designers know a shotgun must mount easily and quickly and that it must swing smoothly. Hunters who pick up a Waterfowl Elite can feel nods to exceptional handling and comfort. Modern ergonomics include a thinner fore-end and more pronounced checkering to provide exceptional grip in all conditions.
But beneath the aesthetics lies a redesigned Affinity platform thanks to some advanced performance-driven enhancements to its operation.
A new two-piece shell latch is an innovative design especially as it’s combined with a larger-than-normal loading port to make it easy to reload without looking down, like when the birds keep coming. A larger, elongated bolt release is easy to manipulate while wearing gloves. The bolt handle is textured, too, so you can’t miss it.
After you shuck in a couple of reloads you might realize the gun shoots softly thanks to a new TSA recoil pad system. It reduces felt recoil by up to 50 percent, and it’s adjustable, after removing the included spacer, for length of pull.
Beyond all that is great looks. Take your pick—Gore Optifade Waterfowl Marsh against Burnt Bronze Cerakote metalwork or Gore Optifade Waterfowl Timber against Cobalt Cerakote metalwork—they both look great.
The Affinity 3.5 Waterfowl Elite is a 31/2-inch 12-gauge that chambers everything from 23/4- to 31/2-inch loads, and it is fitted with a 28-inch barrel. MSRP is $1,599. The Affinity 3 Waterfowl Elite comes in 12-gauge or 20-gauge with a 3-inch chamber. The 12 wears a 28-inch barrel; the 20 wears a 26-inch barrel. Either version is available in the same color combinations as the Affinity 3.5 Waterfowl Elite. MSRP is $1,429. A seven-year Franchi USA warranty is included on every gun.
Redesigned Franchi Affinity Waterfowl Elite series shotguns are built to deliver dependable operation around a fresh look that includes refined comfort and handling. To learn more about them visit FranchiUSA.com.
