New for 2025: Franchi Affinity 3.5 and Affinity 3 Waterfowl Elite

Franchi introduces specially built waterfowl shotguns in 12- and 20-gauge.

by
posted on January 24, 2025
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Franchi Affinity 3.5 Waterfowlelite 12Ga Optifade Timber Cobalt
franchi affinity 3.5 waterfowl elite

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.

Latest

Utah DNR Logolede
Utah DNR Logolede

Utah Wildlife Board Updates

The Utah Wildlife Board approved a few new and updated rules, some of which are necessary after recent legislative changes—including the wildlife management area license requirement for certain counties and the new process for regulating hunting guides and outfitters—along with a few other proposals during a public meeting Thursday.

Member's Hunt: A Tale of Two Moose

This month's Member's Hunt comes from John R. Bean of Tucson, Ariz.

Breeding Duck Numbers Decline Again in ND

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 78th-annual spring breeding duck survey conducted in May showed an index of about 2.66-million birds, down from 2.9 million in 2024 and 3.4 million in 2023.

2025-26 Pennsylvania Migratory Game Bird Seasons Set

Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 migratory game bird seasons have been set. There are two significant changes to waterfowl seasons. The regular season daily bag limit for Canada geese in the Atlantic Population Zone has decreased from three to one, and for northern pintail, there will be a flat daily bag limit of three.

New for 2025: Christensen Arms Evoke in 450 Bushmaster

Christensen Arms has announced the release of the Evoke rifle chambered in powerful 450 Bushmaster.

Oklahoma Wildlife Commission Passes Rules for Nonresident Hunters, Public Hunting Lands

New emergency rules and resolutions for public hunting lands were approved last month by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.