Built on the inertia-driven system that harnesses recoil to operate the action, the new Franchi Affinity 3 and 3.5 Elite shotguns are fast, slim and reliable. Stocks are adjustable for drop and cast, and barrels feature a Cerakote finish, lengthened forcing cone for better pattern density and a TrueGlo fiber-optic front sight.
Earlier this year, Editorial Director John Zent and Associate Editor Jon Draper had the opportunity to join Wayne Radcliffe and some of the other fine folks from Avery Outdoors on the Eastern Shore of Maryland for a goose hunt. While there, they learned about the recent merging of Avery and Banded—two of the most respected waterfowl gear companies on the market—and what it should mean for consumers.
Self-branded as "The Value Experts," TriStar is home to an array of respectable shotguns and handguns, which are often available at a budget-conscious price point. The company has, for years, rolled out a variety of fine-shooting scatterguns. One thing that's long eluded it, however, is a 3½-inch autoloader for the more dedicated waterfowl hunters among us. That changed at SHOT Show 2017, however, when TriStar announced its new Viper Max.