Page 61 - GUNS Issue n.01

TeChnICAL DATA Measured trigger pull weight: 2,200 grams (4.8 lb.)
Sights: ventilated rib, 6x6 mm, checkered on top; red
Manufacturer: Manufacturer: Franchi, via della fiber optic front sight
Stazione 50, 61029 urbino, tel. 0722.30.71, franchi.com Stock and forend: standard stock and slim forend;
Model: affinity 3 Black Synt TSa-aDV closed cell polyurethane butt-stock
Type: semi-automatic shotgun Weight: 2,695 grams (5.9 lb.)
Caliber: 20 gauge Total length: 1,195 mm (47 inches)
Barrel: 24” chrome-lined barrel, weighs 800 grams Materials: nicrMo steel barrel, polymer stock, 7075
(1.7 lb.), uses internal 70 mm long chokes (*, ***, *****) aluminum receiver
Locking mechanism: rotating bolt with two lugs Finishes: black anodized receiver, blued barrel
Extractors: spring-loaded extractor and ejector Retail price in Italy: 940 euros, VaT included

and the disengagement of the lugs. The bolt carrier is then brought back into battery by the recoil spring that is
wound around the magazine tube. The billet bolt is made of steel, as is the action bar connected to the spring.
The bolt carrier has a glossy blued finish, whereas the bolt’s head is chromed.
The small mechanical parts are mounted inside a polymer trigger assembly, overall of good quality and free from
evident marks left by the molding and machining process. The trigger assembly is held in the receiver by two steel
pins, while the action is cocked by a sturdy spiral spring mounted in a vertical position.
The manual safety is a classic two position cross-bolt located in the rear portion of the trigger guard. The safety
button is equipped with a red indicator that warns the shooter that the shotgun is ready to fire. The blued trigger
has a pull weight of 2,200 grams (4.8 lb.), a value more than suitable for a firearm designed for hunting.
The magazine tube is made of lightweight alloy and is capable of holding up to three 2 ¾ or 3-inch shells. In
compliance with Italian hunting regulations, a plug is used to reduce the capacity to two rounds. The cartridge
follower is made of lightweight alloy, the orange color makes it a useful visual indicator to make sure that the
magazine tube is empty. The magazine tube cap is made of lightweight alloy and it has deep grooves to make
tightening easier. In the front of the cap there is a sling swivel stud.
everything you need
Despite the basic aesthetic and the entry-level price, the Affinity 3 Black Synt has all the features that a modern
semi-automatic should have. The barrel lengths available for the 20 gauge version are three: 24, 26 or 28 inches.
Having to use the shotgun for upland hunting in the mountains, we opted for the shorter version, with a
weight of 800 grams (1.7 lb.). To increase the versatility of the shotgun, the barrel is equipped as standard with
three 70 mm long internal steel chokes: ***** cylindrical, *** Modified and * Full. The barrel is cold hammer
forged, the bore is chrome-lined and the external surfaces are blued. The bore drilling, for the 20 gauge, has
a diameter between 15.8 and 16.0 millimeters, while the chambering is compatible with 3-inch shells. The
shotgun can be safely used with steel shots. The rib is ventilated and thin, 6x6 mm, with a checkered upper
surface to avoid light reflections. The red fiber optic front sight is very bright and clearly visible even in low
light conditions. The blued barrel extension also houses the spring-loaded ejector.

1_The magazine tube cap is made
of lightweight alloy with deep grooves
to make tightening easier.
2_The manual safety is a simple two
position cross-bolt with a red indicator
1 2 that warns the shooter that the gun
is ready to fire.

Franchi aFFinity 3 Black Synt 20 gauge_TesT shoTgun 59