Page 62 - GUNS Issue n.01

The stock is made of polymer. Drop and cast can be adjusted by replacing the plate between the pistol grip and the receiver.
The Franchi TSA-ADV butt-pad is both shock-absorbing and grippy.

To test the ballistic qualities of the barrel we carried out the usual pattern plate test, at a distance of 30 meters (33
yards) and using F2 Legend ammo with 28 grams of 7.5 lead with container wad. With the *** Modified choke
tube, 325 shots stayed inside the 750 mm (29.5”) wide circle (95% of the total), while inside the 350 mm (13.8”) wide
middle circle there were 222 shots (68% of the total).

synthetic stock
As the name suggests, the Affinity 3 Black Synt is characterized by a black polymer stock that is both functional and
resistant to wear and adverse weather conditions. Thanks to the Omni Stock Adjustable Fit technology, it is possible
to modify the drop and cast of the stock by simply replacing the plate between the receiver and the pistol grip. The
possible drop values range from 45 to 65 millimeters at the comb and from 50 to 70 mm at the heel. The length of
pull can also be changed by replacing the butt-pad, going from 365 mm with the standard 22 mm butt-pad to 357
mm with the thin butt-pad and 375 mm with the thick one. The included butt-pad is the TSA-ADV (Twin Shock
Absorber Advance), made of closed cell polyurethane foam and able to reduce the perceived recoil by up to 50%.
The Allround Interlacement checkering on the grip points of the forend and on the pistol grip is characterized by a
grippy and comfortable texture. The forend is long and thin, rather streamlined in design despite the recoil spring
located on the magazine tube. The forend has a slight beavertail that improves the grip with the weak hand.

Tested in the field
To put a semi-automatic of this type to the test, there is nothing better than a field trip. The perfect occasion was
a dog training day hosted by the Valle di Fiordimonte hunting estate, in the province of Macerata. Taking into
account the summer season and the rather high temperatures, the place chosen for the day is the mountainous
part of the estate, with an altitude of over 1,000 meters which almost always guarantees good ventilation and
more acceptable temperatures. The habitat is extraordinary: meadows dotted with juniper and gorse bushes,
occasional groves in the gullies and rocks in the higher areas. It is the perfect environment for grey partridges,
which the owners of the estate had released on the territory in order to train dogs using quality game with
a behavior that is as similar as possible to that of wild grey partridges. Generally, in order to protect these
animals, the estate does not authorize shooting in this area, allowing only training without firing, but for
the occasion they have decided to make an exception. With me there is Keira, my 5-year-old English setter, a
faithful hunting companion who is well aware of the “tricks” used by grey partridges.
Having reached the chosen area, I release the dog and load the Affinity 3, using the intermediate *** choke and
Baschieri & Pellagri cartridges with 26 grams of 7 lead and a felt wad. The temperature is already quite high

60 TesT shoTgun_Franchi aFFinity 3 Black Synt 20 gauge