Franchi Model 912

[mdgoosekiller]

Has any of the Avery Pro-Staff, or anyone else for that matter, ever hunted with or owned a Franchi 912. It is there super magnum and will handle all the way up to 3.5 in shells. If so, how do you like it? Any issues with the gun? What chokes are you shooting for geese? I have a friend who is seriously looking at purchasing this gun in the offseason. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Mark Brendemuehl]

mdgoose- I have one now. So far I am dissapointed in it. It patterns well, and is a quick handling gun, but, it has days where certain ammo just won't cycle. I spent a weekend diver hunt with Brett last year with it as a single shot. Not my idea of a good time. I brought it home, put a different lot of ammo through it and it was fine. Blaming the ammo, I then ran the ammo that failed through my 1100 and it was fine... So, I don't know. I am looking to trade mine off on a Benelli or SuperX.
One hunting partner has one as well, and is doing the same thing. He had his for 2 seasons when it started failing. I don't want to bash them, but I guess if it were me, I wouldnt purchase one again.
Mark

[Bill Clarke]

I don't own a 912 myself, but I sell them at work. I'm not a fan of them at all. First off it has whats called a variomax gas cylinder, which means that you have to manually flip it when you want to shoot light loads (dove hunting) and for heavy loads(geese). Thats the first thing that didn't impress me, the second is that it requires a rubber o-ring to help seal the gas. I cant stand those, thats probobly why I wont but a remington autoloader. I would recommend that you always carry a spare, because if not, you've got yourself a $700 single shot. I shoot a winchester superX2 in 3-1/2", I wouldn't trade it for a benelli. Thats what I would go with.-Bill

[wifowler]

I have one, and looking to buy another - the SteadyGrip model when and if they ever hit dealer shelves.

Hunted with the 912 last year while I was waiting for the debacle with my Extrema to be resolve - safe to say most of the season. Used the gun in all sorts of weather, with all sorts of ammo - never had a problem.

As for the Vari-o-Max system, I leave it set for the heavy loads. I have other guns that can be used for light loads. I didn't buy the 912 to shoot light loads from - bought it it pound 3" and 3 /12" mags out of.

As for O-rings - I own 7 Rem 1100/11-87 and have never replaced an O-Ring. I say again - never. I've shot 10s of 100s of round thru a couple of them for skeet and never had a problem. My theory - if it rattles when you shake the gun - shoot it. If not - clean it.