  Franchi’s Jens Krogh showed off one the company’s 2013 new products, the Aspire over-under, which is available in 28-gauge and .410 bore.  The rounded receiver isn’t overdone, but it adds a distinctive look and in your hands it feels vastly different.  An inscribed “Aspire” under the receiver in gold, matches the shotgun’s trigger nicely. It’s a nice touch and not gaudy enough you don’t want to be seen with it during opening day.  Next to its siblings in the Franchi booth, it would easy to overlook the Aspire (center), but once you picked it up, it was easy to feel the difference. |
Franchi Fine Italian Shotguns
https://www.franchiusa.com/
Let’s face facts. There’s just something about an over-under shotgun that says “shooting in style.” Couple this with the fine craftsmanship of Franchi in either 28 gauge of .410 bore, and you’ve got a great value, shooting in style. Made 100% in Italy, there is no high quality sporting shotgun that is better at the price of a Franchi. This year Franchi introduces the Aspire, a weight-saving, hand-friendly rounded receiver over-under that is a truly elegant, heirloom quality shotgun.
Franchi calls it a “round-action receiver.” The diminutive gun points naturally (or as at least as naturally as you can point anything in a SHOT Show crowd) and it feels great. It looks even better. I passed it along to a much more knowledgeable shotgun writer and his first words were, “Whoa, I love it.” Coming from this guy, that’s a pretty good endorsement.
In both versions the shotgun comes with 28-inch barrels and five chokes are included. A solid rib runs between the barrels to minimize dust and dirt from collecting. An upland-style 6 mm vent rib with a fiber-optic front sight provide for nearly instinctive aiming.
The Aspire’s mechanical triggers ensure both hammers are cocked on opening. An automatic safety integrates a built-in barrel selector that’s easy to use. The receiver is case hardened, and both versions weigh only 5.8 pounds.
The stock, well, I wish my photos did it more justice. The rubbed oil finish on this walnut stock may not be billed as presentation grade, but I’d think twice before dragging it out into the muck and mire. A thin wrist and slim fore-end give it a distinctive look, and coupled with that rounded receiver, I can’t wait to get one in my hands for quail season.
With all the new guns and gear introduced at this year’s SHOT Show, I think the Aspire got a little lost in the crowd. I know for a fact when I scratch up an extra $2,299 I’m going to try and take one home. The way it’s built and looks, I’m sure it will be in the family for years to come, and carried with pride.
Don’t waste your money on any Franchi or Benelli shotguns they are junk. I just bought an Aspire 410 and found it will only shoot the bottom barrel but not the top. Franchi wants me to send it back, but I have to drive 50 miles after packaging it to get it shipped. I drove that far to buy, then I will have to do the same to pick it up. I do not like buying a new gun and have it fail. I also have a 28ga. ultralight that will not shoot more than more than 50 shots then jam. This is even after cleaning. As far as I am concerned Beretta makes junk that includes Franchi and Benelli as they are all owned by Beretta.
First O/U i bought was a Alcione from Anglers in Annapolis MD. I did not know what I was doing, should have done more research first but didn’t. Though buying a shotgun was the same as buying a pistol. WRONG! Told the salesman I wanted to shoot trap. He said “you can shoot trap with this.” But is this a trapgun though? You can shoot trap with it…. I believed him, had an cast off stock and all and bought it without shooting it first. Gun beat the slop out of me. I mean busted me up good. Took a beating selling it too.
This gun maker has been around a long time and they make some nice little guns. They seem to point almost on there own, and with multiple chokes look out game birds and small game. I took a 28 ga. Out and that small bore gun hit like a 12 ga.