Franchi vs cheaper 20 gauges

[packmule]

I'm considering buying a new shotgun that would be strictly a turkey gun in 20 gauge.  My son has a Franchi that I like very much.  I know they are popular and a new one will cost ~$800.  I see several other brands (Stoeger, Tristar, Hatsan etc.) that are ~$450-600. I'm hoping to hear recommendations from folks who've handled the Franchi and other listed brands as to opinions on whether they'd go with Franchi or one of the cheaper guns.  Thanks in advance.

[davisd9]

I would stick with the Franchi. It is a great gun that will last. If there is an issue it will be easier to get it taken care of. Good luck!

[Gmed]

I would stick with the Franchi. It is a great gun that will last. If there is an issue it will be easier to get it taken care of. Good luck!

This....love mine. Light weight and already drilled/tapped if you want to add optics. Once you find your load/choke combo, it's chrome lined barrel is easy to maintain....

[BINK McCARTY]

I have 2 Stoeger M3020 shotguns. One has a 26" bbl. in bottomland camo and the other is the turkey model with a 24" bbl. in Mossy Oak Obsession. Let me start by saying the Stoeger isn't as a esthetically "pretty" or refined as the Franchi. But my 26" shooting Apex 3" 1 5/8oz  9s put up 337/10 with an Indian Creek  .570 &  338/10 with an Indian Creek  .562 with a dirty barrel. And it cycles and ejects every time. Right now on gunbroker they are $599 +/-. My advice is take the money you save by getting the Stoeger and buy chokes & ammo.
Nothing wrong at all with the Franchi, it's a great gun, but so is the Stoeger and quite a bit less.
Whatever you decide keep us informed!

[packmule]

Thank you guys for the responses!

[Kygobblergetter]

Another vote for the stoeger. I got the 24 inch turkey model and love it. I did remove the ugly front sight. If I was gonna do it again I'd probably just get the 26 inch version and use a meadow creek mount. Super light and has never jammed. Shoots great and a joy to pack. Plus quite a bit cheaper


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[AndyN]

Strictly a turkey gun I'd go with the stoeger. I've owned stoeger, franchi, and benelli. I still have the benelli. The reason being it's my all around gun, fits better for wingshooting, and will hold up to the volume of shooting that I do. If you're only shooting turkeys the stoeger should last you plenty long.

[longbow59]

I have the stoeger 3020 mossy oak with the 26" barrel,  no issues.  I've shot 4 times in the last 2 years with 4 kills at 30 - 35 yards. It's light weight and shoots federal tss very well. Sometimes I wish the barrel was shorter going through the thick stuff. It has replaced my 12 gauge 870. It's a joy to carry. Highly recommend.

[BINK McCARTY]

I have the stoeger 3020 mossy oak with the 26" barrel,  no issues.  I've shot 4 times in the last 2 years with 4 kills at 30 - 35 yards. It's light weight and shoots federal tss very well. Sometimes I wish the barrel was shorter going through the thick stuff. It has replaced my 12 gauge 870. It's a joy to carry. Highly recommend.

Not sure if you knew, but midwestgunworks.com Sells a 24" barrel in Obsession camo for the M3020. Go to the site and put in 33838. They are $213.15 + shipping. And you would need to get it dipped to match you gun in Bottomland...unless not matching doesn't matter. I bought one for my gun in bottomland but ended up getting the turkey model for a song. So now I took that hideous barrel off the turkey model and will replace it with this one.

[Holtbensley]

Another Stoeger vote. I really enjoy carrying my Stoeger every spring I did have it sent out to have the barrel cut and rethreaded to 22" and now It's my go to gun.

[BINK McCARTY]

Another Stoeger vote. I really enjoy carrying my Stoeger every spring I did have it sent out to have the barrel cut and rethreaded to 22" and now It's my go to gun.

Who cut the barrel down and what choke threads were put back?

[Holtbensley]

Stuart @ CompNChoke.. He was able to rethread to Invector (win choke)

[lacire]

Your son already has the Franchi and you like it, so I would go with what you know.

[Ranman]

Love my Franchi

[Brian Fahs]

Franchi.
I compared the stoeger 3020 to the franchi affinity 3 and benelli m2.
The stoeger did not shoulder or point well for me. The franchi and benelli are incredible. I could nor make up my mind so I bought the franchi and the benelli. Zero regrets.