Rust bucket 48AL

[Big Duke]

I had a Franchi 48AL 20 gauge. I have never owned a firearm that rusted so much. I have a military background and field stripped and cleaned this firearm religiously. I went so far as to send it back to Franchi, I got it back with a note to clean it after use. I was so mad I almost threw the thing against the wall. I know that this particular firearm was made of inferior metal. Yet I still want a light 20.

I have a Benelli SBE II and it is the greatest thing since sliced bread. It is almost maintenance free. (I still clean it after each use) Works like a dream, never jams with any shot shell.

I want another 20 but am afraid of Franchi now. A gunsmith told me that the new Franchi 720 is a whole different gun made with very high quality parts. So do I buy a Benelli M-1 and spend another grand on a shotgun or should I look at the 720. Has Franchi improved enough to look at the 720. Anybody own one? Anybody able to compare one to a Benelli M-1. Anybody had the same problems I had with the 48AL.

[Jon Ramsey]

Well I have a 712 Raptor, and haven't found a single spot of rust yet. Of course I'm a fanatic when it comes to cleaning and oiling my guns. So far I’ve been impressed with the quality of my 712, it’s the only Franchi I’ve ever owned, so I can’t compare it to older models. I’ve never had a Benelli so I can’t really compare it to that either. Here’s what I do have that I can compare it to. Winchester 1300, Remington 870, Mossberg 500, New England Firearms Pardoner, Charles Daly VR-MC. And the quality of my Franchi is far superior to all of them

[Big Duke]

Thanks for the update. I have heard some good things about the raptor 712. I imagine the 720 would be the same. I am so leary after the 48AL.

[ 05-19-2005, 10:16 AM: Message edited by: Big Duke ]