Most women will rejoice that the Italian gunmaker's new shotguns sport an A-grade satin walnut finish instead of a color typically associated with gender. After all, if a woman is to remain competitive on the clays range or in the field, her gun must command the respect of her peers—men and women alike. But the real news about the Franchi Affinity Catalyst autoloader and Instinct Catalyst over-under is that they truly have been proportioned to fit an average woman's frame. For years women have been adapting to longer and larger shotguns for no other reason than availability, but these new models boast several key dimensions that are truly friendly to women—length of pull, drop at comb and drop at heel—dimensions that make a huge difference in shouldering a long gun and offering a better chance at hitting targets. Look for a complete review at AmericanRifleman.org in coming months, but in the meantime, watch this video from SHOT Show 2016, and check out the shotguns' specifications below. For more, visit franchiusa.com.
Franchi Affinity Catalyst
Gauge: 12
Action: Semi-auto
Chambering: 2-3/4" and 3"
Barrel Length: 28"
Stock: A-Grade satin walnut
Color: Black anodized receiver, blued barrel
Overall Length: 48.5"
Weight: 6.6 lbs.
Capacity: 4+1
Chokes: IC, M and F (wrench included)
Sights: Fiber-optic red-bar front sight
Length of Pull: 13-7/8"
Drop at Heel: 1-1/2"
Drop at Comb: 1-1/4"
Minimum Recommend Load: 3-dram, 1-1/8 oz.
MSRP: $999
Franchi Instinct Catalyst
Gauge: 12
Action: Over-under
Chambering: 2-3/4 and 3"
Barrel Length: 28"
Stock: A-Grade satin walnut
Color: Color case-hardened receiver, blued barrel
Overall Length: 45"
Weight: 7.2 lbs.
Chokes: IC, M and F (wrench included)
Sights: Red fiber-optic front bead
Length of Pull: 13-7/8"
Drop at Heel: 1-1/2"
Drop at Comb: 1-1/4"
MSRP: $1,599
Franchi Affinity Catalyst
Gauge: 12
Action: Semi-auto
Chambering: 2-3/4" and 3"
Barrel Length: 28"
Stock: A-Grade satin walnut
Color: Black anodized receiver, blued barrel
Overall Length: 48.5"
Weight: 6.6 lbs.
Capacity: 4+1
Chokes: IC, M and F (wrench included)
Sights: Fiber-optic red-bar front sight
Length of Pull: 13-7/8"
Drop at Heel: 1-1/2"
Drop at Comb: 1-1/4"
Minimum Recommend Load: 3-dram, 1-1/8 oz.
MSRP: $999
Franchi Instinct Catalyst
Gauge: 12
Action: Over-under
Chambering: 2-3/4 and 3"
Barrel Length: 28"
Stock: A-Grade satin walnut
Color: Color case-hardened receiver, blued barrel
Overall Length: 45"
Weight: 7.2 lbs.
Chokes: IC, M and F (wrench included)
Sights: Red fiber-optic front bead
Length of Pull: 13-7/8"
Drop at Heel: 1-1/2"
Drop at Comb: 1-1/4"
MSRP: $1,599
