Youth Turkey Gun

Remington700 · Apr 30, 2020

Right now my daughter shoots an 870 and has been very successful. We are looking to upgrade her in the near future. We will be swapping to a semi auto. I believe I have narrowed her down to a Benelli M2 compact or a Franchi Affinity 3 compact. I love a Benelli and if price were not an option I would go with the M2. I am not as familiar with the Franchi, but know it is made by Benelli and have heard good things. I can get the Franchi for $720 while a Benelli would be $1299.
Thoughts?

ROVERBOY · May 1, 2020

I say go with the Franchi just because its cheaper, and probably just as good.

Andy S. · May 1, 2020

Don't forget about the Weatherby SA-459 20 gauge. A LOT of hardcore turkey hunters love them. Several of these guys also own the Franchi and M2.

https://weatherby.com/store/sa-459-turkey-xtra-green/

REN · May 1, 2020

I have/had both the Franchi and the M2. Both are very nice guns that will do all you need them to do. My suggestion is to try and handle both and see which one fits her the best. The Franchi has a very different butt stock and forend vs the M2.

IMO the M2 is the best 20 gauge out there so Id say go with that if you can afford it or find a used one for cheaper but at the end of the day buy what you afford and buy the one that feels most comfortable to the shooter.

timberghost3591 · May 1, 2020

I also have both. I just recently ordered my daughter the Franchi Compact also. I set my Franchi up for strictly turkeys. Vortex venom, Carlson .565, and shooting Boss TSS. I took my step dad a couple wks ago on a NWR hunt and made him shoot it. He loved it so much, he went and bout the same and had me set his up the same way.

BOth great guns tho. See whichever fits her better and go from there...