Franchi Instinct SL Over/Under Shotgun – 16 Gauge

I purchased this for my wife a year ago to shoot with me. I had her shoot my 12ga. Citori and got her hooked with shooting clays but the gun was just a little heavy for her. Recoil wasn’t the problem; it was just the overall weight of the gun. So we went to the gun store and held some of the “lower-end” 20ga. O/U and they didn’t feel right to her. Then we were given this Franchi to hold and never turned back, heck, I even use it now and then to shoot skeet with now. For only weighing 5.5lbs there is almost no kick to it. I used this gun at a youth skeet shooting clinic recently and there were 8/9 year olds shooting it without a problem. Yes, this gun cost more than your “low-end” guns but it is worth it in the end if you’re going to be keeping it a while. I'm 6'2" and my wife is 5'5". Stocks a little short for me but you can compensate for it.

I've owned the Franchi Instinct SL 20ga, for about 18 months. I've put approx. 2,000 rounds thru the gun with absolutely not problems.This is a field gun, and very light weight. It's a pleasure to carry all day. This gun is made in Italy, and the quality is every bit as good as Browning or Beretta. Styling is very plain, but functional. The Franchi uses easily available Benelli/Beretta choke tubes. I would definitely purchase again!

I have had this shotgun for about 8 months. It swings great , it's light and a wonderful shotgun to shoot. It is a top quality shotgun with a moderate price. Highly recommended

I bought Franchi Instinct SL 20 gauge over and under. Took it to a trap shot. Went thru over a 120 rounds. The injectors were sticking even after we oil and clean. Took it back to Cabelas the guy that help me at Cabelas was excellent. I have not shot it since I got it it back. Would not buy another one stay with Beretta. Dennis

Out of the box, put 100 rounds through it the first day. Very comfortable, easy handling. Almost too light! Haven't shot in a few months, so shoulder was a little sore the next day. May install a limb saver, but really is fine without it. Only drawback to this gun is the hunter orange case it comes with. Franchi use to sell it with a decent breakdown case, but now they supply a fairly rugged, but ugly bright orange breakdown case that will stay in box!

Crazy light 20 ga 5.09 lbs. I carry it for miles quail hunting in South Carolina, shoot it better than any gun I have ever used. It works flawlessly!

I bought this gun mainly for clays. I could not be happier for the money. It is on the light side but I find the recoil with target load, 1 1/8 ounce loads, very mild. It fits me as well as any factory stock gun could. I am 5 11. I have several high end automatics and I prefer this gun over any of them for clays. The fit and finish are excellent and the gun is very attractive. It handles very well. It is a little stiff in the beginning but I expect that from a new gun that didn’t cost 2500 plus. The trigger is acceptable, but not like a factory Perazzi. If you want that buy a Perazzi. I would and will buy another in 20 ga for my wife and daughters to shoot.

Absolutely love this gun. I took it into the field shortly after purchasing for pheasant and was extremely happy with the results. At ~6 lbs you can carry it all day and it snaps into firing position so quickly, making target tracking and swinging through the shot extremely intuitive. The gun is well balanced and despite its low weight has very little kick (shooting 2 3/4 Rem Nitro and Federal Prairie Storm). Fit and finish are simple yet elegant with minor engraving around the receiver. For this price the Franchi is hard to beat. Really looking forward to using this gun for years to come. As with any firearm, make sure you are able to handle the gun before you buy it!

Bought for my wife and took it out for the first time time. Was perfect.. It's light weight and almost zero recoil and it doesn't hurt that it patterns well. Very fun addition to the famaily!

I bought this last year after shouldering a few different guns. The gun isn't overly flashy, but what it lacks in appearance it makes up for in design and performance. The gun is LIGHT, especially compared to the 1100 I would take pheasant hunting. It almost feels like a toy when you first pick it up. With the weight difference, there is a bit of a learning curve about mounting and swinging the gun on a bird as well as the additional kick from shooting field loads. Patterning the gun and a little practice with clays and I was consistently on target. It's easy to carry in the field and has yet to have any issues with firing or ejecting spent shells, the finish on the stock isn't as polished as other models, but the gun is built for hard hunting. It breaks apart easy for cleaning and maintenance. The hinge motion is a little stiff, but the lockup is tight and solid with no movement. The recoil pad helps to aid the increased recoil and fits well in the shoulder pocket. Although I'm not a big fan of fiber optic sights, the one on the end of the barrel is small enough it doesn't distract from the target. Overall, this gun is something that I hope to enjoy for many more seasons to come and pass on to my kids someday.

I own the 12 and wife owns the 20 gauge. We decided to go with Franchi after an avid skeet shooter friend of ours, who owns a Browning Citori, recommended the Franchi, which is costs $500.00 less. EXCELLENT and very pretty shotguns and when our friend saw them after we purchased, he was impressed. I really like the shell ejector where it ejects the empty shells at an angle away from your face. I also like that when you close the breach, the gun automatically goes to SAFE and Franchi etched a letter S easily visible above the safety. Like one reviewer said, the opening of the breach is a little stiff, but that eases up after a few lubrications. Both my 12 and especially the 20 gauge are lightweight and I feel like a bad A carrying mine. I will buy the 16 gauge soon, but just know that gauge will cost you more than the 12 and 20.

Great shotgun. About time they come out with a 16. Problem is they don’t make enough of them. Wood could be a little nicer too. The SL 20 gauges have better looking wood. Every place you call is sold out!!

What is there not to like. Beautiful craftsmanship, and a 5.5 lb shotgun that is reasonably priced. This will be my go to for SD pheasants

A Dream to cary all morning out in the fields. Smooth and light action make for easy tracking. Got 4 pheasant my first day out!

Great gun so far. I’ve got about 200 shells through it and things are breaking in nicely. Very light weight and swings perfect.