Franchi Affinity 3: Field Tested and Reviewed

This redesigned scattergun melds naturally to the hands, remains utterly reliable and is ready to meet the needsof any upland or waterfowl hunter.

January 22, 2026 By Drew Warden

How a shotgun fits a shooter and how it feels in the hands are almost as important as how well it shoots. OK, that sentence may be a bit flippant. A shotgun’s ability to produce a desired pattern downrange, with point of impact relatively near point of aim, is also very important. However, the interface between shooter and scattergun—how naturally it feels in the hands, rests against your cheek and points and swings—absolutely matters. And it can be a big factor in why we shoot one shotgun well and another poorly.

This is no surprise to the folks at Franchi. Indeed, “Feels Right” is a prominent slogan for the Italian gunmaker and shows up in ads, social media posts and other marketing efforts, particularly those geared toward European customers. Of course, fit and feel count for those of us across the pond, too, and the manufacturer’s focus on ergonomics extends to both markets. One of the latest examples of this might be Franchi’s introduction of its next-generation Affinity 3 and 3.5 shotguns.

Announced in January, the launch marked the first time in more than a decade that the manufacturer had debuted a new semi-auto platform. While the redesign of this time-proven scattergun includes a few key functional upgrades and aesthetic changes, it’s clear that fine-tuning the overall feel was paramount for Franchi’s engineers. To that end, some of the most apparent tweaks have been made to those areas that a shooter’s hands interact with most: the grip and the forend.

This past fall, I tested out the new Franchi Affinity 3 while hunting pheasants and quail at Heritage 1865 (heritage 1865.com) in southern Iowa. The experience afforded me the chance to put lots of rounds through the new gun to test its reliability and performance and to see if Franchi’s ergonomic enhancements translated into better shooting in the field. The combination of quail and pheasants provided a variety of different shot opportunities, ranging from slow-rising, going-away shots to erratic crossers and more. It was a perfect way to evaluate how quickly and effortlessly I could shoulder the new Affinity 3, track the target and deliver an accurate shot. And, after lots of shooting, I’d get to see if this new gun was as dependable and user friendly as its predecessor.

ERGONOMICS AND ARTISTRY

The most observable differences between the previous Affinity and the new Affinity 3 and 3.5 involve the grip and forend. Both have seen adjustments intended to improve how the gun feels in the hands and, thus, how well you can shoot it.

The grip shape is slightly tweaked, but more noticeable is the checkering that extends farther up and back on the stock. Visual groove lines have also been added between the checkering that, according to Franchi, further increase how grippy the surface feels. More than that, it’s suggested that the design and checkering help subconsciously guide shooters to the proper grip area. The various lines running throughout the grip are also stylish, and the way they seamlessly flow into the two lines cutting across the receiver, and then onto the forend, is aesthetically pleasing, too.

The forend is thinner on the new Affinity, and it fits flush with the receiver at the bottom rather than overlapping a bit. Checkering extends higher up toward the barrel, which helps accentuate a slimmer feel, and it has been increased along the bottom of the forearm, too. The forend also has a slightly curved surface both fore and aft, again to improve ergonomics.

While beauty is a bit in the eye of the beholder, I do feel like the new Affinity 3 and 3.5 shotguns look better than their predecessors. The previous guns certainly weren’t abhorrent, but the addition of the lines and checkering, and the minor tweaks to the shape of the grip and forearm make the new Affinity shotguns appear a bit sleeker.

Without having a prior version of the Affinity 3 on hand during my hunt, I can’t say for certain that I shot better with the new gun than I would have with the old one. Nor can I confirm that the lines and checkering innately guided my hand to the grip. However, the gun did feel quite nice, and my hand made its way to the grip pretty fluidly every time. The grip and forend felt natural and comfortable, whether I was awaiting the flush of a solitary rooster or aggressively swinging on a covey of cagy quail. It pointed and swung easily, and, at just under 7 pounds, the 12 gauge was pleasant to carry each day, no matter how many miles we covered.

I also didn’t expect to experience any kind of malfunctions while hunting with the new Affinity 3, and I didn’t. Chasing upland birds usually doesn’t subject shotguns to the same level of abuse as duck or goose hunting does, and the Inertia Driven system is insanely reliable, whether using heavy or light loads. The black synthetic version I hunted with is great for upland game but would work perfectly for waterfowl, too, as would either of the other synthetic versions currently available (Mossy Oak Bottomland or Realtree Max-7 finishes). With the gun having performed reliably and felt good in hand, the only question remaining was whether its functional upgrades would improve its operation.

FINE-TUNING FEATURES

Five specific functional tweaks have been made to the new Franchi Affinity 3 and 3.5. The original one-piece shell latch has been replaced with a two-piece shell latch, and the gun has a new trigger guard assembly, bolt release button, magazine cap and adjustable recoil pad.

The first of these is a significant improvement that allows hunters to load the gun faster, which can make a real difference in the field. The new trigger guard assembly, meanwhile, has a more rectangular profile that provides more room for the trigger finger—helpful if you’re wearing gloves. The magazine cap and bolt release button have both been redesigned, with the release button now oblong with raised edges for easier manipulation. According to Franchi, the new adjustable recoil pad mitigates perceived recoil by up to 50 percent, and length of pull can be adjusted with pad inserts.

I obviously had no way to verify the exact level of recoil reduction, but I had no complaints, and no sore shoulder despite a considerable amount of shooting over several days of hunting. The bolt release was easy to use, and loading shells felt quicker. I experienced mild fall weather during my hunt, but the roomier trigger guard would certainly be nice on late-season upland or, especially, waterfowl hunts.

A hunter carries a shotgun in his right hand. — The Affinity 3’s grip and forend have been reconfigured to boost ergonomics, something that stood out to the author during his hunt. (Drew Warden photo)

Other controls, like the cartridge drop lever (or shell release button) and safety, should be familiar to anyone who’s previously used an inertia-operated shotgun. As should the assembly and disassembly processes. As with prior Affinity models, this gun sports forward and rearward sling attachment points, a vent rib and a fiber optic front sight. Likewise, it features an enlarged, beveled loading port for easier reloading. The new Affinity models include three flush-fit Mobil chokes (IC, M and F), a choke wrench and a shim kit for adjusting drop and cast. They also come with a 7-year warranty.

Like its predecessors, the new Affinity 3 and 3.5 shotguns offer tons of value and performance at a reasonable price. It’s hard to beat the Inertia Driven operating system’s reliability, and the little tweaks—in terms of looks, ergonomics and functionality—that Franchi has made only elevate the gun. That’s exactly what you want with any redesign: to retain its good qualities and upgrade in areas that can be improved. Franchi’s new Affinity line succeeds in this task.