Shotgun Ammo Guide

Shotguns are among the most versatile firearms available. With that versatility, a vast and confusing market exists for ammunition. There are thousands of types of shotgun shells, all with different projectiles and powders to give you an edge in whatever task you and your trusty shotgun are trying to accomplish. If you are a beginner to the shotgun world, let’s take a minute and figure out how in the heck we’re supposed to pick out the right ammo.

Gauge

When shopping for shotgun ammo, the first step is to find the right gauge. The industry measures most shotguns in gauges instead of calibers. You would expect that 12 gauge means some sort of linear measurement, but it isn’t. A 12 gauge means that you can make 12 balls of equal size out of a pound of lead and they will each fit the diameter of the barrel precisely. This is why a 20 gauge is smaller than a 12. This originated when you made your own ammunition and you bought lead by the pound. A notable exception is the .410, which is a very small shotgun measured by its bore size. If we measured the .410 by gauge, it would be roughly equivalent to a 68 gauge.

Chamber length

Once you have your gauge figured out, its time to look at inches. In the case of 12 gauge shotguns, chambers generally come in 2-¾, 3 and 3-½-inch chamber lengths. It is very important that you only fire shells that are the length of, or shorter than your corresponding chamber length. For instance, you can safely fire a 2-¾-inch shell out of a 3-½-inch chamber, but not the other way around. If the shell is too long, you will create too much chamber pressure and you could damage the firearm or more importantly, yourself. However, always check your firearm’s manual to make sure what length of shell it will take. If you don’t know, then just stick with the chamber length you know you have and there won’t be any worries.

Shot Size

Using the proper shot size is very important. You will be much more effective at the sport if you know your way around the various shot sizes. The larger the number, the smaller the individual pellets. Generally, the smaller the pellets, the more there are. For example, a No. 8 dove load will have tiny .09-inch pellets, while a No. 4 turkey load will have fewer pellets, but with .13-inch diameters. Buckshot follows a similar patter, meaning the higher the number, the smaller the individual pellets. No. 3 buckshot pellets measure .25 inches, while 00 or double-aught buckshot measures in at a huge .33-inch per pellet. For hunters, the following chart illustrates proper shot size for various game animals.

Game	Lead/Tungsten	Steel
Pheasant	4 to 6	2 to 3
Turkey	4 to 6	2 to 3
Quail, dove,	7½ to 8
Rabbit	6 to 7½
Squirrel	6
Geese	BB to 2	TT to 1
Ducks, low	4 to 6	2 to 4
Ducks, high	2 to 4	BB to 2

Slugs and sabots

A slug is usually a single projectile fired from a shotgun. It can either be dense and heavy for hunting and combat, or light and less lethal for law enforcement applications. Slugs also offer a way to hunt in areas that outlaw traditional rifle hunting. Most slugs are effective at ranges inside 100 yards, and their weight delivers a large amount of kinetic energy to the target. Newer saboted slugs are metallic projectiles supported by a plastic sabot, which engages the rifling in a rifled shotgun barrel and imparts a ballistic spin onto the projectile. This differentiates them from traditional slugs, which do not typically benefit from a rifled barrel.

Materials used

Lead is still the most common material for shotgun pellets. However, at the beginning of the 21st century, ammo manufacturers began producing lead-free shotshell ammunition loaded with steel, bismuth, or tungsten. The alternative materials are non-toxic and used in various types of hunting, especially waterfowl. If you have an older shotgun, stick with lead. The hardness of non-toxic materials can damage your firearm. Make sure you know your state’s hunting laws before using any type of lead or non-toxic material. Different areas have different requirements and you don’t want to break any hunting laws.

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Post-season Shotgun Care Tips

The season came and went. The fowl is in the freezer (hopefully) and maybe that one special bird is at the taxidermist getting prepared into a beautiful mount. You’ve got the gear stowed back in the closet and the shotgun is safely tucked away. You’re done with waterfowl hunting for the year.

But, did you take care of your shotgun? After the season is over, take care of your gun now to avoid problems later. There are a few things you can do to make sure your trusty gun is ready for another season.

Clean it

Give it a thorough cleaning, making sure to clean the bore and use the right kind of tools for the job. I like to use Tipton bore rods. They ride on ball-bearing drives so they are easy to use. Hoppe’s BoreSnakes are also awesome tools for cleaning. I use them in the field during the season and after the season is over, they make cleaning the bore a snap.

I wipe down all of the exposed metal surfaces of the gun with a good cloth and nice oil. There are a lot of good oils and cleaning solvents out there, but it’s hard to beat Hoppe’s stuff. Plus the smell just says guns to me. Maybe I’m just nostalgic. Hoppe’s, by the way, has been improved with a sweet synthetic blend that has all the advantages of newer synthetic cleaners, but it still smells like Hoppe’s No. 9.

If you’re using an semiautomatic shotgun, now is the time to strip it down and do a complete cleaning. I know some guns require several cleaning s throughout the year, but others don’t at the end of the season, all of my shotguns get a complete cleaning. Springs, ports, tubes, etc. all get a thorough exam for wear and damage.

And when you reassemble the shotgun, make sure you put the plug back in. One of my good buddies found out the hard way that thinking you have the plug in the gun and knowing are two very different and expensive things.

This is also a great time to make sure all the nuts and bolts are tight, and everything is where it should be. My guns don’t sit idle until next season, as I like to shoot at the range a lot. But if it did have something that sat for a while, it would be all too easy to forget that maybe I dropped the case on the last day of the hunt or something. Check everything now, just to be safe and give you less to worry about later.

Another really important step in the cleaning process is letting the gun sit in the warmth of the house for a while to make sure it gets dry. Condensation from cold weather can be a beast, getting rust-inducing moisture into parts of your gun you can’t see. Don’t be that guy.

One thing that will help is to not leave your gun in a case, sitting in the back of your closet all year. Even if you have a top of the line, weatherproof case that you’re certain will be perfect, this is a no-no. Let the gun breathe. Rust is the enemy. It’s even worse than a politician.

Keep a journal

You don’t have to be extensive about this, but it helps to know the temperature, range and weather conditions you shot your ducks in. Also, what ammo were you using? This will help you next season.

As you can guess, temperature affects metal and your gun is metal. If it’s cold, it’ll affect your gun and your future hunts. Was the temperature low? High? Was it windy? Keeping track of this kind of information will help you at the range the following season when you’re shooting a round or three and getting ready for another season chasing birds.

I also keep track of ammo. Sometimes ammunition manufacturers decide to stop producing a certain kind of ammo. It happened to me. I had one load that patterned awesome for ducks. I thought I had plenty of it, but was wrong. I was shocked and panicked when I learned they had discontinued it. Luckily there was a replacement that did well, but I was glad to have the information for a starting point.

It’s also good to take note of any setting or other modifications to the gun. If you have a shotgun with more than one barrel and you know you’re going to be using one for deer and other game, make sure you try to take note of where and how your slug barrel mounted to the receiver. It makes it easier to set it back up the following deer season.

Shoot it

The best thing I can tell you to do with your gun after season is to shoot it often. Shooting is fun and a great sport. Getting the gun out and shooting often not only makes you a better shot, but it keeps your muscle memory of the action of shooting fresh. I like to think of a shotgun as an extension of your body. Shooting often is just as much a part of off-season gun care as anything else you do.

Besides, shooting reminds you of the hunting season and makes those memories last just that much longer. How sweet is that? I, for one, love hunting and like to think that if I’m not hunting, I’m getting ready to hunt and therefore it is a year-round lifestyle, not just an occasional thing. Good hunting folks!

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Tips for Buying a Used Shotgun

For many of us, our first shotgun was used. There’s nothing wrong with that. Buying an “experienced” gun can be a cost-effective move. Shotguns, like other firearms, differ from other products in that they can last for many years and be a solid, usable tool to pass along for generations.

To find the right used shotgun, you need to key in on three things: research, examination, and asking the right questions. If everything looks okay, there are three more things you should consider. Have the gun checked out by a gunsmith if possible. If you are at all suspicious, have your local police run a serial number check. Finally, insist on a bill of sale.

Do your research

Do as much research as you can. The internet and books, like the Standard Catalog of Firearms from Gun Digest, are great tools. You can use these tools to find out things like if the firearm is still manufactured and is the maker still in business. The availability of replacement parts, accessories, and/or service should also be a concern. A broken gun that is unfixable is now an expensive paperweight.

How old is the gun? Most modern firearms have long production lives. Knowing serial number ranges and differences in markings between old and new will give you an idea of the value. Look for styling differences such as stock designs, barrel lengths, caliber options, types of sights, and more. These can also help date the firearm.

Examine the firearm thoroughly

This is critical. There is so much abuse that firearms can take and you don’t want to buy one that has seen too much. Check the barrel, receiver, magazine, trigger assembly, and all metal parts for rust damage. Look for anything loose, broken, and worn or if any of the parts are missing. If you find anything wrong, let the seller know and then respectfully pass on the gun. Reputable dealers and sellers will be thankful for the info.

A full examination includes checking the bore and chamber for excessive wear, rust, or lead and copper build up. Nicks or dents in the muzzle can ruin the accuracy and create safety issues. Be sure to check for that, as well as any internal or external bulges in the barrel. Check the condition of the stock and look for signs of abuse such as dents or stains. If possible, examine underneath the stock as this is where real damage is often found.

You should also check to see if the anything has been modified and to what extent. Check if the serial numbers match and then see if the action functions smoothly. If possible strip the gun to look for rust, dirt, and the condition of the springs and firing pin. If the trigger or safety been modified or altered, make sure both work as intended. If not, walk away.

Ask the right questions

When you find a shotgun you are interested in, you need to ask the seller a number of questions. Armed with the knowledge from your inspection of the firearm, ask questions:

• Is the seller the original owner of the gun?
• When did seller purchase it and where was it bought?
• Why the owner is selling the firearm? This isn’t necessary if you’re buying a used gun at a store.
• Ask if there were any problems with the gun. If so, what was the problem, when did it occur and what was done to fix it?
• Are the original paperwork and owner’s manual available? If the seller does not have an owner’s manual, contact the manufacturer and ask for one. Manufacturers will usually supply one free of charge.

Often, you can learn a great deal about the gun’s history and its condition by talking to the seller about what he or she used the gun for, and when it was last used. This will give you an idea of how often it saw use, the conditions it was used under, and more. I know I have an old pump that you wouldn’t want. I beat that gun up, dragging it through the mud and sludge as I learned how to hunt ducks and geese. It doesn’t work well anymore and would be one to walk away from, that is, if I ever sold it. But that isn’t going to happen.

You should also ask roughly how many rounds were fired through the gun. You don’t want to pay top dollar for a gun that has had the barrel shot out of it or has an action that is as sloppy as my son’s handwriting.

Other things you should consider doing before you buy a used gun are:

• Ask a gunsmith to check the firearm over before you buy it. Most stores will have had a competent gunsmith look over all used firearms before they sell them if for nothing else than to reduce liability. Ask to see any records that this was done.
• If buying from a private party, you might have your local police run a check on the gun’s serial number just to be certain it is not stolen. If you’re going to do this, do so before you buy.
• If you are purchasing the gun from a private party, for your own protection, insist upon a signed bill of sale indicating the gun’s model and serial number, the seller’s name, address, phone number, and driver’s license number, if possible.

Buying online

With online gun brokers and auction houses becoming very popular, buying a firearm online is now fairly common. You still want to follow many of the same tips suggested above but it will be impossible to inspect the gun before purchase. If the gun is being shipped to you, insist upon having the ability to inspect and return the gun if it turns out to be less than advertised. The gun will have to go to a licensed federal firearms dealer and perhaps that is an opportunity to have the gun inspected professionally.

The bottom line

Used guns can be a great bargain as well as a way to own a little piece of history. Just make sure you follow the steps to making a smart, educated purchase so that you end up being completely satisfied with your new-to-you gun. If you know what to look for and the right questions to ask, buying a used shotgun can be easy.

Read and join the discussion on Tips for Buying a Used Shotgun at OutdoorHub.com.

Shotgun Life Announces “Contextual Advertising” as a Part of Complete Redesign

Contextual Advertising Automatically Pairs Ads With Editorial, Giving Direct Relevancy to Companies Reaching Affluent Wing and Clays Shooters

Shotgun Life (www.shotgunlife.com), the first online magazine dedicated to the best in wing and clays shooting, announced the industry’s first Contextual Advertising – a unique system that automatically matches a company’s products with quality editorial benefits.

Contextual Advertising lets companies run multiple ads on Shotgun Life, which are routinely matched with stories based on key words and other corresponding factors. For example, a shotshell manufacturer can run one ad for subgauge shells, another ad for waterfowl shells and yet a third for upland shells depending on the nature of the story. A gun case company can match their products with over/under, semi-automatic or side-by-side shotguns. Categories can also be established by gender, helping advertisers reach the 37% of Shotgun Life readers who are women.

Shotgun Life’s new Contextual Advertising complements its superior Search Engine Optimization (SEO), which is built into its Internet software platform. Since so many shooters now scour the Internet for information before making a buying decision, Shotgun Life’s SEO, combined with Contextual Advertising, educate potential customers beyond the ocean of “guns for sale” classifieds that proliferate the Internet. This powerful combination of Contextual Advertising and SEO effectively gives advertisers intelligent Internet exposure in-perpetuity.

“Having spent 15 years in Silicon Valley as a marketing and media-relations professional, the Shotgun Life team brings a wealth of related experience to the wing and clays shooting industry,” said Shotgun Life Publisher, Irwin Greenstein.

Shotgun Life’s Contextual Advertising and SEO campaigns are complemented by an aggressive social-marketing program that reaches some 50 affinity groups on Facebook, LinkedIn and blogs.

These new capabilities are complemented by a redesign that conveys a luxurious upscale image. The online magazine now features a leather backdrop, easy-to-read royal blue headlines, rotating lead stories and exciting new opportunities for streaming-media marketing.

Because of the underlying modular software platform, ads can be moved anywhere on Shotgun Life, and for a very modest premium companies can mix-and-match different ads throughout the online magazine.

Read and join the discussion on Shotgun Life Announces “Contextual Advertising” as a Part of Complete Redesign at OutdoorHub.com.

Browning Introduces A5 3-1/2-inch Semi-auto

Browning’s new A5 3-½ recoil-operated 12-gauge shotgun features a kinematic drive system instead of a gas-operated system. The original A5 was introduced in 2012 in a 3-inch chambering, but now Browning is offering the 3½-inch model so turkey hunters and waterfowlers can get the most from the 12-gauge.

The A5 plays off of some old Automatic 5 features, such as the distinctive humpback look John Browning designed into his gun. The receivers in the all-new A5 are made from an aluminum alloy that makes the gun lighter than its predecessors, and it has an all-new Invector DS choke system, the longest such system in Browning’s lineup.

The Invector DS threads at the muzzle instead of at the bottom where the tube fits to the barrel. And that junction, Browning uses a brass seal to keep things clean between the choke tube and the barrel. In addition, this longer choke tubes give shooters better patterns and more consistent performance.

The A5 also has a soft recoil pad called the Inflex II, which most shooters will appreciate when firing 3½-inch loads from this relatively lightweight shotgun. The A5 is offered in a wood stock with a gloss finish, and a blued receiver and barrel. It’s also available in a Stalker version, which is a black synthetic composite stock with a matte black receiver and barrel. The A5 will also be available in the new Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades camo, and the new Realtree Max 4 camo. MSRP $1,559.

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Ithaca Unveils the Larrabee Shotgun

The Ithaca Gun Co. is going back to the future with the new Larrabee 12-gauge shotgun. Those familiar with Ithaca’s classic Knickerbocker trap gun will instantly recognize the Larrabee’s inspiration.

The Knickerbocker originated in 1922 and enjoyed more than a 50-year run before it was discontinued in the 1970s. Mike Farrell of Ithaca said the Larrabee is named after the company’s head machinist, Roger Larrabee, who reverse-engineered one of the original Knickerbocker guns for this reintroduction. The original single-barrel trap gun was as renown as the ATA and Stephen Grant shotguns for many years.

The Larrabee will be available in four grades, and in 28-, 30-, 32- and 34-inch barrels. Farrell said Ithaca also plans to make 11 Sousa-grade guns because the company made 11 Sousa-grade Knickerbockers in 1922.

The Larrabee guns are scheduled to start shipping in March. Ithaca also plans to do a 20-gauge Larrabee in the future.

Read and join the discussion on Ithaca Unveils the Larrabee Shotgun at OutdoorHub.com.

Mossberg Reduces Recoil on Pump-Action Shotguns

O.F. Mossberg and Sons teamed with Mathews Inc. to develop a new recoil-reduction system that will be part of seven new Mossberg pump-action shotguns. This system features a unique Mossberg Dual-Comb stock design with low- and high-profile inserts, Mathews Harmonic Damper Technology in the butt stock, and a re-engineered thermoplastic “elastomer” recoil pad.

These features combine to reduce felt recoil up to 20 percent. The Mossberg Recoil Reduction System will be available on select 835Ulti-Magand 535 ATS Turkey and Waterfowl 12-gauge 3½-inch pump-action shotguns, two 50012-gauge 3-inch pump-actions, a convenient Field/Deer Two-Barrel Combo, and a special-purpose Tactical six-shot model.

The Mathews Harmonic Dampers are well-known in archery and bowhunting. They use a patented counter-phase technology to interrupt recoil waves while weights float in an internal elastomer wheel to absorb recoil vibrations. The Mathews Damper is housed in an exclusive Mossberg stock whose interchangeable low- and high-profile combs ensure comfortable fit and reduced felt recoil. The shotguns’ MSRP ranges from $543 to $630 on the seven models.

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Remington Unleashes the VERSA MAX Zombie

The new VERSA MAX Zombie 12-gauge shotgun features the reliability of Remington’s auto-loading action to meet the demands of 3-gun shooting enthusiasts and everyday zombie slayers.

The VERSA MAX Zombie has a 22-inch hammer-forged steel barrel with a ventilated rib that tapers from 10mm at the receiver to 7mm at the muzzle for consistent sighting. It also has a Picatinny receiver and barrel-clamp rails, an oversized cross-bolt safety, bolt-release button and bolt handle, sling studs for easy carrying, ProBore Tactical choke tube, and a factory-mounted magazine extension that boosts the gun’s capacity to nine rounds.

The VERSA MAX Zombie is available in two finishes: “Gargoyle” Green or “Explosion” Pink. Both versions feature the Proveil Reaper Z camouflage pattern, which combines realistic images of zombies and bio-hazard symbols with a shredded surface.

Of course, at the heart of all VERSA MAX auto-loading shotguns is Remington’s patented VersaPortgas piston system, a reliable, semi-automatic operating system that consists of seven gas ports and two gas pistons for enhanced load versatility. This system also softens recoil and reduces maintenance.

A durable synthetic stock with rubber over-molded grip panels in key areas provides superior handling and solid grip in all weather conditions. MSRP: $1,599.

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Senator Feinstein Introduces New “Assault Weapons” Ban

Earlier today, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) held a press conference detailing the introduction of a new bill to ban the importation, sale, and transfer of “assault weapons.” Feinstein was joined by fellow senators Dick Durbin and Chuck Schumer among others, as well as representatives of the armed forces and police onstage.

The bill seeks to, among other provisions:

• Ban the importation, sale, and transfer of over 150 specifically named firearms (see list below) and semiautomatic rifles, shotguns, and pistols that feature detachable magazines and sport one or more “military characteristics”
  • Accessories or features considered “military characteristics:” pistol grip, forward grip, folding/telescoping/detachable stock, grenade or rocket launcher, barrel shroud, and threaded barrel
• Ban the importation, sale, and transfer of “high-capacity” magazines (magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds)
• Specifically ban accessories like Slidefire stocks and firearms featuring “bullet buttons”
• Exempt firearms that are lawfully possessed at the time of the bill’s implementation, firearms manually operated by a bolt, pump, lever, or slide action, “assault weapons” used by military, law enforcement, and retired law enforcement, and antique firearms; along with 2,258 specifically mentioned “hunting and sporting rifles and shotguns”

The senator began her speech by expressing frustration at the recent shootings in Newtown and elsewhere, for which she claims the bill is a response to.

“The common thread in these shootings is that each gunman used a semi-automatic assault weapon or large capacity ammunition magazine,” Feinstein stated. “These massacres don’t seem to stop,” she continued, as Feinstein and others talked on the dangers of “high-capacity,” “military” grade weapons in the hands of Americans.

“No weapon is [being] taken from anyone,” Feinstein said.

What the bill will do is to ban the sale, production and distribution of roughly 150 firearms, including rifles, shotguns and pistols with “military-style” components as well as “high-capacity” magazines. In a list obtained by the Daily Caller, weapons named under the bill include all AK and AR types and their pistol configurations, in addition to other models.

Unlike the previous assault weapons ban, which Feinstein had a large role in shaping, there is little talk of an expiration date on the current proposed bill.

“The purpose of this bill is to dry up the supply of these weapons over time, therefore there is no sunset on this bill,” elaborated Feinstein.

Gun rights activists oppose these new restrictions, saying that new laws would not stop criminals from obtaining weapons or decrease shootings. Others cite the low number of murders connected to rifles and “assault weapons” specifically. According to a report by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, only a small amount of homicides are committed with rifles compared to other weapons such as knives, handguns, and blunt objects.

Below is the list of firearms banned by name:

Rifles: All AK types, including the following: AK, AK47, AK47S, AK–74, AKM, AKS, ARM, MAK90, MISR, NHM90, NHM91, Rock River Arms LAR–47, SA85, SA93, Vector Arms AK–47, VEPR, WASR–10, and WUM, IZHMASH Saiga AK, MAADI AK47 and ARM, Norinco 56S, 56S2, 84S, and 86S, Poly Technologies AK47 and AKS; All AR types, including the following: AR–10, AR–15, Armalite M15 22LR Carbine, Armalite M15–T, Barrett REC7, Beretta AR–70, Bushmaster ACR, Bushmaster Carbon 15, Bushmaster MOE series, Bushmaster XM15, Colt Match Target Rifles, DoubleStar AR rifles, DPMS Tactical Rifles, Heckler & Koch MR556, Olympic Arms, Remington R–15 rifles, Rock River Arms LAR–15, Sig Sauer SIG516 rifles, Smith & Wesson M&P15 Rifles, Stag Arms AR rifles, Sturm, Ruger & Co. SR556 rifles; Barrett M107A1; Barrett M82A1; Beretta CX4 Storm; Calico Liberty Series; CETME Sporter; Daewoo K–1, K–2, Max 1, Max 2, AR 100, and AR 110C; Fabrique Nationale/FN Herstal FAL, LAR, 22 FNC, 308 Match, L1A1 Sporter, PS90, SCAR, and FS2000; Feather Industries AT–9; Galil Model AR and Model ARM; Hi-Point Carbine; HK–91, HK–93, HK–94, HK–PSG–1 and HK USC; Kel-Tec Sub–2000, SU–16, and RFB; SIG AMT, SIG PE–57, Sig Sauer SG 550, and Sig Sauer SG 551; Springfield Armory SAR–48; Steyr AUG; Sturm, Ruger Mini-14 Tactical Rife M–14/20CF; All Thompson rifles, including the following: Thompson M1SB, Thompson T1100D, Thompson T150D, Thompson T1B, Thompson T1B100D, Thompson T1B50D, Thompson T1BSB, Thompson T1–C, Thompson T1D, Thompson T1SB, Thompson T5, Thompson T5100D, Thompson TM1, Thompson TM1C; UMAREX UZI Rifle; UZI Mini Carbine, UZI Model A Carbine, and UZI Model B Carbine; Valmet M62S, M71S, and M78; Vector Arms UZI Type; Weaver Arms Nighthawk; Wilkinson Arms Linda Carbine.

Pistols: All AK–47 types, including the following: Centurion 39 AK pistol, Draco AK–47 pistol, HCR AK–47 pistol, IO Inc. Hellpup AK–47 pistol, Krinkov pistol, Mini Draco AK–47 pistol, Yugo Krebs Krink pistol; All AR–15 types, including the following: American Spirit AR–15 pistol, Bushmaster Carbon 15 pistol, DoubleStar Corporation AR pistol, DPMS AR–15 pistol, Olympic Arms AR–15 pistol, Rock River Arms LAR 15 pistol; Calico Liberty pistols; DSA SA58 PKP FAL pistol; Encom MP–9 and MP–45; Heckler & Koch model SP-89 pistol; Intratec AB–10, TEC–22 Scorpion, TEC–9, and TEC–DC9; Kel-Tec PLR 16 pistol; The following MAC types: MAC–10, MAC–11; Masterpiece Arms MPA A930 Mini Pistol, MPA460 Pistol, MPA Tactical Pistol, and MPA Mini Tactical Pistol; Military Armament Corp. Ingram M–11, Velocity Arms VMAC; Sig Sauer P556 pistol; Sites Spectre; All Thompson types, including the following: Thompson TA510D, Thompson TA5; All UZI types, including: Micro-UZI.

Shotguns: Franchi LAW–12 and SPAS 12; All IZHMASH Saiga 12 types, including the following: IZHMASH Saiga 12, IZHMASH Saiga 12S, IZHMASH Saiga 12S EXP–01, IZHMASH Saiga 12K, IZHMASH Saiga 12K–030, IZHMASH Saiga 12K–040 Taktika; Streetsweeper; Striker 12.

Belt-fed semiautomatic firearms: All belt-fed semiautomatic firearms including TNW M2HB.

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Franchi’s Affinity Receives Outdoor Life Editor’s Choice for Shotgun of the Year

Franchi’s new Affinity semiauto shotgun received Outdoor Life’s Editor’s Choice Award for Shotgun of the Year at the 2012 NRA Show in St. Louis. Established in 2000, Outdoor Life’s Editor’s Choice Awards are given to those products that score the highest overall in their category.

Franchi’s Affinity is a reliable Inertia Driven shotgun at a price that Outdoor Life ranks as an extremely good value in respect to both workmanship and performance. Available in either 26- or 28-inch configurations the 12-gauge Affinity barrels sport a ventilated raised rib, red fiber optic front sight and comes with a choice of three choke tubes, including full, modified and improved cylinder. The 20-gauge Affinity is available with a 26-inch barrel and sports all the same barrel features as the 12 gauge. Franchi has total confidence in their shotgun products and stands firmly behind every Afffinity with an industry-leading 7-year Warranty.

Outdoor Life, respected for presenting unbiased reviews, field-tests new gear for sportsmen, from shotguns and rifles to tents and sleeping bags. Outdoor Life’s unique test methodology utilizes panels of experts who know shotguns inside and out, to test and rate an array of new products. Outdoor Life readers have come to view these awards as reliable, objective guides for purchasing gear that they can find anywhere.

To earn an Outdoor Life Editor’s Choice award-which goes to the rifle and shotgun with the highest overall score in the gun test-is quite an accomplishment, ” said John Snow, Outdoor Life Shooting Editor. “The Franchi Affinity not only withstood the demanding rigors of the test, but also excelled in every category we rate-design, performance and price-value.”

SPECIFICATIONS: Gauge: 12- & 20-Gauge Barrel Length: 26″ & 28″ Chokes: IC, M, F

Sights: Red fiber optic bar Finish: Black synthetic, Realtree Max-4 & Realtree APG

Stock Material: Synthetic Average Weight: 12-gauge – 6.4 lbs., 20-gauge – 5.6 lbs.

Overall Length: 47.25″ and 49.25″ Length of Pull: 14.25″ Drop at heel: Adjustable from 2″ to 2.5″ in 4 increments Drop at Comb: 1.5″ (Adjustable with shim kit) MSRP: $849 – $949

For the latest news and product information visit www.franchiusa.com.

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