NEW! Franchi Catalyst Shotguns for Women

by
posted on January 27, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
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





Latest

M2 .50-caliber machine gun
M2 .50-caliber machine gun

The Short Life of America’s Anti-Tank Rifles

At the dawn of mechanized warfare, the U.S. Military contended with the reality that infantrymen would need an effective arm to defeat tanks. Their idea? Bring more gun.

Springfield Armory's XD Mod.4 OSP: Anything But Basic

For nearly 25 years, Springfield Armory has offered its affordable and reliable XD series of handguns, and for 2026, that design has now entered its fourth generation with the Mod.4 OSP.

The Armed Citizen® March 23, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Suppressor Sales Reach Unprecedented Levels

According to 4473 Cloud, a service provider to federal firearms licensees, more than 1.5 million Form 4s for suppressor transfers have been filed so far this year.

First Look: Shooters Global SG Pulse Pro

The Shooters Global SG Pulse Pro is an impressive all-in-one gadget, offering you a timer, DOPE cards, a level and a stability tracker in one aluminum, water-resistant body with multiple mounting options.

The Guns of Shanghai 1937: A Prelude to WWII's Brutal Urban Combat

Often overlooked by Western military historians, the Battle of Shanghai in 1937 was an early sign of the brutal urban combat that would characterize much of World War II. An incredible array of arms was used in the fighting.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.