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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 9:47 pm |
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Joined: Thu Nov 18, 2010 4:42 pm
Posts: 40 | Opinions good or bad about it?
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Post subject: Re: Franchi 912 variomax |
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Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2004 12:53 pm
Posts: 13017
Location: Michigan | Lots of reviews in the Franchi Forum. They are a good model that are wekl made and reliable. They are also very easy to clean and one of the better 3 1/2' designs for lighter loads. They are a little on the beg feeling. When they first came out they about average/middle of the roiad weight wise. By todays standards they are a little on the heavy side. They do have good balance with more weight towards the stock. They have good features like shims to adjust the stock and automatic magazine cutoff's.
This is the model that Beretta used as the bases for their then new A391 Xtrema.
It's a good choice for a waterfowling and turkey model and I could be happy using one for either use.
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Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2010 1:31 am |
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Joined: Mon Aug 23, 2010 9:38 pm
Posts: 2493
Location: San Jose, CA | Mine's been good and even feels pretty sporty. But I haven't shot it a whole lot, cuz I mostly hunt upland.
_________________
Hornady Apex 91 shotshell loaders in 12 g and 20g for sale
https://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=73&t=448601
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Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 5:39 pm |
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Joined: Tue Sep 08, 2009 8:15 pm
Posts: 191
Location: Twin Cities | can't comment on long term durability. I've had one for over 5 years, but it sat in its case until this fall. I've used it a few times, and it has been just fine. I have the 26' Max4 model, and it balances well.
It has a semi-humpback design, w/ a raised rib, just as an FYI when it comes to 'fit'.
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Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 7:53 pm |
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Joined: Sun Jan 02, 2011 4:07 pm
Posts: 1594
Location: Front Range, CO | Hello all, new to the forum, though an observer for some time, and very impressed with the breadth of knowledge and the civility here. Not yet a Franchi owner (couple of Browning o/u and an H&R grouser).
I am not new to shooting, having shot clays and upland birds in various places for many years but I would like to get out after turkey and waterfowl in 2011 and I have been looking at a 912 Variomax in rather good condition -matt, synthetic, 26' bbl, 3 chokes, hard case etc.
Now I have never met anyone who admits to having lost money on the stock market or paying retail for anything, so I am aware that there are many here who could find just this gun for $350 lol. However, after much searching, the best I can find is $550.
Seriously though, is that a reasonable price, assuming the gun is indeed in good shape, or should I keep looking? Also, does anyone have any views on negative 912 performance with Hevi shot?
Thanks very much for your help.
_________________
Idiots breed at a much higher rate than people with common sense and not all of them are able to find government work.
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Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 10:55 am |
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Joined: Mon Oct 11, 2010 4:03 pm
Posts: 2365 | bought one, very lightly used, with case, manual, tubes, etc., for $375 last year. I think they shouldn't be hard to find for $450 or so, as I looked on the auction sites shortly after I bought mine and that's what most seemed to bring. Remember asking price tends to be higher than selling price.
I am very happy with mine. I bought it as a backup for my SBE and used it pretty hard on a high volume duck hunt in S Texas and crane hunted with it a couple times. It has one minor quirk. Depending on brand, there are times when I cannot get 2 3.5' shells in the magazine. It hasn't been a big issue and I haven't heard of any other Variomax owner having this problem. It accepts 2 3' shells easily, it's merely a dimensional thing. So check that if you intend to shoot 3.5s.
I can definitely feel the weight difference between the 912 and my SBE. But for what I use it for, it's not a problem, actually maybe a good thing - it does seem felt recoil is a little softer, which probably has more to do with the gas operation but the weight helps too.
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I'll agree to the statement that Obama isn't a leader. A leader is somebody like George Bush
Obama doesn't lead, and he never has lead, and that's not his political style to lead, and that's not what community organizers do.
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Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 11:29 am |
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Joined: Sun Jan 02, 2011 4:07 pm
Posts: 1594
Location: Front Range, CO | Thanks for that. I'm in no rush and will continue to look at the Variomax and Beretta 390s. Not sure why, but I sort of have a thing for Franchi, the Italian red-haired stepchild. Almost bought a Renaissance Sporting last year and love the way the I-12 looks, although it has not been reviewed commensurately.
Cheers,
RPR
_________________
Idiots breed at a much higher rate than people with common sense and not all of them are able to find government work.
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Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 11:43 am |
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Joined: Mon Aug 23, 2010 9:38 pm
Posts: 2493
Location: San Jose, CA | Not sure why, but I sort of have a thing for Franchi, the Italian red-haired stepchild.
RPR Hey..in Italian, 'red head' is Testarossa. I think most guys would like a Ferrari.
_________________
Hornady Apex 91 shotshell loaders in 12 g and 20g for sale
https://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=73&t=448601
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Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 12:09 pm |
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Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2004 12:53 pm
Posts: 13017
Location: Michigan | It has one minor quirk. Depending on brand, there are times when I cannot get 2 3.5' shells in the magazine. It hasn't been a big issue and I haven't heard of any other Variomax owner having this problem. It accepts 2 3' shells easily, it's merely a dimensional thing. So check that if you intend to shoot 3.5s. Sounds like you need to trim you plug down a little. Start by taking off small amounts and recheck with three 2 3/4' shells and two 3 1/2' shells that would not fit before. You want to make sure three 2 3/4' shells wont fit with the plug installed.
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Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 12:34 pm |
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Joined: Mon Oct 11, 2010 4:03 pm
Posts: 2365 | Yep, just haven't had time yet. This may not be even a Franchi problem, may be a homemade plug.
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SuperXOne wrote: I'll agree to the statement that Obama isn't a leader. A leader is somebody like George Bush
Obama doesn't lead, and he never has lead, and that's not his political style to lead, and that's not what community organizers do.
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This is a revisit of the Windows DSL USB installation tutorial: 'Putting damn small linux on a USB pendrive'. Damn Small Linux was created by John Andrews, and is basically a trimmed down version of an early Knoppix build, making it perfect for smaller drives.