January 2025, Accokeek, MD – Waterfowl enthusiasts throughout the world count Franchi’s Affinity shotguns as their trusted partners in the duck blinds (next to their faithful and hard-working dogs, of course). With its refined ergonomics, dependable performance, and Inertia Driven® semi-auto action cycling everything from standard to magnum loads, the Affinity series has delivered enviable results from ag fields and marshes to flooded timber.
Now, 13 years after its introduction, Franchi presents a redesigned platform with the all-new Affinity 3.5 Waterfowl Elite and Affinity 3 Waterfowl Elite. Built for the waterfowler, the Affinity Waterfowl Elite series enters 2025 with a fresh look that holds to the manufacturer’s Italian craftsmanship heritage while advancing performance-driven refinements in operation, comfort, and handling.
A quality waterfowling piece must be smooth to mount, easy to swing, and maintain a solid grip in the hands under the toughest of conditions. The Affinity Waterfowl Elite’s upgrades meet those criteria with a thinner forend and more robust checkering, offering exceptional grip for decisive mounting and muzzle control.
To ensure fast, fumble-free loading, the Affinity Waterfowl Elite comes with a new two-piece shell latch. This innovative design, combined with a larger loading port, makes reloads quick and easy when the birds are coming in hot. Other functional upgrades include a larger, elongated bolt release button and an oversized and textured bolt handle so you never miss a beat — even when wearing gloves.
The Affinity is known for its soft-shooting yet hard-hitting manners, and the revised Affinity Waterfowl Elite continues that tradition with a new adjustable TSA recoil pad system. In addition to its up to 50% reduction in felt recoil, this pad can be adjusted for length-of-pull by adding or removing the included spacer.
The Affinity 3.5 Waterfowl Elite comes with a 12-gauge, 3 1/2-inch chamber in a 28-inch barrel configuration. Finish treatments include GORE® OPTIFADE™ Waterfowl Marsh with Burnt Bronze Cerakote® or GORE® OPTIFADE™ Waterfowl Timber and Cobalt Cerakote®. For the Affinity 3 Waterfowl Elite, 12- or 20-gauge chambers in 3-inch are offered — 28-inch barrels for the former and 26-inch barrels for the latter. Both versions are offered in the same color configuration as the 3.5 shotguns. MSRP: $1429 – $1599 depending on model.
To learn more about Franchi’s shotguns and bolt-action rifles, visit FranchiUSA.com.
About Franchi
Known for its high-quality semi-automatic shotguns, over-under shotguns, and bolt-action rifles, Franchi brings over 150 years of craftsmanship and innovation to the gun-making art. Franchi firearms have earned a reputation among dedicated upland hunters, waterfowlers, and big game hunters for their exceptional fit, exquisite handling, fine balance, and proven reliability in the field throughout the world.
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