Need Help with Franchi 48AL

buckdodger

I recently purchased a Franchi 48AL 20 gauge from a seller here on Gunbroker. I wanted to see if a magazine plug was installed, so I loaded two shells into the magazine. I pulled the bolt back to unload the gun, but the magazine did not release a shell to be chambered. Is this normal and if so, how do you unload the magazine? Thanks

dannej

I just bought one of these shotguns, too, and experienced the same thing. I was going to write and ask the same question. It may be they are designed to work this way.To unload the magazine, turn the gun over, push the bolt release button on the side and push down the lever that raises the shell into position to chamber it. If you look at the shell in the magazine you will see it is held in place by a piece on the side. You can push on this piece and it will release the shell. Do this for each shell.I found that if I loaded the magazine and then the chamber, it would fire all rounds with no problem. The recoil must make the whole thing work. Email if you have questions.....dannej@eloft.net

AdamsQuailHunter

Your Franchi is working correctly.I will not steal "dannej's" thunder. What he has told you about taking the shells out of the magazine is correct.When you go into the field with the Franchi you can load two in the magazine and take it to your post in the dove field without any safety issue. There is nothing in the barrel. When you get where your going to shoot from - rack the bolt back - insert a shell in the barrel and touch the bolt release. You are now ready to shoot.With a Remington 1100 - if you have shells in the magagine and rack the bolt - a shell will go into the barrel and will be ready to fire.On a Browning A-5 if the bolt is open and you insert a shell into the magazine - it will be fed into the barrel and ready to fire. You can load a couple in the magazine, then put the put the magazine cut-off into position. The bolt can then be racked back into the open position and will lock. As soon as you move the magazine cut-off - a shell will be fed into the barrel and it will be ready to fire. It does allow the gun to be brought into action quickly, but in my personal opinion - it is also dangerous. Too many people put a finger on the trigger before releasing the magazine cut-off. If the safety is off - as soon as the bolt comes into battery - the gun will fire.