Franchi Alcione

About the Franchi Alcione

The Franchi Alcione is an Italian over-and-under boxlock shotgun most commonly chambered in 12 gauge with 3-inch chambers (a 20-gauge version was also offered). It uses a full-width cross-pin hinge and full-width locking bolt, a single selective trigger with mechanical reset for the second barrel, automatic ejectors, and an automatic safety that engages when the gun is opened. The barrels carry chrome-lined bores with ventilated top and side ribs and accept five screw-in multichoke tubes, while alloy fore-end metalwork helps keep the game gun light for upland and rough shooting.

Franchi is one of Italy's oldest gunmakers, and the Alcione was revitalised after Beretta acquired the brand in the late 1990s. Unusually for an Italian over-under, it was built on a full-width cross-pin hinge rather than the Boss-style trunnions common to its rivals, giving it a robust, long-wearing action.

Franchi Alcione specifications

Distributed in the UK by GMK. The name 'Alcione' is Italian for the halcyon or kingfisher. Sold in several trim levels including the Field, Sport/Sporting, SP, Titanium and Alcione 2000. 26, 28 and 30-inch barrel lengths were available; weight is roughly 3.3 kg (about 7.25 lb) in 28-inch 12-gauge form.