Luigi · Revolver
Franchi RF 83
Double action revolver · .38 Special · introduced 1983
Also known as RF-83
About the Franchi RF 83
The Franchi RF 83 is an Italian double-action, six-shot revolver chambered in .38 Special, built by Luigi Franchi and introduced in 1983. It has a swing-out cylinder and a heavy, ventilated-rib barrel that gives it a strong resemblance to Colt's Python and Diamondback revolvers. It was offered in several barrel lengths — a 2.5-inch snub, a 4-inch service length, and a 6-inch 'Sportiva' target version — in both blued and stainless (inox) finishes. Some examples were issued through the Terni arsenal to Italian security and law-enforcement users. It remained a niche product, as Franchi was and is far better known for its shotguns.
Luigi Franchi, a name synonymous with fine Italian shotguns since 1868, made a rare handgun venture with the RF 83 — a heavy-barrelled .38 Special sixgun styled after Colt's Python, offered in blued and stainless, that never strayed far from the Italian home market.
Franchi RF 83 specifications
General
- Type
- Revolver
- Action
- Double action revolver
- Firing mechanism
- Hammer-fired
- Trigger
- Double action
- Calibres
- .38 Special
- Magazine capacity
- 6 rounds
- Magazine
- Internal
Dimensions
- Barrel length
- 102 mm (4.0 in)
Barrel
- Rifling
- Right hand
Materials
- Barrel
- Steel
- Receiver / frame
- Steel
- Finish
- blued
Performance
- Muzzle velocity (typical)
- 290 m/s (951 fps)
- Muzzle energy (typical)
- 341 J (252 ft·lb)
- Effective range
- 50 m
History
- Introduced
- 1983
- Production status
- Discontinued
- Country of origin
- IT
Features
- Swing out cylinder
- Ventilated rib
- Double action single action
Safety
- Transfer bar
- Rebounding hammer
Franchi is far better known for its shotguns; the RF 83 was one of the company's few handgun ventures and had a limited production run. Barrel lengths encountered on the used market are 2.5", 4" and 6", in blued and stainless finishes.
