Franchi Introduces the Next-Generation Affinity 3 and 3.5 Shotguns

Franchi Affinity

January 2025, Accokeek, MD – Since its introduction, Franchi’s Affinity 3 and Affinity 3.5 semi-auto shotguns have served as steady companions in duck blinds, upland fields, and competitive venues across the country and around the world. For 2025, Franchi proudly unveils the next generation of this sporting arm as the brand’s first all-new semi-auto platform in over a decade.

The new-generation Affinity 3 and 3.5 semi-auto Inertia Driven® shotguns are constructed around a fresh stock design that not only highlights the brand’s Italian artistry DNA but also boosts ergonomics for faster, more positive handling in all shooting conditions. A thinner forend with increased checkering offers a better hold and snappier swings. This concept extends to the grip, where the checkering is distributed higher and farther back on the grip to enhance control.

Aesthetics have not been overlooked in the new stock design. Clean lines flow gracefully from the grip, across the receiver, and into the forend, creating a visual continuity that reflects the shotgun’s exquisite ergonomics and precision construction. This design is also supported by a new trigger guard that subtly blends with the overall profile.

This trigger guard is part of the new-generation Affinity’s functional upgrades. By expanding the guard to a more rectangular profile, Franchi designers created more room for the trigger finger — particularly when wearing gloves. The new Affinity also features an updated magazine cap, and the bolt release button is now oblong (versus circular) with raised edging for more positive manipulation.

Another significant improvement is the addition of a two-piece shell latch. By shifting to a two-piece construction, shooters can load the shotgun faster and with less effort than with a conventional one-piece shell latch design.

Lastly, the new Affinity semi-auto addresses ergonomics with a new adjustable recoil pad system that mitigates perceived recoil by up to 50%. The standard length of pull can be shortened, providing an optimal setup for most body types. This system delivers performance that hunters and competitors have come to expect.

The Affinity 3.5 comes in 12-gauge, 2 3/4-, 3-, and 3 1/2-inch chambering with a 28-inch barrel. Consumers can choose between three finishes: black synthetic/matte blue, Realtree® Max-7™, and Mossy Oak® Bottomland™.

The Affinity 3 is available in 28- and 26-inch barrel lengths chambered in 12-gauge 2 3/4- and 3-inch with three finish options: black synthetic/matte blue, Realtree® Max-7™, and Mossy Oak® Bottomland™. Hunters with a lean toward the traditional can opt for the new Affinity 3 with a 28-inch barrel. MSRP:  $1079 – $1379 depending on model.

To learn more about Franchi’s shotguns and bolt-action rifles, visit FranchiUSA.com.

Browning® Ammunition Delivers NEW Shotshell for Competitive Shooters

Browning golden clays
Arnold, Mo., (January 20, 2025) – NEW from Browning Ammunition, Golden Clays™ Performance Target is for the competitive shooter looking for premium shotshell ammunition at an exceptional price point.

Available in 12 gauge, 20 gauge, 28 gauge, 16 gauge, and .410 bore, Golden Clays Performance Target utilizes lead shot alloyed with antimony to deliver tight patterns and maximum target-breaking energy. Crush clays like no other with The Best There Is™ in ammunition for clay target shooting. 

Browning Golden Clays Performance Target features: Alloyed Lead Shot – Reduces deformation, for consistent patterns and hard-hitting performance on clay targets Competition Grade Wad – 4-petal one-piece wad gives uniform velocities and consistent shot release.

Browning Golden Clays Performance Target shotshells are now available at an outdoor retailer or dealer near you. Learn more about the full line of Browning Ammunition at www.browningammo.com
 

Christopher Spencer, Father of the Pump Action Shotgun

Christopher Spencer is widely recognized as the Father of the Pump Action Shotgun, a title he rightfully deserves for his groundbreaking contributions to the firearm industry. His innovative designs and revolutionary ideas have left a lasting legacy that continues to shape the world of firearms to this day.

The Spencer 1882 was the first mass-produced pump-action shotgun. and became a big commercial success.

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Retay USA Unveils Air Control Extreme (ACE): Redefining Shotgun Performance for Waterfowl Hunters

Retay Ace
Easton, Md. (January 2025) – RETAY USA, the North American sales and distribution for RETAY ARMS, makers of innovative shotguns, is proud to introduce the Air Control Extreme (ACE), the next generation in Inertia Plus™ shotguns, designed specifically to meet the needs of the most demanding waterfowl hunters.

Built on the legacy of the Masai Mara and enhanced with 16 all-new performance features, the ACE is engineered to deliver reliability, innovation, and value. Available in Summer 2025, this new offering will be on display at the SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, Jan. 21 – 24, 2024, at RETAY USA’s Booth 70743 in Caesars Forum.  Everyone has different tastes, so RETAY made the ACE in a style to suit the individual shooter’s preference. The ACE lineup includes two distinctive receiver designs – a standard “slope back” receiver and a slight “humpback” version called the TYPE-R – allowing hunters to choose the style that best fits their preference. Both designs share the same premium features and internal parts with only a slight difference in appearance, as the ACE TYPE-R features a slightly raised receiver for enhanced handling.  

“The ACE and ACE TYPE-R were created with our customer’s needs in mind, combining the features they loved about our Masai Mara with significant upgrades that elevate the hunting experience,” commented Christian Handy, CEO of Banshee Brands, Inc. “With the ACE, we’ve delivered a premium shotgun that is not only highly functional but also accessible for hunters of all levels.”  

The improved light load cycling ensures consistent performance across the broadest range of shells of any RETAY shotgun. The cut-out loading port facilitates easy and quick reloading, while the improved Inertia Plus blot design enhances reliability and reduces cycling friction. The ACE is compatible with Benelli extended magazine tubes and Crio Plus chokes, offering greater versatility. The stainless steel recoil buffer spring ensures long-term durability and corrosion resistance.  The recoil-reducing “Airy” Recoil Pad, combined with a soft stock comb pad, reduces felt recoil by 30 percent for a more comfortable shooting experience. The receiver is drilled and tapped to accept Benelli rail mounts, allowing for easy installation of scopes or red dot sights. The redesigned ergonomic stock and forend provide a more comfortable and secure grip. The adjustable length of pull, utilizing the Airy Pad System, allows for customization to fit different shooters. The oversized easy-grip forend cap enhances control and maneuverability. The reversible safety button is easily adaptable for left- or right-handed users. The redesigned oversized charging handle offers improved leverage and ease of operation. The no-snag buffer tail prevents the buffer from snagging on clothing or gear. Finally, the oversized bolt release provides a larger target for quick and positive operation.  

The ACE and ACE TYPE-R are available in 12GA 3.5,” 20GA 3,” and 28GA 3” configurations, with a choice of drilled 28” or 26” barrels featuring optimized forcing cones. The MSRP starts at $1,049, making this advanced shotgun an attainable option for waterfowl enthusiasts everywhere. Both models come with RETAY’s limited lifetime warranty, ensuring peace of mind for years to come.  

ACE and ACE TYPE-R Specifications:   Caliber: 12ga 3.5,” 20ga 3,” 28ga 3” Action: Inertia (Inertia Plus™) Barrel: Drilled 28” or 26” Optimized Forcing Cone Magazine Capacity: 3+1 Sights: Single Fiber Optic Bead Drilled and Tapped: Yes Trigger Group: Push Button Removable LOP: 14.5” includes SHIM Kit MSRP: $1,049   For more information on RETAY USA visit the website, Facebook page, Instagram page, or YouTube page.

Webley & Scott Shotguns

Webley & Scott, a renowned British firearms manufacturer, has a long history of producing high-quality shotguns that are known for their reliability, performance, and craftsmanship. With roots dating back to the 18th century, Webley & Scott shotguns have earned a reputation for excellence among sportsmen, hunters, and shooting enthusiasts around the world.

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The Remington Model 11 Shotgun

The Remington Model 11D Semi-Automatic Shotgun was developed as a successor to the iconic Browning Auto-5. The Model 11D has a rich history and a reputation for its smooth operation and durability.

First introduced in 1905, the Remington Model 11 quickly gained popularity for its innovative design and reliable performance. It was one of the first successful autoloading shotguns on the market, featuring a long recoil action that helped reduce felt recoil and improve accuracy. The Model 11 was known for its solid construction and ability to handle a variety of loads, making it versatile for different shooting situations. The Model 11 was available in 12, 16 and 20 gauges and in eight different grades.

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Bruno Civolani: The Father of Inertia-Driven Shotguns

Bruno Civolani, an Italian engineer born in 1922, revolutionized shotgun design with his inertia-driven action in the 1960s. While not the first to develop an inertia system, as Carl Axel Theodor Sjogren of Sweden had previously worked on a similar concept, Civolani’s design significantly improved upon earlier attempts.Civolani’s fascination with firearms began in his youth, and he was inspired by Axel Sjögren’s recoil-operated shotgun.

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Gear Up for Late-Season Hunts with Dryshod’s Evalusion Hunt Max Gusset Boots

Dryshod

Conklin, NY — Dryshod, the new benchmark in performance waterproof footwear for outdoor recreation and occupational use, expands its innovative Evalusion hunting boot series with the introduction of the new Evalusion Max Gusset. With the Evalusion Max Gusset, the world’s lightest waterproof hunting boot is even more comfortable and accommodating for the stealthy hunter and outdoor adventurer.

Shifting clothing requirements due to changes in weather or hunting needs means conventional neoprene boot uppers may be too tight and uncomfortable. Those with larger calves also balk at the often too-tight fit of single-size uppers. The Evalusion Max Gusset solves this problem with its rear gusset and buckle system. The rubber gusset easily expands to provide room for extra clothing layers during cold-weather outings and to accommodate outdoor enthusiasts with more sizeable calves. The adjustable strap can then be secured for a just-right fit to provide all-day comfort, whether sitting in a stand or walking the most aggressive terrain.

Adding to the Evalusion Max Gusset’s exceptional comfort is Dryshod’s DUREVA™ outsole. Weighing nearly a full pound lighter than Dryshod’s already lightweight comparable boots, the DUREVA™ outsole employs a fusion compound that eliminates the need for a secondary rubber sole while delivering maximum stability and energy return to reduce fatigue. What’s more, the multi-lug tread design is both tough and pliable, ensuring high traction on challenging ground and quiet flexing over ground elements to enhance stealth.

Temperature control is always a factor with 100-percent waterproof boots, and the Evalusion Max Gusset comes ready for any climate or activity. Layered beneath the 5mm DENSOPRENE® foam bootie is a four-way stretch breathable Airmesh lining that promotes airflow to maximize insulation during cold weather while minimizing moisture build up during warm, high-activity conditions. The integrated polar fleece lining offers a broad comfort range from -50°F to 65°F.

The Evalusion Max Gusset comes with a Hydrokote™ camo upper that ensures water rolls off the calf pipe, eliminating the soggy uppers typical of most neoprene-style waterproof boots. Additional features include a natural rubber shell, roll-down calf pipe, steel shank, and a sturdy tuck board sub-sole.

For more information on the new Evalusion Max Gusset or to see the company’s full line of waterproof footwear, visit DryshodUSA.com.

About Dryshod

The team behind Dryshod was the first to develop the bootie-style neoprene-and-rubber boot category over 20 years ago. Now they have elevated protective footwear performance through the application of advanced materials, field-proven construction techniques, and purpose-built designs—all to ensure Dryshod consumers receive the highest quality, best performing, and most comfortable waterproof boots for any task or adventure. Dryshod’s mission is to provide farmers, hunters, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone who works or plays in wet, sloppy, and cold conditions with the most durable, reliable and comfortable 100-percent waterproof footwear available. To learn more about the Dryshod Waterproof Footwear difference, visit DryshodUSA.com.

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