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Franchi Harrier Sporter

Franchi Harrier Sporter

Mention Franchi to most shooters and it’s a fair bet that the name will generate comments about their range of semi automatic shotguns. Editor Pete Moore owned one of their short recoil Hunter models years ago and has told me more than once of the problems he experienced with it… Now I’ll admit that over the past year or so, this famous Italian name does seem to have rather lost its way. Their Raptor is not my first choice when it comes to gas-operated semis. But with their new range of Harrier doubles my opinion is rapidly changing.

Priced at just £855, the Harrier Sporter is a clay-specific, over & under 12-bore design that feels right from the moment you pick it up. So another excellent example of a sub £1,000 shotgun that ticks all the boxes in the ever expanding and affordable range of double barrelled competition guns, and will shoot and perform way beyond most users’ expectations.

Good Wood

The Harrier comes complete with a neat, simple black plastic travelling case that comfortably holds the full set of extended multi-chokes, fitting key, complimentary bottle of oil and of course the gun itself.

The furniture is semi oiled and straight grained along the stock, and the strength is immediately apparent as is the quality of the overall fit and chequering around the pistol grip and along the Schnable forend.

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Dimensionally, the stock provides a slightly shorter pull than expected at 14 3/8” with a drop at comb and heel of 17/16th and 21/16th, these condensed features combining with a trigger weight of approximately 7lbs. Like other single trigger shotguns, the second barrel pull varied slightly when compared to the first, but this is nothing especially unusual.

The box lock action is profusely decorated underneath with a rose and scroll motif that continues along the lower quarter of the sides, fences and top lever and shows a semi-bright finish. However, the two plain panels along with the lever have the dubious addition of small gold clays. I know this Harrier is competition orientated but personally I always found any form of flying clay motif as mawkish, but that’s just me.     

28ish...

Advertised as having 28” barrels, if you include any of the five extended choke tubes the actual measurement is 28¼”. Without them the tubes measure a fraction over 27½”. Whichever way you look at it though, the barrels come complete with a vented 9mm top and middle ribs plus a high visibility elongated green bead. If I had to criticize it would be the choke tubes designations. There’s nothing at all wrong with any of the five extended tubes, apart from the fact that the restriction markings are located between the two knurled rings. If you’re anything like me, you’ll need your glasses to read it.
   
A more than capable all rounder in every sense, where the Harrier Sporting excelled was on Coniston SG’s Skeet layouts. Fast and nimble whilst throwing what’s always supposed to be the ideal 60% of its pattern slightly high, whether you elect to shoot gun up or gun down. The Harrier not only allows the user to keep their targets constantly in sight, until you’ve got fully used to it, you may find you’re actually missing in front of crossing birds, so rapidly does the Franchi acquire the target.

Balanced and Honest

The Harrier’s other interesting aspect is that although the gun weighs a reasonably average 8lbs; it doesn’t feel like it in the shoulder. Balancing evenly between both hands, there’s no concept of bias, with the Harrier pivoting less than an inch in front of the pins. This gives the Franchi a slight bulky feel in the leading hand, which in turn allows the user to rapidly direct the muzzles between targets, especially when taking on diverse simultaneous pairs.
 
Although the experienced shooter often prefers muzzle-heavy shotguns, where the Harrier wins out is as an excellent 12-bore for the beginner or those who prefer the handling qualities of a traditional side-by-side game gun. The overall heft combined with weight distribution means it seemingly floats up to the shoulder; once again an excellent gun for those seeking to perfect a ‘gun down’ technique.

This is one of the most honest little shotguns I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing for quite a while. It purports to be nothing more than what it is; meaning anyone who picks up a Harrier is going to be mighty impressed. OK compared to a shotgun costing two or three times as much, certain aspects may not measure up, but for someone looking for a more than affordable clay buster you’ll go a long way to better the Franchi Harrier Sporter for cost or outright performance.

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  • Franchi Harrier Sporter - image {image:count}

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  • Franchi Harrier Sporter - image {image:count}

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  • Franchi Harrier Sporter - image {image:count}

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  • Franchi Harrier Sporter - image {image:count}

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  • Franchi Harrier Sporter - image {image:count}

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