Gun Review

The Franchi Highlander: a strong, simple side-by-side for the field & blind

Franchi Highlander

    When I think of Franchi shotguns, the ageless recoil-operated 48 AL autoloader comes to mind, especially the little 28-gauge version. Today Franchi also produces various lines of very modern over/unders and autos, but there hasn’t been a mainstream side-by-side for a while.
    With the resurgent popularity of the side-by-side, it makes sense for Franchi to give it another try. The Italian company certainly isn’t new to the side-by-side. When it still was called Luigi Franchi in the 1950s—before Beretta bought it—the firm produced an exquisite side-by-side sidelock ejector called the Imperial Monte Carlo in grades ranging from really fancy to even better than that. That model still is available on special order in the Beretta Galleries. The company also sold other side-by-sides of more modest cost, one of which was imported from Spain as the Astore.
    The Highlander side-by-side boxlock concept first saw light in 2003. It was an Anson & Deeley boxlock with a single trigger, extractors and fixed Improved Cylinder/Modified chokes. It came in 12, 20 and 28 gauge, all three on scaled frames and each with only 26" barrels. It was made for Franchi in Spain and sold for $1,800. Or would have sold for that if production had ever read more »

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