THIS month we look at a Franchi-branded Esprit 20-bore side-by-side from GMK. It has a single selective trigger, multi-chokes and weighs just 5lb 12oz. Our test gun has 28in steel-shot-friendly, fleur-de-lys-proofed barrels equipped with a traditional game rib, and is also available in 20- or 12-bore with 30in barrels. The bottom line is £3,250, relatively pricey for a base-grade gun, but it does come with a seven-year warranty and a degree of individuality.
First impressions are of a plain, elegant, small shotgun. Starting with the action, this has a colour-case-hardened-effect surface finish and is bare of other decoration barbelly, and the letter ‘F’ on to a subtly shaped blue steel trigger-guard. I didn’t like the gold-plated trigger particularly, but the gold does contrast pleasingly with the blued trigger-guard and action colour. Gold is not my preference on working shotguns.
