  Franchi’s Jens Krogh showed off one the company’s 2013 new products, the Aspire over-under, which is available in 28-gauge and .410 bore.
 The rounded receiver isn’t overdone, but it adds a distinctive look and in your hands it feels vastly different.
 An inscribed “Aspire” under the receiver in gold, matches the shotgun’s trigger nicely. It’s a nice touch and not gaudy enough you don’t want to be seen with it during opening day.
 Next to its siblings in the Franchi booth, it would easy to overlook the Aspire (center), but once you picked it up, it was easy to feel the difference.
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Franchi Fine Italian Shotguns
https://www.franchiusa.com/
Let’s face facts. There’s just something about an over-under shotgun that says “shooting in style.” Couple this with the fine craftsmanship of Franchi in either 28 gauge of .410 bore, and you’ve got a great value, shooting in style. Made 100% in Italy, there is no high quality sporting shotgun that is better at the price of a Franchi. This year Franchi introduces the Aspire, a weight-saving, hand-friendly rounded receiver over-under that is a truly elegant, heirloom quality shotgun.
Franchi calls it a “round-action receiver.” The diminutive gun points naturally (or as at least as naturally as you can point anything in a SHOT Show crowd) and it feels great. It looks even better. I passed it along to a much more knowledgeable shotgun writer and his first words were, “Whoa, I love it.” Coming from this guy, that’s a pretty good endorsement.
In both versions the shotgun comes with 28-inch barrels and five chokes are included. A solid rib runs between the barrels to minimize dust and dirt from collecting. An upland-style 6 mm vent rib with a fiber-optic front sight provide for nearly instinctive aiming.
The Aspire’s mechanical triggers ensure both hammers are cocked on opening. An automatic safety integrates a built-in barrel selector that’s easy to use. The receiver is case hardened, and both versions weigh only 5.8 pounds.
The stock, well, I wish my photos did it more justice. The rubbed oil finish on this walnut stock may not be billed as presentation grade, but I’d think twice before dragging it out into the muck and mire. A thin wrist and slim fore-end give it a distinctive look, and coupled with that rounded receiver, I can’t wait to get one in my hands for quail season.
With all the new guns and gear introduced at this year’s SHOT Show, I think the Aspire got a little lost in the crowd. I know for a fact when I scratch up an extra $2,299 I’m going to try and take one home. The way it’s built and looks, I’m sure it will be in the family for years to come, and carried with pride.