Franchi Affinity or Beretta A300?

FWIW, after a lot of research I will be buying the Beretta here soon. Obviously the biggest difference is the Affinity uses an inertia system (with a similar action to Benelli) and A300 uses a gas system. Beretta is the parent company of both and by most indications you cannot go wrong buying any of the 3.

Most folks on the board will say that you should buy which one fits you best.

Just sold my A300. I didn't like it. Too many cycle issues. Gun smith said nothing was wrong with it, but it sure did jam a lot.

Of those two get the beretta

A guy I hunt with just bought his son the A300, I like it. I would go Beretta for sure.

Just purchased the A300 Max4 camo. I love it so far.

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What are the differences between the inertia and gas systems?

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Good read here, page 2 goes into gas vs. inertia.

Basically there are three main types of semi-auto shotguns.

Recoil operated (ex. Browning A5)
Upon firing, the recoil forces bolt fully to the rear, compressing the return springs for both. Bolt is held to rear and returns to battery under spring force. Fired round is ejected. Bolt returns under spring force, loads new round, and returns to battery.

Gas operated (ex. Beretta A300, Remington 1100)
Upon firing, the energy of the gasses developed by the powder exploding is drawn from the barrel through intake holes into a cylinder enclosed by a sliding piston. The piston under pressure thrusts the bolt back, ejecting the shell, and relocking the action. The bolt returns to battery, loading a new round.

Inertia driven (ex. Benelli SBE2, Franchi Affinity)
Upon firing, the firearm recoils backwards into the shooter's body. The inertial mass remains stationary, compressing a spring. The compressed spring forces the inertial mass rearwards until it transfers its momentum to the bolt. The bolt unlocks and moves to the rear, ejecting the fired round and compressing the return spring.
The bolt returns to battery under spring force, loading a new round and locking into place.

As for the pro’s and con’s of each, I’ve only ever owned a gas operated semi but have shot inertia driven guns. Gas operated guns get dirty easily and are generally soft shooters with less perceived recoil. Inertia driven guns are the opposite. As long as you buy a reputable gun, both should operate reliably.

After owning a gas operated gun and shooting an inertia-driven a few times, I'll always own a gas operated shotgun.

I can't tell the difference in recoil. Anyone that says they can is lying.

The old A5s felt like they were blowing up as you shot them.

The new A5 is inertia driven