The Franchi Instinct SL is an over/under shotgun in .410 bore with a 28-inch barrel and A-Grade satin walnut stock. At 5.6 lbs it's notably light for a shotgun, which is part of the design intent — easy to carry and swing without fatiguing on a long day in the field. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Model: Instinct SL 
• Gauge: .410 Bore 
• Action: Over/Under 
• Barrel Length: 28 inches 
• Weight: 5.6 lbs. 
• Magazine Capacity: 2 rounds 
• Overall Length: 45.75 inches 
• Max Shell Length: 3 inches 
• Length of Pull (LOP): 14.25 inches 
• Choke Options: Extended F, Extended IC, Extended M 
• Sights Type: Red Fiber-Optic Front Bead 
• Stock Finish: A-Grade Satin Walnut 
• Handedness: Right Hand 
• Drop at Heel/Comb: 2 inches / 1.5 inches 
   

Features 

 
Three extended chokes are included — Full, Improved Cylinder, and Modified — which covers most field and clay scenarios. The red fiber optic front bead picks up well in variable light. The walnut stock has a satin finish and good grain quality at the A-grade tier. 
 
.410 bore accepts shells up to 3 inches. It's a demanding gauge — the smaller shot column requires precise shooting, which makes it a good discipline builder but a less forgiving hunting gauge than 12 or 20. 
 

Use Cases 

 
Upland hunting and clay target sports are the main applications. The 5.6 lb weight helps with swing and carry over a day's hunting. Youth and smaller-framed shooters benefit from the reduced recoil relative to 12 gauge, though .410 recoil in a light gun is still present. The shotgun also fits the introductory role well for new shooters learning fundamentals.

The Franchi Instinct SL .410 bore draws consistent praise for its craftsmanship and looks. The walnut stock is well-regarded, and the overall fit and finish are called out as quality work. The lightweight design is appreciated by upland hunters who value a gun that doesn't drag over a long day.

Shooting feel and action smoothness get positive reviews. It handles different ammunition types without issue for most owners.

The .410 limitation comes up in more experienced shooter discussions — the gauge works well for small game and birds in tight cover, but some feel it underperforms compared to 20 or 12 gauge for longer shots or denser cover. This isn't a knock on the gun itself, just a caliber trade-off to understand before buying.

Recoil is manageable for most owners, though in a 5.6 lb gun the .410's snap is still felt, which is worth noting for smaller shooters. Pricing lands on the higher side; owners generally justify it with build quality, but it's not entry-level money. Availability is occasionally mentioned as a friction point.