Cross posting this here cause both of these are popular turkey guns, posted in Guns & Gear too.
I'm looking at both of these in their respective compact 20ga models. I've never owned a nice(r) shotgun, just 870's 500's and single shots and this will be my pretty much everything gun.
I like the compacts being that I can shoot them in their shortest LOP configuration turkey hunting and turn around and add spacers or a slip over recoil pad to increase LOP and shoot ducks and doves clays whatever else.
They're both inertia driven guns and available in 24 and 26 inch barrels, I'll probably go with 26. Both very close in weight going by their websites- around 5.7-5.9 lbs.
I know Franchi's and Benelli's are made in the same factory and from everything I've read 90% of the parts are interchangeable.
Does anyone have either of these or have experience with either? Are there really any differences?

I have no experience with the Franchi, but the M2 is a fine gun. It took more self control than I usually have to keep from buying one that I handled in Walter Craig in Montgomery years ago. I really didn't need it, but that 20 gauge fit me so well that really wanted it. I already had a SBE and just couldn't justify getting it.

It didn't seem to be any different from the SBE other than the size. I've never had a bit of trouble with that gun and would choose it were I to be limited to one shotgun for some reason. The only information I might could tell you that you would find useful is to check out that 24" barrel before deciding to buy a 26. Mine is a 24" and I bought that length because I had turkey hunting in mind as the primary use. I was really surprised at how well I could do dove hunting with that length barrel. The receiver is long and the overall gun is the same length as a SxS with a 28" barrel.

Others might disagree, but I found the 24" barrel on a Benelli is long enough for any purpose. Good luck choosing

Never shot a franchi but I have a M2 and montefeltro both in 20 gauge and they fit and feel better to me.

Love my M2, it's my turkey gun with a red dot, Sumtoy choke and Apex 9's, it's bad to the bone.

I own one of each. Mechanically I feel like the franchi operates just as good as my m2. I prefer the stock on my m2 better though. It has a much better recoil pad on it and I also like how the trigger is easier to reach. The Franchi just has a little more distance between the grip and the trigger. One other difference is the forearm is slimmer on the m2, but I have zero issues with the forearm on the affinity. Both are high quality guns.

On a side note I own a 870 compact as well and I consider it to be one of the best turkey guns made. They are just hard to beat. Simple, super reliable and almost bomb proof.

I have 2 m2’s one 26inch barrel and just picked up the compact model with 24 inch barrel love them both. Now a buddy just bought a wearathby 20 guage and it’s super nice also seems to have same action as the m2

I bought the Stoeger 3020, the Franchi/Benelli’s cheaper lil brother.

This. I love my franchi affinity 3 but the one complaint I have is the distance in the trigger and grip. I cannot speak to the m2 as I’ve never really had/used.

Thank you for the input gentlemen.. I change my mind everyday but I'm going to pull the trigger on one or the other soon,,
I want to handle and shoulder each before i buy but finding anyone who has them in stock has been rough.

Reynolds Outdoors in auburn/ opelika has both in stock in 20 gauge or did yesterday when I was there. Also, they had an sx4 20 gauge that felt better to me personally.