[SHOT 2026] Franchi MULE – Scout-Style Utility Rifle for Work & Play

February 20, 2026
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Franchi just dropped a bombshell at SHOT Show 2026 with the MULE—Momentum Utility Lite Elite—a scout-style rifle that's equal parts workhorse and plaything, built on their proven Momentum platform. While Franchi coyly avoids slapping the scout rifle label on it, this bad boy ticks every box from Jeff Cooper's legendary blueprint: forward-mounted optic compatibility, lightweight iron sights for backup, a barrel short enough for maneuverability yet long enough to push velocity (think 16-18 inches in a sub-7-pound package), and chamberings like .308 Win or 6.5 Creedmoor for that perfect balance of punch and portability. It's not just a rifle; it's the ultimate truck gun or UTV companion, engineered to grab-and-go from the back door for everything from ranch chores to reactive defense, with synthetic stocks, threaded muzzles for suppressors, and M-LOK rails begging for lights, lasers, or bipods. What makes the MULE a game-changer for the 2A community is how it revives Cooper's forward-thinking scout concept in an era of bloated AR-15 clones and overpriced precision rigs. Franchi nailed the elite lite ethos—durable enough for mud-splattered fieldwork, accurate to 1 MOA out to 300 yards, and priced accessibly (rumored under $1,200 street)—democratizing a rifle philosophy that's been niche since the Ruger Gunsite Scout. In a world where states increasingly demonize semi-autos, this straight-pull bolt-action sidesteps magazine bans and feature restrictions while delivering sub-MOA groups faster than you can say both eyes open through a 2-7x low-power variable optic up front. It's a sly nod to self-reliance, reminding us that the best defense tool is one that's always ready, not gathering dust in a safe. The implications? Franchi's MULE could spark a renaissance in utility rifles, pressuring competitors like Ruger, Henry, and even Savage to up their game in the practical carbine space. For 2A enthusiasts tired of tacticool overload, this is permission to embrace simplicity: a rifle that works harder so you don't have to. Keep an eye on production timelines—pre-orders might vanish fast as word spreads. If you're building a grab it and go battery, the MULE deserves a stall in your stable.

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Franchi just dropped a bombshell at SHOT Show 2026 with the MULE—Momentum Utility Lite Elite—a scout-style rifle that’s equal parts workhorse and plaything, built on their proven Momentum platform. While Franchi coyly avoids slapping the scout rifle label on it, this bad boy ticks every box from Jeff Cooper’s legendary blueprint: forward-mounted optic compatibility, lightweight iron sights for backup, a barrel short enough for maneuverability yet long enough to push velocity (think 16-18 inches in a sub-7-pound package), and chamberings like .308 Win or 6.5 Creedmoor for that perfect balance of punch and portability. It’s not just a rifle; it’s the ultimate truck gun or UTV companion, engineered to grab-and-go from the back door for everything from ranch chores to reactive defense, with synthetic stocks, threaded muzzles for suppressors, and M-LOK rails begging for lights, lasers, or bipods.

What makes the MULE a game-changer for the 2A community is how it revives Cooper’s forward-thinking scout concept in an era of bloated AR-15 clones and overpriced precision rigs. Franchi nailed the elite lite ethos—durable enough for mud-splattered fieldwork, accurate to 1 MOA out to 300 yards, and priced accessibly (rumored under $1,200 street)—democratizing a rifle philosophy that’s been niche since the Ruger Gunsite Scout. In a world where states increasingly demonize semi-autos, this straight-pull bolt-action sidesteps magazine bans and feature restrictions while delivering sub-MOA groups faster than you can say both eyes open through a 2-7x low-power variable optic up front. It’s a sly nod to self-reliance, reminding us that the best defense tool is one that’s always ready, not gathering dust in a safe.

The implications? Franchi’s MULE could spark a renaissance in utility rifles, pressuring competitors like Ruger, Henry, and even Savage to up their game in the practical carbine space. For 2A enthusiasts tired of tacticool overload, this is permission to embrace simplicity: a rifle that works harder so you don’t have to. Keep an eye on production timelines—pre-orders might vanish fast as word spreads. If you’re building a grab it and go battery, the MULE deserves a stall in your stable.

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