Franchi introduced the MULE (Momentum Utility Lite Elite) at SHOT Show 2026, and it's a modern take on the scout rifle concept built around their Momentum platform. The company isn't explicitly calling it a "scout rifle" in their marketing, but it checks all the boxes Jeff Cooper laid out decades ago. This is Franchi's answer to the truck gun, UTV rifle, and general-purpose utility carbine that lives ready by the back door.
The MULE is built around a 16.25-inch threaded barrel in either .308 Winchester or .223 Remington. Overall length sits at just over 38 inches, and weight comes in around 7 pounds. That's compact enough to throw in the cab of a truck or stow in a side-by-side without feeling like you're hauling a full-size hunting rifle. The threaded muzzle is set up for suppressors or brakes right out of the box.
Franchi used their Evolved Ergonom-X stock finished in VEIL TAC Black camo with M-LOK slots on both sides of the forend for mounting accessories. All metal is coated in Graphite Black Cerakote for weather resistance. The stock has quick-detach swivel points and the TSA recoil pad, which Franchi claims reduces felt recoil by up to 50 percent.
Franchi MULE Specs:
The standout feature is the flip-up iron sight system. In the low position, the rear sight is a 3-dot pistol-style notch for fast close-range work. Flip it up and it converts to an aperture peep sight for distance and precision. That's more thought than most manufacturers put into factory irons. The one-piece Picatinny rail runs long enough to mount optics conventionally or forward-mounted scout-style, so you can run whatever setup makes sense for your use case.
Franchi is also expanding the Momentum line with two new chamberings. The Momentum Elite and Momentum Carbine Elite are now offered in .400 Legend for straight-wall cartridge states, available in Franchi Biome and Terra camo patterns. The Momentum Elite Varmint is picking up .22 ARC for long-range varmint work with the advantage of high-BC bullets. Those rifles run $959-$1,299 depending on configuration.
The MULE sits at the practical end of the bolt-action market. It's not the lightest rifle at SHOT, and it's not the cheapest, but it's built to handle everything from property management to hunting to home defense without babying. At $1,559, it's priced competitively against other general-purpose carbines with similar features.
What do you guys and gals think? Is the scout rifle concept still relevant in 2026, or has the modern utility carbine replaced it entirely? Let us know your thoughts in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.