[9x19mm]

I am currently looking at a Browning 425 Sporter Grade 1 (with chokes), 28'' barel, to be used for clay shooting.
Shooters claim that is is a very reliable O/U. Are there any known problems? ANY input is greatly appreciated :)

Stay Safe

[45auto]

The 425's are very reliable shotguns.

The ones I have and what I have been told from gunshops and gunsmiths confirms my experience.

Good luck with it and don't be afraid to check out their 30" 425, if available.

They have replaced the 425, in this country anyway, with the 525, so I don't know how many new 425s are hanging around.

Good luck.

[Dave McCracken]

Good shotguns. Browning's warranty work is oft a cruel joke according to common report. Good thing their shotguns last a long,long,time.

A Browning O/U with good fit to you and a hatful of choke tubes comes close to being an anything flying shotgun.

[HSMITH]

The 425 is my favorite Browning 2 holer, the sporting model with 32" tubes is a dream come true to me. It feels like a Beretta 682 in my hands and the 682 is the ultimate in my book. They are as 45 said dead reliable, solid and last nearly forever. I have only seen one that was worn out and one that had broken. The one that was worn out was WAY over 500K rounds deep into life and the guy thought it might be close to 700K, free shells while being a professional shooter goes a long way toward wearing a gun out, I believe his story and round count too. The gun still functioned but would open up when the top barrel was shot, it was the backup gun for competitions. That guy was awful hard on them too, being free I guess you can be if you want:rolleyes: . The one that was broken was one of those freak things, one barrel would not fire. It was sent to Browning and fixed free, took nearly 4 months to get it back though....... Don't have any idea what was repaired either.

I sold a 30" 425 for a 32" BTW, not guessing on the quality or handling...........

[9x19mm]

Thanks folks. In my place of the world there are no 525s available (yet?). So Browning dealers here stock brand new 425s. I am off to the store to have another look at the 425 Sporting (28'' and 30'' barrels).
I am also considering the Browning GTS as well (back-bored, steel shot, and magnum chambers). Any ideas?
Thanks again for your advice and I will keep you posted :) :)

[45auto]

Hi 9x19,

Even though I said, "in this country", I didn't realize you were in Europe. You have more options than we do here.

The 425 in Europe is not backbored. I have one of each, European and the American version, which is backbored.
I can't tell the difference in felt recoil between the two. There is a difference in weight however, the back bored bbls are heavier.

Since the actions are all the same, I would just pick the one that "felt" better. They have different rib configurations, mid ribs, slight stock dimensions, etc.

There is a trend towards longer and lighter bbls, so check out them all out.

You probably can also look at Miroku, where you are!

Good luck

[9x19mm]

I just got back from the store and the GTS *feels* better. The 425 Sporting is a close second though and I still have a dillemma.
45auto you are correct 425 barrels are not back bored. Inner bore diameter is 18,4 (both barrels). The GTS barrels are back bored, inner bore diameter is 18,7 (both barrels). Also the GTS has the new (longer) chokes and it accepts Midas chokes as well. The action is the same in both O/Us. The GTS shoots steel as well.
Probably I will go for the 2 3/4'' 28''-barrel GTS. There is no great difference in price. FYI, the 425 (28'') Sporting (with chokes) retails 1.800 euros and the GTS (2 3/4'' chamber, 28'' barrels) retails 1.860 euros. These are catalog prices, and I live in Greece. The exchange rate is 1 euro = 1,12 USD.

Stay Safe ;)

[9x19mm]

I have narrowed my choices down to the Browning GTS. Should I choose 2 3/4'' or 3'' chambers? (It is one of the few Browning O/Us with that choice). I will primarily use this O/U for clays and I *think* that the 2 3/4'' model feels just a little bit better (the 3'' model is 50 grams heavier. The difference is very small, so it may just be my idea). Let me clarify that I do not really need magnum chambers (I have two other 3'' SGs for that). I am just wondering if I should choose 3'' chambers for greater "versatility". Any ideas? Thanks :rolleyes:

[45auto]

I would go with the one you "think" you like better.
I'd hate to shoot 3" magnum shells out of an O/U anyway, but that's me.

Good luck

[riverdog]

Go with the 3" chamber, it provides for more space before the forcing cone. I never use 3" shells in any of my 3" barrels.