[Sven]

Anyone here own or have experience with Browning Citori shotguns? I really like the looks of those with VI wood! Beautiful guns, but how do they shoot?

[TrapperReady]

I've got a Browning 425 O/U. It shoots very nicely, but doesn't quite fit me right. Even though I've had some stock work done and the forcing cones relieved (both of which helped), this particular gun is the only one that I've got that is uncomfortable to shoot.

HOWEVER, it is well-made, functions flawlessly and is in nearly brand-new condition despite thousands of shells and a couple seasons of trap, sporting clays and hunting. If the quality wasn't as good and I didn't shoot it as well as I do, I'd have gotten rid of it months and months ago. Instead, I'm keeping it and may one day have a new stock custom-made.

Around here, the Citori is pretty much the default O/U for both clay gamers and hunters. At our summer trap league, I'd bet nearly 50% of the guns in the racks are Citoris.

They do have a number of different finishes. Mine is a very basic Grade I, but a friend has a 325 Grade II with some really nice wood. I've seen a couple truly beautiful high-grade models. Most of the time, I'm not too keen on the Browning engraving patterns, but that's all personal preference.

[P95Carry]

Sven .... NICE shotgun!! I sold my Citori Hunter early this year ... wasn't shooting enough trap etc and thought that I really had too much money tied up in it. It went on consignment and sold eventaully .... trouble was, I went to collect a check for $650 and saw a M27-2 under the counter .. you may have seen a pic ... bought that for $400 no questions asked and came out with just $250!

I digress ... yeah ... great gun and i was in retrospect an idiot to sell ..... any of the very few times I have sold a gun .... REGRET ... bigtime. Tho up-side I have to say was the Smith!

It fitted me well ... and was a dream to shoot ... I like the barrel select safety and general balance. I now have replaced it with a lowly Baikal but that I will say is excellent value, really. Citori is one at bottom of pic . only pic I could find quick.

http://www.patriotnetwork.net/cb_img/shotguns_s.jpg

If you have a chance for one at a fair deal ... get it .. I would be surprised, and disappointed for you - if you didn't like it ... a lot.

[sm]

Citoris are well built, and hold up quite well. I used for example a 3 bbl set for many many years. The only problem I ever had, I busted the mid-bead on the 28 ga bbl., my fault in the way I placed the gun in the gun rack before entering club house. I used to run anywhere from 12-20 K a year in 12 ga alone in my 12 bore semi, the Citori was right there with it as I ran it hard to practice and compete in .410, 28 and .20. I can't even begin to count the # of Doves, quail... I figure I put over 100k in a 4 yr stint of hot and heavy shooting alone, It has many years and more rounds besides these.

Now the Citori in 20 is a bit thumpy for some, I have tried with and without a Dead Mule...prefer without because of handling. I instead tweaked the fit and recoil was negligent. Mine fit me real well to start, Just needed tweaking because my skill level changed. Another thing, Citoris sometimes are not given proper due. Not the newest design, name, "reciever too tall"...etc. IME and not just me, Citoris run, hold up well when run hard. I've seen some more "popular" guns fail, wear, not take abuse, My Old Citori kept running. This 3 bbl set used to bring home 13 medals from World Shoot...one year...has brought home other trinkets too.

Mine have fixed chokes ( dates me) with 28" bbls.

HTH

[PJR]

These guns are real workhorses on the clay target field and they stand up as well as any. I own a 20 gauge Citori Feather XS that has given me no reason to complain whether shooting clays or feathered targets. Great guns and its hard to go wrong with one.

The only quibbles I've heard about is a tendency toward blueing wear and the "H" pattern safety can sometimes hang up in the field.

Paul

[Dave McCracken]

Citoris are great shotguns, Sven. And they last a long time under heavy use. Fit may be a problem, do I recall correctly that you're tallnlanky? I find standard Citori stocks a bit short.

[HSMITH]

The standard Citori 12ga is blocky, deep through the reciever and heavy. They balance well and shoot fine though. The action is ENTIRELY too freakin' tight for reasonable people until you get quite a few thousand rounds through it, a new Citori is miserable to shoot because of it.

The sub-gauge Citori guns are fantasticly proportioned.

I have had a couple Citori's, the 425 being the best choice for me in 12 ga. I doubt I would buy another when the Beretta is there with a slim trim mean fighting physique for the same money.

[45auto]

Very good guns, reliable, durable and just well made.

I had my knowledable gunsmith "file" a couple of areas because the gun was too tight after about 5,000 rounds. It took him about 3 minutes.

There are many styles(old and new) and bbl lengths available so choose wisely. High rib, low rib, different stock dimensions, pistol grips, steel/aluminum receivers, etc, etc.

They are all the same basic design, but the "variations" do change how the gun feels and swings, at least for me.

[Smoke]

I have a Citori Lightning in 12ga and 20ga.

I had to have the 12ga and shot it for a number of years. I liked it a lot but never shot it well. Operator error. I was used to humbacks nad was not mounting the gun right. Once I figured that out it performed flawlessly and still looks great.

Stumbled across the 20 by accident. A guy in a dove field had taken it on trade and didn't want it. I shoot the 20 better than the 12 (go figger) even though there is no noticable difference physically.


I'll recommend them. Also if you look around in the used racks you'll notice they hold value well.

[Sven]

I'm 6' 3" - is there a 'taller guy shotgun' I should look at in the same class?

[P95Carry]

Sven ... I'm 6'.00'' and 205 .. not as tall but ... I have broad shoulders and .... longer than everage arms (primatic connection I guess :D ) ..... and find most all long arms short for me.

With Citori tho I just added a Pachmayr slip on recoil pad and found then it was fine .... could work for you as well.

[Smoke]

I'm 6'5" - 225# - 37"arms

It can work fine.

[sm]

Well I'm a runt compared to you guys. 6' ~ 170# and 33" sleeves. IIRC LOP 14 1/2 " on 3 bbl set. <insert looking up smilie here>