Browning Citori field

[bofe954]

Found this ad recently:
BROWNING Citori 12 ga 28" BBL, F/M, Field, 3" Chmbr, $650

I have a 870P and an old a Win1300 shadow (first gun I ever bought). I don't do much in the way of clay shooting but I am in the process of joining a gun club with pretty good facilities and I am going to give it a go.

I won't be competing real seriously but I think my 870P will look a little out of place. Anyway I know this is the field, only the top barrel is vented and it is not ported. I know it is intended as more of a field gun than the skeet models. How would it be for clay games?

I did a quick gunbroker/gunsamerica search and it seems to be a pretty solid deal if it's in good condition. I won't buy unless it's basically like new.

I read some O/U threads and the citori seems highly regarded.

Anyway-
1. Your thoughts on the shottie for intended purpose.
2. Your thoughts on the deal.
3. Your suggestions for function testing the shotgun should I go look at it.

Thanks

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

1. Fixed choke so its a pre-Invector model. Going to be too tight for skeet. I don't know how expensive it is to get threaded for chokes.

2. Sounds like a killer deal.

3. I don't know, somebody will be along shortly who knows a lot more than I do.

 

[Father Knows Best]

Citoris are great guns, and that is indeed a good deal if it's in good shape. About a year ago, I bought a 1984 vintage Citori field grade 12 gauge. It had obviously been "carried a lot, shot a little", as it had the classic blueing wear on the underside of the receiver (from carrying in the field), but locked up nice and tight with plenty of lever travel left. It was also threaded for invector tubes and had been ported. The gun shop had $850 on it, and I got it for $750.

It came with two flush choke tubes. I bought a half dozen Briley extended tubes and it became my skeet and clays gun. I still count it as one of the best purchases I ever made.

You will need to have choke tubes installed if you want to use it for skeet. The last time I had that done, I paid around $75 for the machine work, plus the cost of the tubes. That was on a single barrel gun. Any decent 'smith can do the work, so ask around to find out the price before you buy.

 

[Lee Woiteshek]

No shotgun has ever fit me as well as the Citori. It would be the last gun I'd ever get rid of. Have had mine 20 years, its the best shotgun I've ever owned.

 

[ArmedBear]

What kind of clay games, exactly?

I shot a few rounds of trap with a gun like that one, and I absolutely hated it. The receiver is really tall and balances weird, IMO. I was more than happy to go back to my 870, which is a fraction of the price, but I can shoot a lot better. If I buy an O/U, I like low-profile receivers, which are common in newer guns, including the current Browning Cynergy, Remington, Winchester, Beretta, and even Mossberg O/U guns though less than the ones earlier in the list.

The price is good, if you like the Citori (with the caveat that it's not a skeet gun, as was mentioned). But I would not buy one (or any other shotgun) if you've never at least shouldered it! I would not buy a 12 gauge Citori, ever, for me, but shotguns are a very personal thing. The previous poster finds that the thing fits him perfectly, and I wouldn't argue with that.

Trap stocks are different from other clay game stocks, BTW.

I'd recommend that you start with what you have. Try some other guns if you can. See what you like. $650 is a good amount of money. Citori 12 gauges don't sell at my range. No one shoots 'em. No one will look down on you for trying out clay shooting before you decide what to buy (or if they do, quit the club -- life's too short to shoot with jerks).

 

[SShooterZ]

Decent deal depending on the condition. Having the top barrel ported usually means someone intended for it to be shot alot as you normally don't port barrels of a field gun. For Trap, it would probably be OK as well as Doubles and Wobble. No good for skeet though.

FWIW, I just picked up a 12 GA Citori, 28" Barrels, Invector Plus chokes and the gun is about 2 years old for $750. There are better deals out there, you just need to be patient and know what you're looking for.

In all honesty, if you're looking to get into Trap and want a dedicated Trap gun, I would look for a used BT-99 as it's made for that purpose and they last forever.

 

[ArmedBear]

BT-99 is a GREAT gun for trap. Easy to shoot well, safe to handle, very low maintenance.

 

[bofe954]

Thanks guys, I am going to let it go. I think adding chokes is too much. The price would get me in to $750-$850. I could find something else. I'll run a search on BT-99.

 

[ArmedBear]

Thanks guys, I am going to let it go. I think adding chokes is too much. The price would get me in to $750-$850. I could find something else. I'll run a search on BT-99.

Your 1300 will work fine. I would advise against buying another gun until you have shot a lot of trap (or whatever you want to shoot).

I shoot league with a guy who has a Lanber O/U, an SKB O/U, and now a BT-99. He keeps buying guns, thinking it will improve his trap shooting.

I, however, promised myself I'd shoot my existing gun (870 Express 28" 12 ga wood stock) for a whole year before I bought another one, but I'd try to learn EVERYTHING I could about shooting well. There are friendly, very skilled people at the range, and information is easy to come by if you hang out and shoot with them. They also let me try some guns. I have a good idea about what I want next, now, without spending an extra penny.

Last round I shot with him, he hit 16 with his BT-99 and I hit all 25 with my 870. He's out a few grand, and I'm out $235. He still can't hit the friggin' birds. (Actually, he was doing better with his first gun, before he started using his wallet instead of his head.) And I can take the same gun hunting.

Spend the money wisely, or you will end up with a lot of guns and no trophies!

 

[Switchback]

If you are looking to buy a trap gun, I would strongly consider a Beretta 391 in a trap grade. It is a well built gun and extremely reliable. I bought one in 2001 and after 3 months I ran my first 100 straight. Since it is an autoloader, it will be also easier in the recoil deptmantment.

 

[SShooterZ]

Would you try and haul a boat with a Chevy Cavalier? Sure you could, but is that really the best way and smartest way to do it?

Same goes for shooting trap. You can shoot all you want with a Winchester 1300 or a Remington 870 Express, but, if you want to start shooting distances, and you want to save your shoulder from looking like chopped steak at the end of the day, get a gun built for the purpose you're using it.

A BT-99 will not cost you thousands, will last FOREVER, you can sell it for what you paid for it if you don't like it, and you can shoot 300 rounds in a day without too much discomfort. They're made for Trap and there's a reason you see them at every trap range.

The Beretta is a real nice gun too as is a Remington 1100 with a 30" Full choke barrel. No recoil and dead on for Trap.

 

[ArmedBear]

Would you try and haul a boat with a Chevy Cavalier? Sure you could, but is that really the best way and smartest way to do it?

Same goes for shooting trap. You can shoot all you want with a Winchester 1300 or a Remington 870 Express, but, if you want to start shooting distances, and you want to save your shoulder from looking like chopped steak at the end of the day, get a gun built for the purpose you're using it.

A BT-99 will not cost you thousands, will last FOREVER, you can sell it for what you paid for it if you don't like it, and you can shoot 300 rounds in a day without too much discomfort. They're made for Trap and there's a reason you see them at every trap range.

The Beretta is a real nice gun too as is a Remington 1100 with a 30" Full choke barrel. No recoil and dead on for Trap.

See you at the range for a dollar a bird?

How much of a handicap will you give me for using an 870 Express?

Of course you're right. But when someone is confronted with the question: should I buy a BT-99, an 1100 Classic Trap, etc., he is best able to determine the answer when he knows how to shoot.

Oh and a regular 1100 won't shoot any better than a plain 870. Identical stock dimensions and nearly identical balance. It does look prettier and shoot softer, though no one wants to shoot on your right.

Furthermore, a BT99 doesn't kick any less than an 870. What makes you think it does?

 

[SShooterZ]

See you at the range for a dollar a bird?

How much of a handicap will you give me for using an 870 Express?

Of course you're right. But when someone is confronted with the question: should I buy a BT-99, an 1100 Classic Trap, etc., he is best able to determine the answer when he knows how to shoot.

Oh and a regular 1100 won't shoot any better than a plain 870. Identical stock dimensions and nearly identical balance. It does look prettier and shoot softer, though no one wants to shoot on your right.

Furthermore, a BT99 doesn't kick any less than an 870. What makes you think it does?

An 870 is much lighter than than a BT-99. Heavier gun equals less recoil.

I have an 870TB and even that is lighter than my BT-99.

Last I looked, the 870 didn't come with a 32" or 34" barrel either, does it?

TS makes a shell catcher for an 1100. For like $12, you don't have to worry about ejecting shells.

If you're ever in the North Central Illinois area, you're on for a $1 a bird.
No handicap since it sounds like you can shoot your 870 Express better than your your buddy can with his BT-99.

 

[ArmedBear]

True. The 870 CT comes with a 30" barrel, 50" total length, 1/2
shorter than the 34" BT-99, and 5 oz. lighter.

I pity anyone who gets bruised up by trap loads in a 7.5 lb. or heavier gun, though.

Shell catchers can be an exercise in frustration, but they are a solution of course.

Note that I do not recommend against buying these guns, or a better gun for that matter. I drool over Lutjics or Perazzis as much as the next trapshooter.

What I do recommend is shoot some first, buy when you have a clue about what you want. I've seen people buy a good number of guns for thousands of dollars, and choke with all of them. And don't think that someone who gets in the teens with a Mossberg 500 will run the scorecard when he grabs a BT-99!

However, I sure do shoot well with certain guns when I grab them, BT-100 Thumbhole 34" being one, and the long-discontinued 870 Competition with gas-operated recoil compensater being another.

All I'm saying is not to rush into a purchase. People love Citoris. I can't stand 'em. I wouldn't know this if I hadn't learned to shoot first, then tried a couple of the things. I will probably get a BT-99 myself, because I like them. But I know a good shooter or two who can't shoot the things worth a hill of beans. Shotguns are very personal.

And seriously, if I'm ever in IL, I'd love to shoot. It's fun; that's the only reason I do it.

 

[SShooterZ]

10-4 Good Buddy

I agree, learn to shoot, before you learn to buy. The one thing I see at the ranges all the time though that seems to frustrate new shooters, is trying to shoot with a gun not fit for the exercise they are doing. At least with an inexpensive trap gun, the shooter can learn with the right gun, right away.

I do agree though, that there are two trains of thought and it's 50/50 whether you learn with what you've got or but a new gun and learn it all on that gun.

Break-em-all!!

 

[Chipperman]

I have nothing against people with more money than brains, unless they complain. Is your friend happy buying gun after gun? That is no different to me than someone buying a new car every year. I drive a car until it dies, then get another one. I certainly wouldn't mind having a nice car, but it's not a priority for me. I'd rather have nice guns.

Now if he complains about how much money he is spending on guns, then he is being stoopid.

I decided I wanted an O/U and looked into as many different brands I could find before I bought one. I shouldered the Browning, and the Angels sang. It felt like an extension of my arm more than any other I tried, so I bought that one. I'm not planning on getting any other O/Us, but if I were made of money, why not?

 

[ArmedBear]

I decided I wanted an O/U and looked into as many different brands I could find before I bought one. I shouldered the Browning, and the Angels sang. It felt like an extension of my arm more than any other I tried, so I bought that one. I'm not planning on getting any other O/Us, but if I were made of money, why not?

Agreed. But you'd want them all to fit you and feel at least as good (barring that nice old sidelock side-by-side bought from the 95-year-old lady down the block -- that goes on the wall of the den).

 

[farscott]

Trap stocks are different from other clay game stocks, BTW

That is the reason why I have a dedicated trap gun, an 870 CT. Being able to "float" the clay above the rib makes it easier for me to do well on the line.

That being said, I shot a fair amount of trap with an old Ithaca M37 I have had since I was a teen before sinking the money into the 870 CT. Without the practice with my trusty Ithaca M37, I did not know the following: 1) Did I like trap? and 2) What did I need in a gun for trap? The M37 made it easy for me to answer those questions.

Along the way, I have tried a few shotguns. The Citori that started this thread is a very good gun. I have a 28-gauge that I treasure. I also like the BT-99 although I have not bought one.

 

[ArmedBear]

That is the reason why I have a dedicated trap gun, an 870 CT. Being able to "float" the clay above the rib makes it easier for me to do well on the line.

I'm also tempted by the 870 CT. So you like it?

 

[farscott]

I do like it. Once I got past the gaudy looks and realized it is an 870 with a very nice and functional trap stock and a nice feel, I really started to like it. When Davidson's was dumping them a few years back, I picked up one for a song.

 

[bofe954]

I may still pick something up, part of my problem is that I would like to not deal with a pump. I know you guys do it and I know it can be done I just don't want to make things harder for myself.

Maybe when I get good I'll show up with the 870P and try to make a$$es out of the guys with $2000 guns. For now I just don't want to make an a$$ out of me.

My other thought is fit and recoil. My 1300 has the plastic stocks. I was checking out the Winchester SX2, it has a stock that can be adjusted with spacers and comes with 5 chokes. The MSRP on the site was about $1000. No doubt cheaper in the store and I would throw my 1300 towards it...

Less recoil, no pump more chokes and adjustable stock...How could I lose?

 

[ArmedBear]

I may still pick something up, part of my problem is that I would like to not deal with a pump. I know you guys do it and I know it can be done I just don't want to make things harder for myself.

Maybe when I get good I'll show up with the 870P and try to make a$$es out of the guys with $2000 guns. For now I just don't want to make an a$$ out of me.

My other thought is fit and recoil. My 1300 has the plastic stocks. I was checking out the Winchester SX2, it has a stock that can be adjusted with spacers and comes with 5 chokes. The MSRP on the site was about $1000. No doubt cheaper in the store and I would throw my 1300 towards it...

Less recoil, no pump more chokes and adjustable stock...How could I lose?

Consider getting Winchester's O/U trap gun instead if you want a trap gun. None of the rounds you shoot for trap or skeet should hurt your shoulder with a recoil pad. An O/U is much easier and quicker to clean; generally you can clean and oil it in a couple of minutes before you put it back in your car, barring an occasional deep-clean to get the plastic out of the barrels and chokes.

A pump is actually easier and safer to deal with than a semiauto for singles trap, but not for skeet.

Does your 1300 fit you now? Plastic stocks don't fit any different from wooden ones.

If it fits you, you don't need an adjustable stock. If not, I guess that's one way to get it to fit. Or you could take the extra money you pay for the adjustable stock and have a pro fit the gun for you. Then you could avoid having a butt-ugly "space gun."

See, all this stuff is why I strongly suggest you shoot a bunch first, buy a more expensive gun second.

 

[Father Knows Best]

I may still pick something up, part of my problem is that I would like to not deal with a pump. I know you guys do it and I know it can be done I just don't want to make things harder for myself.

Maybe when I get good I'll show up with the 870P and try to make a$$es out of the guys with $2000 guns. For now I just don't want to make an a$$ out of me.

For trap, my favorite shotgun is actually an old (1901) Winchester model 1897 pump. It was originally a goose gun, with a full choke 32" barrel. I like the long barrel, but had it threaded for tru-choke tubes. Thanks to the exposed hammer design, the receiver is shorter than most modern pump guns, meaning it balances better for me.

I shoot trap better with that old '97 pump than I do with my Citori. It does o.k. on the skeet field, too, thanks to the incredibly slick action, but the O/U certainly has the advantage there.