My son and I recently began shooting sporting clays and we bought an inexpensive O/U. I'm looking to buy another O/U. I have been searching my local gun shops. I recently visited one store that had a Browning Citori Grade 3 and a Beretta 687 Silver Pigeon 2. Both guns were used but appeared to be brand new. Both had 28" barrels and were identically priced at $1900. The Citori seemed a little heavier with a little thicker forearm and a slightly shorter length of pull. The CItori had a glossy finish whereas the Silver Pigeon was hand rubbed. The overall workmanship seemed quite similar. Both of these guns seem to represent good values. Does either gun jump out as a better value or should I just buy the one that feels better to me? Thanks.
Citori or Silver Pigeon
- Thread starter RalphJ
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chas08
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I agree, I've owned a Citori, It was a good gun. I like the Berreta better, I plan to own one some day,soon I hope. My Citori did not have chrome lined bores therfore it was prone to chamber rust if not immediately cleaned. Buy the one you like the most and have it fitted to you.
Omaha-BeenGlockin
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I like the Beretta better.
I think you can do better on the price---they have new ones around here for less than that---field models----not the clays guns.
I think you can do better on the price---they have new ones around here for less than that---field models----not the clays guns.
Dave McCracken
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My White Onyx Sporter is Beretta's entry level O/U. It's a death ray when I hold up my end of things. Same internals as the Pigeons, just less bling. Chromed chambers and bores.
Most Sporting folks use longer barrels than 28" these days. Mine are 32" Optima bores and are not muzzle heavy.
You can walk out the door today with one for about $1700, new.
The Citori is a decent gun, but feels a bit sluggish to me even with 28" barrels. YMMV.
Most Sporting folks use longer barrels than 28" these days. Mine are 32" Optima bores and are not muzzle heavy.
You can walk out the door today with one for about $1700, new.
The Citori is a decent gun, but feels a bit sluggish to me even with 28" barrels. YMMV.
If you can, shoot as many "variations" as possible before you buy.
For good or bad, there are many "differences" even within the same brands. Some of the "differences" are meaningful; heavier or lighter barrels, longer/shorter bbls, different stock dimensions, etc. Others are not useful, different receivers designs, checkering,etc, etc.
In particular, Browning can be confusing at a "glance".
Right off the "bat", you won't see many 28" O/U's at sporting. That doesn't mean you shouldn't, but it's something to think about.
For good or bad, there are many "differences" even within the same brands. Some of the "differences" are meaningful; heavier or lighter barrels, longer/shorter bbls, different stock dimensions, etc. Others are not useful, different receivers designs, checkering,etc, etc.
In particular, Browning can be confusing at a "glance".
Right off the "bat", you won't see many 28" O/U's at sporting. That doesn't mean you shouldn't, but it's something to think about.
I have the silver pigeon, which is now back at Beretta for repair. The gun is 4 months old, and I've only fired it two times at the skeet range where a fellow shooter noticed that the rear corners of the wood forearm of my Beretta was chipped out. Upon a closer look it appears that this is caused by the grain of the wood. I returned it to my place of purchase ( Davis Sports Shop - Sloatsburg NY) to return to Beretta for repair. Beretta called me and said the damage was caused by me ( Claim extractors gouged it out? how I don't know) and want $189.00 to repair. I am waiting to speak to a supervisor at Beretta to try and get this straightened out, but if this how Beretta treats its customers I would recommend buying a gun from anyone else but them. I will let you all know how I make out after Monday September 8th.
I've compared my 28" White Onyx field gun to one just like Dave's.
Conclusion? The Sporting model has longer barrels and is heavier overall. It has an all-manual safety, a matte stock finish, a wider rib and a FO bead. It feels and shoots about the same, for me. I like both; I got the lighter one for all-around use including hunting and dog training.
The SP II's go for a good deal more than WO's. You decide if you want to pay more for the same gun with engraving. If the gun is like new and comes with the case, etc., $1900 is a pretty good deal. If it's well-used and missing stuff, it's not. Of course, the WO will shoot the same.
Conclusion? The Sporting model has longer barrels and is heavier overall. It has an all-manual safety, a matte stock finish, a wider rib and a FO bead. It feels and shoots about the same, for me. I like both; I got the lighter one for all-around use including hunting and dog training.
The SP II's go for a good deal more than WO's. You decide if you want to pay more for the same gun with engraving. If the gun is like new and comes with the case, etc., $1900 is a pretty good deal. If it's well-used and missing stuff, it's not. Of course, the WO will shoot the same.
Thanks everyone. Both models were in "as new" condition. I think I will hold out and at least try shooting a 30" or 32" barrel. The dealership had a White Onyx Sporting in a 30" barrel, but they also wanted $1,900 for it which didn't represent as good a value. Fred, I'm sorry to hear of your experience with the Beretta. As always, I appreciated the helpful advice.
Ralph
Ralph
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