Looking for an Over/Under

[Rubikees]

Ok guys, my knowledge of the over/under shotguns are quite limited. I like Skeet and when a chance pops up, I go out for some Sporting Clays. Currently, I use a nice Browning semi-auto Gold Sport that is well used. I like Browning products so I am staying with Browning. A friend of mine has a brand new Browning Citori 525 Sporting that he will sell me, he is a dealer everything he has is always for sale. He let me try it out and it felt good and I shot pretty good with it, even though it left a king size bruise do to me using the heavy rounds for the semi. I have noticed that Browning has introduced the 725 Sporting. The Sporting style of shotguns is what I am looking for.

Now the questions. I am not a pro but is worth paying the extra money to go after the new model 725s? Is there a feature that makes the shotgun handle far better? Maybe just go after the Cynergy Sporting or Euro Sporting? Money is not a factor since I have been saving but I am not going to be throwing money at stuff I really don't need and on something that I can use for the rest of my life. Also, he has told me to make an offer. The lowest price I saw for the 525 Sporting is $2000 at Gander. What would be a good offer on this type of firearm? A friend is a friend but business is business. Your inputs will be welcomed.

 

[rule303]

If the 525 fits you well, it should do fine for what you want. There is nothing inherently "better" about a 725, or Cynergy. With shotguns, its all about gun fit. Any of the Citori's should be an excellent choice, and in the rare instance you would run into an issue Browning has your back.

 

[GarySTL]

I have a 625 Citori Sporting that I use for skeet and clays. It shoots better than I do, but I look good missing. One difference in the 725 is mechanical trigger rather than inertia trigger. Other than that it's just looks I believe.

 

[John3921]

I believe the 725 series has a low profile receiver - more like a Cynergy or a Beretta.

 

[Rubikees]

Food for Thought.

Ok, there is two points. So with the inertia trigger, if I get a Briley tube or a second barrel for a 20 gage or a .410 I run into the possibility of not picking up the second shot. However, with a mechanical trigger a bump shot is possible. Hmmmm. Now with this lower profile, is there really any advantage with a lower profile? If not, why did Browning decide to go to a lower profile? Opinions? Thanks.

 

[rule303]

I don't think there is really an advantage to the lower profile receiver, some shooters just didn't like how tall the original Citori receivers are. The Cynergy points more like an Italian gun, which could be good or bad depending on your opinion.

 

[John3921]

If you have .410 tubes by Briley or Kolar they will tune your inertia triggers to work with the .410. It's fairly trivial and really not an issue. Even the 'mechanical' 725 triggers have an inertia component to the triggers - as I understand them. From what I've read the 725's are not necessarily good to go on the .410's just because they are 'mechanical' - they need work as well.

Most of the inertia trigger won't need anything done to them until you get to the .410.

As far as Beratta's go - the Briley fitted tubes are a bit cheaper than the Briley companion (unfitted) tubes. The cost difference is about what it costs to ship your gun to Briley to have the tubes fitted. They charge an added $100 or so to tune the triggers to the .410.

The profile of the receiver really is just a matter of personal preference and fit. With adjustable combs and butt plates a lot of fit issues should go away. I personally do not like the citori series guns - they just feel blocky and clumsy to me. I have not tried a 725.

Also - If you are thinking even a little about getting a second bbl at a later date - forget Browning, they will not do it.

 

[Rubikees]

Briley is only 30 minutes away from me. They have a wonderful show room of some very old side by side.