shotgun help

splucinski · Post by **splucinski** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 11:16 am

I'm going to buy a new or used 12 ga. O/U. I think I've narrowed my choices down to the following:

1. Used Browning Citori $800. I've seen this gun and the wood is in good shape with some minor handling marks on the forearm. The action is still very tight. I have no idea how many round through it.

2. New Winchester Select Field $899 from CDNN. I've not seen or handled one of these, but they are made by FN in Belgium and take the Invector Plus choke tubes.

I'd have to pay tax on the Browning, but no shipping of FFL transfer on the Browning. On the Winchester, no tax but I would have to pay shipping and transfer fee of $25.

This will be for some upland hunting and some sporting clays.

All opinions are appreciated.

bean1031 · Post by **bean1031** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 11:20 am

I have never owned either but I have heard great things about the browning.

thedarrenpeters · Post by **thedarrenpeters** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 5:53 am

I recently had the joy of shooting a Citori 20ga for a day and i'd imagine the 12ga would shoot just as wonderfully as the 12 ga did. This 20 ga has had thousands, and thousands of rounds of ammo run through it and it shoots wonderfully.

dudley · Post by **dudley** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 8:32 am

go with what ever fits the best try putting both up to your shoulder, personaly i would go with the citori

splucinski · Post by **splucinski** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 4:39 pm

I bought the used Citori today. I couldn't find the Winchester anywhere around here to try it out. The Citori is an older model with the regular invector choke tubes. It has some minor wear on the bluing but the wood is in great shape. Once the weather breaks, I'll have to see how it shoots.

BigShooter · Post by **BigShooter** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 5:01 pm

It'll shoot fine, the real question is more "how will you shoot"?

Browning Citori and Superposed O/Us were designed so the beveled locking mechanism wears in not out. Other parts like the barrel selector switch may loosen but often you can carefully bend that tight again yourself. Even used, I doubt you'll be able to shoot that gun enough to wear it out.

splucinski · Post by **splucinski** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 5:11 pm

BigShooter wrote:It'll shoot fine, the real question is more "how will you shoot"? Browning Citori and Superposed O/Us were designed so the beveled locking mechanism wears in not out. Other parts like the barrel selector switch may loosen but often you can carefully bend that tight again yourself. Even used, I doubt you'll be able to shoot that gun enough to wear it out.

The barrel selector is very tight. As far as my shooting, that depends on the day. I used to have a Beretta S687 Silver Pigeon II. It was a great gun and I shot it well. One day I had it out on a pheasant hunt at a preserve. I shot at 10 different birds and missed every one that day. I think the barrels were bent.

BigShooter · Post by **BigShooter** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 5:20 pm

You know I always have more of a problem late in the year when it's really cold. The extra clothing thickness is just enough to get me a little off my game, so to speak.

claybuster_aa · Post by **claybuster_aa** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 9:31 pm

splucinski wrote:I bought the used Citori today. I couldn't find the Winchester anywhere around here to try it out. The Citori is an older model with the regular invector choke tubes. It has some minor wear on the bluing but the wood is in great shape. Once the weather breaks, I'll have to see how it shoots.

You mentioned older...Belgium made? Regardless, I think you made the better choice as opposed to the Winchester. I had purchased a Winchester Supreme Sporting and I was not very impressed to be honest with you. Hollowed out cavity in the stock, new lightweight barrels or something, gave that Winchester and overall cheap feel. I did improve it greatly though by setting up the back with some foam and 4 ounces of lead. The triggers were also very nice on the Winchester, best feature about the gun really IMO.

splucinski · Post by **splucinski** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 6:38 am

claybuster_aa wrote:
splucinski wrote:I bought the used Citori today. I couldn't find the Winchester anywhere around here to try it out. The Citori is an older model with the regular invector choke tubes. It has some minor wear on the bluing but the wood is in great shape. Once the weather breaks, I'll have to see how it shoots.
You mentioned older...Belgium made? Regardless, I think you made the better choice as opposed to the Winchester. I had purchased a Winchester Supreme Sporting and I was not very impressed to be honest with you. Hollowed out cavity in the stock, new lightweight barrels or something, gave that Winchester and overall cheap feel. I did improve it greatly though by setting up the back with some foam and 4 ounces of lead. The triggers were also very nice on the Winchester, best feature about the gun really IMO.

It's stamped made in Japan. I checked the serial # and it shows it was made in 1988. At first I was feeling a little disappointed in it, but from what I've been told it's not bad having an older Citori. In fact, I have an old 20 ga. Browning SxS with fixed chokes. I paid $800 for it about 8 yrs ago and the condition wasn't as good as the Citori. I've shot the heck out of that gun and I've haven't had a single problem with it, I'm hoping for the same from the Citori.

Chaingang · Post by **Chaingang** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 10:09 am

I believe Browning owns Winchester. Not sure by I believe the Select is made in Belgium. The Select is basically a Browning design so essentially you are getting a Browning design either way. Different cosmetics or fit may be the deciding factor.

nj gsp · Post by **nj gsp** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 8:25 pm

I shot some skeet with a guy who told me he sold his "old" Citori 12 gauge with over 150,000 rounds through it to a guy in his club who is still using it in skeet league competitions.

I wouldn't be too worried about how many rounds are through it, other than it might not have enough yet. Sounds like you got a winner, and now you have some work to do...