Browning citori value?

[Cory porter]

Looking to get into trap shooting and found this shotgun local. Here is a quick description from him

Browning Citori 12 gauge over/under with the invector plus choke tube setup. It has some nice engraving on the receiver. It is in good shape, it does have a few marks on the stock. It has 26" barrels and it is vent ribbed.

The stock is a little different from the others I've seen. Any estimate of value would be appreciated.

 

[Cory porter]

A.

 

[zanemoseley]

How serious do you want to be with trap? 26" barrels are way short for trap and even pushing it for skeet. Also do you plan to shoot doubles or just single trap? If just singles I would look for a nice used BT99 with a 32" barrel. A high and angled trap rib helps too as its easier to shoot trap with a gun that shoots high, the older BT99's typically shoot higher than the new ones and are more desirable by many people.

I shoot mainly skeet and am left handed. I found a killer deal on a Beretta 692 with 32" barrels, I would have preferred 30" tubes but for the deal I got I can't complain, I've shot it a few times at trap well and did quite well, broke 75 straight over a couple outings with no misses.

Unless you want a dove gun that can occasionally shoot trap I would pass on this shotgun. I also wouldnt feel bad about getting a Remington 870 Trap model.

 

[civil82]

Search Gunbroker for similar firearms in comparable condition (with bids). That will give you the absolute closest and most current market prices.

 

[zanemoseley]

Also Cory there are a ton of different Citori models, they even make exclusive models for large chains like Cabelas. Be careful looking up similar models on Gunbroker as you want to make sure you're comparing apples to apples.

 

[KMart]

Here is one that would be better suited to trapshooting. The barrels are much longer and the stock doesn't have near as much drop at the comb as the one you have pictured.
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/wts-browning-o-u-superposed-lightning-grade.3910169/

There are Citori versions that are similar to the one in the classifieds and doesn't demand the price of a Belgian made Browning

 

[Cory porter]

Also Cory there are a ton of different Citori models, they even make exclusive models for large chains like Cabelas. Be careful looking up similar models on Gunbroker as you want to make sure you're comparing apples to apples.

That's my concern, I have no idea where to look or how to find out what the exact model is that's I'm considering.

 

[hpshooter]

Cory,
I am not a trap or skeet shooter but our club has a very active group of trap shooters. I know that they are very willing to mentor new shooters and that that mentoring can save a new shooter lots of money and frustration by buying the wrong equipment.

Would suggest you find a local group of active trap shooters and show up at a scheduled shoot and introduce yourself as a newcomer wanting to get involved. At our club I know a number of accomplished trap shooters who will put a true trap gun in your hand and work with you before you can blink an eye!

CAUTION: The reason I am not a trap or skeet shooter is that pursuing those disciplines would evaporate the Rifle and Pistol shooting budget.

 

[zanemoseley]

Cory, the bottom line is that isn't a trap gun, it's not even that good of a general shotgun to use for the occasional trap shoot. Don't settle just cause it's local. Buy the right gun up front.

You never said if you're shooting singles or doubles. O/U shotgun cost a hell of a lot more than a decent single shot gun. If you're focusing on singles you can get a used older model Perazzi for what you're gonna spend on a decent O/U.

 

[snert]

Cory, the bottom line is that isn't a trap gun, it's not even that good of a general shotgun to use for the occasional trap shoot. Don't settle just cause it's local. Buy the right gun up front.

You never said if you're shooting singles or doubles. O/U shotgun cost a hell of a lot more than a decent single shot gun. If you're focusing on singles you can get a used older model Perazzi for what you're gonna spend on a decent O/U.

This is SO right. that Citori would fit in the grouse woods, not a trap field.

 

[crash]

cory if you are going to just shoot trap then get a bt 99 with 32" bbls. if you can find an older one with rr or rp in the serial number buy it. if you think you're going to shoot skeet and sporting clays then get an o/u with 32" bbls. I my self have a citori xt trap combo with a 34" unsingle bbl for trap and a set of 32" o/u bbls for skeet and sporting clays. also make sure whatever you get has screw in extended chokes. if you're just getting started in clay bird shooting watch yourself as it does get expensive. good luck rich

 

[MrMajestic]

What ever you buy please pattern it to see if it shoots where you point and pattern density is acceptable with the load you are running. It may save you plenty of aggregation!
Yes, it should shoot high....

 

[SheepDog]

There is one very important piece to this puzzle that has been omitted: What ever shotgun you get have the stock fit to you! It will be more comfortable to shoot and you will shoot better. It is not inexpensive but it is well worth the cost.

 

[ireload2]

Cory you might find an old copy of D. Lee Braun's book on trapshooting.
You might want to start with either a cheap trap gun like a 870 or 1100 Remington with a 28" or 30 inch barrel.
While you are learning you will eventually figure out what gun you really want and it will help you avoid making a mistake with the more expensive guns. The previously mentioned BT99 is excellent for singles. Doubles are shot with either an autoloader or an O/U. You may get a chance to shoot some of the O/Us that belong to club members.
A trap gun stock is not like the stock of a field gun. The trap gun has high comb and you shoot with your face more erect. The trap gun is usually heavier to reduce the fatigue from recoil of the trap loads.
If you would like a game that uses a gun closer to a field gun try skeet. About all the skeet gun needs is a cylinder choke to IC choke and the capability to shoot 2 rounds for doubles.

That's my concern, I have no idea where to look or how to find out what the exact model is that's I'm considering.

 

[LCazador]

Cory, looks like you have some sound advice on selecting a trap gun. With that said your shotgun, which is a field gun, is worth about $1000, give or take a $100. The 26 inch barrels and the straight stock are a less than desired feature and may bring the value down a bit. You won't know till you try to sell it. Todays shooters like the longer barrels and the curved grip even for field shooting. The straight grip was a feature that originated in Europe when shotguns had two triggers. The straight stock allows the shooter to move the trigger finger from the front to the back trigger in a smooth motion. A feature that is useless on a single selective trigger. Todays straight stocks are merely for appeal or to shave a few ounces off the weight.

 

[HTSmith]

That's my concern, I have no idea where to look or how to find out what the exact model is that's I'm considering.

I believe that is the Superlight model. It is designed for upland hunting, where you walk a lot and shoot a little.

 

[Blackthorn]

It is a Superlight Citori Grade 1. They came in 26" and 28" barrels. They came with three chokes, Imp Cyl (three hash marks), modified (two hash marks), and full (one hash mark). They are great upland game guns. Well made and reliable. The trigger is a operated by a momentum block and requires recoil to set the the second shot (or a good slap to the buttplate). It does not have an automatic safety so when you open the gun it will be on you to set the safety.
I would place a starting value at $1000 without seeing how far the lever goes to the left when the gun is closed. The position of the lever will tell you whether it has been shot a lot. The citori design has a locking lug that "shoots in". It slowly wears in and the lever moves farther left as it does. A citori that has a lever right over the S when closed has seen a lot of action. It could go higher depending on if you have more chokes and the original box.

I personally own three of this type. One 20ga /26", a 12ga/28" and an Upland Special model which sports 24" barrels I bought new in 1990. They are certainly not a trap guns but work great on skeet and in the field chasing birds. I shoot my 24" on sporting clays and have no trouble hitting 80 or better (92 is my personal best)... As for skeet I can score 23-24 consistently.

If I were going to pursue trap I would probably go with a Citori 725 Sporting with 30" barrels and adjustable comb. They are pretty price but worth it.