Target Sports

SHOTGUN REVIEW: GREAT SAVING

Created on 14th May 2009

Richard Atkins takes a look at the Browning Citori Trap and finds a classic model that can be bought secondhand at a reasonable price

When considering the purchase of a shotgun, it's worthwhile to look at what is on dealers' secondhand section shelves, especially at difficult financial times. Trap models can often be found at very good prices as they appeal to a more restricted sector of the market. As they only really suit Trap shooting, they may not fetch the same price secondhand as a similar sporter might. Trap is a specialist discipline in which you will find it difficult to reach your potential without something suited to the particular types of target found in the Trap disciplines. So, if you wish to shoot some Trap the secondhand market is a good place to start looking; there are some very nice ‘one careful owner' models to be found if you do.

Remember there are a variety of reasons why the gun may be on sale. The owner may have not gelled with shooting Trap and decided to move on, or they may have become very keen and decided to buy a more expensive competition model. Bear in mind also that Trap is a discipline that can involve a lot of shooting, so the guns are built to withstand heavy use. Even a well-used gun need not be a problem. One showing little sign of use should be a real opportunity - some might say it's better than a new model as it will not be quite so stiff to open.

A search through dealers' web listings gives an idea of what is available and the price range. The Guntrader website (www.guntrader.co.uk) is a good one to check as it has listings from dealers across the country. A quick check on the site showed that prices for a Browning Citori ranged from around £495 for a well-used model to £900 for a newer secondhand model complete with fitted hard case. The Browning name is an established leading brand and the Citori a solid gun with a sound reputation. So, what does it offer as a previously owned model?

Features

The Citori Trap is a thoroughbred competition Trap gun and was introduced originally back in the late 1970s, so the model used can be quite old. The letters PV at the end of the test model's serial number tell us this particular gun is from 1985 so is a fair age, but its condition certainly belies its years. Browning has made specialist competition clay guns for many years and the Citori has some features that will be just as recognisable in modern Trap guns today.

The first requirement for any Trap gun is longish barrels. Back in the 1980s a 30" barrel was considered typical trap length and that is what this Citori has fitted. Today it's not unusual for barrels to be 32"long, with some having 34" tubes. The Citori's barrels have a plain-bored top barrel and full-choke boring; the bottom barrel carries an Invector interchangeable choke tube. This allows the gun to be adapted to suit either a different cartridge, or to suit a different Trap discipline. For example, your first shot at DTL clays can be taken several yards closer to you than would be possible with either ABT or more especially Universal Trench or Olympic Trap disciplines. That's because the targets travel faster in the latter disciplines so will be further away when you have locked on, fired and caught the clay. This means that you can use a more open boring for your first shot at DTL and the Invector chokes make this easy. As the second shot will always be a fair way off, the heavily-choked top barrel is fine.

Confirming the Trap configuration is the top sighting rib. It's of the broad and ‘High Rib' type that stands noticeably higher above the barrels than that of a conventional Sporting or game raised ventilated rib gun. This high configuration helps keep the shooter's head upright and the face firmly on the comb for consistent shooting. The steel pillars on the Citori barrel that support the rib raise it to 12mm above the barrel top at its highest point and this height requires a pronounced ‘ramp' effect from the point where the rib is joined to the barrel at the breech. Its top surface is finely machined with a cross-hatched ‘file' finish that produces a clear and non-reflective surface. The height and width add to the cooling properties that will help ensure any heat haze and mirage are kept away from the shooter's line of sight. The rib is fitted with a standard red front bead and a small white centre bead. This is a very nice set-up for a competition gun, especially a Trap model where the gun is always pre-mounted in the shoulder, as it allows the alignment of one's gun mount to be verified very easily every time the gun is shouldered and before the target is called.

The Citori range of shotguns is actually made for Browning in the Miroku factory in Japan. It is possibly the model that epitomises the commercial links forged between Browning and Miroku. This has seen all Browning o/u shotguns below the B25 models made by Miroku, though some with final finishing at Browning in Liège. Miroku had entered the American and UK market with its own guns that were based directly on the B25 models originally designed by John Moses Browning. Browning recognised this, which led to a very successful partnership. The Citori's action is therefore the Miroku version of a Browning design. It has the same substantial hinge pin that engages with a large under barrel lump as the hinge system, combined with a full-width locking bolt that engages with a similar full-width slot machined into substantial bifurcated rear underlumps that also engage fully and precisely into the action body floor. The bolt and recess (known as the ‘bite') are tapered where they engage, thus ensuring that any wear is automatically compensated for by the locking bolt engaging more deeply. This achieves a very strong action lock-up that is noted for a long and trouble-free life.

This format does not achieve the shallow action depth of guns using twin hinge trunnions set into the action walls and engaging the barrels partway up their side faces, as with the Beretta design for example. However, it has proved no hindrance to Browning and Miroku guns. It's not the slimmest or lowest action around, but it is immensely strong and houses a very reliable action mechanism. In a Trap gun light weight and low profile are not essential features at all, just a matter of personal preference. Targets are shot from the gun-mounted position and can entail a large number of rounds being fired. Any Trap gun below 8½lb in weight would be considered quite light and could result in the shooter feeling tired from the recoil. A heavier, smooth-swinging gun with low recoil can come into its own at such times. The tumblers are substantial and coil spring-powered, driving well-sized firing pins for positive ignition.

Later models have some changes that speed the hammer fall and reduce lock time fractionally, but this model from the mid-1980s is fine for most and has decent trigger pulls. The top barrel had a slightly higher release weight than the bottom, but that's OK as you concentrate on your second shot and control a recoiling gun. The trigger itself is broad, smooth and well-curved. It is easy to position your index finger in the same spot each time for consistentcy and gives good control for a smooth release. The latest models have interchangeable style trigger blades and are adjustable for position, which this one is not.

I must confess now that this particular gun is my own. I have owned it from new and it looks almost as good now. It balances at a point some way ahead of the hinge pin, so feels steady in the forward hand, which can help retain smoothness when reacting to the acoustically released targets that can sometimes appear to ‘get the jump' on you.

The stock is pleasant, if plain, with tightly grained wood but not a lot of figure, typical in a Grade 1 gun like this. The higher grades have better wood, but if you just want a decent Trap gun there is no need to pay extra for frills. It has a high, straight comb as a Trap gun should. This pitches the shot pattern up several inches above the sighting plane, allowing the clay to be kept in sight above the top rib but still centred in the pattern. This is designed specially to help raise scores on targets that are always starting off at or below ground level and travelling away from the shooter.

The pistol grip gives a fairly upright and relaxed hold position; it even incorporates a palm swell (for a right-hander) which was a fairly new feature in off-the-shelf guns at that time. The forend is of a slightly rounded beavertail design with neat and well cut chequering which has retained its crispness.

The prices shown were derived from Guntrader and advertisements. If you see a nice one then you won't be disappointed: I'm happy with mine - and no, it's not for sale!

Technical Specification

Make: Browning
Model: Citori Trap
Type: Over/under
Gauge: 12g x 2¾" (70mm) chambers
Chokes: Browning Invector internal choke tubes (three supplied, two in plastic tubes)
Overall length: 47"
Barrel length: 30"
Weight: 8lb 7oz
Trigger: Single selective (inertia)
Trigger pulls 4lb 8oz /4lb 14oz (bottom/top barrel)
Safety: Manual
Top rib: 10mm wide ‘Hi post' and ramped RVR
Pull length: 14 ½"
Cast: 1/8 right hand
Drop at comb: 1 3/8" (34mm)
Drop at heel: 1¾" (45mm)
Typical secondhand price range: £450 to £900 (depending on grade/model/condition)

UK agents: Browning International (new guns) www.browningint.com. See local dealer for new and secondhand models

SHOTGUN REVIEW: GREAT SAVING

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