Thank you for your honest review. A few months ago I purchased the “new for 2022” Browning Hunter Grade 1 in 12ga. Then I bought a complete set of Midas chokes. The black and gold makes a very attractive package. It is my very first over under shotgun. Although it’s not my first shotgun. I’ve been an avid clay shooter and upland hunter for about 40 years now. I can’t find a single review on the grade 1 Hunter. Would you please consider doing a video/review on it? I did notice your comments about the checkering. Myself I love the aggressive checkering. I have large tough, calloused hands, so it’s great for me. Keep up the good work.
Many can not afford to take any $2000+ rifle or shotgun into the field and I get it. Still, the browning citori lineup is phenomenal. My Lightning is my go to for every shotgun hunting/sporting opportunity
Another super review just picked up a Browning Hunter Sweet Sixteen, so far really like it The 16 is making a come back, love how it feel Keep the reviews coming 👍
My very first 25 in skeet was with a borrowed 20 gauge Browning Cynergy. This came after some years of shooting 12 gauge guns in various configurations. So I bought one and I hit 25 several more times since. I have hit 25 with my Citori 325 in 12 gauge. I starting hunting with o/u this year and I have enjoyed using my very reliable Cynergy in 20 gauge as well as a 12 gauge Citori. I have never had an issue with the reliability of my 20 gauge Cynergy. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this gun.
One of my favorite things to see is someone w its a pretty O/U that uses it hard like any other gun in the field. Keep'r clean and it will be just fine
Good review! Something else that would be nice when it comes to over and under shotgun reviews would be for you to pattern the gun. Sometimes, at the lower price points, the barrels aren't regulated very well. I had a Beretta Silver Pigeon with a barrel that shot very low and I had to send it back. Patterning is not at all exciting to watch in a video. But, it can save a lot of frustration over missed birds if the problem is caught from the start.
I agree, one of the challenges though is that every gun of the make and model may have different results so what you see in a video may not represent what you would experience.
Excellent review. I have a similar Citori but it is 35 years old and it has been reliable hunting uplands. It looks similar except 35 years ago they blued the receiver. The safety does sometimes slide in between over and under and will not engage, so I had a gunsmith pin the safety so the under barrel always shoots first.
I have that exact gun in 20 ga. ,but my woods nicer! I’ve shot Trap, Skeet and Sporting clays most times scoring in the low 20s, love the gun, fits just right! Tried all the others before but none felt as good as the Browning!
12 gauge 525 feather owner here. Absolutely love the gun. By far my favorite. Have shot around 2000 rounds for trap and countless others in the field with it, I have never experienced a malfunction. They feel great and like you said, browning makes a great gun! Awesome review!
I have this gun but the Davidson exclusive with the big gold browning logo in the side. I love it! You can always sand the points down the checkering easier than cutting it deeper if its not that good to start.
I really enjoy shooting all of my shot guns. Krieghoff,browning, stogers,sears, barretta, remington, iver Johnson, evan the Dickeson. But the sub guages a are the best. Bought the Remington premier 28 guage and living sitting it.
I think they made these to compete with weatherby, CZ, tristar, and Stoeger, but the savings just aren't there comparatively from my experience. I have a Grade 3 version of this gun and a gran lightning, which I adore, but they're mostly safe queens. I usually pull a couple of the other brands I mentioned for field hunting. For the value, you're better with more obscure guns and spending money in chokes and mods than you are starting with a "brand name" in my experience. Love my citori guns and a big browning fan in general, but in that $500-2000 range, there are better options from my experience. Still on the prowl for a 3.5" shell, 26" barrel all stainless with composite furniture for waterfowl...
Great video, I appreciate you covering OU as well since I’m looking to purchase my first one. Have you considered reviewing CZ OU’s as well? They make one that actually comes cerakoted.
I pulled out my Citori today and gave it a good cleaning. I bought mine in 1997 and yes it’s 20 gauge too. I paid 1,049 and it still is in amazing condition. I’m very careful with it and it’s never been out in the rain. Wood is so close to perfect. I’m looking to buy a 12 gauge and I’m torn between the Beretta 626 and a Browning but not yet sure of the model. But I want to hunt birds and shoot some clay too. I put great value into your review and analysis. I’ve watched all your over/under reviews regarding the gun. Recoil and weight are my biggest concern. Any insight would be most appreciated. If it helps 6’0” @170 lbs. thank you!
I have a 12 gauge citori that I shoot mostly clays with and it has been shot lots and has never had a hiccup for the price there is not a better system than the citori for being reliable and holding up for thousands of rounds other guns just don't hold up and the actions loosen up this is particularly true for the Franchi Veloce and Ruger red labels, I have shot a Beretta silver pigeon as well and though not apples to apples because the Beretta was a 20 and my Browning is a 12 I still just like the feel of the Browning better. I think Browning is simultaneously the worst value in autoloaders and the best value in over under shotguns. Not that their autoloaders are bad they are just not as good of a value.
Have this gun with black receiver, grade 1 hunter, 20 gauge. the ejectors stick with 3 inch fast steel for whatever reason otherwise, I agree with Steve it shoots very well but, for nearly 2 grand its sad that the ejectors stick.
This seems pretty heavy for an upland gun... My CZ weighs a pound less and costs less than half as much. This is certainly nice, but for "carry a lot, shoot a little" a pound of difference is pretty significant.
A great quote I read years ago: “If you buy anything less than a Citori you’ll always regret it.” A fellow OU and SxS enthusiast I know told me he’d rather throw a hot turd at a target than shoot a Turkish (CZ) gun. Having owned a couple CZs myself and over 3 dozen Citori’s and can attest to both.
Hi Steve. I love your reviews... keep up the great work.. Based on your review, I bought a Maxus II and I LOVE it. Now I am thinking about a 20 ga. over under. Can you please do a review on the Weatherby Orion I. Thanks
Hey Steve, I have watched your video on the Beretta 686 silver pigeon grade 1 and this video on the citori hunter grade II . If you could pick one ? Thank you.
Thank you, Steve. I'm 75 years young and have just taken up trap shooting. I'm wondering whether to buy a 12 or 20-gauge Citori. Despite the short supply of 20 guage ammo and more recoil with the 12 gauge, is there any reason to purchase the 20 gauge instead of a 12 gauge Citori shotgun?
12 & 20 gauge Ammo is in Short Supply by ammo manufacturers! I am 75 and I had the 12 gauge o/u and it kicked the crap out of me! I traded it off for a 20 gauge Citori CXS O/U
You said a light mod and improved cylinder . Is this the style chokes you would go for small birds like dove and quail specifically with a 20 gauge ??you did a ammo video can you do a choke one for 20 gauge
That's going to be a personal fit/feel thing, mechanically they are both great. Im a big Beretta fan but sub gauge Berettas are too light and thin for me.
@@tylersorensen9597that is probably the case. The older traditional 153 hunters, depending on the configuration, could be 8-10 lbs. there are so many configurations of the Citori. I’ve had there Feather Superlights which weigh 5-6 lbs. They are fantastic.
Beginner here too. Watch Steve’s “how to shotgun” series. He covers foundational concepts like stance, mounting (shouldering), pointing (versus aiming), gun fit, lead, etiquette at a trap range. All of this is great content and perhaps more useful to the novice than specific gun reviews. The gun reviews are useful too-good to know which models have sticky safety or heavy trigger. But the foundational concepts are the place to start for beginners, and Steve does a great job with it.
Steve do you know if there's any truth to the rumor that F&N Herstal makes Winchester/Browning rifles? If so do they own the companies and make everything or just barrels for rifles? I was curious if they make the shotguns too now. Either way I enjoy your videos and thanks for all the info! I just need to find a place to shoot when I feel like it.
I can try my best to answer this, I don’t know the whole details but I know this. Winchester closed their plants in 2006, they were bought by Olin Corporation. After Olin got Winchester they went with licensing with Browning (since the Browning brand is owned by FN Herstal) and the rifles are made in Japan by a company called Miroku Corp and are then imported by browning into the US. The Winchester SXP shotgun is Turkish made, Winchester SX4 is made in Portugal and the Winchester 101 over/under is made in Belgium. As far as I know the rifles for Winchester are still being made in Japan. For browning rifles, I think it’s either Japan or they now do in the USA in order to save on costs for importing and machining. That’s the best I know and I’m more than welcomed if someone corrects me on it.
@@eabdic1 Thanks. I've been hearing all this stuff but nothing with details like what you said. I wonder if any of the American firearms are still owned by Americans? Good chance Ruger and Smith & Wesson still are I think? It's anyone guess to what Remington is doing? Colt is CZ now so the rest are up in the air as far as I know. Buy American? What's that mean anymore? Not that it's wrong to buy Foreign but it would be nice to know.
@@bradh74 only other American brand I know is Henry, that’s 100% American. Ruger owns Marlin now. Correct on CZ owning Colt now. Remington has a couple of companies so it’s a toss up. Mossberg is technically America made for a few of their products while others are made in Turkey. For me it doesn’t really matter where it’s made as long as the firearm is good. I have guns made in I think 8-9 countries, so I’m not picky.
@@eabdic1 It's just sad because we had so many great companies and we lost a lot of good jobs. Life goes on and there are some good companies outside the USA.
1. For a field gun, it would have been helpful to see recoil with field loads, paricularly 3” shells, and not just target loads. As you said, this is a field gun and target/skeet is not the intended purpose. 2. Your subjective assessment of balance is not helpful. Please try to use balance point, in reference to the pivot. 3. Maybe show how the gun patterns and if it shoots to POA. 4. This uses invector plus, not invector chokes
not bad for a Gun Manufatured by Miroku Firearms Manufacturing Co. in JAPAN. Maybe people should ask their self,,, " Do i wish a gun Manufactured in Belgium or Japan.. Browning being in bed with Miroku for a great while and not allowing Miroku to sell their better quality firearms here in the United States.
Thank you for your honest review. A few months ago I purchased the “new for 2022” Browning Hunter Grade 1 in 12ga. Then I bought a complete set of Midas chokes. The black and gold makes a very attractive package. It is my very first over under shotgun. Although it’s not my first shotgun. I’ve been an avid clay shooter and upland hunter for about 40 years now. I can’t find a single review on the grade 1 Hunter. Would you please consider doing a video/review on it? I did notice your comments about the checkering. Myself I love the aggressive checkering. I have large tough, calloused hands, so it’s great for me. Keep up the good work.
Many can not afford to take any $2000+ rifle or shotgun into the field and I get it. Still, the browning citori lineup is phenomenal. My Lightning is my go to for every shotgun hunting/sporting opportunity
Another super review just picked up a Browning Hunter Sweet Sixteen, so far really like it
The 16 is making a come back, love how it feel
Keep the reviews coming 👍
I love mine
Just got one of these, 26” barrels. I love it !
Loved this review, super helpful. Thanks for doing such great reviews on everything you do.
My very first 25 in skeet was with a borrowed 20 gauge Browning Cynergy. This came after some years of shooting 12 gauge guns in various configurations. So I bought one and I hit 25 several more times since. I have hit 25 with my Citori 325 in 12 gauge. I starting hunting with o/u this year and I have enjoyed using my very reliable Cynergy in 20 gauge as well as a 12 gauge Citori. I have never had an issue with the reliability of my 20 gauge Cynergy. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this gun.
One of my favorite things to see is someone w its a pretty O/U that uses it hard like any other gun in the field. Keep'r clean and it will be just fine
I'm really liked your review on the citori 20 gauge hunter o/u, I've been looking at a lot of shotgun and I think I'm gonna buy this gun
Good review! Something else that would be nice when it comes to over and under shotgun reviews would be for you to pattern the gun. Sometimes, at the lower price points, the barrels aren't regulated very well. I had a Beretta Silver Pigeon with a barrel that shot very low and I had to send it back. Patterning is not at all exciting to watch in a video. But, it can save a lot of frustration over missed birds if the problem is caught from the start.
I agree, one of the challenges though is that every gun of the make and model may have different results so what you see in a video may not represent what you would experience.
Excellent review. I have a similar Citori but it is 35 years old and it has been reliable hunting uplands. It looks similar except 35 years ago they blued the receiver. The safety does sometimes slide in between over and under and will not engage, so I had a gunsmith pin the safety so the under barrel always shoots first.
I have that exact gun in 20 ga. ,but my woods nicer! I’ve shot Trap, Skeet and Sporting clays most times scoring in the low 20s, love the gun, fits just right! Tried all the others before but none felt as good as the Browning!
12 gauge 525 feather owner here. Absolutely love the gun. By far my favorite. Have shot around 2000 rounds for trap and countless others in the field with it, I have never experienced a malfunction. They feel great and like you said, browning makes a great gun! Awesome review!
I have a 725 feather in 12 gauge I love that gun
I have this gun but the Davidson exclusive with the big gold browning logo in the side. I love it! You can always sand the points down the checkering easier than cutting it deeper if its not that good to start.
I really enjoy shooting all of my shot guns.
Krieghoff,browning,
stogers,sears, barretta, remington, iver Johnson, evan the Dickeson.
But the sub guages a are the best.
Bought the Remington premier 28 guage and living sitting it.
Best shotgun reviews around. 👍🏽
I have the 16 gauge hunter and love it
Sorry no ablo inglés pero me encantan tus videos y amo las armas sobretodo las escopetas saludos amigo usted ase los mejores videos de tiro
Very similar to the 725 field 20 ga that I have . it is an absolute joy to carry and hunt upland birds with . great review .
I think they made these to compete with weatherby, CZ, tristar, and Stoeger, but the savings just aren't there comparatively from my experience. I have a Grade 3 version of this gun and a gran lightning, which I adore, but they're mostly safe queens. I usually pull a couple of the other brands I mentioned for field hunting. For the value, you're better with more obscure guns and spending money in chokes and mods than you are starting with a "brand name" in my experience. Love my citori guns and a big browning fan in general, but in that $500-2000 range, there are better options from my experience. Still on the prowl for a 3.5" shell, 26" barrel all stainless with composite furniture for waterfowl...
Awesome review. I love all browning shotguns.
Great video, I appreciate you covering OU as well since I’m looking to purchase my first one. Have you considered reviewing CZ OU’s as well? They make one that actually comes cerakoted.
Any chance of get a Browning Cynergy review and then a Browning O/U vs vid?
i just ordered a 16 gauge hunter now hoping can find ammo
Coarse checkering- In the field when your hands are cold, wet and dirty the shotgun doesn’t slip in your hands
I pulled out my Citori today and gave it a good cleaning. I bought mine in 1997 and yes it’s 20 gauge too. I paid 1,049 and it still is in amazing condition. I’m very careful with it and it’s never been out in the rain. Wood is so close to perfect. I’m looking to buy a 12 gauge and I’m torn between the Beretta 626 and a Browning but not yet sure of the model. But I want to hunt birds and shoot some clay too. I put great value into your review and analysis. I’ve watched all your over/under reviews regarding the gun. Recoil and weight are my biggest concern. Any insight would be most appreciated. If it helps 6’0” @170 lbs. thank you!
I have a 12 gauge citori that I shoot mostly clays with and it has been shot lots and has never had a hiccup for the price there is not a better system than the citori for being reliable and holding up for thousands of rounds other guns just don't hold up and the actions loosen up this is particularly true for the Franchi Veloce and Ruger red labels, I have shot a Beretta silver pigeon as well and though not apples to apples because the Beretta was a 20 and my Browning is a 12 I still just like the feel of the Browning better. I think Browning is simultaneously the worst value in autoloaders and the best value in over under shotguns. Not that their autoloaders are bad they are just not as good of a value.
Have this gun with black receiver, grade 1 hunter, 20 gauge. the ejectors stick with 3 inch fast steel for whatever reason otherwise, I agree with Steve it shoots very well but, for nearly 2 grand its sad that the ejectors stick.
Send it back
Yes, Browning will take care of it.
Love my cxs citori.
Would it be good for skeet n trap shoot?
Thanks Steve, another great review! Since you're looking at Browning over-under's, I'd love to know your thoughts on the Cynergy composite models.
This seems pretty heavy for an upland gun... My CZ weighs a pound less and costs less than half as much. This is certainly nice, but for "carry a lot, shoot a little" a pound of difference is pretty significant.
A great quote I read years ago: “If you buy anything less than a Citori you’ll always regret it.” A fellow OU and SxS enthusiast I know told me he’d rather throw a hot turd at a target than shoot a Turkish (CZ) gun. Having owned a couple CZs myself and over 3 dozen Citori’s and can attest to both.
Use the factory chokes and it won't be "front-heavy". Take the extended tubes out.
What about a 1973 superpose? Worth buying? How much would it be worth,
Do a review on the Remington v3 please 🤘
If you had $1000 to spend. What 20ga would u get for a 16 year old to get started in skeet? Thanks
Great video! Could you do a review on the F.A.I.R. Iside basic next?
I just got a fabarm xlr5 waterfowler and would like to see you review one of those and your thoughts on it!
What were the carlson choke model you used in this gun? Thank you
Is there a lot of cast to this gun?
Yildiz 20ga. Legacy HPS Steel receiver review
Please and Thank You
( the equivalent to this Hunter- Not the adjustable comb model)...
Hi Steve. I love your reviews... keep up the great work.. Based on your review, I bought a Maxus II and I LOVE it. Now I am thinking about a 20 ga. over under. Can you please do a review on the Weatherby Orion I. Thanks
Hey Steve, I have watched your video on the Beretta 686 silver pigeon grade 1 and this video on the citori hunter grade II . If you could pick one ? Thank you.
Bună ziua cît costă o armă și ce calibru e?
Would the light mod with improved cylinder choke be good for quail or would that pattern be not tight enough
Thank you, Steve. I'm 75 years young and have just taken up trap shooting. I'm wondering whether to buy a 12 or 20-gauge Citori. Despite the short supply of 20 guage ammo and more recoil with the 12 gauge, is there any reason to purchase the 20 gauge instead of a 12 gauge Citori shotgun?
12 & 20 gauge Ammo is in Short Supply by ammo manufacturers! I am 75 and I had the 12 gauge o/u and it kicked the crap out of me! I traded it off for a 20 gauge Citori CXS O/U
Weight, 20 gauge is much lighter.
You said a light mod and improved cylinder . Is this the style chokes you would go for small birds like dove and quail specifically with a 20 gauge ??you did a ammo video can you do a choke one for 20 gauge
Also with steel and lead ?
Hey you know you should shoot the bottom barrel first before the top barrel I think your chokes are in wrong size wise
Rubbish
Always watch your videos bro can you please make video browning citory vs Beretta silver 686
Time for a Benelli Ethos 12 gauge review? Great reviews!
I’m curious how you felt about it compared to the Silver Pigeon for hunting.
That's going to be a personal fit/feel thing, mechanically they are both great. Im a big Beretta fan but sub gauge Berettas are too light and thin for me.
@@Turbo-wj9qc I’ve only held a citori once and it felt really heavy compared to my silver pigeon. I’m wondering if the citori was an older one
@@tylersorensen9597that is probably the case. The older traditional 153 hunters, depending on the configuration, could be 8-10 lbs. there are so many configurations of the Citori. I’ve had there Feather Superlights which weigh 5-6 lbs. They are fantastic.
The best reviews in the world, love them, if you can find can you do a review on the armsan phenoma 12g tks
Can you do a best begginer video or something for new people
Beginner here too. Watch Steve’s “how to shotgun” series. He covers foundational concepts like stance, mounting (shouldering), pointing (versus aiming), gun fit, lead, etiquette at a trap range. All of this is great content and perhaps more useful to the novice than specific gun reviews. The gun reviews are useful too-good to know which models have sticky safety or heavy trigger. But the foundational concepts are the place to start for beginners, and Steve does a great job with it.
Any chance a weatherby Orion review is in the pipeline?
It’s a browning you know it’s a great gun you should review the 725 feather
Benelli 828U 20 Gauge 28”
@targetfocusedlife can you do a review for Yildiz SPZ ME 12 gauge please!
Great video!!
Probably help with the barrel weight if you removed that sticker on the barrel....
Bună dimineața cât costă o armă şi ce calibru e?
20 gauge, roughly $1600 USD
Browning citori,s are the best guns ever i,ve beat kreighoff,perozzi,beretta,s and others
i want one
Steve do you know if there's any truth to the rumor that F&N Herstal makes Winchester/Browning rifles? If so do they own the companies and make everything or just barrels for rifles? I was curious if they make the shotguns too now. Either way I enjoy your videos and thanks for all the info! I just need to find a place to shoot when I feel like it.
I can try my best to answer this, I don’t know the whole details but I know this. Winchester closed their plants in 2006, they were bought by Olin Corporation.
After Olin got Winchester they went with licensing with Browning (since the Browning brand is owned by FN Herstal) and the rifles are made in Japan by a company called Miroku Corp and are then imported by browning into the US.
The Winchester SXP shotgun is Turkish made, Winchester SX4 is made in Portugal and the Winchester 101 over/under is made in Belgium.
As far as I know the rifles for Winchester are still being made in Japan. For browning rifles, I think it’s either Japan or they now do in the USA in order to save on costs for importing and machining. That’s the best I know and I’m more than welcomed if someone corrects me on it.
@@eabdic1 Thanks. I've been hearing all this stuff but nothing with details like what you said. I wonder if any of the American firearms are still owned by Americans? Good chance Ruger and Smith & Wesson still are I think? It's anyone guess to what Remington is doing? Colt is CZ now so the rest are up in the air as far as I know. Buy American? What's that mean anymore? Not that it's wrong to buy Foreign but it would be nice to know.
@@bradh74 only other American brand I know is Henry, that’s 100% American. Ruger owns Marlin now. Correct on CZ owning Colt now. Remington has a couple of companies so it’s a toss up. Mossberg is technically America made for a few of their products while others are made in Turkey. For me it doesn’t really matter where it’s made as long as the firearm is good. I have guns made in I think 8-9 countries, so I’m not picky.
@@eabdic1 It's just sad because we had so many great companies and we lost a lot of good jobs. Life goes on and there are some good companies outside the USA.
@@bradh74 understandable
Nice vídeo
Do a benelli review
1. For a field gun, it would have been helpful to see recoil with field loads, paricularly 3” shells, and not just target loads. As you said, this is a field gun and target/skeet is not the intended purpose.
2. Your subjective assessment of balance is not helpful. Please try to use balance point, in reference to the pivot.
3. Maybe show how the gun patterns and if it shoots to POA.
4. This uses invector plus, not invector chokes
3" shell for upland? what are you hunting?
not bad for a Gun Manufatured by Miroku Firearms Manufacturing Co. in JAPAN. Maybe people should ask their self,,, " Do i wish a gun Manufactured in Belgium or Japan.. Browning being in bed with Miroku for a great while and not allowing Miroku to sell their better quality firearms here in the United States.
guns...japanese made are superior than belgium made, thats it.
vous êtes catastrophe woooo ilove you
Crappy music care not about your shooting
Unfortunate name.