Browning Citori Value

Eric Patterson

Eric Patterson

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Staff member
Does anyone have a good feel for what a used Browning Citori 12 gauge 3 1/2" chamber 28" barells in almost new condition is worth? I ran across one and the fella wants $1250 which seems high but I've not seen enough used ones to know a good price. This one is blued and not the satin hunter. I couldn't find any markings indicating what model it is. Squared off pistol grip. No real signs of wear other than a scratch in the stock that could possibly be buffed out. I don't know the year but I'd guess it's 10 years old or so.

The below pic is very similar to the gun for sale.

oua.jpg



Thanks for any input.

Eric Patterson
 
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That does seem a little much if you are looking for a great deal. I know you have thought of this, but you are going to feel it when you pull the trigger if you are shooting many 3 1/2 inch shells - they are pretty light guns.
 
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Tod

I don't think I'd ever actually shoot 3 1/2" shells. I shot a 3 1/2" pump one time. No thanks, never again. A 10 gauge would kick less given it's bigger mass. I do believe the 3 1/2" citoris come with a higher price tag.

Eric
 
That's not too bad a price for the 3 1/2 Citori from what I've seen. You don't have to worry about buying it though. I am leaving out the door right now to go pick it up for myself.

Merry Christmas.............
 
Eric,

I know two guys that have one and neither will shoot 3 1/2" through them anymore. Just too punishing. I check several web sites every week as I am looking for a specific SKB. You can get an idea what people are "asking" for guns though not what they actually sold for. At least it's a starting point.

http://www.gunsinternational.com/
http://www.fieldsportltd.com/gunroom/gunroom.php
http://www.gunsamerica.com/
http://www.auctionarms.com/search/auctions.aspx?ab=-21&ag=7
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Browse.asp?cat=980

There are many others but these will give you a start.
 
Depends, does it have removable chokes? How many does it come with if it does? From what I have noticed on Citori's, the 3 1/2 is usually less expensive than others. That price is so-so if it is in excellent shape but if they pounded a lot of 3 1/2" shells through it...check it out real well and try to shoot it a few times to see if it pops open and works right. I would walk in with 9, 100 dollar bills and see what happens...but I'm a Tod...errr..a prick.


Here is a NIB one in satin for 50 bucks less,

http://www.gunsamerica.com/961865167/Guns-For-Sale/Gun-Auctions/Shotguns/Browning-Shotguns/Over-Unders/Citori/Hunting/Satin_Lightning_12ga_3_1_2_2.htm
 
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I saw a satin hunter new in the store (MC Sports) about 2 years ago for $1150 new. I know a good used 3" citori with invector plus chokes, 26" barrels, like new condition in box, can be bought for $750.

On the 3.5" o/u. I hunted with a guy in WI who shoots a 3.5" o/u. He tells the story of the geese in canada flying over them. He laid down on his back and shot a goose flying over. He only shot from that position one time. He now shoots 3" shells and never lays on his back to do it.
 
I have that same exact gun. I bought my new over 10 years ago for around $1200. It is a Browning Citori Hunter model. I have to fight with my son to use it since he discovered how sweet the swing was with it. I would say if you can talk em down a little bit you would be getting a good deal. My gun was actually in a fire so I had a gunsmith refinish the gun in a satin finish.

june130.jpg

 
I hadn't picked up my Citori in years... I went hunting with Uncle Pete the other day and I shot the gun 3 times at 3 blacks - all misses. The gun is obviously broken ; )

I recall that the value was about $1,100 about 12 years ago... used. It was in excellent shape, but I stupidly used it for salt water hunting for a few seasons - not much, but managed to scratch it, etc.

The price seems high, I like the Lee Harker approach, i.e. pay out the hundreds until the last one (the 9th) in your wallet is gone.
 
My best friend has a 3 1/2" Citori and he has only shot 3 1/2" shells out of it one time. He doesn't feel the need for anything more than 3" loads.
I however have a 3 1/2" BPS and I shoot 3 1/2" shells out of it on a regular basis. When I hunt geese, I shoot 3 1/2" 1 1/2 oz. BBB. When I hunt Turkey, I shoot 3 1/2" - 2 1/4 oz. #5 lead. Now you want to talk about punishing! Try patterning a 2 1/4 oz. load from the bench some time! I've done it exactly one time!
 
[font=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]"Try patterning a 2 1/4 oz. load from the bench some time! I've done it exactly one time!"


Did that with my Gold when I first got it.....not enough asprin in the bottle after that.
[/font]
 
Boyd,

I did it too with my SBE. For some reason that I can't quite comprehend I wasn't satisfied with the first shot with 2 1/4 oz of lead so I shot several more. Rang my bell something fierce every time. I was so gun shy after that episode that when I finally had a chance at a turkey later that spring I think I closed my eyes when I pulled the trigger. Got the turkey and mowed a basketball sized whole through the middle of a prickly Ash thicket for 35 yards to do it. Thank god those shells are all gone - I shoot 3" now.
 
Eric,

My main two hunting buddies have been shooting them since 1999, I think. Give me a call and I can give you a run-down of the good and bad and values. I saw a deal on NIB Satin Hunters last year. They will require more frequent rebuilds if you shoot heavy 3.5" loads through them. They weigh a little more than the 3" Citoris, so they soak up a little more recoil.:)
 
As an aside, why can't they make a double heavy enough to shoot 3 1/2 shells, like 9 pounds? I was looking a year ago for a 3 1/2" stack barrel and they were all light. They were making a dipped cynergy - that would be sweet - 30" barrels and it was like 7 (or 7.5) pounds - WTF??!?! Could go with a 10, but I didn't want to go there.

T
 
just figured id let you know there is a guy here in florida that has one for sale for $895. you can find the ad on floridawaterfowler.com under swap n sell forum. best of luck!
 
Ditto,

About $800 would be reasonable. Heck I've got a guy that will sell me a 4 barrelled skeet set Citori for $ 2,500. If you look around you might find a Superposed for $1200. Also I agree with Tod. A 3 1/2 " gun might kill on both ends using a 3 1/2" shell. I used to shoot a citori and found it to point well but recoil was sharp and that was with 2 3/4" shells. The worst kicking I ever took (other than from my Dad when i screwed up) was from a Winchester 101 Pigeon Grade. I have become prejudiced for gas operated autoloaders because they generally kick a lot less and if you lose one overboard you usually haven't lost a ton of money.

JMO,
Harry
 
I think that $1200 is too high for a used Citori.
Given that, I wouldn't even buy a Citori in 3 1/2" configuration anyway.
They are a great bird gun. I use my Citori Lightening for Pheasant and sometimes for ducks, but I mainly use my 3 1/2" BPS for ducks and geese and turkey. Most of the time I shoot 3" shells out of the gun. You wouldn't think so, but adding that extra 1/2" turns a sweet handling gun into a fence post. I don't really think that there is a huge need for 3 1/2" in a 12 gage.
I use mine, because I have it. I wouldn't buy one again.
I have a 3" chambered Browning Gold auto that I use for ducks sometimes too.
I guess what I am trying to say, is that I don't think that a guy is very severely handicapped by just shooting 3" magnums.
 
My buddy in Oaks North Dakota has a citori 3.5 chamber shotgun he use to like it a lot until he got a 16 gauge. I have carried his 3.5 gun a couple of times and I thought it to be a bit barrel heavy. Did'nt stop me from buying a Beretta 686 waterfowler with the 3.5 chambers. I killed a lot of birds with that shotgun eventually I came to the conclusion that the barrel was to heavy. I sold that set of barrels and got another set of lighter barrels and a straight grip stock from coles now its my go to late season Dakota gun
 
Eric,

That's the basic Grade 1 Hunter model. I've got the same exact gun out in the Jeep. Mine weighs in at 8 1/2lbs. Not exactly a light weight to carry out in the upland fields but works good in the blind. I've shot some 3 1/2" through and didn't think it was too bad, but then they were 1 3/8 oz of BB. Not too heavy of a charge, but then that's what the 3 1/2 was made for, volume to get better pattern density for large steel shot. I did try loading a couple of empties with 2 1/4 oz. of lead. Shot one still got the other, I ain't doing that again!

If you want to date the gun Browning has a spot for that on their website. From the home page click on "customer service" then "date your firearm" (might be more fun than dating some women!) then find the Citori page. The last 3 numbers of the serial number indicate the model, 103 is the 3 1/2" Hunter. The 2 letters before the last 3 are the year, mine is NW indicating 94.

$1250 is probably within range as a starting price. That gun around my part of Iowa would probably go for around $1100 if it has Invector Plus chokes. With standard Invector or fixed chokes it would probably drop to $800-$900.

Jim S
 
Everyone

Thank you very much for the outstanding and insightful information. I'm entertaining a couple of guns right now and hope to figure things out soon. The Citori is high on my list but given the advice here I'll pass on this one unless he comes down on price. I'll let you know what I decide. Again, thanks for all the usefull information.

Eric Patterson

p.s. Jim, what is the difference between Invector and Invector Plus?
 
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