Browning Citori Lightning

This is a real good gun for the price I had gotten it, they had a great sale at our local sportsmans warehouse store and I just had to get it. The gun is real conferrable and for the price I had gotten for it is amazing (Posted on 4/4/12)

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It's hard to rate a gun when you haven't shot it for twenty years. Guns are like clocks--how do you know if they are good? Only answerable after they have worked well for a very long time. Many of the reviews here are cosmetic or idiosyncratic based on personal things like body size and whether the person can take a very well fitted forend off a brand new gun. I have shot Citoris for twenty years and only had one issue one time with a .410 and a squib relaod (which Browning fixed immediately at no cost to me other than shipping to them). I have put tens of thousands of rounds--both in the field and on clays courses--through my Citoris and they work every time. Ejectors are strong. Lockup wears in. Invector Plus overbored barrels make nice patterns. Price is fine compared to much junkier guns for more money that may look better. Pull the stock off your Citori and see the GUN itself. The worst thing about them is the gloss finish, and Browning is finally getting the message that shiny isn't always good. Their newer "gloss oil" is very easy to maintain and repair slight mars. Feather guns in 20 gauge and smaller will last longer than the person who bought it. Fit is excellent and the combs are slightly lower than Berettas (good for me). A+ on these. (Posted on 3/9/12)

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Considering how much I paid for this gun ($1500), I expected more. Came in a cardboard box. Even my $1100 automatic came in a plastic box. The wood to metal fit is poor. There is not a smooth transition from stock to receiver. The wood is bland. No figure or rich color.

The stock is far too short for a 6'+ shooter with long arms. That, and the wrong stock pitch makes the gun kick up into your cheek even with light loads. Since the butt is curved, it's not simple to replace the plastic butt plate with a recoil pad. You have to cut the already short stock off square first, or make a custom spacer that fits. The available third party recoil pads have the holes spaced very close to the factory pads, but not close enough. Which means you can't just drill new holes. You have to plug the old ones first, or they will chip out. WHY DOESN'T BROWNING SELL A RECOIL PAD FOR THIS GUN?

The universal choke wrench they included is worthless for removing the tight fitting invector chokes. The tool has very rounded corners, and keeps slipping. Browning replaced the wrench, but the replacement was just as bad. NO ONE makes an off the shelf 16 ga. choke wrench,

The ejectors are very weak. They push shells into my hand sometimes. Most of the time, they do not leave the chambers.

I am shocked to learn that Browning does not have warranty! Had I known they did not have ANY warranty, I never would have bought the gun. My bad. I should have checked. But how many products do you pay $1500 for, that don't at least have a 6 month warranty?

I am working out these issues with the help of a good friend. I'm hoping this gun will turn out to be a good hunting or skeet gun.
(Posted on 2/4/12)

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The browning citori was released in 1972 if I'm not mistaken and has been the over under of choice for many people. In fact is is the best selling over under on the market today. For me , a hunter and a recreational shooter it is the gun of choice.

The only bad is the price but sometimes you do get what you pay for and this is the case
I highly recommend this firearm (Posted on 12/29/11)

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Very well made gun for a Japan made shotgun. It shoulders qhickly and fits me perfect. I am 6'1" with broad shoulders and long arms. I was worried the Lightning might be a little short for my posture but it is spot on. Every time I bring the gun to point. I am dead on without any effort. I bought the grade I because I fully intend to take it into the field. The Poly finish looks beautiful but am wondering how high maintenance this gun will be to protect the finish..... Any experiences? (Posted on 12/28/11)

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I have a Beretta and a Browning Citori. The Browning is different in several ways, but so close to the Beretta it is a matter of taste not quality. The guns shoots well, is balanced, and ejects cleanly. It came from the factory with a hard buttplate and I replaced with with a Pachmayr Decellerator recoil pad and adjusted the pull to 14.25 inches. The only drawback I see is the polyurethane finish on the stock. These look good in the box but the finish is easily scratched and difficult to repair. This can be fixed by having the stock stripped and refinished with oil (low to high gloss depending on your taste). This also gives you the option of staining the wood darker or leaving it blonde. (Posted on 7/26/11)

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The Browning Citori Lightning that I purchased is “okay” o/u but for the price I think that one could do better.
The fit of the gun is good, however, the forearm is somewhat difficult to get off and on the gun and it is difficult to get the barrel off of the receiver for cleaning.

The real issue with this gun is the stock, and forearm, finishing. It is very, very poor. The quality of the walnut seems to be on the low end and the finish used on the gun seems to be soft and under coated.
I wish that I would have looked around more once I decided to spend a few more dollars than I originally intended to for a o/u shotgun.
(Posted on 4/19/11)

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