Browning Citori

The Browning Citori is the benchmark over/under shotgun in American clay target sports and upland hunting—a Japanese-built, Browning-designed O/U that has defined the category since its 1973 introduction. With a boxlock action based on the legendary Browning Superposed, proven reliability across millions of shells, and a lineup that spans from the classic White Lightning to the competition-optimized 725 series, the Citori remains the most widely shot over/under shotgun in the United States.

Read our full Browning Citori Buying Guide ↓

Citori Series Overview: 725, CX, White Lightning, and Gran Lightning

Browning organizes the Citori into several distinct series. The Citori 725 is the current flagship, featuring a low-profile receiver that reduces perceived recoil, a Vector Pro lengthened forcing cone for improved patterns, and a mechanical trigger that fires the second barrel independently of whether the first barrel fired. It’s available in Field, Trap, Skeet, Sporting, and Trap Unsingle configurations. The Citori CX is a more affordable entry point into the 725 platform, sharing the low-profile receiver and mechanical trigger at a lower price. The White Lightning is the classic Citori aesthetic—silver nitride receiver, gloss walnut, and traditional styling—for the hunter or shooter who wants the classic O/U look. The Gran Lightning adds upgraded wood grade and finish for a more premium presentation.

Citori 725 vs. Original Citori: What Changed?

The original Citori (produced 1973–2012) used a higher-profile boxlock receiver with a hammer-fired mechanism. The 725, introduced in 2012, replaced it with a lower receiver profile that drops the bore axis closer to the shooter’s hand, reducing muzzle flip and perceived recoil. The 725 also introduced the mechanical trigger system that fires independently on each barrel—a significant competition advantage because a light primer strike on the first barrel won’t prevent the second barrel from firing. If you shoot the original Citori, the 725 will feel familiar but improved. Original Citori models are excellent and widely available on the used market at significant savings.

Citori for Sporting Clays vs. Hunting: Choosing Your Configuration

The Citori 725 Sporting is optimized for sporting clays and FITASC competition—it comes with adjustable comb, extended Invector-DS choke tubes, and 28″ or 30″ barrels that provide a long sight plane for crossing targets. The 725 Field is the upland hunting configuration with shorter 26″ or 28″ barrels, a straight grip stock, and a lighter overall weight. For skeet, the 725 Skeet has a wide, flat-rib barrel and skeet-specific stock dimensions. For trap, the 725 Trap has a high-rib barrel and a Monte Carlo or adjustable stock. Most sporting clays shooters choose the 725 Sporting or CX Sporting; hunters typically choose the Field or White Lightning. The CX is the right starting point for a new O/U shooter who wants the 725 platform without the full 725 Sporting price.

Citori Choke System and Pattern Performance

Browning’s Invector-DS (Double Seal) choke system is standard on 725 series guns and provides a longer, more gradual choke transition than the original Invector system. Invector-DS chokes are not interchangeable with original Invector chokes—verify which system your specific Citori uses before purchasing aftermarket chokes. The Vector Pro forcing cone reduces pellet deformation at the moment of ignition, contributing to more uniform patterns at distance. Aftermarket Invector-DS chokes from Kicks, Patternmaster, and Browning itself cover every application from cylinder-bore home defense to extended turkey chokes. For steel shot waterfowl use, use only steel-rated extended chokes.

Citori vs. Beretta A400/Silver Pigeon: The Over/Under Competition

The Browning Citori and Beretta Silver Pigeon/A400 series are the two most commonly compared premium O/U shotguns. Beretta’s Triblock barrel joining system produces extremely consistent barrel-to-barrel alignment and is widely considered one of the finest in production. The Citori’s Japanese-built action has a reputation for long-term durability that matches Beretta’s. Trigger feel is a matter of personal preference—many shooters prefer the Citori’s trigger; others prefer Beretta’s. The most meaningful advice is to shoot both before buying. At this price level the decision often comes down to which gun fits your specific dimensions better and which trigger you prefer, as both are genuinely excellent.

Browse all Browning firearms, explore our full over/under shotgun selection, or compare with the Beretta A400 for an Italian-built alternative.