Browning Lightning 12ga. -Thoughts

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Toodoggone

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I’m looking at a used Browning Lightning 12ga. with 28” barrels. I’m looking at this shotgun mainly for Skeet, Five Stand and Sporting Clays. The gun was built in 1994 and is in excellent condition. I have a 1976 Citori already and have shot others 525, 725 and CXS. I’ve read several older reviews about the Lightning and it seems well thought of except for some comments on recoil. This gun has an aftermarket recoil pad.

Has anyone here shot this model of Citori and what are your thoughts? I hate to revive the barrel length debate between 28”, 30”, 32” but interested in your thoughts on that too.

Thanks

Steve
 
Don’t over think the barrel length, if you aren’t a serious clay competitor a 28” will break clays just as dead as a 30 or 32” will. The only thing the longer barrels do is smooth out the swing a tad. I’ve owned many Lightnings and my preferred barrel length is 28”, then I throw on some extended choke tubes for a few extra ounces which I find makes my swing a smidge more smooth. I had a 725 Sporting and a CXS with 30” and they’ve both been sold, and I would gladly go back to a 28” Lightning. I also shoot low gun, never pre mounted so for me 28” works great for that style shooting as well. IMO if it’s just for general clays and having fun I’d go 28” maybe 30” if you really feel you’ll like the longer barrel. I’d skip the 32”. In the end, it’s what feels best in your hands and what you shoot best.
 
Also in regards to recoil on a 12g Citori I’ve never found that to be an issue and haven’t seen many complaints about it…if anything the Citoris are known to be a bit hefty in weight which helps reduce recoil. I wouldn’t want to lug a 12g Citori around a pheasant field all day but on a clay range I think they’re one of the best shooters out there. Also depends on shells you’re shooting…if you’re shooting a heavy 3 dram load meant for semis then ya you will likely feel it more than a light target load. Suit the load to the gun and you won’t have recoil issues.
 
Bought a 30 “ barrel Lightning Special Sporting in 1998 new when I started shooting clays. Along with many other guns I bought and tried that Lightning stayed with me till 2020 and is still going strong with the guy I sold it to. I moved to a 32 inch barrelled Guerini Ellipse Evo Sporting. The Lightning is a good gun that will serve you well. Individual choice on weight and barrel length.
 
Falconflyer said:
Have I got a deal for you! :)
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I don't need any more guns....lol...in fact I'd like to sell the last two I have and just go with one brand new combo gun. We are going to spend more time fishing and less time travelling to trap shoots so one nice combo gun will do me fine the rest of my trapshooting days. No point in having a fully pimped fishing boat sitting all year unused. :rolleyes:
 
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Falconflyer said:
Aw come on man! :) I got two Broadways that I don't shoot much anymore, but it seems I can't just have one of anything anymore!
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I'm trying to cut out that two of everything and got it under control pretty good. I'm down from 6 layout blinds to one, 36 shotguns to 5, 43 dozen decoys to 8 dozen......and now you're trying to up my shotgun count again....:ang3
 
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