Citori top lever... Ouch!

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MarkJnK

CGN Regular
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I'm pretty new to O/U's, having recently purchased my first two guns. The first was a Cynergy 20ga Field a couple months back, and it just fit, feels great and shoots really well for me. Then I got the trap bug and decided to buy the right tool for the job... a Citori XT. The gun fits well, and shoots well, my scores have jumped 2-3 clays consistently with the XT. The only problem I have with it is that the top Lever feels like a primitive torture device on my thumb, especially compared to the ergonomic and smooth Cynergy top lever. The gun, while used, locks up tight and has a very stout lever spring. I know the Citori is loved and respected, and has earned that distinction over decades, but how on earth has the Top Lever avoided the evolutionary shift to something ergonomic and comfortable? And why hasn't anyone come out with an aftermarket part to address this? I shot 150 on saturday and my thumb was aching by the end of the day.

To those who shoot Citoris, is thumb pain par for the course or am i doing something wrong? I wish I could install a Cynergy Top lever on the Citori, then it would be perfect. For those that haven't handled a Cynergy, you don't know what you are missing!

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phinton81 said:
The gun locks up very tight and should loosen over time. Try some shooting gloves,

Patrick
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I have shooting gloves, but on saturday it was +13c degrees (record warm temp) so I was excited to shoot without gloves (and heavy coat)! Maybe thats why I noticed the pain so much. I'm sure for the next couple months, gloves will be needed for warmth. Does the spring tension on the Lever ease up over time also? It is a very stout spring.
 
gunsaholic said:
I have an older Citori 20 gauge skeet that is not hard to move the top lever. I wonder if someone replaced the spring at some point?
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Based on the rest of the gun, I doubt the spring would have been replaced, as the gun looks nearly new. I don't think the lever or lock-up is unusually tight or stiff, its just a matter of the top lever shape in my opinion, as my thumb naturally falls on the top edge. It feels un-natural to twist my hand so my thumb falls on the knurled flat surface, and if I do, by thumb then strafes across the safety/barrel selector.
 
MarkJnK said:
Just checked mine, its pretty sharp too, but my thumb doesn't come in contact with the sharp edge, thankfully.
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Neither did mine...but my (and a fellow shooter's) index finger sure did when the gun was open! It's just a little heads up to maybe prevent a bit of blood on the nice finish. You'll get used to that Citori lever after a while and with couple thousand shots it will loosen up.
 
What part of your thumb do you use to operate the lever?I have 2 Citori a lighting and 725 sporting don't find the lever hard to operate on either.I use the inside of my thumb right at joint behind the thumbnail with my fingers placed down over the side of the reciever.I don't actually move my thumb as I use my fingers for leverage.its second nature to me as I block and catch the shells with my hand as I open the gun.
 
rembolt said:
What part of your thumb do you use to operate the lever?I have 2 Citori a lighting and 725 sporting don't find the lever hard to operate on either.I use the inside of my thumb right at joint behind the thumbnail with my fingers placed down over the side of the reciever.I don't actually move my thumb as I use my fingers for leverage.its second nature to me as I block and catch the shells with my hand as I open the gun.
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This is the kind of advice I was hoping for. Thanks. I was using the meaty part of my thumb (think thumb print). I tried it the way you describe, and it will take some getting used to, but feels more natural with less pressure. Thanks.
 
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