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Barnard308 said:
Guys/Gals
I came into possession of a 1951 Browning Superposed 12g O/U in great shape with the fitted browning leather hard case over the weekend for a super deal. But it has fixed chokes, and I really want external removable chokes. I have always wanted an O/U with the removable chokes so what should I do? Try and trade it for a new shotgun with removable chokes of a lesser quality, get the barrels threaded for chokes, or try and sell it out right? I know approx. what its worth but I am pretty green when it comes to shotgun quality, I was thinking of trading it on a Frachi. What do you think?
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What do you want to use the gun for and how is it choked now?

A Browning Superposed can be tricky when it comes to aftermarket choke tubes. Often there is not a lot of room between the barrels at the muzzle so not just any aftermarket choke can be installed. Thin-wall chokes from Briley, Teague or Precision might work but only after the gun is examined by the installer.

Steel shot usually isn't recommended in guns with thin-wall chokes which limits the gun for waterfowling. Getting thin-walls installed is also expensive and will require the barrels, if not the entire gun, be shipped which is another hassle particularly if cross border shipping is required. Also, you will rarely get the price of the modifications back should you decide to sell the gun.

If this gun were mine and I wanted to keep it, depending on how its currently choked, I'd be more inclined to leave it as is or have the barrels honed out to IC/MOD or even MOD/MOD. I have choke-tubed shotguns but frankly I am not changing chokes all that often and find fixed chokes work for me just fine. YMMV.

Why not shoot the gun for a bit and see whether you really want to go down the route of removable chokes? IMO, a well-maintained Browning Superposed is a more desirable gun than a new Franchi.
 
I agree with claybuster. I wouldn't trade a superposed over a new franchi, like the instinct. I don' t mean to be rude over instinct owners but it's a disposable gun vs a lifetime gun...
If you can't live with fixed chokes, sell it an buy a new citori or beretta sp.
 
I agree with the previous posters. What the Browning has for barrel length and how it is currently choked vs. what you want to use it for are all factors. The old Superposed guns are well made and will last your lifetime. Most (none that I have seen) of the newer low cost guns won't stand up to the rigors of clay target shooting.
 
I'm not sure why you figure you need screw in chokes, but as has been already stated, Carlson thin wall chokes might be an option in one barrel ( owned one some time ago), but the older Supoerposed's are very hard to fit with removable chokes.
I recently purchased a 1964 Superposed with the top barrel reamed out to almost cylinder and the bottom as as factory modified modified .
It works super for trap or skeet, and although it is a bit heavy would be great as an upland gun.
I would not trade it straight across for an Instinct either, but one of the older Franchis, yes.
Cat
 
If you have your heart set on an O/U with screw chokes and figure you wouldn't use this gun much anyways if you had a gun of your choosing then I'd move the superposed and use the $$ to get what I really want. I have bought and sold my way up to more than a few guns I really wanted.
 
Many military shotgun clubs used to primarily buy Winchester 101s and Browning Superposed back in the day before federal acquisition of the Finnish Lion.

These guns were used hard, really hard. Years later these were to be fixed if possible. The Brownings, no problem at all. Not financially feasible to repair the Winchester 101s though.

Edit: Got this tidbit of information from a good friend. Kind of makes sense because I remember using the Lion during my 1980s army days. And I knew that at least the Brownings were in the system from past experinces.
 
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A few assumptions i am going to make....You got a deal on the Browning, and you want tubes to use a shotgun for multiple purposes.

The 1950 vintage Citori's are all 2 3/4 and pre steel shot. So one limits and the other destroys for waterfowl hunting. Probably choked Mod/Full, so since clay games are almost always 2 3/4" it would be a OK trap gun. Not really a good choice for sporting games other than that if it is F/M choked.

Threading chokes is risky and would actually destroy value in the old girl while costing you cash. What about flipping it and buying a more versatile gun? Seems you are either there, or keep it and enjoy a classic while accepting some limitations.

Just a PS thought. How about getting a Smith to check the actual chokes? It might be choked less in actuality than marked, or one could get it reamed to be a better upland or more versatile clays gun. I see the value of a older Citori as something like 900-1200, and the cases are about $325 retail. So congrats on the score.
 
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Shoot it and see if it fits! Pattern it and heck chokes. Are you looking for a field gun or a clay gun or combo ? If it fit they are a very nice gun to shoot. If the chokes are mod or more open, it would be good over decoys. ( don't need 3 in ). Find out what you have before you change.
 
Hey everyone, thanks for all positive feed back so far, as far as I can tell it choked at skeet/skeet and I will only be using it for sporting clays and maybe some skeet down the road no intention of taking it hunting I have other shotguns for that and by the sounds of it I shouldnt be getting it machined for removable chokes, I don't want to ruin the gun for anyone down the road. I think trying it out and seeing how I do with it first before making any rash decisions is the best bet. have a shoot this coming weekend so I will try it out there.
 
I can't say anything that hasn't already been said. The superposed is a sweet shotgun and will hold its value. Shoot it or sell it, but don't modify the barrels. Please. :D
 
I agree 100% shoot it and see how it fits ,having a gun that fits is the most important part of shot gunning .if it does not fit you I am sure you could sell it and get something that will fit ,good luck and put some lead thru it ,,Dutch
 
Sorry guys not computer savvy enough to use photo bucket and all that, do well to post a thread on here LOL. If it was easy I might be able to stubble through the process. No it didn't come off the EE it came from a retired skeet shooter in NS. It was used a lot but still really tight and smooth.
 
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