Pre-type 1 Citori

nairbg

nairbg

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I am the proud new owner of a 1974 Browning Citori 12 g shotgun. This gun is in gorgeous condition, but I cannot find much information on it.. The Browning site assisted only in identifying the type and model year. I would like to understand a couple of other things about this fine looking gun.

There are no apparent barrel markings indicating the choke character, save for the numbers 3 on the upper barrel and 5 on the lower barrel, stamped adjacent to the lock, located under the foregrip.

Do these numbers indicate the choke?

What choke is represented by #3 and #5?

The other issue is the firing sequence of the barrels. Like newer the Citori, recoil causes the trigger to switch from one barrel to the other. Unlike newer models, the thumb break lever only moves to the right, and releases the barrels from the lock. It does not move to the left of center.

Which barrel fires first with this model of Citori?
(it seems to be the top one)

Is there some mechanism to select the "other barrel" to fire first?
 
o/u

Well, judging the numbers by the modern method, the 3 represents a modified choke, and the 5 is either skeet or cylinder, but that seems like an odd combination.

On my browning superposed the saftey switch is also the barrel selector. It moves from right to left to select the barrel and there is a small "o" for over and a "u" for the under barrel. other than that, try pushing your trigger forward, or the trigger guard forward.
 
Citori's were introduced in 1973, if I remember correctly, so a 1974 version is early production. What other markings are on the gun? The choke combination is not the standard IC/M, looks to be Cyl/M. This gun is a nice find, congratulations!

Sharptail
 
A mark to indicate the choke is stamped on the left side of each barrel at the breech end and is visible only when the action is in the open position.

* full

** mod

*** Cyl

*. imp mod

**. imp cyl

**$ skeet
 
The barrel selector is the safety, as it is for all Citorii.

The * markings are:

**- on the upper barrel, and
** on the lower barrel.

So I guess it's a modified lower........ which is apparently pretty standard,

but what might **- mean?
 
Keeping in mind that I am a shotgun rookie, does this barrel combination of "Improved Cylinder, over Modified" tell us anything about this shotgun?

Is this a standard/typical general use pairing?
 
Make sure that you read those choke markings right, the improved barrel should be the bottom barrel and modified on the top!! it probably has 28in. barrels and is a plain everyday field gun. Also be aware that replacement parts for these eary Citori's are scarce.
 
You are right...... I got the barrels inverted. Indeed it has 28" barrels.

Given the scarcity of parts, is there some concern for a particular fragility of some part(s)?

Are you suggesting that this gun ought not to be my everyday field gun?
 
Not a thing wrong with a Citori, for field use it should out live you. The parts issue was just a heads up as any shotgun made can break a part now and then.
 
GREAT... I love the way this thing mounts! I've heard great things about the Citori, and was a bit concerned with that earlier comment.

There are a couple of trap ranges in this area, and I'm very much looking forward to throwing some lead at some clay! This should work WAY better than the old Model 37 Feather Light as far as my shoulder is concerned!
 
Did you download an owners manual? The way your gun is choked look for a Skeet field rather than Trap and have fun!!
 
m12man said:
Did you download an owners manual? The way your gun is choked look for a Skeet field rather than Trap and have fun!!
Click to expand...

Roger that. Apparently the two local clubs have both. Guess I'd better learn the difference!

Indeed, I got the generic Citori manual from the Browning site. Thanks!
 
m12man said:
Make sure that you read those choke markings right, the improved barrel should be the bottom barrel and modified on the top!! it probably has 28in. barrels and is a plain everyday field gun. Also be aware that replacement parts for these eary Citori's are scarce.
Click to expand...

Does this mean that the usual firing sequence is bottom barrel first?
 
The safety flips back and forth if I recall correctly. Take a look and it allows you to shoot whichever barrel you want first.

It is choked IC and M. And is a 3" chamber gun.

I'll give ya $500 for it!!!!!!!!!
 
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