Pro's and Con's Browning Citori vs Beretta Silver Pigeon 1 O/U - What would you choose?

Thanks for the insights and for the recommendations on posting. Appreciate the support and input. Now to decide ;0)...the 28 gauge is tempting but for now leaning towards the twenty, will do some more research on the 28...dang, how can a guy have too many shotguns...lol
 
RedCopper said:
Thanks for the insights and for the recommendations on posting. Appreciate the support and input. Now to decide ;0)...the 28 gauge is tempting but for now leaning towards the twenty, will do some more research on the 28...dang, how can a guy have too many shotguns...lol
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Be aware that many 28 gauge guns are based on 20 gauge receivers, and the 28 gauge is actually a few ounces heavier. Some O/U and SxS guns do however have actual 28 gauge frames, and are a few ounces lighter than a 20 gauge. There is a lot more availability of 20 gauge ammunition as well, which may be a consideration. I buy 28 gauge hunting loads by the flat, and load my 28 gauge target loads, so cost and availability, is not really a factor for me. I have cut my shotguns down to two SxS upland guns, two O/U clays guns, and two semi auto waterfowl guns, but I have owned several more at times.
 
stubblejumper said:
Be aware that many 28 gauge guns are based on 20 gauge receivers, and the 28 gauge is actually a few ounces heavier. Some O/U and SxS guns do however have actual 28 gauge frames, and are a few ounces lighter than a 20 gauge. There is a lot more availability of 20 gauge ammunition as well, which may be a consideration. I buy 28 gauge hunting loads by the flat, and load my 28 gauge target loads, so cost and availability, is not really a factor for me. I have cut my shotguns down to two SxS upland guns, two O/U clays guns, and two semi auto waterfowl guns, but I have owned several more at times.
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Thanks...ammo availability and cost is a factor. I'll look into it. I've been enjoying my side by side and in the last few years I've seen more gun companies carrying them in their lines and imports. You got me thinking. Sounds like you have a good balance depending on your needs.
 
RedCopper said:
Thanks...ammo availability and cost is a factor. I'll look into it. I've been enjoying my side by side and in the last few years I've seen more gun companies carrying them in their lines and imports. You got me thinking. Sounds like you have a good balance depending on your needs.
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I choose each type of shotgun, depending on the intended use. When choosing an upland gun, I want light weight, and I prefer a twin trigger English stocked SxS, so the gun is easy to carry for hours, and I have an instant choice of chokes. For clays, I want a heavier gun, that produces less recoil, and that will stand up to many years of shooting many thousands of rounds per year. For waterfowl, I want a gas operated semi auto that produces less felt recoil, and that I don't have to break open to reload in a blind.
 
Rob! said:
"Generally" people will prefer either Browning OR Beretta.
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This has been my experience as well when introducing people into shotgun sports, either Beretta or the Browning but neither both. Personally I dislike the 686, my friend has one in 20ga and there is just something about the way it holds and shoulders I can't stand, but the Citoris shoulder perfectly for me, and I ended up with a 28 ga Citori.

That being said I favour SxS and a lot of those seem to be more geared for hunting (lighter for easy carry) but finding a good quality SxS (even on par with Citori/686) starts running up costs quick especially if you look for 28ga. I did recently hold a F.A.I.R. 28 SxS Iside I wish was lower priced than it was, excellent wood, lifted and pointed nicely, and you could tell it was quality right off the bat.

Last I checked, Browning has been making 28 ga Citoris capable of the new 3 inch 28ga shells trying to muscle into the market.
 
Not quite, Citori 16 uses a modified 20g frame so usually a pound or more less than an Citori 12g. And I’ve shot them for years, never had issues finding shells. Yea you pay a bit more but you can’t spend thousands on a gun then whine the shells cost a bit more
 
browninggold said:
Not quite, Citori 16 uses a modified 20g frame so usually a pound or more less than an Citori 12g. And I’ve shot them for years, never had issues finding shells. Yea you pay a bit more but you can’t spend thousands on a gun then whine the shells cost a bit more
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I shoot a 16 gauge SxS for upland birds along with my 28 gauge SxS, but the only reason that I purchased the 16 gauge, is that I found a great deal on a used one. The variety of 16 gauge hunting loads is very limited compared to 12 or 20 gauge, and 16 gauge target loads are non existent.
 
Yes we all know the 16g selection is much more slim than other gauges. Most shooters who enjoy the 16 don’t use them for high volume shooting. I personally use a 20g for clays. The point being if you’re chasing the occasional bird, more than enough shells available at various retailers to supply you for a few years of hunting. Even for targets I’ve had no problem finding suitable shells.
 
browninggold said:
Yes we all know the 16g selection is much more slim than other gauges. Most shooters who enjoy the 16 don’t use them for high volume shooting. I personally use a 20g for clays. The point being if you’re chasing the occasional bird, more than enough shells available at various retailers to supply you for a few years of hunting. Even for targets I’ve had no problem finding suitable shells.
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I think the availability of 16 g ammo (and for all uses) seems to be getting better and better. I have not had a problem finding any but I do order online which makes it easier.

Based on the stats, Browning has finally been 'scaling' their smaller gauges. As you note, the 16g is based on the 20g frame so it is in fact lighter. Pretty sure the smaller gauges are also based on the 20g but seems Browning is finding some weight saving by milling more steel? Maybe not true scaling, but at least the 410s and 28s now weigh less than the 20. That was not the case 2 years ago.
 
I reload for my sxs 16 gauge so ammo isn't a big problem and therefore I do shoot clays with it once in a while but mostly I just use it for upland game still, factory ammo is not real easy to find around here and expensive when you do find them and while it's true that for occasional bird hunting the cost of factories isn't that prohibitive, I just can't seem to get enthusiastic about using the 16 that much when I have all the other gauges with plentiful ammo to chose from.
 
Falconflyer said:
I reload for my sxs 16 gauge so ammo isn't a big problem and therefore I do shoot clays with it once in a while but mostly I just use it for upland game still, factory ammo is not real easy to find around here and expensive when you do find them and while it's true that for occasional bird hunting the cost of factories isn't that prohibitive, I just can't seem to get enthusiastic about using the 16 that much when I have all the other gauges with plentiful ammo to chose from.
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The Fiocchi Golden Pheasant loads actually cost the same , regardless of gauge, so I buy them by the flat, and when I get down to half a flat, I buy another flat. I found a flat of Remington field loads in #7-1/2 for $100, and I shoot a couple of rounds of skeet each summer , before the season opens. The 28 gauge isn't an issue, as I load my 28 gauge and 410 skeet loads.
 
Falconflyer said:
Was that recently?
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That was two years ago, I went to purchase more of the Kent Elite target loads that I like, and when I was told they weren't making them, I looked for an alternative, and saw that Prophet River had a good supply of STS and Nitro 27 loads on hand. I cleaned out all of the #8 loads of both, some Remington 20 gauge targets loads at $120/flat, and the 16 gauge loads.
 
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