Anybody shooting an XT?

12GA guy · #1 01-29-2006, 05:14 AM

I have been eyeing one that came in to the local gun shop. They have a nice balance, and weight. I wish I could shoot the darn thing before springing the big bucks for it.

I have heard some criticism of Brownings factory adjustable comb, and wondered if anybody that owns one could give me some opinions. Also do they have mechanical triggers, or inertia??

Thanks.

6.5s4ever · #2 01-29-2006, 08:13 AM

Hi 12ga guy! I have shot a friends XT and they are typical Browning Citori over/unders. I myself have a Browning Citori Plus Trap Model which I love to shoot doubles with, Dont understand why they discontinued making those they had every adjustment you could want. Getting back to the XT I too have heard people complaining about the adjustable comb hardware being cheesy. It doesnt seem to stay put when you tighten it down is the main complaint I have heard. Other than that it is typical good quality Browning. If you can find a citori plus in good shape dont pass that up!

Good Luck Roy

12GA guy · #3 01-29-2006, 10:14 PM

It would be good to think that Browning may have impoved the adjustable comb if there was problems with it. I suspect that a few people would have brought it to their attention.

Speaking of the Citori Plus, they did have a very claen used one in the same shop, at almost $1000 less then the new XT. I liked the Plus as it had the adjustable rib. I can't remember for the life of me whether it had the adjustable comb or not. Would that have been stock with the Plus, or an option? It felt heavier then the XT, but the balance was good. I should have checked to see if it had the invector plus chokes in it. I like the idea of a backbored barrel. Either way it might be a good investment. Save the taxes on the $1000 as well!

fabsroman · #4 01-30-2006, 12:29 AM

I don't have anything good to say about Browning and I have no particular experience with that particular Citori. I had a bad experience 12+ years ago and have stayed away from Browning ever since.

What are you currently shooting gun wise and clay game wise?

6.5s4ever · #5 01-30-2006, 11:55 AM

12ga guy, If they still have the Citori Plus Grab it! Those guns are in great demand and hard to find. Also dont mind Fabsromans comments he had an older salt box Citori that rusted standing still a few years back and had galling on the hinge surfaces ,Browning wouldnt do anything about it and he has been swearing at it ever since! He probably wont ever get over that gun.LOL

Oh and by the way all citori plus shotguns came with an adjustable comb and they come with invector plus choke tubes. Go Get it before its gone!!!!

fabsroman · #6 01-30-2006, 08:08 PM

6.5's remembers the story really well. I keep that gun in the safe just in case I need a bat to hit an intruder with.

12GA guy · #7 02-01-2006, 12:29 AM

Salt box Citori, hmm.. I thought that was only a problem on the old Superposed for a few select years. Did Browning use that salt cured wood on the Citoris as well?

Currently I shoot a Winchester 101 for doubles trap, & sporting clays. I use a BT-99 for singles trap, and handicap.

The 101 is a fine old O/U 1963 model. It has been modified, with the adjustable comb, lazer ported, and forcing cones done. I have been happy with it, but would like a doubles gun with removable chokes, The 101 has IM and M fixed chokes. The BT 99 is older as well, 1985, but does a good job to date. No modifications other than gold inlay in the scrolling.

I might just have to look that Plus over again. My eye caught the XT just about the time he was handing me the Plus to look at, and my mind started to fixate on the XT. My only concern is if the Pus has been shot a tremendous amount. It looked tight, but I know there are a few tweeks that a gunsmith can do to tighten them up for a temporary fix. I hear that the top lever can be tweeked as well, so that it looks centre, or to the right, to make it more attractive to the buyer. I'll ask some more questions about it. When were the Plus models last made? Any idea?

Thanks

6.5s4ever · #8 02-01-2006, 08:55 AM

12 ga guy, Youre exactly right on the superposed salt box probelm. I just say that to frustrate fabsroman a little private dig, If I remember correctly the early ninetys were the last years Citori Pluses were made it may even have been a bit before that. If the lever is to the far right it either hasnt been shot much or the locking block has been replaced. Either way if it is tight I would buy it. Timney also makes a improved Hydraulic insert for the recoil shock absorber that I think is only $100.00 that makes it even nicer to shoot. Good Luck!

fabsroman · #9 02-01-2006, 09:15 AM

I bought my Citori back about 1990 and used it only a little bit for hunting at first. When I graduated from undergrad, I started shooting a lot of trap and I was doing pretty well with the gun. However, the one night I didn't have time to clean out the barrels, they rusted up pretty good and ended up pitting. The difference between the Citori and the identically priced Beretta was that the Beretta had chrome lined barrels, or barrels made out of something that doesn't rust as easily and looks more polished. The Citori also started to experience a significant amount of gouging between the forearm and receiver. So, about 6 months into my trap shooting career, I was able to save up enough money to buy a Beretta 682 Super Trap Combo. Berettas and Benellis have been all that I have bought since then and I have been extremely happy with them.

Don't get me wrong, I have had some issues with Beretta guns in the recent past. About 3 years ago I bought a new 682 Gold Skeet with the adjustable comb and the plating started to come off the receiver where the forearm contacts it. I also bought a 391 Teknys that had the finish coming off the stock. I brought both guns to the Beretta factory here in Maryland and they gave me a new 682 and a new stock for the 391, and the wood grain on that new stock is definitely a nice upgrade from the old one. The two 391 Teknys that I bought, one in 12 and the other in 20, both had small machining marks on the receiver, but Beretta said they couldn't do anything about that. I am fine with that.

In the end, it isn't about the guns, because I think that all companies will have some bad products over time. It is more about how the company backs its product and its customer service. I will continue to buy Beretta guns and Ruger rifles because my experience with both companies has been pleasant.

12GA guy · #10 02-01-2006, 11:46 PM

Good info! I did notice the Plus had a recoil system of sorts, but wasn't sure if it was stock or aftermarket. Were the stock ones adjustable internally somehow? Felt like a spring rather than hydraulics, when I pushed on it. Also, does it have mechanical triggers or inertia?

Fabsorman, I agree that the manufacturer that stands behind thier product, is important. It was good that Beretta stepped up when you had your problems! I'm suprised that your Citori's barrels rusted so bad so quickly

You must have been shooting in downpour. I think they use a different material in the modern Brownings, as I haven't heard anybody complain about bad rust problems recently. Maybe you should have it back bored, and sell it. Too nice a gun to use for a club...

fabsroman · #11 02-02-2006, 03:00 AM

The newer Browning definitely are made with a different barrel material and/or they are lined with chrome or a rust prohibitive coating. As far as back boring and selling the gun, I have never sold a gun in my life and it is kind of a principal matter for me. I'll keep this thing and let friends and family use it when they need a gun, knowing that I have to clean it immediately.

As far as the downpour is concerned, it wasn't raining in the least bit. Just the sweat from a hot gun cooling off must have been enough to cause the rusting.