Browning 725 Citori 20 Gauge Preview
The new Browning
725 Citori, in 20 gauge, has been given a very similar treatment to its
12 gauge bigger brother. It is a lower profile receiver than the by-now
classic Citori, a lighter barrel set including the 20 gage version of
Invector Double Seal choke tubes, and a vastly improved mechanical trigger
group.
The gun is lighter and more responsive, as are the triggers, and the package
is finished off with the latest Browning Inflex recoil pad. The basic
specifications of the 28 inch Field Model are published by Browning as
follows.
Citori
725 Field
Ga 20
Item Number 0135306004
UPC 023614400424
Barrel Length 28"
Nominal Overall Length 45 3/4"
Nominal Length of Pull 14 1/4"
Nominal Drop at Comb 1 1/2"
Nominal Drop at Heel 2 3/8"
Nominal Weight 6 lbs 6 oz
Chokes Included Full:Modified:Improved Cylinder
Chamber Size 3
Rib Width 1/4"
Barrel Finish Polished Blue
Stock Finish Gloss Oil
Wood Grade Grade II/III
U.S. Suggested Retail $2,469.99
In 20 gauge, the 725 shaves over a pound away from the similarly configured 725 in 12 gauge, and is roughly one quarter pound lighter than the 20 gauge Citori Lightning. It is more than a quarter pound lighter than the 28 gauge and .410 bore Citori Lightnings as well, for the relative “heavyweight” of the old Citori sub-guage Lightning line is the 6-3/4 lb. 28 gauge. Despite the heaviness of the 28 Gauge Citori, I've always found it to be a bit of kicker. Perhaps part of it is because the classic Lightning smaller-bores came with no recoil pad at all. The 725 20 gauge is offered in 26 or 28 inch barrel lengths, while the ported / fiber optic bead / five choke Sporting version is offered with 28, 30, and 32 inch barrel sets at $3139.99 MSRP.
To say that I was
favorably impressed with the 725 20 gauge would be an understatement.
It was a fun gun to shoot, the most enjoyable shotgun of the 2014 SHOT
Show. The triggers were excellent, felt recoil was essentially imperceptible
(albeit with target loads), and wherever I looked . . . the bird broke.
I have no idea when these will actually be generally available, though
my sheer speculation is in the area of May, 2014. You can expect an extremely
detailed review as soon as I get my hands on a full production run gun.
Copyright 2014 by Randy Wakeman. All Rights Reserved.
