The 2015 Browning Cynergy Field: Browning's Greatest Bargain?

Let's begin by listing the published Browning specifications for the tested Cynergy 20 gauge Field with 28 inch barrels. In 2007, I reviewed the “Cynergy Classic” 20 gauge that had a $2200 retail price. In 2009, I reviewed (and very much liked) the Cynergy “Euro Field” that retailed at that time for $2699. In 2010, I reviewed essentially the same model, updated with Browning's “Vector Pro” forcing cones, then renamed the Cynergy Field. $2659 was the 2010 MSRP.

Item Number	018706604
UPC	023614043676
Gauge	20 Ga
Chamber Length	3"
Barrel Length	28"
Overall Length	45"
Length of Pull	14 1/4"
Drop at Comb	1 5/8"
Drop at Heel	2"
Weight	6 lbs 4 oz
Magazine Capacity	0
Rib Width	7/32
Barrel Finish	Matte Blued
Stock Finish	Satin
Wood Grade	Grade I/II
Chokes Included	Full, Modified, Improved Cylinder
Receiver Finish	Silver Nitride
Chamber Finish	Chrome Plated Chamber
Front Sight	Ivory Bead
Choke System	Invector-Plus Flush
Barrel Material	Steel
Side Ribs	Vented
Stock Material	Black Walnut
Recoil Pad	Cynergy Inflex
Checkering	Cut 18 LPI
Receiver Material	Steel
Trigger Finish	Gold Plated
Trigger Guard Finish	Silver Nitride
Trigger Material	Alloy
Trigger Guard Material	Steel
Trigger Guard Engraving	Buck Mark in Gold
MSRP	$1,939.99

Here we are, five years later, and the price has dropped significantly, to $1939 MSRP. The “wacky walker” recoil pad is gone, replaced with a more conventional-looking but quite effective Inflex pad. Surprisingly, the satin-finished wood is a clear step up in figure from the two previously tested models, the nicely-inked engraving is as well, and even the triggers are better, breaking at about 5-1/2 pounds after initial take-up. They are still a bit on the heavy side, but markedly improved from the prior tested examples.

The weight is similar, coming in at 6 lbs., 11 oz., heavier than the stated catalog weight just as in times past. Gone is the annoying center bead that I personally can't stand on field guns specifically and shotguns generally. That, however, looks like a Browning stuff-up, for the website proclaims “Flat Inflex Technology recoil pad, satin varnish finish, silver nitride finish low profile steel receiver, matte blued barrels, ivory front and mid bead sights.” No mid-bead is present on the tested model and I sure don't miss it. The Vector Pro forcing cones, added in 2010, are retained.

Just last year, the Cynergy Field listed at $2849.99, so the current over $900 drop in retail price is remarkable. Yet, this Cynergy is better-looking with better wood and better triggers than the previously tested models. It is now eleven years since the Cynergy was introduced and it is currently available for the best actual price ever, setting aside over a decade of inflation.

The Inflex pad is one of the better OEM pads out there. The pad, plus the reasonable weight, makes this Cynergy a soft shooter. The Cynergy shoulders effortlessly and has a very good safety that won't cause you grief with frozen or gloved hands, as opposed to the poor-purchase Beretta safeties that have a tendency to save evil Communist pheasant lives.

Ejection of spend hulls is strong and all-in-all, there isn't anything not to like about this model, and at the current pricing, there is scant little that competes with it in a field 20 gauge O/U. The 12 gauge version is actually a few dollars less than the other gauges. Though Browning refers to the barrel finish as “matte,” it is a higher level of polish and more evenly applied than many other matte (essentially unfinished) offerings. The walnut has significant figure; the forearm and the buttstock are evenly matched in figure, color, and tone. The engraving is attractive, having good visibility as opposed to the practically invisible roll-stamped attempts out there. Street prices vary, of course, and as this is written Browning has a $100 rebate on O/U shotguns, so this gun can be had at approximately $1700 net price or so. At this price point, there is little that competes with the Cynergy Field which is available in 12, 20, 28 gauge, and .410 bore.

At a price point in the area of several autoloaders, if you like the Cynergy before, you'll absolutely love it now. It deserves my highest recommendation and it gets it.

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