Browning Citori CXT 12 Gauge Over/Under Shotgun: Engineered for Clay Target Excellence

Are you a dedicated clay target shooter looking for a shotgun that blends unparalleled performance, rugged durability, and classic aesthetics? Do you find yourself asking: "What is the best 12 gauge shotgun for trap, skeet, or sporting clays?" or "How can I find an over/under shotgun that minimizes recoil and maximizes my hit percentage?" Look no further. The Browning Citori CXT 12 Gauge Over/Under Shotgun is meticulously designed to answer these very questions, offering a precision tool that serious enthusiasts and competitive shooters rely on to elevate their game on the range.

This shotgun isn't just a firearm; it's a testament to Browning's century-long legacy of crafting exceptional sporting arms. The Citori series, renowned for its legendary reliability and exquisite craftsmanship, finds its competitive apex in the CXT model. It’s engineered specifically to meet the rigorous demands of clay target disciplines, ensuring that every swing is smooth, every shot is consistent, and every round leaves you feeling confident, not fatigued.

Unwavering Craftsmanship: The Foundation of Citori Excellence

The heart of any truly great over/under shotgun lies in its build quality, and the Browning Citori CXT stands as a shining example of precision engineering and meticulous hand-fitting. The wood-to-metal fit on this Citori is nothing short of paramount. With tight, consistent junctions that showcase an almost seamless transition between materials, it exudes a level of craftsmanship rarely seen in modern firearms. This isn't just about aesthetics; it speaks to the inherent durability and longevity of the shotgun. A precise fit minimizes movement between components, reducing wear and tear over thousands of rounds, ensuring your investment stands the test of time.

Furthermore, the Citori's action components are machined to incredibly exacting tolerances. But Browning doesn't stop there. These critical parts are then heat-treated for greater strength, dramatically increasing their resistance to stress and fatigue, which is crucial for a firearm that will see extensive use in high-volume shooting sports. The final touch, a hallmark of Browning's commitment to quality, involves fitting these components using the traditional lampblack-and-file method. This time-honored technique, where a thin layer of lampblack is applied to contact surfaces to reveal high spots, allows master gunsmiths to precisely file and fit parts for the most accurate and reliable engagement possible. This ensures the precise fit of critical components, leading to an incredibly smooth, durable, and reliable action cycle, shot after shot.

Reliable Performance and Innovative Design Features

When you're breaking clays, consistent ignition is non-negotiable. The Citori CXT addresses this with powerful coil-type mainsprings powering the hammers. Unlike traditional leaf springs that can weaken over time, coil springs offer consistent force and unparalleled reliability for positive primer ignition, ensuring that when you pull the trigger, the shot fires without hesitation. The intuitive barrel selector further empowers the shooter, allowing for quick and decisive choice of which barrel fires on the first pull, a valuable feature for diverse target presentations in sporting clays or quick adjustments in trap.

Security and longevity in an over/under action depend heavily on the locking mechanism. The Citori CXT utilizes a transverse-mounted, full-width tapered locking bolt which engages a full-width tapered recess in the rear barrel lugs. This robust design provides an exceptionally strong lock-up that actually becomes tighter and more secure over time and with use, as opposed to wearing looser. This mechanism ensures perfect barrel-to-receiver alignment, shot after shot, contributing to the shotgun's legendary durability and consistent performance.

For ease of maintenance and extended firearm life, the CXT features corrosion-resistant, chrome-plated chambers. This treatment prevents pitting and makes cleaning significantly easier, especially after a long day at the range. It also ensures smooth and reliable extraction of spent shell casings, minimizing frustrations and keeping you focused on your next target.

Optimized for the Clay Target Athlete: Recoil, Patterns, and Fit

The Browning Citori CXT is purpose-built for the clay target athlete, whether you compete in trap, skeet, or sporting clays. Every feature is designed to enhance your performance and reduce shooter fatigue.

One of the most significant innovations integrated into this model is Back-Bored Technology. This involves increasing the bore diameter of the barrel. The result? Reduced shot friction as it travels down the barrel, leading to increased shot velocity, improved pattern density, and a notable reduction in felt recoil. For a shooter who might fire hundreds of rounds in a single session, this reduction in recoil translates directly into less shoulder fatigue, allowing you to maintain focus and consistency throughout your competition or practice.

Complementing Back-Bored Technology is the Vector Pro forcing cone. Unlike standard forcing cones, Vector Pro is an elongated, gradual taper between the chamber and the bore. This smoother transition further reduces pellet deformation and friction, enhancing pattern uniformity and density even more. The combined effect of Back-Bored and Vector Pro is superior pattern performance, ensuring more pellets arrive on target, and a noticeable decrease in felt recoil, making for a more comfortable shooting experience.

The CXT model features a 32" lightweight profile barrel. Why 32 inches? This barrel length is widely preferred in competitive clay shooting for several reasons: it provides an extended sight plane for more precise aiming, contributes to a smoother, more controlled swing on fast-moving targets, and allows for increased shot velocity. The "lightweight profile" helps manage the overall weight, making the shotgun easier to maneuver during long strings of fire. The barrel is topped with a vented rib which dissipates heat, preventing heat mirage from distorting your sight picture, and features side ribs for structural integrity and a clean aesthetic.

Customizable fit is paramount for consistent shooting, and the Citori CXT excels here with its Triple Trigger system. This innovative feature allows the shooter to adjust the trigger's length of pull, enabling a personalized fit for various hand sizes and shooting styles. A perfectly fitted trigger ensures a comfortable and consistent trigger pull, which is fundamental to repeatable accuracy and achieving higher scores.

The shotgun’s beautiful Grade II American walnut stock with a gloss finish not only adds a touch of classic elegance but also provides a stable and comfortable grip. Walnut is traditionally favored for its strength, weight, and aesthetic appeal. Beneath this exquisite wood lies the revolutionary Inflex Recoil Pad. This advanced recoil pad technology is designed to direct recoil energy down and away from the shooter's face, significantly reducing felt recoil and muzzle jump. The unique design effectively absorbs and disperses kinetic energy, allowing for more comfortable shooting sessions, quicker follow-up shots, and dramatically less fatigue over extended periods. If you've ever wondered, "How can I make my 12 gauge shotgun more comfortable to shoot for long durations?", the Inflex Recoil Pad is a key part of the answer.

Versatility in patterning is crucial for clay target games, where target presentations vary widely. The Browning Citori CXT comes equipped with three Invector-Plus Midas choke tubes (Full, Modified, Improved Cylinder). The Invector-Plus system provides longer, more consistent choke constriction for superior patterns. The "Midas" grade signifies a higher quality of machining and finish, contributing to even better performance.

• Full (F) choke: Delivers the tightest pattern, ideal for long-range targets like those found in trap shooting or distant sporting clays.
• Modified (M) choke: Offers a medium pattern, suitable for mid-range targets, a versatile choice for many sporting clays stations.
• Improved Cylinder (IC) choke: Provides a wider, more open pattern, perfect for close-range targets, skeet, or quick-reaction sporting clays presentations.

The ability to quickly change choke tubes allows you to optimize your shotgun's pattern for any given target, maximizing your chances of a clean break.

The shotgun's receiver is crafted from blued steel with a high polish finish, offering a classic, durable look. The elegant gold Citori CX logo on the sides adds a touch of distinction, signifying its heritage and purpose. For aiming, a simple yet effective Bead Ivory sight is mounted, providing a clear and quick aiming point.

Why Choose the Browning Citori CXT for Your Clay Shooting Journey?

The Browning Citori CXT 12 gauge over/under shotgun is more than just a collection of features; it's a meticulously crafted system designed to provide a superior shooting experience. For those asking "What over/under shotgun offers the best balance of durability, performance, and value for competitive clay shooting?", the CXT emerges as a leading contender. Its robust construction ensures it will withstand thousands of rounds, providing a lifetime of enjoyment and performance. The combination of Back-Bored barrels, Vector Pro forcing cones, and Inflex recoil pad delivers a remarkably comfortable shooting experience, making long practice sessions or full competition days enjoyable rather than punishing.

This shotgun offers a natural pointability and smooth swing characteristics crucial for hitting moving targets. Its consistent trigger pulls, reliable ignition, and adaptable choke system empower the shooter to tackle any target presentation with confidence. It’s an investment in your passion, a tool that helps you reach new personal bests, and a testament to Browning’s unwavering commitment to quality and innovation in the world of sporting firearms. The Browning Citori CXT is widely available and a highly recommended option for anyone serious about improving their clay target scores. You can find this exceptional shotgun and other Browning firearms at reputable dealers like DEGuns.com.

Whether you're stepping onto the trap line, navigating a challenging sporting clays course, or perfecting your skeet game, the Browning Citori CXT is built to be your steadfast partner, helping you achieve your full potential and truly enjoy every moment at the range.

Browning Citori CXT 12 Gauge Specifications and Features

Feature	Description
Action	Over/Under
Gauge	12 Gauge
Chamber	3"
Capacity	2 Rounds
Barrel Length	32"
Overall Length (OAL)	49"
Weight	8.8 lbs
Barrel Description	Lightweight Profile, Vent Rib, Side Ribs, Back-Bored Technology
Sights	Bead Ivory
Choke Configuration	Invector-Plus Midas
Chokes Included	Full (F), Modified (M), Improved Cylinder (IC)
Receiver Material	Blued Steel, High Polish finish with Gold Citori CX Logo
Stock Material	Grade II American Walnut with Gloss Finish and Inflex Recoil Pad
Trigger System	Triple Trigger (Adjustable)
Hand	Right-Handed
Special Features	Vector Pro Forcing Cone, Transverse-Mounted Tapered Locking Bolt, Coil-Type Mainsprings, Chrome-Plated Chambers, Lampblack-and-File Fitted Components. Designed for all Clay Target Games.

Product Information	Details
Series	Citori CXT
SKU	018074327
UPC	023614443216
Metal Finish Group	Blued/Black
Stock Finish Group	Wood
Manufacturer	Browning