Mastering the Field and the Clays: An In-Depth Look at the Browning Citori CXS Shotgun

Are you searching for a versatile shotgun that excels in both competitive shooting disciplines and various hunting scenarios? Do you need a firearm that feels like an extension of yourself, offering intuitive pointing and smooth swings? For discerning shooters who demand precision, reliability, and adaptability from their over/under shotgun, the Browning Citori CXS emerges as a premier choice. This comprehensive guide will explore why the 12-gauge Browning Citori CXS, with its 30-inch barrels and exceptional features, is highly recommended for both aspiring and experienced enthusiasts in the world of wing shooting and clay target sports.

What Makes the Browning Citori CXS an Exceptional Choice for Shooters?

The Browning Citori CXS isn't just a shotgun; it's a meticulously crafted instrument designed to bridge the gap between field performance and competitive shooting prowess. Its core appeal lies in its "cross-over" design, specifically engineered to provide a 50/50 point of impact. This balanced point of impact means the shotgun delivers its pattern precisely where you aim, making it equally effective for rising clay targets and flushing game birds.

Key features that set the Citori CXS apart include:

• Low Profile Receiver: Designed for seamless integration with the shooter's body, promoting natural pointing and reduced muzzle flip.
• 30-inch Lightweight Profile Barrels: Offers an ideal balance for fluid swings, crucial for tracking moving targets, while minimizing overall weight for comfortable carrying.
• 50/50 Point of Impact: A hallmark of its cross-over design, ensuring versatile performance across different shooting disciplines.
• Invector-Plus Midas Grade Extended Choke Tubes: Provides superior pattern control and easy interchangeability, adapting to various shooting conditions.
• Triple Trigger System: Allows for personalized length-of-pull adjustments, enhancing shooter comfort and consistency.

Unpacking the Design: A Closer Look at the Browning Citori CXS's Anatomy

Every element of the Browning Citori CXS is engineered with the shooter in mind, contributing to its reputation as a reliable and high-performing firearm.

The Receiver: Foundation of Fluidity

The heart of any over/under shotgun is its receiver, and the Browning Citori CXS boasts a low-profile steel receiver. This design is paramount for several reasons:

• Ergonomics: A low-profile action keeps the barrels closer to the shooter's hand, creating a more natural and comfortable grip. This contributes significantly to the feeling of "becoming one with the gun," as highlighted in its description.
• Reduced Muzzle Rise: By minimizing the distance between the pivot point of the barrels and the shooter's shoulder, the low-profile design helps reduce muzzle jump, allowing for quicker follow-up shots and maintaining sight picture.
• Sleek Aesthetics: The polished blued finish on the receiver, matching the barrels, gives the Citori CXS a classic, elegant appearance that speaks to its quality craftsmanship.

The Barrels: Precision and Performance

The Citori CXS is equipped with 30-inch lightweight profile barrels. This specific length is a sweet spot for many shooters, offering:

• Optimal Swing Dynamics: Longer barrels provide a smoother, more controlled swing, essential for hitting fast-moving targets like clays or birds. The lightweight profile ensures that this length doesn't translate into excessive front-heavy feel.
• Flat Floating Vent Rib: This design element aids in rapid target acquisition and provides a clear sight picture. The "floating" aspect helps to dissipate heat more effectively, preventing mirage distortion over extended shooting sessions.
• Ventilated Side Ribs: Beyond aesthetics, these ribs contribute to heat dissipation and reduce overall weight without compromising barrel integrity.
• Back-Bored Technology: Browning's renowned Back-Bored barrels increase bore diameter, which reduces friction on the shot column, leading to improved pattern uniformity, reduced recoil, and better pellet velocity. This is a significant advantage for consistent performance.

Choke System: Versatility at Your Fingertips

A critical component for adapting to different shooting scenarios is the choke system. The Browning Citori CXS comes standard with three Invector-Plus Midas Grade Extended Choke Tubes: Full (F), Modified (M), and Improved Cylinder (IC).

• Invector-Plus System: This is Browning's proprietary choke system, known for its consistency and durability. It provides a longer, more gradual taper, which further enhances pattern quality and reduces pellet deformation.
• Midas Grade: Signifies a higher quality of finish and precision in manufacturing, often featuring a gold band for easy identification and extended length for convenient finger tightening.
• Extended Chokes: These chokes extend beyond the muzzle, making them quick and easy to change without tools (though a T-Wrench is included for secure tightening), and often provide slightly better patterns due to their extended length.
• Choke Selection: The included F, M, IC chokes cover a broad range of shooting needs, from tight patterns for long-range targets (Full) to more open patterns for close-in work (Improved Cylinder), with Modified offering a balanced intermediate option. This setup is ideal for sporting clays, trap, and various field hunting situations.

Stock and Ergonomics: Comfort Meets Control

The Citori CXS features a Gloss Black Walnut stock, a classic choice known for its beauty, durability, and traditional feel.

• Material and Finish: Wood stocks offer a natural warmth and traditional aesthetic. The gloss finish not only protects the wood but also enhances its visual appeal. The brown stock finish group complements the blued metalwork beautifully.
• Length of Pull (LOP): At 14.75 inches, the standard LOP is designed to accommodate a wide range of shooters, promoting a comfortable and consistent mount.
• Drop at Comb and Heel: The dimensions of 1 1/2" @ Comb and 2 1/4" @ Heel are crucial for proper sight alignment and recoil management, ensuring the shooter's eye is naturally aligned with the rib.
• Right-Hand Configuration: This model is set up for right-handed shooters, with the pistol grip and safety designed accordingly.

Trigger System: Precision and Adjustability

A responsive and adjustable trigger is vital for consistent shot placement. The Browning Citori CXS incorporates a Triple Trigger System:

• Adjustability: This innovative system allows the shooter to fine-tune the trigger's position to perfectly match their hand and finger length, optimizing comfort and minimizing felt recoil. Precision adjustments ensure a consistent trigger pull for every shot.
• Crisp Break: Browning triggers are renowned for their crisp, clean breaks, which are essential for precise shooting and preventing "flinching" or pulling shots.

Safety and Handling

The shotgun features a Top Tang safety, a classic and intuitive design for over/under shotguns. This allows for easy and ambidextrous engagement and disengagement of the safety, ensuring quick readiness when needed and secure handling otherwise.

Who is the Browning Citori CXS For? (Real-World Applications)

The Browning Citori CXS is often referred to as a "crossover" shotgun, making it remarkably versatile.

• Sporting Clays Enthusiasts: Its 50/50 point of impact, excellent balance, smooth swing, and adjustable trigger make it a formidable competitor on the sporting clays course. It helps shooters transition seamlessly between different target presentations.
• Trap and Skeet Shooters: While primarily designed for sporting clays, its 30-inch barrels and consistent patterning also make it suitable for casual trap and skeet shooting.
• Upland Game Hunters: The lightweight profile barrels and natural pointing characteristics are ideal for walking long distances in search of pheasants, grouse, or quail. Its ability to handle a variety of chokes allows adaptation to different bird sizes and cover conditions.
• Waterfowl Hunters: With its 3-inch chamber, the Citori CXS can accommodate heavier loads often used for ducks and geese, providing the necessary power and range. Its robust steel receiver and polished blued finish offer good resistance to the elements, though proper cleaning is always advised after exposure.
• Beginner and Intermediate Shooters: For those looking to invest in a high-quality shotgun that will grow with their skills, the Citori CXS offers a forgiving platform with features that will enhance learning and performance. Its inherent balance and natural pointability make it easier for new shooters to connect with targets.

Why Choose the Browning Citori CXS?

When considering a significant firearm investment, understanding the unique value propositions of the Browning Citori CXS is crucial.

• Legendary Browning Reliability: Browning firearms are synonymous with durability and consistent performance. The Citori CXS is built to withstand countless rounds, making it a dependable companion for years of shooting enjoyment.
• Exceptional Balance and Handling: The careful distribution of weight, combined with the low-profile receiver and 30-inch barrels, results in a shotgun that feels incredibly natural to shoulder and swing. This translates directly into improved accuracy and reduced fatigue during extended shooting sessions.
• True "Crossover" Performance: Unlike many shotguns that specialize in one discipline, the 50/50 point of impact design of the CXS genuinely excels across both field hunting and clay target sports. This versatility means you only need one gun to pursue multiple passions.
• Premium Features: From the Midas Grade extended chokes to the Triple Trigger System and Back-Bored barrels, the Citori CXS incorporates advanced features typically found on much higher-priced competition shotguns, offering exceptional value.
• Elegant Craftsmanship: The combination of polished blued steel and gloss black walnut stock results in a firearm that is as visually appealing as it is functional, reflecting Browning's commitment to aesthetic excellence.

Maintenance and Care for Your Browning Citori CXS

To ensure your Browning Citori CXS maintains its performance and beauty for decades, proper maintenance is essential.

• Regular Cleaning: After each use, especially in damp or dusty conditions, clean the barrels, receiver, and choke tubes. Use appropriate firearm solvents, oils, and cloths.
• Choke Tube Care: Always keep your choke tubes clean and lightly greased to prevent them from seizing in the barrel. Ensure they are tightened properly before shooting.
• Storage: Store your shotgun in a climate-controlled environment, ideally in a gun safe or cabinet, to protect it from moisture and unauthorized access.
• Professional Inspection: Periodically, consider having your shotgun inspected by a qualified gunsmith to ensure all mechanisms are functioning correctly.

The Browning Citori CXS (UPC: 023614443001) represents a pinnacle of over/under shotgun design, blending traditional aesthetics with cutting-edge performance. Whether you're breaking clays on the sporting course, pursuing upland birds, or challenging waterfowl, this shotgun offers the balance, precision, and reliability that serious shooters demand. Its adaptable nature and high-quality construction make it a valuable asset for anyone passionate about shooting sports.

Detailed Product Specifications: Browning Citori CXS (UPC: 023614443001)

Feature	Specification
Brand	Browning
Series	CXS
Model	Citori
Gauge	12 Gauge
Barrel Length	30 inches
Capacity	2 rounds
Action	Break Open
Overall Length	47.50 inches
Hand	Right Hand
Sights	Ivory Bead Front
Chamber	3 inches
Barrel Finish	Polished Blued
Receiver Finish	Polished Blued
Stock Material	Wood (Gloss Black Walnut)
Stock Finish	Gloss Black Walnut
Weight	7.12 lbs
Length of Pull	14.75 inches
Drop at Comb	1 1/2 inches
Drop at Heel	2 1/4 inches
Safety	Top Tang
Trigger	Triple Trigger System
Barrel Features	Back-Bored Vent Rib
Choke Config.	Invector-Plus Midas
Chokes Included	Full, Modified, Improved Cylinder
Includes	T-Wrench
Application	Field, Sporting Clays
SKU	018073303
UPC	023614443001