Browning Citori CXS 20 Gauge Over/Under Shotgun: Precision, Performance, and Unmatched Craftsmanship for Discerning Shooters

Are you a dedicated sport shooter seeking to elevate your performance on the trap, skeet, or sporting clays course? Or perhaps an avid upland bird hunter looking for a lightweight, fast-handling shotgun that combines exquisite balance with dependable function? The Browning Citori CXS 20 Gauge shotgun (MPN: 018073603) is meticulously engineered to meet and exceed the expectations of competitive and recreational shooters alike. This iconic over/under shotgun stands as a testament to Browning's enduring legacy of producing firearms of unparalleled quality, striking aesthetics, and championship-winning capability.

When considering a new shotgun, especially for specialized disciplines, questions often arise: "What defines a truly great competition shotgun?" or "How does an over/under shotgun enhance my shooting experience?" The Browning Citori CXS 20 Gauge directly answers these inquiries by integrating advanced features with time-honored design principles. Its design is a deliberate fusion of features tailored for demanding environments, ensuring consistent performance shot after shot.

Why Choose the Browning Citori CXS 20 Gauge? A Deep Dive into its Core Advantages

The Browning Citori CXS (Crossover Segments) line is specifically designed for shooters who engage in multiple disciplines, offering a balanced platform that excels in both clay target sports and field hunting. The 20-gauge variant, weighing approximately 7.20 lbs with a 30-inch barrel, strikes an ideal balance between manageable recoil, quick maneuverability, and effective range.

Let's explore the key features that make the Browning Citori CXS an exceptional choice:

• Unrivaled Craftsmanship and Durability:
  • Steel Receiver with Polished Blued Finish: The foundation of the Citori CXS is its robust steel receiver, known for its incredible strength and longevity. The polished blued finish is not just aesthetically pleasing, but also provides a durable, corrosion-resistant layer that maintains the shotgun's pristine appearance over years of use. This attention to material quality ensures the shotgun can withstand the rigors of thousands of rounds, offering reliable function when it matters most.
  • Gloss Black Walnut Stock: The classic appeal of the Citori is significantly enhanced by its beautiful Gloss Black Walnut stock. This material is chosen not only for its elegant grain and rich color but also for its natural shock-absorbing properties, contributing to shooter comfort. The gloss finish adds a layer of protection and highlights the wood's inherent beauty, making the shotgun a true work of art.
  • Barrel Finish: Polished Blued: Matching the receiver, the 30-inch barrels are also finished in polished blued, ensuring a consistent high-quality appearance and robust protection against the elements and wear from extensive use.
• Precision Engineering for Superior Performance:
  • Flat Floating Rib Design: The CXS model features a distinctive flat floating rib. Unlike traditional fixed ribs, a floating rib is less susceptible to changes due to barrel heating, maintaining a consistent point of impact. This design aids in quicker target acquisition and provides a clearer sight picture, critical for dynamic shooting sports.
  • Invector-Plus Midas Chokes (F, M, IC Included): Browning's Invector-Plus choke system is renowned for its extended choke tapers, which reduce shot deformation and improve pattern uniformity. The inclusion of Midas-grade choke tubes (Full, Modified, Improved Cylinder) offers versatility, allowing shooters to optimize their shot patterns for various targets and distances, whether it's tight patterns for distant clays or wider spreads for close-range birds. The accompanying T-Wrench makes choke changes simple and efficient.
  • Back-Bore Technology: A hallmark of Browning's barrel engineering, back-boring increases the bore diameter to reduce friction between the shot and the barrel walls. This results in several tangible benefits:
    • Reduced Recoil: Less friction means less resistance, translating to a softer felt recoil, especially beneficial during extended shooting sessions.
    • Improved Pattern Quality: Back-boring allows shot pellets to remain rounder and less deformed, leading to denser, more uniform patterns downrange.
    • Enhanced Muzzle Velocity: By reducing drag, shot velocity can be slightly increased, offering more energy on target.
  • Chrome-Plated Chambers: To combat the effects of repeated firing and high-pressure shells, the Citori CXS incorporates chrome-plated chambers. This robust plating prevents corrosion and wear, ensuring smooth shell extraction and significantly extending the lifespan of the chamber, resisting the toll thousands of shells can take on lesser quality guns.
• Innovative User-Centric Features:
  • Triple Trigger System: The Citori's innovative Triple Trigger system allows shooters to customize the length of pull and the feel of the trigger. This adjustability is crucial for achieving a perfect fit and consistent trigger pull, directly contributing to improved accuracy and shooter comfort. Shooters can fine-tune the trigger position to match their hand size and shooting style, ensuring optimal control.
  • Convenient Barrel Selector: The integrated barrel selector allows the shooter to choose which barrel fires first with a simple flick of a switch. This is incredibly useful for varying target presentations or when engaging multiple targets, enabling precise control over shot placement.
  • Automatic Ejectors: When the breech is opened, the automatic ejectors powerfully eject fired shells, clearing the chamber quickly for rapid reloading. Unfired shells are simply elevated for easy removal, preventing them from being ejected and lost. This feature is invaluable in competitive shooting where speed and efficiency are paramount.
  • Transverse-Mounted, Full-Width Tapered Locking Bolt: At the heart of the Citori's legendary strength and tight lock-up is its robust locking system. The tapered locking bolt engages a full-width tapered recess in the rear barrel lugs, creating an incredibly strong and secure connection between the barrels and the receiver. This design minimizes wear and tear over time, ensuring the shotgun maintains its precise lock-up and consistent performance for decades.
  • Full-Width Hinge Pin: Extending from one side of the receiver to the other, the full-width hinge pin maximizes strength and ensures smooth, reliable barrel opening and closing. This robust design is a cornerstone of the Citori's renowned durability.
  • Top Tang Safety: Positioned conveniently on the tang, the safety is easily accessible and intuitive to operate for right-handed shooters. This design allows for quick and secure manipulation, ensuring safety without compromising on speed or control.
  • Ivory Bead Front Sight: The ivory bead front sight provides a clear, highly visible aiming point against various backgrounds, facilitating quick and precise target alignment.

Real-World Applications: Where the Citori CXS Excels

The Browning Citori CXS 20 Gauge is a versatile powerhouse built for a variety of shooting scenarios:

• Sporting Clays: The 30-inch barrels offer excellent swing characteristics and extended sight plane for tracking dynamic targets. The 20-gauge chambering provides lively performance with reduced recoil compared to 12-gauge, allowing for longer, more comfortable sessions. The adjustable trigger and choke system allow for precise tuning to different presentations. Many shooters find the 20 gauge to be their preferred choice for the nuanced challenges of sporting clays, where quick transitions and precise lead are crucial.
• Trap Shooting: While 12 gauge dominates trap, the 20 gauge Citori CXS can still be highly effective, especially for youth or those sensitive to recoil. The back-bored barrel and Invector-Plus chokes contribute to consistent patterns for breaking those distant clay birds.
• Skeet Shooting: Its balance, quick handling, and open choke options (like Improved Cylinder) make it an excellent choice for the close-range, fast-paced nature of skeet. The automatic ejectors ensure swift reloads, keeping you in rhythm.
• Upland Bird Hunting: For chasing grouse, pheasant, quail, or woodcock, the 20-gauge Citori CXS is an ideal companion. Its manageable weight (7.20 lbs) makes it comfortable to carry through fields and brush all day. The quick swing of the 30-inch barrels is perfect for fast-flushing birds, and the choice of chokes allows for adaptability to different species and distances. The elegant Gloss Black Walnut stock also makes it a pleasure to carry and admire in the field.
• General Field Use: Beyond specific disciplines, this shotgun is a reliable and enjoyable firearm for any general field shooting, offering Browning's legendary dependability for everything from varmints to recreational target practice.

Understanding the 20 Gauge Advantage

Why is the 20 gauge often chosen over the more common 12 gauge, especially for an over/under like the Citori CXS?

• Reduced Recoil: For many shooters, particularly those who are recoil-sensitive or plan for extended shooting sessions, the 20 gauge offers a noticeable reduction in felt recoil compared to a 12 gauge. This translates to less fatigue and the ability to maintain focus and accuracy for longer periods.
• Lighter Weight: 20-gauge shotguns are generally lighter and more nimble. This makes them easier to carry in the field for extended periods and quicker to shoulder and swing on fast-moving targets.
• Adequate Power: While smaller than a 12 gauge, modern 20-gauge ammunition delivers more than enough power and pellet count for all common clay target sports and most upland game birds. The ballistic efficiency of the Citori CXS's back-bored barrels and Invector-Plus chokes maximizes the effectiveness of the 20-gauge shell.
• Youth and New Shooters: The 20 gauge is an excellent platform for introducing new shooters, including youth, to shotgun sports due to its more manageable recoil and weight, fostering confidence and reducing the likelihood of developing a flinch.

Browning's Legacy of Excellence

For over a century, Browning has been synonymous with quality, innovation, and performance in the firearms industry. The Citori series, introduced in 1973, quickly became a benchmark for over/under shotguns, celebrated for its robust design, superior balance, and exceptional reliability. Each Citori, including the CXS 20 Gauge, is built with meticulous attention to detail and precision engineering that reflects Browning's unwavering commitment to their motto: "The Best There Is." Owning a Citori CXS is not just about possessing a firearm; it's about investing in a piece of shooting heritage known for its longevity and performance. Whether you are aiming for a championship title or simply enjoying a day in the field, the Browning Citori CXS provides the confidence and capability to achieve your best.

This exceptional shotgun, the Browning Citori CXS 20 Gauge 30" (UPC: 023614443032), is available from reputable retailers like DEGuns.com, where you can find the expertise and selection to meet your shooting needs.

Browning Citori CXS 20 Gauge Shotgun Specifications

Feature	Detail
Brand	Browning
Model/Series	Citori CXS
Gauge	20 Gauge
Barrel Length	30"
Chamber	3"
Capacity	2 Rounds
Action Type	Break Open
Hand	Right Hand
Overall Length	47.50"
Weight	7.20 lbs
Stock Material	Wood (Gloss Black Walnut)
Barrel Finish	Polished Blued
Receiver Finish	Polished Blued
Sights	Ivory Bead Front
Chokes Included	F, M, IC (Invector-Plus Midas)
Trigger	Triple Trigger System
Safety	Top Tang
Application	Field / Sporting Clays
Includes	T-Wrench
Drop at Comb	1 1/2"
Drop at Heel	2 1/4"
Length of Pull	14.75"
Receiver Material	Steel
MPN	018073603
UPC	023614443032