The Browning Citori CXS 12 Gauge Over/Under Shotgun: The Ultimate Companion for Discerning Shooters

For serious clay target enthusiasts, competitive shooters, and even upland hunters who demand uncompromising performance, precision, and timeless elegance, the Browning 018110302 Citori CXS 12 Gauge Over/Under Shotgun stands as a testament to unparalleled craftsmanship. This isn't just a firearm; it's a meticulously engineered instrument designed to elevate your shooting experience, helping you achieve more consistent breaks on the range and dependable results in the field. If you’re asking, "What is the best shotgun for competitive clay target shooting?" or "Which over/under shotgun offers ultimate adjustability and durability?", the Citori CXS is an answer that resonates with decades of Browning excellence.

A Legacy of Dependability and Performance: The Citori Heritage

The Citori name is synonymous with an extreme level of craftsmanship, leading to decades of dependable function, impeccable looks, and championship performance. Since its introduction, the Browning Citori has been the benchmark for over/under shotguns, celebrated for its robust design and unwavering reliability. The CXS series, in particular, is engineered as a "Crossover" model, excelling in disciplines like Skeet and Sporting Clays, while retaining the foundational strength and elegance that make Citori shotguns legendary.

Unmatched Durability: The Core of the Citori Action

At the heart of every Citori is its legendary action, built for a lifetime of rigorous use. The transverse-mounted, full-width tapered locking bolt is a hallmark of Citori strength. This robust bolt engages a full-width tapered recess in the rear barrel lugs, ensuring maximum lock-up strength and longevity, even after thousands of rounds. The hinge pin extends from one side of the receiver to the other, distributing stress evenly and preventing wear that can plague lesser designs. For shooters who demand a gun that performs consistently year after year, the Citori's action provides a foundational layer of trust. The steel receiver further enhances this durability, providing a solid platform for the entire firearm. This commitment to robust construction means your investment in a Browning Citori CXS is one that will continue to pay dividends in reliable performance for generations.

Precision Engineering: Barrels Optimized for Success

The Browning Citori CXS (model 018110302) is equipped with 32-inch barrels, a preferred length for many competitive shooters. This longer barrel length offers several advantages:

• Smoother Swing: The added length contributes to a smoother, more controlled swing through targets, which is crucial for dynamic clay target sports like Sporting Clays and Skeet, as well as passing shots on game birds.
• Enhanced Sight Plane: A longer barrel provides a longer sight plane, aiding in more precise aiming and consistent target acquisition.
• Reduced Muzzle Jump: The weight distribution helps mitigate muzzle rise, allowing for quicker follow-up shots on doubles.

Beyond the length, these barrels incorporate advanced Browning technologies:

• Back-Bored Technology: This proprietary Browning feature involves increasing the bore diameter of the barrel. The result is a larger internal bore that reduces friction on the shot column, leading to:
  • Reduced recoil perceived by the shooter, making long shooting sessions more comfortable.
  • Improved pattern uniformity and density, ensuring more broken targets.
  • Increased pellet velocity.
• Invector-Plus Midas Chokes: The CXS comes with a selection of Invector-Plus Midas chokes, including Full (F), Modified (M), and Improved Cylinder (IC). The Invector-Plus system is designed to provide consistent patterns and improved performance. Midas chokes are extended for easy hand-tightening and quick changes, a significant advantage during varied target presentations on a Sporting Clays course. The ability to quickly adapt your choke selection is a critical component for success in competitive shooting.
• Flat Floating Rib: This design prevents the barrels from heating up and warping the rib, maintaining a true and consistent sight picture throughout extended shooting sessions. The Ivory Bead Front sight offers a clear, high-contrast aiming point, even in challenging lighting conditions.
• Chrome-Plated Chambers: To resist the wear and tear of thousands of shells, the Citori CXS features chrome-plated chambers. This not only enhances durability and corrosion resistance but also makes cleaning significantly easier, ensuring your shotgun remains in pristine condition with minimal effort.

Tailored for the Shooter: Unparalleled Adjustability and Ergonomics

One of the standout features of the Citori CXS is its dedication to shooter comfort and fit, crucial for peak performance:

• Fixed Adjustable Comb Stock: The beautiful Gloss Black Walnut stock isn't just aesthetically pleasing; it's highly functional. The fixed adjustable comb allows shooters to precisely tune the height of the comb to achieve perfect eye alignment with the rib. This custom fit ensures consistent cheek weld and repeatable sight picture, directly translating to more broken targets and reduced strain during long hours on the range. The stock's finish is not just durable but also exudes a classic, refined look.
• Triple Trigger System: This innovative system provides shooters with an unprecedented level of trigger pull customization. The adjustable trigger shoe allows for fine-tuning of the length of pull (14.75 inches) and trigger reach, enabling a truly personalized fit that enhances comfort and control. This level of adjustability is a significant advantage for shooters who understand that precise trigger mechanics are vital for consistent accuracy.
• Right Hand (Full Size) Configuration: Designed specifically for right-handed shooters, the ergonomics of the Citori CXS ensure a natural and comfortable grip, facilitating instinctive pointing and shooting.
• Automatic Ejectors: Unlike extractors that merely lift fired shells, the Citori CXS features automatic ejectors that powerfully eject fired shells when the breech is opened, while elevating unfired shells for easy removal. This is a critical feature for competitive shooting, allowing for rapid reloading and uninterrupted focus on the next target.
• Barrel Selector: The convenient barrel selector allows the shooter to choose which barrel fires on the first pull of the single trigger, and the second pull fires the remaining barrel. This provides tactical flexibility for different target presentations, allowing the shooter to prioritize choke selection or barrel configuration for a specific shot.
• Top Tang Safety: Positioned for intuitive operation, the top tang safety is easily accessible and provides a clear visual and tactile indication of the shotgun's status.

Weight and Balance: Mastering Recoil

Weighing in at 8.20 lbs, the Browning Citori CXS strikes an optimal balance between manageable weight for extended shooting sessions and sufficient mass to absorb recoil effectively. This weight, combined with the gun's ergonomic design and advanced barrel technology, contributes to superior recoil management, allowing shooters to stay on target for follow-up shots and reduce fatigue over an entire day of shooting. The overall length of 49.50 inches contributes to its smooth swinging characteristics.

Applications: Where the Citori CXS Shines

The Citori CXS is a truly versatile over/under shotgun, making it an excellent choice for:

• Competitive Clay Target Shooting:
  • Sporting Clays: Its blend of adjustability, smooth swing, and interchangeable chokes makes it exceptionally well-suited for the varied and challenging presentations found in Sporting Clays. The rapid cycling of the automatic ejectors and the ability to select barrels are distinct advantages.
  • Trap Shooting: While a dedicated trap gun might have a higher rib, the adjustable comb and 32" barrel of the CXS allow it to perform admirably in Trap, providing the consistent sight picture needed for rising targets.
  • Skeet Shooting: Despite its longer barrel, the Citori's balance and precise handling make it capable in Skeet, particularly for shooters who prefer a longer sight plane.
• Upland Bird Hunting: While primarily a target gun, its robust construction, reliable action, and ability to use various chokes make it a dependable choice for upland bird hunting (e.g., pheasant, quail, grouse) where quick, precise shots are often required.
• Recreational Shooting: For those who simply enjoy the art and challenge of breaking clays, the Citori CXS offers a premium experience that will enhance any day at the range.

Essential Accessories and Maintenance

The Browning Citori CXS (MPN: 018110302) comes with a T-Wrench, an essential tool for adjusting the chokes. Proper maintenance is key to preserving your Citori's performance and longevity. Regular cleaning of the barrels, action, and chambers, especially after each use, is recommended. The chrome-plated chambers make cleaning easier, but a good quality shotgun cleaning kit is a wise investment. Keep the wood stock moisturized and protected from extreme conditions.

Key Questions Answered by the Browning Citori CXS

• What makes the Browning Citori CXS a great competition shotgun? Its combination of a strong, reliable action, back-bored and chrome-lined barrels, Invector-Plus Midas chokes, an adjustable comb, and a Triple Trigger system provides unmatched performance, recoil reduction, and customization for competitive shooters across multiple disciplines.
• How does the adjustable comb benefit my shooting? The adjustable comb allows you to fine-tune your eye alignment with the rib, ensuring a consistent and natural sight picture, which is critical for repeatable accuracy and reducing fatigue.
• Why is the 32-inch barrel advantageous for clay shooting? The longer barrel promotes a smoother swing, a longer sight plane for precision, and contributes to better recoil management.
• What is back-boring and how does it help? Back-boring is a process where the barrel's internal diameter is increased. This reduces friction on the shot, leading to less perceived recoil and tighter, more consistent shot patterns.
• Is the Browning Citori CXS durable? Absolutely. With its transverse-mounted tapered locking bolt, robust hinge pin, steel receiver, and chrome-plated chambers, it's designed for a lifetime of heavy use.
• Where can I purchase a Browning Citori CXS? The Browning Citori CXS, model 018110302 (UPC: 023614683063), is available from reputable firearm retailers such as DEGuns. Visit deguns.com to explore current availability and make this exceptional shotgun yours.

The Browning Citori CXS 12 Gauge shotgun is more than just a tool; it's an investment in your shooting passion. Its combination of time-honored craftsmanship, cutting-edge technology, and unparalleled adjustability ensures that whether you're breaking clays on the weekend or competing for national titles, you're equipped with a shotgun that delivers performance, reliability, and pride of ownership.

Feature	Detail	Benefit
Brand	Browning	Renowned for quality and innovation
Model / Series	Citori CXS (018110302)	Optimized for Crossover / Clay Sports
Gauge / Chamber	12 Gauge / 3"	Versatile for various loads and uses
Barrel Length	32"	Smooth swing, enhanced sight plane
Capacity	2 Rounds	Standard for over/under shotguns
Action	Break Open	Reliable, simple, and strong
Stock Material	Gloss Black Walnut	Durable, classic aesthetics
Adjustable Comb	Fixed with Adjustable Comb	Custom fit, consistent eye alignment
Trigger System	Triple Trigger System	Customizable length of pull and feel
Chokes Included	Invector-Plus Midas (F,M,IC)	Versatile patterning for varied targets
Barrel Finish	Polished Blued	Durable, elegant protection
Receiver Finish	Polished Blued	Matches barrel, high-quality look
Weight	8.20 lbs	Manages recoil effectively
Overall Length (OAL)	49.50"	Balanced for consistent swinging
Hand	Right Hand	Ergonomically designed for right-handed shooters
Sights	Ivory Bead Front	Clear, high-contrast aiming point
Safety	Top Tang	Intuitive and easily accessible
UPC	023614683063	Unique Product Identifier