Elevating Your Clay Shooting Experience: The Browning Citori CXS 12 Gauge Shotgun

For enthusiasts and competitive shooters alike, the quest for the ultimate clay target shotgun often leads to a few select names. Among these, the Browning Citori stands as a testament to enduring craftsmanship and innovative design, especially the Citori CXS variant. This particular model, the Browning Citori CXS 12 Gauge with its 30-inch barrels, adjustable comb, and polished blued finish, is engineered to be a true "Crossover Skeet" performer, excelling across multiple clay target disciplines.

Are you an aspiring trap shooter looking to break more clays? Perhaps a seasoned sporting clays competitor aiming for that perfect score? Or a skeet shooter seeking consistent, fluid swings? The Browning Citori CXS is meticulously crafted to address the challenges and demands of these precise shooting sports. It’s designed for individuals who value superior fit, exceptional balance, and legendary reliability in their pursuit of competitive excellence or simply the joy of breaking targets.

Who Needs a Crossover Competition Shotgun?

Many shooters find themselves torn between shotguns optimized for specific disciplines. A dedicated trap gun might feel too heavy or restrictive for sporting clays, while a lightweight field gun lacks the stability and features for serious competition. This is precisely the problem the Browning Citori CXS aims to solve.

• The Versatile Competitor: If you participate in trap one weekend, sporting clays the next, and occasionally enjoy a round of skeet, a shotgun that can adapt seamlessly is invaluable. The CXS is designed with a point of impact (POI) that is optimized for general target shooting, delivering a pattern that is approximately 50/50 (point of aim/point of impact), making it suitable for rising targets in trap, crossing targets in skeet, and varied presentations in sporting clays.
• The Serious Enthusiast: For those who spend significant time at the range, comfort and consistency are paramount. An adjustable comb ensures a perfect fit, reducing strain and improving sight alignment, which directly translates to more broken targets and less fatigue over long shooting sessions.
• The Shooter Seeking Longevity: Investing in a firearm is a commitment. Browning's reputation for building durable, high-quality shotguns means the Citori CXS isn't just a purchase; it's a long-term asset that will perform reliably for decades.

Why the Citori CXS Stands Out for Serious Shooters

When considering a high-performance shotgun, several factors contribute to its overall effectiveness: fit, balance, recoil management, and consistent patterning. The Browning Citori CXS excels in each of these areas, providing a competitive edge and an enjoyable shooting experience. Its design philosophy centers around maximizing control and minimizing shooter fatigue, allowing you to focus purely on the target.

Unpacking the Browning Citori CXS: Features Designed for Performance

The Citori CXS is not just a collection of parts; it's an integrated system where every component contributes to its overarching goal: superior performance in clay target shooting.

Precision Engineering: The Foundation of Browning Quality

At the heart of the Browning Citori CXS lies a commitment to robust construction and meticulous engineering. The shotgun's receiver is crafted from solid steel, providing a robust foundation that can withstand countless rounds while maintaining its tight lock-up. This inherent strength contributes significantly to the Citori's famed durability and longevity. The reliable Citori action features a full-width hinge pin and tapered locking bolt, ensuring a positive breech lock-up that becomes even tighter over time, a hallmark of Browning over/under shotguns. This design choice contributes to the shotgun's consistent performance and ensures a long service life, even under rigorous competitive use.

The Versatile 12 Gauge Chamber

The 12 gauge is the undisputed king of clay target shooting. Its versatility allows for a wide range of ammunition choices, from light target loads perfect for extended practice sessions to heavier loads suitable for sporting clays or even light hunting. The Browning Citori CXS is chambered for 3-inch shells, providing the flexibility to handle various load sizes, though most clay target shooting will utilize 2 ¾-inch target loads. This capacity ensures that the shotgun can be adapted to almost any clay discipline or even some upland bird hunting scenarios, making it a truly versatile firearm.

Mastering the Shot: 30-Inch Ported Barrels

One of the most defining features of the Browning Citori CXS is its 30-inch barrel configuration. This length offers several critical advantages for clay target shooting:

• Smooth Swing and Follow-Through: The longer barrels contribute to a smoother, more deliberate swing, essential for maintaining lead on fast-moving targets. This increased inertia helps shooters avoid stopping their swing, a common mistake in clay sports.
• Extended Sight Radius: A longer barrel also provides an extended sight radius, making precise aiming easier and contributing to better accuracy, especially on longer shots.
• Recoil and Muzzle Rise Management: The barrels of the Citori CXS are often ported near the muzzle. These strategically placed ports redirect gases upwards and outwards, significantly reducing muzzle jump and perceived recoil. This feature is particularly beneficial during intense shooting sessions, allowing for faster follow-up shots and reducing shooter fatigue, ensuring consistent performance throughout a long round of trap or sporting clays.

In addition to porting, Browning incorporates its renowned Vector Pro lengthened forcing cones. These longer, tapered cones gradually reduce the shot column's diameter as it enters the bore, minimizing shot deformation and improving pattern uniformity. This results in denser, more consistent patterns downrange, increasing your chances of breaking clays. The Citori CXS also utilizes Browning's Invector-Plus choke tube system, a standard in many Browning shotguns. This system allows shooters to quickly and easily change choke restrictions to optimize their shot pattern for different targets and distances, providing unmatched adaptability on the course. Included chokes typically cover a range from Improved Cylinder to Full, ensuring you have the right constriction for any presentation.

Customized Comfort: Adjustable Comb and Premium Walnut Stock

Shotgun fit is paramount for consistent shooting. A shotgun that fits you properly will point naturally, allowing your eye to align perfectly with the rib and bead. The Browning Citori CXS addresses this critical aspect with its fixed adjustable comb.

• Tailored Fit: The adjustable comb allows you to fine-tune the height and cast (left/right adjustment) of the stock. This precision adjustment ensures that your eye is consistently aligned with the rib, creating a perfect sight picture shot after shot. This is a game-changer for shooters who struggle with head lift or improper cheek weld, leading to improved accuracy and reduced eye strain.
• Premium Aesthetics and Ergonomics: The stock is crafted from high-grade Gloss Black Walnut, a material long favored for its beauty, durability, and ergonomic properties. The rich, deep luster of the walnut, combined with the polished blued metalwork, gives the Citori CXS a classic and sophisticated appearance. Beyond aesthetics, walnut provides a natural feel and good purchase, allowing for a secure grip and comfortable handling, even in varying weather conditions. The fore-end is designed for comfortable hand placement, contributing to the overall balance and control of the shotgun. The quality of the wood not only enhances the shotgun's visual appeal but also contributes to its vibration dampening characteristics, further enhancing shooting comfort.

The Browning Triple Trigger System

Many Browning Citori CXS models come equipped with the innovative Triple Trigger System. This system allows the shooter to select between three different trigger shoes (wide, narrow, and canted) that can be easily changed, providing custom fit for varying finger lengths and shooting preferences. Furthermore, the trigger itself can be adjusted fore and aft, offering an additional layer of personalization for the length of pull. This level of trigger customization ensures optimal comfort and a consistent trigger pull, minimizing anticipation and enhancing the shooter's ability to maintain focus on the target. The mechanical triggers themselves are crisp and reliable, contributing to precise shot timing.

Aesthetic Excellence: Polished Blued Finish

The polished blued finish on the barrels and receiver of the Browning Citori CXS is a classic and elegant choice. This deep, lustrous bluing not only provides a beautiful contrast with the rich black walnut stock but also offers excellent protection against corrosion and wear. It's a finish that speaks to the quality and attention to detail that Browning invests in its firearms, ensuring your Citori CXS looks as good as it performs for years to come.

Real-World Performance: What Can the Citori CXS Do For You?

Understanding the features is one thing; understanding how they translate into tangible benefits on the range is another. The Browning Citori CXS is built to deliver.

Dominate the Clay Fields: Trap, Skeet, and Sporting Clays

• Trap Shooting: The 30-inch barrels and adjustable comb are perfectly suited for trap. The longer barrels promote a smooth, consistent swing on rising targets, while the adjustable comb ensures a perfectly aligned sight picture for the straight-away and angled birds. The reduced recoil from porting allows for faster recovery between shots, which is crucial in a game where quick follow-ups are common. The 50/50 POI is ideal for trap, allowing you to float the bird just above the bead.
• Skeet Shooting: While some prefer shorter barrels for skeet's fast, crossing targets, the balance and responsiveness of the Citori CXS's 30-inch barrels allow for excellent lead and follow-through. The adjustable comb helps maintain consistent cheek weld during quick gun movements. The reliable ejectors ensure smooth cycling, keeping your focus on the next pair.
• Sporting Clays: This is where the "Crossover" truly shines. Sporting clays presents a vast array of target presentations, mimicking real-world hunting scenarios. The Citori CXS's versatility, adjustable fit, and excellent patterning capabilities make it an outstanding choice for tackling everything from fast quartering targets to slow, long-range presentations. The Invector-Plus choke system allows for on-the-fly pattern adjustment, giving you the right choke for every station.

Beyond the Range: Field Versatility

While primarily designed for clay targets, the Browning Citori CXS is robust enough and sufficiently versatile to be a capable companion for certain hunting scenarios. Its 12-gauge chamber and 3-inch shell capacity mean it can effectively handle upland game birds like pheasants or doves, making it a superb choice for those who enjoy both competitive shooting and occasional field pursuits. Its reliable nature ensures it will perform consistently, whether on the sporting clays course or in the field.

Long-Term Value and Reliability

A Browning Citori is more than just a shotgun; it's an investment. The brand's commitment to quality materials and meticulous craftsmanship means these firearms hold their value exceptionally well. Many Citori owners report hundreds of thousands of rounds fired without significant issues, a testament to their legendary durability. When you choose a Browning Citori CXS, you're not just buying a gun; you're acquiring a legacy of reliability and performance that will serve you for years, if not generations. This makes it a smart choice for serious shooters looking for a firearm that can keep up with their passion.

Maintaining Your Investment: Care for Your Browning Citori CXS

To ensure your Browning Citori CXS continues to perform at its peak and retains its beautiful finish, regular maintenance is essential. After each shooting session, a quick clean of the bores and breech face is recommended to remove powder residue. Periodically, a more thorough cleaning, including the action and trigger group, will prevent buildup and ensure smooth operation. Always use quality cleaning solvents and lubricants specifically designed for firearms. When not in use, store your Citori CXS in a dry, temperature-controlled environment, ideally in a padded case or gun safe, to protect its blued finish and black walnut stock from moisture and impacts. This simple routine will help preserve the shotgun's pristine condition and ensure its reliability for countless shooting adventures.

Where to Find Your Browning Citori CXS

For those ready to elevate their clay shooting experience with the renowned Browning Citori CXS 12 Gauge, this exceptional shotgun is available through reputable firearms dealers. For a wide selection and expert guidance, consider exploring the offerings at DEGuns.com. They provide access to this and many other premium firearms, ensuring you can acquire a Browning Citori CXS to meet your competitive and recreational shooting needs.

Browning Citori CXS 12 Gauge Specifications

Feature	Detail
Model	Browning Citori CXS
Gauge	12 Gauge
Barrel Length	30 inches
Capacity	2 Rounds (Over/Under)
Chamber Length	3 inches
Finish	Polished Blued
Stock Material	Gloss Black Walnut
Stock Features	Fixed Adjustable Comb
Hand Orientation	Right Hand
Choke System	Invector-Plus (typically includes F, IM, M, IC, S)
Trigger System	Triple Trigger System (adjustable length of pull, interchangeable shoes)
Barrel Features	Ported Barrels, Vector Pro Lengthened Forcing Cones
UPC	018110303960