Browning Citori XT Trap Shotgun: Precision and Performance for Competitive Shooters

The Browning Citori XT Trap shotgun stands as a testament to precision engineering and unwavering reliability, meticulously designed for the serious trap shooter. This isn't just a firearm; it's a finely tuned instrument crafted to elevate performance on the clay target range, ensuring that every shot counts. For competitive shooters, whether seasoned veterans or aspiring enthusiasts, the Citori XT Trap offers a compelling blend of classic aesthetics, ergonomic excellence, and a proven design that consistently delivers under pressure.

Who is the Browning Citori XT Trap For?

This shotgun is ideally suited for:

• Competitive Trap Shooters: Individuals dedicated to American Trap, ATA competitions, or other similar clay target disciplines where consistent performance and minimal recoil are paramount.
• Serious Enthusiasts: Those who demand a high-quality, durable, and reliable over-under shotgun that will withstand thousands of rounds and years of intense use.
• Shooters Seeking Performance Edge: Athletes looking for features like barrel porting, specialized choke systems, and optimized balance that contribute directly to breaking more clays.
• Anyone Prioritizing Ergonomics and Comfort: Shooters who understand that a comfortable, well-fitting shotgun reduces fatigue and improves focus over long shooting sessions.
• Investors in Quality Firearms: The Citori XT Trap represents a commitment to craftsmanship, ensuring a long-lasting asset that holds its value.

What Problems Does the Browning Citori XT Trap Solve for Shooters?

Many shooters face challenges that can hinder their performance on the trap range. The Browning Citori XT Trap addresses these directly:

• Excessive Recoil Fatigue: Its substantial weight (8 pounds 6 ounces), combined with barrel porting and the Browning Trap recoil pad, significantly mitigates felt recoil, allowing shooters to maintain focus and comfort through multiple rounds.
• Inconsistent Patterns: The Invector-Plus Flush choke system, coupled with precision back-bored barrels, ensures exceptionally uniform and dense patterns, crucial for pulverizing distant clays.
• Muzzle Jump and Recovery Time: Barrel porting and optimal balance reduce muzzle rise, enabling quicker follow-up shots and maintaining sight picture for doubles.
• Poor Ergonomics and Fit: The classic Citori design, with specific dimensions for Length of Pull (14 3/8"), Drop at Comb (1 9/16"), and Drop at Heel (2"), provides a natural point of aim and comfortable cheek weld, essential for consistent mounting and swing.
• Durability and Reliability Concerns: Built with robust steel components for both the receiver and barrel, the Citori's legendary mechanical trigger system and over-under design are renowned for their bulletproof reliability, ensuring thousands upon thousands of trouble-free rounds.
• Subpar Target Acquisition: The HiViz Pro-Comp front sight and ivory mid-bead provide a highly visible and intuitive sighting system, allowing for rapid and precise target alignment.

Unrivaled Design and Engineering for Peak Performance

The Browning Citori XT Trap is more than just its specifications; it's a harmonious system where every component works in concert to enhance the shooting experience.

The Barrel System: Precision Meets Power

At the heart of its performance is the 30-inch barrel, an optimal length for trap shooting, providing a long sighting plane and smooth, controlled swing. This barrel is meticulously back-bored, meaning its internal diameter is slightly oversized, which reduces friction on the shot column and minimizes pellet deformation. The result is a more consistent and uniform shot pattern, leading to higher breaks.

Adding to its effectiveness, the barrel features porting. These small holes near the muzzle redirect gases upward, significantly reducing muzzle jump and perceived recoil. This allows shooters to recover faster between shots, maintain their sight picture, and reduce shoulder fatigue over long shooting sessions. The vented side ribs not only contribute to the gun's elegant appearance but also aid in heat dissipation during rapid firing and shave off unnecessary weight.

The Invector-Plus Flush choke system is a cornerstone of the Citori XT Trap's versatility. Unlike traditional chokes, Invector-Plus chokes are extended into the bore, creating a more gradual taper that minimizes shot deformation and produces superior patterns. The inclusion of two Full chokes and an Improved Modified choke offers the trap shooter excellent options for varying target presentations and distances. The chrome-plated chamber further enhances durability and makes cleaning effortless, resisting corrosion even after extensive use. The polished blued finish on the barrel not only provides a classic, lustrous appearance but also offers excellent protection against the elements.

Robust Receiver and Dependable Action

The Citori XT Trap features a robust steel receiver with a polished blued finish, providing a solid foundation for the shotgun's mechanics. The Citori's legendary action is known for its incredible strength and durability, designed to withstand the rigors of competitive shooting for decades. The mechanical trigger system provides a crisp, predictable break, which is essential for precise timing and consistent shooting. Unlike inertia-driven systems, mechanical triggers ensure reliability even with light target loads or in the event of a misfire on the first barrel. The trigger itself is gold-plated, adding a touch of elegance, and crafted from alloy for a lightweight feel, while the trigger guard, made of steel and also polished blued, features a distinctive Buck Mark in gold engraving, a subtle yet proud nod to Browning's heritage.

Ergonomics and Aesthetics: The Black Walnut Stock

The Citori XT Trap is adorned with a beautiful Grade II/III Black Walnut stock, offering both timeless elegance and practical functionality. The wood's natural grain and rich finish elevate the shotgun's appearance, making it a joy to behold. More importantly, the stock's dimensions are carefully considered for the trap discipline. The Length of Pull (14 3/8") provides a standard fit for most shooters, while the Drop at Comb (1 9/16") and Drop at Heel (2") are optimized to promote a consistent and comfortable cheek weld, crucial for repeatable sight alignment and reducing strain during long shooting sessions.

For enhanced grip and control, the stock and forearm feature Cut 20 LPI (lines per inch) checkering. This fine checkering pattern ensures a secure hold, even in adverse conditions, without being overly aggressive. The Brown Trap recoil pad is specifically designed to absorb and dissipate recoil energy, further contributing to shooter comfort and allowing for prolonged shooting without discomfort. The careful selection of stock material and its ergonomic design underscore Browning's commitment to both form and function.

Sighting System: Clarity for Clay Breaking

Target acquisition is made intuitive and efficient with the HiViz Pro-Comp front sight. This highly visible fiber optic sight glows brightly, drawing the shooter's eye to the target and facilitating quick, precise alignment. Complementing the front sight is an Ivory mid-bead, which helps shooters confirm proper gun fit and alignment before the shot, ensuring consistent eye-to-target relationship. This combination provides a clear sight picture that helps shooters lead and track targets with confidence.

Common Questions About the Browning Citori XT Trap Answered

• Is the Citori XT Trap a good choice for a beginner trap shooter?
  Absolutely. While designed for competition, its robust build, recoil-reducing features, and consistent performance make it an excellent investment for a beginner who is serious about the sport. Its inherent reliability means less time troubleshooting and more time practicing fundamentals.
• How does the weight (8 pounds 6 ounces) affect shooting?
  The shotgun's weight is an intentional design choice for trap shooting. A heavier gun helps absorb recoil, making it more comfortable to shoot numerous rounds. It also provides a smoother, more stable swing, essential for tracking fast-moving clay targets consistently.
• Can I use different chokes with the Invector-Plus system?
  Yes, the Invector-Plus system is widely adopted, and various aftermarket chokes are available in different constrictions. However, the included Full and Improved Modified chokes are highly effective for most trap scenarios. Always ensure any aftermarket chokes are specifically designed for the Invector-Plus system.
• What kind of maintenance does a Browning Citori XT Trap require?
  Like any fine firearm, regular cleaning and lubrication are essential. After each shooting session, clean the barrels, action, and receiver to remove powder residue and fouling. Pay attention to the choke tubes and ensure they are clean and lightly greased. Periodically, a more thorough disassembly and cleaning by a qualified gunsmith may be beneficial. The chrome-plated chamber and polished blued finishes are relatively low maintenance.
• Why is barrel porting beneficial for trap shooting?
  Barrel porting channels propellant gases upward and backward, counteracting the barrel's natural tendency to rise during firing. This results in less muzzle jump, allowing the shooter to stay on target for follow-up shots in doubles and reducing strain on the shoulder, especially during extended shooting sessions.

The Browning Legacy: Trust and Performance

Browning has long been synonymous with quality, innovation, and performance in the firearms industry. The Citori XT Trap upholds this esteemed tradition, offering shooters a firearm that is not only functionally superior but also a work of art. Its detailed craftsmanship, from the cut 20 LPI checkering to the Buck Mark in gold engraving on the trigger guard, reflects a commitment to excellence that extends beyond mere utility.

When you choose a Browning Citori XT Trap, you are investing in a legacy of competitive success and a shotgun engineered to help you achieve your personal best on the trap range. This firearm is built to last a lifetime, providing consistent, reliable performance for generations of shooters. Discover the exceptional feel and performance of the Browning Citori XT Trap, a premier choice for competitive shooting.

Browning Citori XT Trap 12 Gauge Shotgun - Product Specifications

Feature	Specification	Detail/Benefit
Item Number	013620426	Unique product identifier
UPC	023614400561	Universal Product Code for precise identification
Gauge	12 Gauge	Standard and versatile for trap shooting
Chamber Length	2 3/4"	Ideal for common target loads
Barrel Length	30"	Optimal length for smooth swing and sight radius
Overall Length	47"	Balanced dimensions for handling
Length of Pull	14 3/8"	Standard dimension for comfortable fit
Drop at Comb	1 9/16"	Promotes consistent cheek weld and sight alignment
Drop at Heel	2"	Enhances natural point of aim
Weight	8 pounds 6 ounces	Manages recoil effectively for comfort
Rib Width	1/4-3/8	Aids in quick and clear target acquisition
Barrel Finish	Polished Blued	Durable and classic aesthetic
Wood Grade	Grade II/III	Enhanced aesthetic appeal and quality of stock
Chokes Included	Two Full, Improved Modified	Versatile patterning options for various targets
Receiver Finish	Polished Blued	Robust and aesthetically consistent
Chamber Finish	Chrome Plated Chamber	Corrosion resistance and easy cleaning
Front Sight	HiViz Pro-Comp	High visibility for rapid target acquisition
Choke System	Invector-Plus Flush	Superior patterning, easy to change
Barrel Material	Steel	Ensures strength and long-term durability
Mid Bead	Ivory	Aids in confirming proper sight alignment
Barrel Porting	Yes	Reduces muzzle jump and felt recoil
Side Ribs	Vented	Aids heat dissipation and reduces overall weight
Stock Material	Black Walnut	Classic beauty, robust and traditional
Recoil Pad	Brown Trap	Specifically designed for enhanced recoil absorption
Checkering	Cut 20 LPI	Provides a secure and comfortable grip
Receiver Material	Steel	Ensures high durability and structural integrity
Trigger Finish	Gold Plated	Premium visual detail
Trigger Guard Finish	Polished Blued	Aesthetic consistency and protection
Trigger Material	Alloy	Lightweight and contributes to crisp trigger pull
Trigger Guard Material	Steel	Robustness and durability
Trigger Guard Engraving	Buck Mark in Gold	Iconic Browning brand detail and premium finish
Choke Wrench Included	T-Wrench	Convenient tool for choke tube management
MSRP	$2,649.99	Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price