BROWNING CITORI CXS
Posted May 19, 2023
When it comes to the dialogue around shotguns, it doesn’t take long for the Browning Citori CXS to come up. Its reputation has been forged over years of service to hunting and sporting shooters throughout the world. There's something special about the Browning Citori CXS that has earned it the well-earned moniker of "the Cadillac of shotguns."
The Browning Citori CXS has been a favorite of many hunters and shotgun shooting sports participants alike due to its combination of the classic aesthetic of a Browning firearm, modern design, reliability, and performance. A timeless profile combined with thoughtful advancements has seen the Citori’s popularity continue to grow over the decades so let’s take a closer look at what it has to offer.
Design
The Browning Citori CXS model distinguished itself from its siblings by sporting a unique silver nitride finish on its alloy lower receiver and high-polish blued finish on its steel upper receiver. This sleek, sophisticated look is a real head turner and adds a certain level of class to the gun that the more utilitarian models lack.
The Citori CXS is available with an over/under double barrel in 12 gauge, 16 gauge, 20 gauge and 28 gauge. This allows for a great amount of versatility, as it allows the gun to be used for a variety of shooting disciplines and leverages the various barrel lengths and chokes to adjust the gun based on the type of shooting being performed (i.e. sporting clays, skeet, trap, upland hunting, etc.). The Citori CXS also comes with upgrades which push it way beyond the standard Citori models. It features a mid-rib vestigial vented rib, lengthened forcing cones, and an Invector-DS Extended Choke Tube system for a tighter patterns with less felt recoil.
Balance
One of the key facets of the Citori CXS design are its dimensions. The gun has been designed with a length of pull of 14 3/8'' with a 2 3/8'' drop at the comb and a 3/8'' drop at the heel, and with the built in Ventilated recoil pad, the amount of felt-recoil is significantly reduced. This combined with the Browning's Inflex technology recoil pad and it's rugged steel construction gives the Citori CXS an incredibly comfortable and light feel when shouldering the gun, resulting in superb balance which in turn translates to quicker target acquisition and improved accuracy.
Trigger
The fire control of the Citori CXS is composed of hammer-forged steel internals. The time tested mechanical trigger comes set with a crisp 4.5 lb pull, allowing for a quick and consistent trigger pull with minimal creep. This allows you to concentrate more of your attention on sighting in on the target and less on working the trigger which in turn yields higher levels of accuracy and dependability.
Reliability
The Citori CXS is designed to be a reliable and dependable companion for years of service. Its lightweight composite and alloy construction is designed to be able to handle punishing weather conditions and the wear and tear of regular use. The gun is ideal for both target shooting and hunting purposes as it has been designed to shoot 3” shells, making it perfect for higher powered shells for hunting down larger game, making the Citori CXS a true all-purpose shotgun.
Performance
The Browning Citori CXS combines the classic look of a traditional shotgun with modern design and performance characteristics. This combination of traditional style with modern technology showcases Browning’s commitment to excellence in the shotgun industry.
The Citori CXS features an improved version of Browning’s renowned Invector-DS Choke Tube system which is equipped with five Interchangeable extended choke tubes (IC, M, IM, F, SK) allowing for high-performance headshots and tight shot patterns.
The lengthened forcing cones allow for quicker, more efficient burning of the powder and the addition of ported barrels promises a reduction in felt-recoil, reducing muzzle jump, which in turn results in increased performance. The addition of the ventilated top rib helps the shooter better align themselves with the target and reduce head fatigue.
Conclusion
The Browning Citori CXS is a shotgun that would be suitable for a wide variety of shooters. From the beginner to the most experienced, it boasts a plethora of features that make it a go-to choice for a wide variety of shooting disciplines. The combination of a timeless aesthetic, thoughtful design improvements, and reliability make it a great choice for the shooter that is looking for a dependable, versatile, and aesthetically pleasing shotgun. Whether you are targeting clays, pursuing upland game, or simply enjoying a day in the field, the Browning Citori CXS can meet any shooter’s needs.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Sleek design
- Low profile receiver
- Superbly balanced
- Excellent swing characteristics
- Available in 12GA, 20GA, 28GA, and .410GA
- Comes with a variety of stock options
- Highly customizable with aftermarket accessories
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Reliable and consistent guaranteed
Cons:
- Pricey
- No adjustable trigger
- Requires a breaking-in period for optimal performance
- Difficult to find aftermarket components
Who Should Buy
Those who should buy a Browning Citori CXS should possess a basic level of gun handling knowledge and should understand the gun’s use and maintenance, including cleaning, storing, and safety principles. This gun is suitable for an experienced shooter as it requires a knowledge of different hammer heights and working with a variety of gauge sizes. It may not be suitable for a beginner or novice shooter as they may not possess the necessary knowledge to use it effectively.
Comparisons
| BROWNING CITORI CXS | Other Product 1 | Other Product 2 | Other Product 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Gauge | 12 Gauge | 12 Gauge | 12 Gauge |
| Over/Under | Over/Under | Over/Under | Over/Under |
| Steel Receiver | Steel Receiver | Alloy Receiver | Alloy Receiver |
| 2 3/4" & 3" Shells | 2 3/4" & 3" Shells | 2 3/4" & 3" Shells | 2 3/4" Only |
| B-Grade Walnut Stock | B-Grade Walnut Stock | Composite Stock | Composite Stock |
| Gloss Finish | Gloss Finish | Matte Finish | Matte Finish |
| Chrome Plated BBL | Chrome Plated BBL | Blued BBL | Blued BBL |
| Vector Pro Trigger | Standard Trigger | Standard Trigger | Standard Trigger |
Features / Specs
• 26” or 28” back-bored, Vector Pro™-equipped barrels
• Ported barrels
• 10mm top rib
• Silver nitride receiver
• Grade III/IV rich walnut stock
• Modified Prince-of-Wales grip
• Inflex recoil pad
• Ivory bead front and mid-bead sights
• Vector Pro lengthened forcing cones
• Triple Trigger™ system
Popular Accessories
SHOTGUN?
- Recoil Pads: Limbsaver Recoil Pad, KickEez Recoil Pads, Briley Recoil Pads
- Choke Tube Systems: Browning Invector-DS, Briley Spectrum Choke Tubes
- Stocks: Browning Citori Replacement Stocks, McMillan Stock, Monte Carlo Stock
- Sights: Williams Fire Sights, HiViz Sight Systems, TruGlo Fiber Optics
- Shell Catchers: TacStar Shell Catchers, TacStar Rear Universal Shell Catcher
- Barrels: Browning Citori Replacement Barrels, Beretta Optima HP or Standard Rib Barrels
- Misc: Browning Soft Travel Cases, Slip-On Recoil Pads, Trident Muzzle Break Stabilizer.
Accuracy
The Browning Citori CXS is a highly accurate over-under shotgun. It is designed with Browning’s CXS Technology which adds weight to the barrels and receiver to ensure better balance and lower felt recoil. Moreover, the CXS also features high-grade carbon fiber barrel and rib for improved patterning along with Browning’s ProBalance barrel weight adjustments enabling the shooter to dial in their preference. This combination of features allows the shooter to achieve improved precision and accuracy. With this and other features, the Browning Citori CXS qualifies as an excellent choice for almost any shooter.
