Browning's Model 725 is the latest in the Citori line of over-and-under shotguns designed and manufactured by Browning.

Over 100 models of Citori shotguns exist, and 2023 marked the 50th anniversary of its introduction.

The Browning Citori is the most successful over-and-under shotgun ever produced. Its style, fit, and longevity are legendary, and the first production models are still in use today, 50 years later. The Citori line is the fifth generation of over-and-under shotguns produced by Browning using the Superposed design — one of John Moses Browning’s final creations. 

I remember my first impression of the Citori 725 while in Argentina’s famed Cordoba province for a dove hunt with my good friend Scott Grange.

I first noticed that the receiver was scaled down from previous models. I was impressed with the sleek lines and the usual impeccable wood-to-metal fit that is a hallmark of Browning over and unders. As I inspected the gun thoroughly, I noticed how flawlessly the shotgun would come to the shoulder and swing with minimal effort as the weight was distributed between my hands.

A well-balanced gun results from design and manufacturing standards that should cost thousands more than the price point of the Citori 725. 

As I removed the barrel and forearm, I noticed the receiver’s heart with its full-width hinge pin, which has proven more durable than the trunnion designs of the competitors. The tapered locking bolt fits into the monoblock recess and self-adjusts as it wears to keep the receiver lock up tight. My personal Citori 725 has over 200,000 rounds through it and still locks up as tight as it did on day one. This tapered design is the key to the gun’s longevity. 

Inside of the barrels, I noticed that the forcing cones had been lengthened and polished over previous designs. Browning calls this the Vector Pro Lengthened Forcing Cones. Lengthening the forcing cone lets the shot cup enter the bore more gradually, which does not deform as many pellets. This results in improved patterns and a denser center that hits harder on both clays and birds. 

The Invector-DS choke tubes were also a pleasant surprise. The “DS” stands for double seal, as a brass ring at the bottom of the choke tube acts as a seal to keep gases and fouling from getting between the tube and the barrel, making removing choke tubes more difficult. The barrels are also back-bored from the factory to the optimum bore size, further enhancing the Citori 725’s superior patterning and clay smoking ability. 

As the gun was reassembled, I couldn’t help but notice how flawlessly it went back together, with the metal-to-metal fit being perfect. This is something one expects in a much more expensive hand-fit shotgun. 

The most exciting new feature was the new Fire Lite trigger, which had a new mechanical design. The trigger pull was lighter and crisper than I had seen on a shotgun. The guns come standard with the Triple Trigger System, a trigger shoe platform that helps the shooter customize the shotgun to their exact length of pull. 

The new Browning Citori 725 Sporting  that I shoot is equipped with an adjustable comb, which, along with the Fire Lite trigger, allows for a customized fit that is unparalleled in the industry. The lovely palm swell adds to the feel of Citori 725 and gives the shooter the sense of a custom-made shotgun when the comb is appropriately adjusted. 

The Citori 725 Sporting’s has a 50/50 POI. Other Citori models have different POIs depending on the application. POI stands for point of impact. Hunters and clay shooters prefer a POI in the realm of 50/50 or 60/40, while trap shooters typically want a 70/30 POI, which allows them to float a target. The ported barrels on the Citori 725 target guns add to the shootability and make a follow-up shot much more straightforward. The soft Inflex Technology recoil pad drowns out felt recoil. 

After that great trip to Argentina, I acquired the aforementioned Browning 725 Sporting with an adjustable comb. I received the gun on a Friday, adjusted the comb to fit me perfectly, and checked the POI, which was a perfect 50/50. The next day, I attended a sporting clays tournament at the Meadows National Gun Club and broke 100 clays with 100 shots my first time with it. I was hooked on the CItori 725 and still use this gun in competition. The fit and feel of this gun is like an extension of my body. Try one of these guns, and you will be hooked too. Look for one at your local dealer. Good shooting!