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I've been chasing birds for years, whether it’s ducks, geese, doves, pheasant, or grouse. Most of my feathered pursuits have been accompanied by my trusty Browning A5, a workhorse of a gun that has yet to let me down. But on this hunt, I decided to swap the familiar for something more refined—a classic with a fresh twist, the newly upgraded Browning Citori. I’ll admit, I was a bit skeptical; it was my first time hunting with an over-under style shotgun. Yet, like a kid trying his dad’s old tuxedo for the first time, I wanted to see if I could pull off something with a little more class.
Utah’s public land has been picked clean of pheasants, and management has been, well, essentially nonexistent. However, just over the Idaho border, pheasants still abound in numbers that could almost make a rooster blush (pun intended).
Mornings start early when a drive to Idaho is involved, but the prospect of a day spent watching bright-colored birds flush into the sky was enough to make the early alarm clock a welcomed sound. My friend and I loaded up the gear and Burton, my one year old black lab, and hit the road long before the sun even thought about showing its face. As we neared our destination, a quick call alerted our Idaho companions of our ETA, and when we rolled up the driveway, two more hunters stood waiting, with their experienced bird dogs almost vibrating with anticipation.
A short jaunt down a fence-lined dirt road led us to our first field and to the big reveal—my shiny new over/under, carefully cradled in its padded case. The Browning Citori is not just a shotgun; it’s a statement piece—a classic piece of craftsmanship that’s been around since the 1970s. Anyone who’s been raised in a hunting family has probably seen one glimmering in the corner of Dad’s or even Grandpa’s safe, a crown jewel of the collection. And for those like me, who’ve grown up dreaming of that day you could slip one into your own safe, the upgraded Citori feels like a dream fulfilled.
I’m a firm believer in the saying, "If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it," but Browning has somehow found a way to make a good thing even better. Enter the Citori 825—a shotgun that’s been finely tuned for the modern hunter while preserving the heart and soul of its predecessor. Weighing in at just over seven pounds with 26-inch barrels, it shoulders like a dream and swings smoother than a country waltz. By the time the first shot dropped a beautiful cock pheasant in a shower of feathers, I was hooked.
Throughout the day, the gun quickly became a natural extension of my body, like an old friend I hadn’t seen in years but instantly clicked with again. As birds continued to fall, I paid closer attention to the finer details of the gun’s design changes.
The most noticeable upgrade? The receiver. The low-profile design helps the shotgun nestle comfortably in your hands, providing better control over recoil and helping you stay on target when birds flush fast and high. The steel receiver has a silver nitride finish, giving it a sleek look that’s as durable as it is elegant—ready to stand up to years of field abuse while maintaining the refined demeanor of a gun that would look just as good hanging over a mantle.
Atop the receiver, you’ll find the newly refined controls that add to the Citori's modern feel without sacrificing tradition. The top lever hugs the top of the gun but remains easy to find and operate for quick reloads, and the tang-mounted safety/selector is perfectly positioned and smooth as butter.
And then there’s the trigger—oh, what a trigger it is. If you’ve ever experienced a heavy or mushy shotgun trigger, you’ll know how quickly it can sour the whole experience. Not here. The Citori’s trigger breaks crisp, like snapping a brittle twig in a silent wood. There’s practically no slack, and the Fire Lite 2 Trigger system, with its high-pivot-point disconnector, provides an immediate and reliable second shot. I’m no engineer, so don’t ask me to break down the mechanics in detail, but let’s just say it’s one of the best triggers I’ve felt on a shotgun, period.
Over the course of a day in southern Idaho, the Citori never ceased to impress. Whether in the hands of a seasoned upland hunter or a curious newcomer to the over/under world, this shotgun feels like a true companion in the field. The misses? Well, those were all on me. Every bird that went up deserved to come down, but I won’t lie and say I didn’t whiff a few—I blame the wind, of course.
The Browning Citori is more than just a shotgun; it’s an heirloom in the making, a timeless blend of beauty and performance that’s sure to endure for generations. So, do yourself a favor—invest in one. Your grandkids will thank you someday when they’re dusting it off and taking it out for their own first upland hunt, wondering what kind of birds Grandpa missed with it. In the meantime, enjoy the envious glances at the range and the satisfaction of owning a gun that doesn’t just shoot well—it makes you look good doing it.
Pros: Beautiful finish; shoulders, balances, and swings well; excellent trigger; interchangeable choke tubes; built to last for years of abuse and still look good enough to pass down.
Cons: None. Unless you count the fact that your friends might suddenly get a lot more interested in borrowing your gear.
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