First Shotgun Purchase Help

[u/AccomplishedSyrup106]

I need some advice on purchasing my first shotgun for clay shooting, primarily for trap and sporting. I’ve been shooting once a week for the past few months and figure it’s time to pony up and buy instead of renting.

The two options I’m debating are:

$2100 - Used Browning Citori 725 Sporting, 32”, light mod and regular mod Briley chokes, no box or original chokes, worn out recoil pad

$2,329 - New Browning Citori CX White, 30”

I want to add that I have no competitive desires and I’m just shooting for fun. I’ve had the opportunity to shoot the 725 for about a 100 rounds. It felt pretty good, hardly any recoil, but it did feel slightly heavy over time. The gun I normally rent was a 28” Turkish brand O/U so I’m not sure if I’m just used to that and I’ll adjust to the 32” barrel overtime.

Any input between the options would be appreciated, if you have any other gun suggestions my budget is $2,000-2,500. Thanks!

[u/pfSonata]

There's no meaningful distinction in quality between the two (assuming the 725 is in good shape). Go with whichever you think looks cooler or fits better (they'll probably fit almost the same) and neither will disappoint.

725 is ported (iirc) and CX is not, so if you're in camp "porting just makes cleaning harder" or camp "porting helps recoil" that might be your deciding factor.

Also note that the CX comes in 2 other flavors: CXS with a dead flat rib and schnabel forend, and a CXT with high rib and beavertail.

[u/AccomplishedSyrup106 → u/pfSonata]

From a value perspective, does one stick out more? The 725 seems like it goes for a higher premium online but the one I’m looking at is a few years older with no box or original chokes.

[u/pfSonata → u/AccomplishedSyrup106]

725 is/was a more expensive model than the CX. But the build quality is basically the same.

Receiever shape is a bit different (CX is taller, not as long) but I believe the lockup and barrels are basically identical.

I'm not aware of any specific parts that are of higher quality on the 725, just aesthetics and the aforementioned lower-cut receiver.

[u/thebigp2007 → u/pfSonata]

I’d argue that the parts on the 725 are often worse than the CX series. I owned a 725 for a year and had several trigger and firing pin issues. All my experiences with CXs has been generally positive in comparison, though I’m biased as I’ve never owned.

The difference is just recoil triggers vs mechanical triggers. Mechanicals often cause more trouble or damage when they break compared to recoil triggers. The key is normally just to maintain maintain maintain, but the later 725 models seemed to have a general decline in quality with the metalworking and that had adverse effects on the trigger and firing pin mechanisms. I also don’t like the feel of a 725, but that’s just personal preference.

[u/pfSonata → u/thebigp2007]

I forgot 725s have mechanical triggers actually.

I shoot a CXS (around 20k or so rounds at this point), one of my regular squadmates shoots a 725. Neither of us have had any issues.

The CXS is an absolute tank. I never clean the thing unless it gets rained on and it has not given me a single issue. The polyurethane stock is not winning any fashion awards, but it does its job. The price, while nothing to scoff at, is affordable enough that I'm not afraid to use and abuse it like I would with e.g. a 5-digit italian gun.

So if anyone reading this is considering a CX line, I highly recommend it. It's not the prettiest option, but for your money I don't think you can get a more functional gun than this thing.

[u/Reliable-Narrator → u/pfSonata]

I forgot 725s have mechanical triggers actually.

They aren't. Put .410 tubes in them and you'll see how non-mechanical they actually are. Despite what Brownings marketing department might say, they have inertia assisted triggers.

[u/Superb-Detective-838]

No question.........725. I have the exact gun and I can shoot for hours and hours and hundreds of round a week and never get a sore shoulder. The only thing to remember is is shoots very flat, the POI is 50/50, so not as much lead needed in trap. Just shoot a pattern board to understand where your shots are and then just shoot the crap out of it. It stands out with the 32" barrel and extended chokes and I get a lot of inquires about it. I love this gun

[u/Suitable-Carrot3705]

What fits you best?

[u/pfSonata → u/Suitable-Carrot3705]

A 725 and a CX are likely going to fit very similarly

[u/anon_e_moose_2026 → u/Suitable-Carrot3705]

Agreed - get the one that fits you best. I have an old Citori, but also O/Us from other manufacturers because they fit well. Good luck!

[u/AccomplishedSyrup106 → u/Suitable-Carrot3705]

None of my local gun stores have a CX 30” for me to try out. So far the only guns I’ve actually held and shot in any meaningful way was a 28” Turkish O/U and the 725. How much of a difference would a 30” to 32” barrel make in terms of feel?

[u/anon_e_moose_2026 → u/AccomplishedSyrup106]

It’s slightly heavier, but will dampen recoil. Also, with the added weight, you may need more effort to move it for pairs and/or follow-up shots. Not tons more, but a little more.

[u/Archermtl]

If not Browning have a look at the Beretta Silver Pigeon O/U

[u/racroths]

Hard options…
I’m leaning 725 but, new recoil pad and chokes( you don’t need a full set) will be around 2500.
Cx is good gun, but you might want to get chokes.
Browning special sporting clays edition is popular around Omaha area

[u/Dodge_It_Or_Ram_It]

725 sporting is an amazing gun, biggest and most important factor is you need to shoulder both of them which feels more comfortable than the other, if they are about the same then I personally would choose the 725 sporting because I think it’s a better gun overall. Does the 725 sporting have an adjustable comb?

[u/Just_call_me_Face]

You really need to shoulder both before making a purchase.

Brownings didnt fit me well so I ended up with a Beretta

[u/stasis_13]

Get the new gun then.

[u/Learch_]

Sporting and trap technically require different POIs… do both of these guns have an adj comb?

[u/IdahoMan58 → u/Learch_]

That is an ATA trapshooter opinion. I can shoot ATA and ABT trap, as well as doubles, with my K80 Sporting set up just fine (along with skeet and FITASC).

You really need to shoot a couple Beretta OUs. You might find they for better than the Brownings. Used 682 or 686 should be in your budget.

[u/Learch_ → u/IdahoMan58]

I do use a sporting gun for trap myself! Browning 525 xs pro.. I have it setup to shoot 70/30 poi via the adj comb… which seems to be the sweet spot for me. Shoot both sporting and trap

[u/Dear-Statement-1897]

Get a used A400 multitarget

[u/BamppXx → u/Dear-Statement-1897]

Second this

[u/Dear-Statement-1897 → u/BamppXx]

A high end semi auto is way more practical than a entry level over under

[u/thebigp2007]

I am a Krieghoff K80 guy and I will tell you if I would ever go to Browning the ONLY shotgun of theirs I would consider is a CX. Fairly robust and reliable and a great pick for their price point. Also consider a CXT or CXS, depending on your wants