There are a lot of good shotguns out there, but the Browning Citori 725 stands out from its competitors. Here's why it’s the best over and under shotgun around as far as I am concerned.
FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing.
The Citori has been around for decades now, and it has built a very solid reputation over the years. Out of all of the Citori models that have been made, the 725 might just be the best. It has everything you could want in a shotgun. Here are 10 reasons why it's simply the best over and under firearm.
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The Trigger Action
It’s usually the smallest things that can make or break a gun. Luckily, Browning paid attention to pretty much everything when creating the 725. Perhaps the best evidence of this is in the trigger action. It is one of the little revolutions on the gun. It uses Browning’s FireLite technology for lighter pull weights. This is a welcome thing on an over and under shotgun, as these weapons can be rather difficult to fire. The action of the 725’s trigger is smooth and user-friendly, immediately making it stand apart from the other over and unders that might compete with it.
The Safety
The safety on the Citori 725 is one of those details that you are bound to overlook if you are used to it, but it still deserves praise. It is located on the tang of the weapon and is very easy to locate and switch on and off. It is also big enough that it is easy to operate if you have gloves on, something which makes a big difference if you are out hunting in the cold. Having a safety that is simple yet reliable is something that can really increase the utility of a shotgun. With the 725, you won’t be fumbling with the safety while the animal you are hunting is getting away. You can efficiently switch it off in time to hit a quick target, and we greatly appreciate that.
The Appearance
One should never choose to buy a firearm simply because of its appearance, but we wouldn’t fault you if you ended up being swayed by the Citori 725’s beauty. It’s just a great looking gun that has an absolutely classic feel to it. It references weapon designs that date all the way back to the early 20th century while also featuring modern components that bring it to our current day. When it comes down to it, the 725 is all about elegant detail. Beneath the trigger is a tiny version of the Browning logo. It’s small enough that you will only notice it when looking closely, but when you do, you are amazed. And it only gets better the more you look at it…
The Low Weight
It’s rare for an over and under shotgun to actually be light. In fact, you don’t really want them to be. Shotguns become less comfortable and harder to aim and use if they are really lightweight. But the Citori 725 checks in at around 7.5 pounds, meaning that it is neither too heavy nor too light. You can comfortably carry it around all day without exhausting yourself, but it’s still easy to control. The 725 is typically thought of as a hunting gun, and the weight definitely comes in handy when going after birds. You can maneuver the gun without expending too much effort as birds fly around and above you. While some shooters definitely prefer a heavier shotgun, we think that the 725’s weight is just perfect.
The Durability
It seems that more and more guns are being made these days without quality in mind. Everyone wants to get a weapon at an affordable price, and that leads to many being poorly constructed so that they can be sold for less. That seems nice at the time that you purchase your firearm, but it quickly becomes obvious why this is bad when the gun stops working after only a short time period. That doesn’t happen with the 725. Most people who own this shotgun report being able to run thousands of rounds through it with no issue. Some have even shot tens of thousands of rounds without problems. Make no mistake, this is definitely a durable weapon. If you properly maintain your 725, it will last as long as any other shotgun on the market.
The Low Profile Receiver
One of the features about the 725 that Browning has advertised the hardest is the new low profile receiver that the gun has. For someone not well-versed in gun terminology, the significance of this may be lost. A short explanation is that the lower receiver makes the gun itself feel lower, which then makes the gun feel more like a part of your body. You may not even notice it at first, but the receiver on the 725 will just make using the gun feel far more natural than previous iterations of the Citori. Whether you’re an experienced shooter or someone just picking up the sport, you’ll appreciate how it feels to fire the 725.
It’s Great for Beginners
Over and under shotguns aren’t always the most approachable guns for beginners. There’s a ton of options out there to pick from, and each one is a pretty heavy investment. If you pick your first shotgun and later find out that there are specialized aspects of it that you don’t like, you are basically out of luck. The 725, on the other hand, is such an all-arounder that it makes total sense as a first shotgun. A beginner can easily figure out the things that they want in future weapons from using the 725, and they likely won’t be too unhappy with any aspect of it as they figure that out. It’s also incredibly easy to use, which is just one other factor that makes it a great choice for new shooters.
Great Bargains are Available
We won’t lie, the price of the Citori 725 can seem a bit steep. It retails for around $1855 in most places. You definitely get what you pay for, but that doesn’t mean that the price isn’t going to scare some prospective owners away. But the popularity of the 725 means that there are always used ones to pick from. If you look around long enough, you are bound to find a bargain on someone’s old 725. And unlike other, cheaper guns, you can actually trust used 725s. They are made with such quality materials and construction methods that you don’t have much to worry about. As long as you properly maintain your shotgun, it can last for a long time… even if you purchased it secondhand.
It’s Easy to Modify
Some people like to just fire their guns in their out-of-the-box states. The Citori 725 definitely works well for shooters like that. But no worries if you’re the type of gun owner who likes to make some modifications. The parts of the 725 aren’t difficult to swap out, meaning that you can easily modify it to your specific needs. For instance, if you aren’t a huge fan of the weight of the 725, you can add on a new butt pad to make it a bit more stable. If you want improved accuracy, you can add on some new sights. Customizing this gun can really help turn it into a weapon that feels uniquely you, and it’s not hard to do.
The Length
When it comes to aiming a shotgun, it really all comes down to the length. That determines how long the pellets have to travel to reach their target as well as how easy it is to actually aim down the sights. Of course, shotguns can definitely get too long. When this happens, they become awkward to maneuver and the center of balance feels completely wrong. The 725 definitely hits the right spot in terms of length for an over and under shotgun. With an overall length of 43.75 inches, it is neither too long nor too short. In fact, most shooters report the center of balance directly at the center of the gun, and that goes a long way in making it actually comfortable to hold for long periods of time.
If you're just a beginner, first get an AIR shotgun from Amazon: $159.99 & FREE Returns
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