citori

ralphn

I have a Browning Citori s/n 17982 Pm153. Can you tell me the age, value, model and opinion on quality?
Thanks

ralph

ralphn

I have a citori, grade 1 , 32in barrels, that I am thinking about parting out or sending to browning for restoration. I only have $775.oo in it & was wanting to know if I would be better off to sell it or restore it at factory & get factory letter back with it.
It was built in Japan 1984, has been reblued, Poor Job, & forearm has been replaced. I collect Remington 12 ga,s , Old marlins, custom mauser sporting rifles, & colt pistols, so as you can see I am out of my field with this browning. Any help will be great. Thanks for your time,
Dan dlittle@carolnet.com

nord

I haven't a reference readily available that will determine Citori ages. It really doesn't matter anyway. The gun was made in Japan. It's as good as any in the world... And it's a Browning.

That being said, you asked for opinions. Everyone has one. I respect the Citori for being a nice gun, but I've never had one feel quite right. Then again, I'll say the same for a Superposed... Except that the Superposed is somehow so much more than a Citori.

My personal choice is a Red Label. I like the quality. I like the wood. I like the feel. I like "Made in USA". And I like the fact that Red Label's are more and more sought after by collectors (Earlier one's anyway). Just try to find one on the used market.

My opinion is by no means the only one, nor the correct one. Any gun that approaches the $1,000 mark is a good gun. The one that fits you and pleases you is the right one to own. All I'm saying is that you should blind yourself to brand names and choose the gun that "sings" when you swing it. You'd be crazy to consider any other.

Nord

rsnyder55

I have had several Citori's and they are excellent guns. The Citori used the same frame for their field guns as their skeets guns so you know it will last forever. Most other O/U makers use a heavier frame for trap and skeet. The one thing I was not happy was the weight of their field guns while walking. I know have a Winchester 101 20 guage for that.

TRAP55

PM IS THE DATE CODE. IT WAS MADE IN 1980 AND SERIAL #'S STARTED AT 10001 FOR EACH YEAR. 153 DESIGNATES IT AS A 12GA. 3" MAG. MADE BY MIROKU IN JAPAN.

bobski

well, since you asked, im gonna say it. citoris are ok. now the fine print.....i ran a skeet range with a buddy and we stocked the rack with 20 citoris. they lasted less than 5 years. then we stocked the rack with rugers red labels. another 5 years. then we stocked the rack with skb's.....theyre still there. we got some more guns for a new range. we got 5 berettas. problem: when guns are subjected to absolute morons, any great gun will break and wear out. most common wear point on a browning citori is the lock up, cracked stocks, and the bbl hanger. most common wear point on a ruger is the ejectors and the lock up. berettas, the sight beads and stock to receiver fit. skb's....? i think a buttplate screw fell out. hope it helps.

former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction.