Citori, Silver Pigeon, any advice on clay guns?

[seezur]

I’m thinking of buying an over under to shoot some clays and maybe one day get into upland. I know next to nothing about sporting clays, trap or skeet aside from the basics, and have only shot clay pigeons in a casual way (backyard thrower). I know I should buy a cheaper shotgun or use one of the ones I already have to make sure I love the sport but I’ve always wanted a quality over under and I’m OK with the cost of an entry level Citori CX, CXS or Silver Pigeon Sporting whether or not this becomes a major new hobby or something I do a few times a year.

I’ve shouldered and pointed a CX, a 725 Sporting and a Silver Pigeon I. The place I went to, the guy seemed totally uninterested in making a sale but told me the CX looked like it “fit well” and that my eyes lined up with the beads. The Pigeon’s scrolling and jeweled metal looks way higher end, but the wood looked terrible. Ideally, I’d want the weight and wood of the CX and the embellishments of the Pigeon, but realistically, for my price range it’ll be one or the other (though I‘d grab the CXS instead of the CX and forego trap).

Any personal experiences with the entry Citoris or Berettas? Also any vendors you would suggest where I can go talk to someone?

 

[cgrutt]

Only thing I can offer is I had a Silver Pigeon and regrettably had to sell it. Still regret it lol... Beautiful gun.

 

[Celt]

I dont know much about them, but ive always wanted a good ou. I was researching them years ago, but never actually got one and dont remember much of what i had learned.

 

[Tisto]

I have owned several different O/U shotguns. There is a HUGE difference in them. Skeet guns are different from Trap guns are different from Sporting Clays guns are different from Field guns. What exactly do you want to do with it ?

I currently have a 20ga Browning 325 and a 12ga Browning Feather XS. Both of those are Sporting Clays guns. I have a Winchester 101 Trap gun, and a Perazzi Skeet gun. If FORCED to chose one of them to hunt birds with, I would take the Feather XS. I would not hunt with ANY of them under normal circumstances. Field guns are a different animal compared to Sport guns. Figure out what you want it for, and then ask for help finding the right choice.

 

[GTN]

I have a Browning Citori 725. I love this O/U. It fits me! I went to buy a Beretta Silver Pigeon but it just didn’t fit. It seemed small. When shooting the SP it would slap me in the cheek bone. The citori didn’t do that.
The SP comes with a nice plastic case. Citori comes with a cardboard box
Best way to see if a gun fits you is shoulder it, lower it, close your eyes, reshoulder it and open your eyes. If the sights are aligned your good. If you have to readjust your head to get the sights aligned the gun doesn’t fit you. You can make it fit by having an adjustable comb (cheek riser) and adjustable butt plate but those will cost you more $.
Skeet and sporting clays can use the same OU very efficiently but not as good as a trap gun.

 

[GTN]

If your close to me you’re welcome to try out my Citori

 

[seezur]

I have owned several different O/U shotguns. There is a HUGE difference in them. Skeet guns are different from Trap guns are different from Sporting Clays guns are different from Field guns. What exactly do you want to do with it ?

I currently have a 20ga Browning 325 and a 12ga Browning Feather XS. Both of those are Sporting Clays guns. I have a Winchester 101 Trap gun, and a Perazzi Skeet gun. If FORCED to chose one of them to hunt birds with, I would take the Feather XS. I would not hunt with ANY of them under normal circumstances. Field guns are a different animal compared to Sport guns. Figure out what you want it for, and then ask for help finding the right choice.

I’m not sold on any one game, I just want to buy a nice OU and see which one I enjoy most. Whether it’s true or not, Browning markets the CX as being able to competently perform any of the sports, though from my understanding Trap is the only game where you really want a high POI. Field guns are definitely quite different it seems, but hunting would be limited and is a future goal.

 

[seezur]

If your close to me you’re welcome to try out my Citori

I appreciate the offer! I’m in Rochester these days, whereabout are you?

 

[GTN]

I appreciate the offer! I’m in Rochester these days, whereabout are you?

Avon and I have a membership at Brooks Gun Club so I can take you there to shoot some clays
Message me if you’d like

 

[speedkills27]

There is a HUGE difference in them. Skeet guns are different from Trap guns are different from Sporting Clays guns

I agree with this. My trap gun is different then my skeet gun, but the thing they have in common is they both fit well. The LOP, cheek riser, and sights all work for me not against. Its easy to go crazy with expensive guns in the shotgun sports but I've seen guys with a $500 11-87 out shoot guys with guns 4x the cost. The gun doesn't make the shooter. Go to a gun shop with a nice selection and mount and swing a few different models and see what feels natural and go from there, then practice with it, alot.

 

[Tisto]

At no point did I say that any one specific gun would make you Annie Oakley. ( You would need some surgery and a dress I think ) I know guys that shoot the same field grade gun for everything, and they do well. But, if you're going to pursue one game over another, a specialized gun is likely to add a few points to your score.