[jwels]

I'm considering either a Browning Citori or a Remington 332 for skeet shooting. Both seem to fit reasonably and the weight on both feels right - any suggestions on which will hold up better in the long run and be faster/easier to get repaired?

 

[cbxchris]

Fit would be more of a a issue with me. I`m a lefty so its a big deal. Both guns will shoot a LONG time. I personally especially do not like the forearm on the citori.

 

[Claydust]

I'm considering either a Browning Citori or a Remington 332 for skeet shooting.

I am assuming by Citori, you are refering to field gun like the Lightning and not the XS or one of the sporting clays versions that are in a higher price range.

I own a Citori Grade I Trap, it is the 2nd one I have owned, I have handled and shot Lightning field guns and I own a Remington Peerless, bought new in 1995, which is similar in general design to the 332.

I have used the Peerless for skeet leagues and some sporting clays, it has fired around 15,000 shells, which is not a lot for the average target gun but is more than most hunting guns will see.

Action Profile;

Citori; one of the higher receivers
332; this is a low profile receiver

- some folks prefer a higher receiver, some lower, some don't care. I don't mind the higher receiver profile for trap but find I like the lower receiver for everything else but thats me.

Trigger

Citori; inertia, single sellective
332; mechanical, single sellective

- some prefer mechanical, some prefer inertia, some (like me) don't care.
- the Browning single trigger has a great reputation for longevity but the trigger on my Peerless has been fine too.

Stock Dimensions

Citori (field grade); the 12g's have 2 1/2" drop at heel, typical of older field gun stocks.
332; stock is straighter and closer to some sporting clays guns

- main thing is, the stock of either has to fit you and you have to like it. For me, I prefer a straighter stock, I got this on my Peerless (and it is the same for a 332) at "field gun price". Field gun price on a Citori buys the lower field stock, to get a higher combed stock on a Citori will require spending substantially more for an XS etc. Depends how much one wants to pay and what they want.

Fit and Finish

- Browning has been well known for fit and finish though I saw a Citori Lightning with a 2004 date code on it in a shop recently along side a 332. The Lightning was not as well fit as my 1984 Citori Trap and the 332 was finished at least as well as the 2004 Lightning.

any suggestions on which will hold up better in the long run and be faster/easier to get repaired?

"Hold Up"

Citori; the Browning o/u design dates back to the mid 1920's, is well proven and will last a very long time, with decent care; I would have no worries in that regard.
332; there has not been enough "history" to properly prove this out. I am happy with my Peerless but that is a "sample of one".

Parts/Repair

Browning; been around a long time, the parts and the knowelge/experience to install them is "out there" in good supply.
332; I have found, in the rare cases I have needed it, Remington parts and service availability is good, Browning has complaints about slow service; I know from experience, that I cannot count on Browning Canada to provide service promptly.

Future

Citori, the basic version of the Citori we know today came out in 1983, though the name has been out since 1973 (parts fron the earlier Citori's don't fit the 1983 and up guns). Even if the Cynergy becomes the replacement for the Citori (pure speculation), parts will be around a long time.

332; Remington has a history of producing o/u's for a while, then discontinuing them, this was done with the Peerless and the Ideal. I hope they continue with the 332 because I prefer it over the Peerless and if I was still shooting the skeet league (I am mainly a trapshooter), I would look hard at a 30" 332 for myself. Time will tell if the keep it in the line up.

 

[parris]

jwels:

I would get one of the variations of the Citori. There are many Citori shotguns that have have many many rounds put through them and they keep on going. The other shotgun to consider would be the 680 series Beretta guns. These are also good solid guns that will give many years of service. Brownings tend to fit me better but one of the guys I shoot with has an old 682 that he bought used 6 years ago. He's the third owner and has just gotten it back from Cole gunsmithing. I asked him if he knew how many rounds have been through the gun and he stated that he didn't really know what the former owners had run through it. But he keeps records and he has put over 75,000 rounds through it in the six years he's had it.

Parris George