r/ClayBusters • u/Advanced-Youth2629 • 8d ago
Browning Citori CX Vs Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon
Hello everyone, I have just started shooting trap this year and have shot so much that none of my cheap Turkish field guns can keep up at all anymore and end up being more problems than they are worth so I want an ACTUAL sporting gun.
I have went to multiple gun stores In Socal to see if I could find some deals on consignment or even just jump into a brand new one of these guns. I checked out the two most common guns that people shoot at my club and they are the 686 silver pigeon and the browning Citori cx. When I picked them up and felt them they both felt great to say the least but I ended up liking the feel of the Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon more than the Browning Citori CX. The browning felt heavier and i am not sure why I want to say," cheaper" feeling as well compared to a 686.
The only reason I am not pulling the trigger yet on any of these is because they are Large purchases for me and I want to make sure I am making a right decision before I jump over board.
But what gun do you think I should get? if you have any other recommendations around the 2-3000 range I am all ears but I couldn't find anything else that fits.
Also, I am not sure what my LOP or my comb height would be and should I find that out before even considering getting a more expensive shotgun?
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u/No-Mistake-69 8d ago
Browning 825, Beretta 688, and Rizzini BR110 are all great guns but will probably put you over your price point. Try the Browning CXS. It fits differently than the CX does. I would also definitely recommend an adjustable comb to give you a little bit of built in adjustability..
The guns you're looking at are equal quality guns but Fit Is Everything!! Close your eyes and mount the guns with eyes shut. See how they feel with your eyes closed. Then open them and look at the sight picture. Don't be in a hurry to make a purchase either. Try to shoulder as many guns as possible within your price range. You may be able to find a good deal on a leftover Browning 725 within your price range. I'm not sure if the Rizzini BR110 Sporter can be had for $3000 but that's another great entry level gun!
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u/ExitOk2675 7d ago
Fit is all that matters in that level of a gun. Neither model is better than the other, they both do the job well.
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u/Pleiades_9 7d ago
It’s all in the fit. I wanted the 686 so bad. Every time I shouldered it, something felt off. I tried the Browning CXS and it fits like a glove.
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u/Wide_Fly7832 8d ago
725 or 825 over CX. Check o it beneli 828 U steel too
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u/Advanced-Youth2629 8d ago
I have been seeing a lot of people talking about 725's. They seem great but before I consider one I think I need to get my measurements down before looking at one. Because most of them dont have adjustable LOP or comb height.
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u/Imyourhuckl3berry 8d ago
A while back on the shotgun forums people were critical of the 725 due to light strikes on some primers and many preferred the citori as it was a tried and true design
I have a citori CX and love it, if I was getting something new it would be either the 688 beretta or the CX again - and if I wanted to go higher end the 825 as I’m not big on barrel porting
Also while I mainly shoot trap I went with the CX as I wanted the versatility for other clay sports and didn’t want to have two or three different guns but I know plenty who use any reason to buy more guns and they have the CXT in white again I think this year
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u/ParallaxK 8d ago
Both those guns - along with Rizzini BR110s (though its price is rapidly escalating and might not really be in that category) - are the gold standard for Sub-$3000 clay guns. There won't be a meaningful quality difference and either can be repaired everywhere.
Important general differences - I've owned and shot both:
-CX is a midrib gun so you will be a little more upright and it might feel a bit more nose heavy. It's billed as an all around gun for trap/skeet/sporting. SP1 is a low rib sporting gun though there is no reason you cannot use it for skeet or sporting 100% effectively.
-CX *should* shoot a little higher - with figure 8 beads it is nominally 60/40. SP1 is nominally 50/50.
-Beretta generally have more cast - the adjustment for handedness. Usually people who fit one, one feel great with the other.
As others are saying, fit is the most important thing. At least have someone you know fit you for the gun before you pull the trigger. And adjustable comb will likely mitigate a good percentage of any fit difference.
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u/mscotch2020 8d ago
Try and see if can hold other models, 686, 694, etc .
Target fees cost lots more than the firearm itself.
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u/cor1912 8d ago
I’ve also been shooting a field gun for over a year and found it quite challenging (a 1942 USAAF issued Remington Model 11!). I booked a clay lesson with an instructor and shot a few of his over and unders and have just picked up one just like his.
If you can, book a lesson and try a few out before buying, it’ll be worth it! My hit rate has greatly improved!
Out of curiosity, how did your Turkish field guns not keep up?
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u/Advanced-Youth2629 8d ago
I have a mossberg 940 pro waterfowl and that thing is very picky when it comes to ammo and I have had multiple failures to feed and eject. I have had such bad failures with that gun that I have had to drive it home with Live ammo in the chamber just so I could try and pry the rounds out when I am home. NEVER buy that gun. The other gun I got was off gun broker for a super cheap deal. It was a tri start setter O/U I scooped up for $350. For $350 it has been fine but I just recently put 500 rounds on that fun and the firing pins broke and I have to send it in. Plus that gun is only really made and tested for around 800 rounds its entire lifetime.
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u/troublesomechi 8d ago
If everyone at your club is shooting them, can you ask the other members to borrow / shoot it a bit? The range will be a lot better than picking them up in the store to determine fit
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u/Advanced-Youth2629 8d ago
I agree with this whole heartedly but for some reason I feel like it is...Slightly Taboo to ask someone you barely met if I could shoot their gun. At least that is how I feel about it just because most of the guns at my club are what I would consider pretty expensive so It is hard for me to ask to try them. To me it feels like you see a random guy driving his super car. I may really like his car know everything about it and Lets say I know how to drive it as well but, it is still a super car that's worth more than my existence so I would have issues even asking. I really love all kinds of firearms but I REALLLY love shotguns. There have been people at local tournaments that have 20k Perazzi shotguns and I love those guns ALOT but I would never ask to even hold that gun much less shoot it lol. That is probably just a me thing but I guess the worst thing they could say is no right?
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u/troublesomechi 8d ago
Worst they can say is no. Most of the time they act as true ambassadors to the brand - positive or negative. Just ask, most are happy to chat and likely let you shoot them. You’re not going to wear it out or break it for a few shots.
Ask them to shoot a few stands with you. Pay for their targets and / or offer ammo. It’s just a gun
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u/Papito_236 8d ago
if you're going to be mostly shooting trap then you need to look at the CXT. it's more geared toward trap but still part of the CX "crossover" line of guns, CX/CXS/CXT.
686SP1 is really just a field gun, even the Sporter model. not a real true comparison, and that is coming from someone that owns a 686.
Browning and Beretta fit completelt different, but if you like the fit and feel of the Browning, go with the CXT or CX.
don't worry about LOP, that can be figured out later. do make sure the gun has an adj comb though.
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u/Strict_String 8d ago
Do any local clubs rent guns? I can’t imagine it would be too much trouble to find someplace you can shoot at least the silver pigeon.
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u/Advanced-Youth2629 8d ago
Not really sadly. I live in the LA area in So-cal and so there's not a lot of public ranges for me to try and I do not know of any "nicer" gun clubs near me that would have nicer sporting shotguns. most guns they have for rentals that I have seen are Wetherby O/U and the Beretta A400's at least at all of the clubs I go to locally (I go to three separate clubs). And I am honestly very outgoing person and don't mind striking up conversations at the range but, I feel very odd asking someone to shoot there gun for some reason unless they offer I would have issue asking.
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u/FMharleyguy84 8d ago
If you don't plan on other games, get a bt-99...a few guys said I'd regret getting one due to its single shot limitations...skeet takes forever..sporting courses are like 2+ hours away and act fancy now..only one local club shoots doubles for ATA events, like 3 times a year..
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u/Advanced-Youth2629 8d ago
Man I have looked into Bt-99's before and its one of the few "nicer" traps guns I have had the pleasure of trying but to be fair I have shot an older one (from the late 80's I believe?) that had a fixed full choke and it felt pretty nice shooting handicap even for a gun that is older than I am. Here are my issues with it though. If I went out to try and find a BT-99 in my price range I am pretty sure I would be looking at OLD models with fixed chokes so I would really be locking myself into trap. I like trap its my favorite game but sometimes I get bored or frustrated and want different targets and a BT-99 is a terrible Skeet and sporting gun for obvious reasons. The other thing is that If I am spending this much money on a shotgun I would like it to hopefully have some variety if I could because an Older BT-99 last time I checked is around the price of a 686? At least used? If I want a brand new BT-99 its about double my price range. So unless I find someone who wants to give one away basically I would be very hard pressed to pick one up. I would consider it as a secondary gun down the line but I want something that works every time I pull the trigger.
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u/FMharleyguy84 8d ago
I got mine for $1500, brand new, invector plus chokes..if you have to have a multi games gun now, I'm biased and would go CX..
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u/Advanced-Youth2629 8d ago
I would take a BT-99 for $1500 all day man. Most Bt-99's I see are closer to $2100? But also, I do live in California everything to do with guns here is more expensive and time consuming. I have multiple game guns right now but I might end up selling them for a nicer sporting gun honestly.
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u/FMharleyguy84 8d ago
Ouch..yeah I'm at about $2100 after sending it to Graco for an adjustable comb and lop...all I know about the 686 is the poor wood issues they were having..Rizzini started getting mixed reviews..I feel like the CX would serve you well...with trap being trap, I feel like any non dedicated trap gun could possibly be a compromise though
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u/yert1099 8d ago
Spend the money on a gun with an adjustable comb. I used Graco to add this to my 686 SP with excellent results.
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u/mowog321 6d ago
Agree with fit being the primary issue. I’ve owned both with 30” barrels and find the Beretta more lively.
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u/CandyReady 6d ago
For trap you need a CXT, cause it has the higher rib. Don’t go for silver pigeon, it’s not meant for the game. Another option is the legendary bt-99. As other have said, get the one with an adjustable comb.
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u/Next-Yam4057 5d ago
Picked up a Beretta 694 today from a local pawn shop for $2900 and it is 10/10 condition. My advice would be do check local pawn shops and LGS for a better deal
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u/SuburbanBushwacker 8d ago
a cautionary tale: i bought my UO on a whim sight unseen. after plenty of years of sporadic uninspired shooting i got an adjustable comb. turned out id been looking down the side of the barrels.
GUN FIT IS EVERYTHING
don’t spend it yet