16ga.com ~ View topic - Want a 16 Ga. Citori w 28in barrels- but which one?

Joined: 12 Aug 2024 Posts: 3

I have a 12-gauge Citori Feather Lightning that I use for blocking. I have a pair of 20-gauge Citori 725 Feathers (3in shells) that i use for walking. Want a 16 gauge for walks when it could be pop shots and maybe some longer passing shots. But confused about the models on the 16 gauges.

What I know I want:
Citori
16 ga.
28 in barrels
2 3/4 - i know they are all that.
Light-ish weight? is that Feather or other models too?

What are my options?

Currently focusing in on: Citori Feather Lightning 16.

Citori Feather Superlight 16 is only 26in, right?
Citori Gran Lightning 16, i want a field gun not a collectors piece and dont have excess budget for all the beautiful embellishments here.

Thanks in advance for aynone's help here. Would be willing to sell/trade a 20 if anyone is interested.

Joined: 01 Oct 2007 Posts: 1062 Location: Minnesota

I don’t believe the feather in 16 ga is currently being made, so you’re stuck with the standard citori, unless you can find a used feather. Nothing wrong at all with the standard citori for walking or blocking. I have a Gran lightning that I use for all forms of upland hunting.

Joined: 09 Dec 2012 Posts: 951

Not mine, these are nice guns. You can check on Browning's site as to their weight. It is easier to find them using a Google search rather than trying to muddle through Browning's site for out of production guns.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1190254322

This is a good deal

https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/shotguns/browning-shotguns-citori/browning-citori-hunter-grade-ii-16ga-2-75-quot-28-quot-inv-40-018259513-41-.cfm?gun_id=103477355

Joined: 09 Aug 2007 Posts: 535 Location: WI

I have two Browning Citori Superlight Feather 16's, both with 28" barrels. The Superlight Feather has a straight English style stock with the wood finished in high gloss poly. They have an alloy receiver with a steel face, and a gold feather engraved on the underside.

My first one was produced in 2010, and this is my favorite - I bought it "used" but still new and unfired in either 2010 or 2011. It weighs 5 lbs 13.3 oz.

I liked it so much I got a second one as a backup - this one was made in 2014, and weighs 6 lbs 1 oz.

I weighed each component separately, and the metal weight difference between the two is negligible. The weight difference is entirely in the density of the wood, mostly in the stock of the 2014 gun.

From what I remember the 16 gauge SLF was only made 2008 - 2019, and in very limited runs of something maybe like 250 or 500 each cycle. They are not easy to find. I believe the 2019 guns were produced as Shot Show specials that year, and that may possibly have been the last year they were made. Maybe someone has more info on this?

I believe the 16 gauge Superlight Feather was only produced with the English style straight stock, so if the stock has any other shape it is one of the other Feather or Lightning variants, but it's not a Superlight Feather.

My 16 ga Lightning Feather with 28” barrels weighs 5 lbs 15 oz with factory chokes. My 2003 White Lightning with 26” barrels weighs 6.5 lbs with factory chokes. If I swap the wood the Feather goes even lower. It’s all about the wood.

I typically grouse hunt for a week at a time. On those long hike hunts the Feather gets the nod, later in the week it may always get taken regardless of the hike length. But either will work in a pinch.

Fancier wood is usually heavier. I highly recommend an aftermarket butt pad regardless of type, the factory butt plate is not very comfortable nor does it stay put with certain clothing. Cervellati microcell is my choice. Lightweight and comfortable.

Joined: 08 Feb 2009 Posts: 1553 Location: Western WA

Our standard model Citori 16 ga 28” circa 2007 is outstanding field and skeet gun. Handles and carries better than the 725 sporters in the cabinet. It’s not a Feather or Superlight but at 6.5 lbs it’s ideally balanced. Possibly a little light for extended range shooting. Very common model, reasonably priced, great value.

B.

Joined: 09 Dec 2012 Posts: 951

Joined: 09 Aug 2007 Posts: 535 Location: WI

I also have a 2006 Citori 525 Field with 28" barrels that weighs 7 lbs 0.4 oz. It's an excellent gun also, but 7 lbs is a little too heavy for my liking as an upland gun.

Of the five 16 gauge doubles I have, it is the heaviest, but still an excellent gun.