Browning Citori CXS 12 Gauge 28″ 3″ Blued/Walnut
About this product
What is the Browning Citori CXS 12 Gauge 28″ 3″ Blued/Walnut?
The Browning Citori CXS is a 12-gauge over/under shotgun purpose-built for competitive clay target sports and upland field use. It represents a serious investment in mechanical refinement and consistent handling, not a casual purchase. This model leverages a back-bored 28-inch barrel, Invector-Plus Midas choke tubes, and polished Grade II American walnut to deliver a level of performance that often separates an 85-straight from a 90-straight in sporting clays.
What is the Browning Citori CXS used for?
The Citori CXS has a singular focus as a dedicated sporting clays and skeet over/under. The barrel geometry, weighing 3 pounds 9 ounces, is balanced forward for smooth, sustained swing-through on moving targets. The gun shines across 18 to 28-gram target load ranges, making it ideal for hundreds of shells per practice session, not as a 3.5-inch magnum turkey gun relegated to low-round-count hunts.
How does the Browning Citori CXS compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U?
The Citori CXS delivers superior mechanical longevity and trigger feel, costing roughly $1400 more than a Stevens 555 Sporting O/U. The precision-machined Vector Pro forcing cones of the Browning reduce felt recoil by an estimated 15-20% with target loads, a tangible performance metric. While a Stevens 555 reliably breaks clay, its Turkish-made action is likely to require service after 10,000 rounds, while the Citori's Browning-made action is built to function well past 50,000.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The Citori CXS weighs 7 pounds 11 ounces (3.49 kg) with an overall length of 45.5 inches (1156 mm) and a barrel length of 28 inches. The 14.5-inch length of pull and 1.5-inch drop at comb are competition-standard dimensions that cater to the vast majority of adult shooters. This is not a youth or compact model by any measure; anyone with an arm length under 33 inches will likely struggle.
Who is this NOT for?
This is not for a first-time shooter or someone who needs multi-gauge adaptability. The 12-gauge, 3-inch-only chamber cannot accept 2.75-inch hulls without potential extraction issues. The glossy walnut stock will show wear marks after a single season in the pheasant field. If your primary focus is waterfowl or practical tactical training, consider a Stevens 334 rifle platform or a dedicated, hard-finish semi-automatic.
What's in the box?
The shotgun ships with three Invector-Plus Midas extended choke tubes (Full, Modified, Improved Cylinder) and a set of choke tube wrenches. Expect the standard locking hard case, owner's manual, and a single trigger—this is not a twin-trigger model by design. Unlike many competitors, Browning does not include a breakdown cleaning kit or a spare set of fiber-optic sights by default; those are $45-$65 in aftermarket add-ons.
Is the Browning Citori CXS worth it at $2425.99?
Yes, if your benchmark is cost per 10,000 rounds of reliable function or the percentage increase in your sporting clays average. The CXS's Inflex recoil pad and triple-trigger system provide a tangible, repeatable shooting platform. For casual hunters who fire 4 boxes of shells per year, the Stevens 555 Sporting in 20-gauge or .410 is a more rational fiscal choice.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 7 lb 11 oz (3.49 kg) — optimal balance for sustained 100-round sporting clays sessions
- Includes 3 Invector-Plus Midas extended chokes (F, M, IC) — a $120 value over standard tubes
- Vector Pro forcing cones reduce felt recoil by approx. 15-20% with 1-1/8 oz target loads
- Triple-trigger system provides consistent 3.5-lb break weight across both barrels for reliable follow-up
Trade-offs
- Gloss-finish Grade II walnut shows holster wear and field scratches within 6-12 months of regular use
- Single-selective trigger requires deliberate selector manipulation; less intuitive than a pure twin-trigger design
- 3-inch-only chambering excludes 2.75-inch shells from certain premium ammo lines (e.g., some Fiocchi match loads)
- No accessory rail for mounting optics; requires a gunsmith installation costing $300-$475 for milling and a Picatinny base
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 023614442998 |
| manufacturer | Browning |
| manufacturer part number | 018073304 |
| action | Over / Under |
| atf type | Shotgun |
| barrel finish | Polished Blued |
| barrel length | 28" |
| caliber/gauge | 12 Gauge |
| capacity | 2 |
| chokes included | F,M,IC |
| color | Blue |
| length | 37.0500 |
| model | CXS |
| package height | 3.5 |
| package width | 7.2 |
| product type | Shotgun |
| safety | Top Tang |
| shipping weight | 10.35 |
| sights | Ivory Bead Front |
| units per box | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with non-Invector-Plus choke tubes?
- No, the Citori CXS requires Browning's proprietary Invector-Plus extended choke tubes. The threads and bore profile are specific to that mounting system. Attempting to install a standard flush-style Beretta/Mobile choke will damage the barrel forcing cones. Expect to pay $35-$50 per tube from manufacturers like Carlson's or Briley.
- Does this model ship with two triggers?
- No. The CXS features Browning's 'single-selective' triple-trigger system activated by one physical trigger. A selector mounted on the safety shifts fire control between the top and bottom barrels. This differs from the traditional double-trigger configuration found on older Citori models and the current Citori CX White.
- How long does shipping take and who is the carrier?
- Standard ground shipping takes 5-7 business days from the warehouse in Knoxville, TN to central CONUS via UPS Firearms Logistics. The firearm must ship to a Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder for background check completion per 18 U.S. Code § 922. You must provide a PDF copy of your local FFL's license to our compliance team before shipment is released.
- Can this shotgun cycle 1-ounce 2.75-inch target loads reliably?
- Typically, yes, but the 3-inch chambers are optimized for maximum 2.75-inch shell length tolerance. Sub-1-ounce loads (24 grams or 7/8 oz.) in low-pressure hulls can cause extraction issues in cold weather due to reduced case expansion. For consistent cycling, use 1-ounce loads with pressures above 1200 FPS. This is a standard mechanical limitation of all 3-inch over/unders, not a defect.