BROWNING CITORI CX 12/32 BL/WD 3″ LH #
About this product
What is the Browning Citori CX 12/32 BL/WD 3″ LH? It’s a left-handed, competition-ready over/under shotgun built for sustained clay target shooting and precision field work, with a 32-inch barrel set, a 3-inch chamber, a blued receiver, and walnut stock that balances directly under the hinge pin. This specific Citori CX model is configured from the factory for left-handed shooters, ensuring proper cast, toe-out, and checkering orientation that most right-handed guns can't match without extensive custom work. When you're running 300 shells through a gun in a single weekend, those ergonomic details stop being minor preferences and start being matters of physical fatigue and point-of-aim consistency.
What is the Browning Citori CX used for?
The Browning Citori CX 12/32 LH is used for registered clay target disciplines and high-volume sporting clays. Its 32-inch barrels measure 812.8 mm from breech face to muzzle, providing a long, stable sight plane and swing momentum critical for consistent breaks on crossing targets at 40+ yards. The gun’s 8 lb 9 oz (3.88 kg) weight, with balance precisely at the hinge pin, absorbs recoil efficiently, allowing you to maintain cheek weld and focus through an entire 100-target event without developing a flinch. The full-length, tapered Vector Pro lengthened forcing cones reduce felt recoil and shot deformation, translating directly to more uniform patterns on report pairs.
How does the Browning Citori CX compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U 12 Gauge?
The Browning Citori CX is a more durable, precisely regulated firearm built for thousands of rounds, while the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U is a cost-effective entry point suitable for several hundred rounds per year. The primary mechanical difference is the action: the Citori uses a full-width, forged steel hinge with a full-width crossbolt and a trunnion system that engages both sides of the monoblock, designed for a 100,000+ round service life. The Stevens 555 uses a lighter, investment-cast action with a single, narrower crossbolt. In fit, the Citori's walnut is graded higher, hand-checkered at 22 lines-per-inch, and the metal-to-wood fit shows no visible gaps under a bore light. The Stevens is better for a new shooter experimenting with clays; the Citori is better for a committed shooter who practices weekly.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
This Citori CX weighs 8 pounds 9 ounces (3.88 kg) with empty chambers and measures 48.5 inches (1231.9 mm) in overall length. The 32-inch barrels have a 14.75-inch (374.65 mm) length of pull, a 1.5-inch (38.1 mm) drop at comb, and a 2.25-inch (57.15 mm) drop at heel — dimensions standardized for NSSF/NSCA competition. The forend is 9.25 inches (234.95 mm) long, providing a consistent hand position. The gun's balance point is 0.75 inches (19.05 mm) forward of the hinge pin, a configuration that promotes a smooth, controllable follow-through rather than a muzzle-heavy feel that can stall your swing.
Who is this NOT for?
This shotgun is not for a casual upland hunter walking miles for grouse or a new shooter looking for a first all-around firearm. The 32-inch barrel set and 8 lb 9 oz weight make it cumbersome in dense brush or when shouldering quickly from a blind. If your primary use is hunting and you occasionally shoot clays, a 28-inch or 30-inch field model like the Stevens 555 Sporting in 30-inch is a more versatile choice. It's also not for right-handed shooters; while they can fire it, the left-hand cast and toe-out will push the stock uncomfortably into their cheek and shoulder, degrading form over a long course.
What’s in the box?
You get the shotgun, five Invector-DS extended choke tubes (Cylinder, Improved Cylinder, Modified, Improved Modified, Full), a Browning-branded choke tube wrench, and an owner's manual. The choke tubes are 2.75 inches (69.85 mm) long, made of 4140 steel, and threaded for the full length of the choke seat — a critical detail that prevents carbon locking during high-volume shooting. The factory packaging includes a plastic hard case with foam inserts cut specifically for the left-hand configuration; it is not a Pelican-grade sealed case, but it provides adequate protection for transport to the range or club.
Is the Browning Citori CX worth it at $2,301.99?
At $2,301.99, the Browning Citori CX 12/32 LH is worth the investment for a left-handed shooter committed to competitive clay target shooting or high-volume practice. You are paying for a forged and machined action with demonstrable longevity, precise left-handed ergonomics from the factory, and the Browning name's resale value — this gun will retain 65-75% of its value after five years of responsible use. For a shooter who will put fewer than 500 shells annually through a gun, the value proposition weakens considerably; the performance gains over a $900-$1,200 Turkish or import over/under won't justify the cost. This is a tool for serious, repetitive work.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- Forged steel monoblock and hinge action — rated for 100,000+ round service life, 3x longer than investment-cast actions
- Factory left-hand configuration — provides proper cast, toe-out, and checkering orientation unavailable on right-handed models
- Weight of 8 lb 9 oz (3.88 kg) with balance at the hinge pin — reduces felt recoil by approximately 15% compared to muzzle-heavy field guns
- Includes five Invector-DS extended choke tubes (C, IC, M, IM, F) — a $175 value if purchased separately
Trade-offs
- Left-hand specific parts — replacement ejectors, stocks, or safeties require direct order from Browning, adding 7-10 day lead time
- Weight and length — at 8 lb 9 oz and 48.5 inches overall, it is cumbersome for upland hunting or quick maneuvering in blinds
- Plastic hard case — provides basic protection but lacks the waterproof seals and pressure relief valves of a Pelican 1750 (add $250-$300)
- No adjustable comb or buttplate from factory — precision fit modifications require a certified gunsmith, adding $400-$600
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 023614869122 |
| manufacturer | Browning |
| manufacturer part number | 018423302 |
| action | Break Open |
| barrel length | 32" |
| caliber/gauge | 12 Gauge |
| capacity | 2 |
| chokes included | Full/Improved Cylinder/Modified |
| sights | Ivory Bead Front/Mid-Bead |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard right-handed Browning Citori parts?
- No, the left-handed ejectors, stock, and safety mechanism are mirror-image parts not directly interchangeable with right-handed models. Ordering replacement parts requires specifying the exact left-hand model number through Browning's parts department; standard turnaround is 7-10 business days for in-stock items.
- Does it fit in a standard 52-inch shotgun case?
- Yes, with the barrels separated from the action. The 32-inch barrel set measures 32.5 inches (825.5 mm) from the breech face to the muzzle end, and the stock is 14.75 inches (374.65 mm) long. In a breakdown configuration, the longest component is the barrel set, allowing it to fit securely in any case designed for hunting shotguns up to 34 inches.
- How long does shipping take to an FFL?
- Shipping from our warehouse to your selected FFL dealer typically takes 3-5 business days for in-stock items, provided your FFL's license is already on file with us. If we need to request a copy, add 1-2 business days for verification. All firearms shipments require adult signature confirmation upon delivery.
- Can I return it if the fit isn't right?
- No, all firearm sales are final once the transfer is completed at your FFL, in compliance with ATF regulations and our policy to prevent straw purchases. We strongly recommend handling a similar model at a local dealer or using detailed dimension sheets to confirm fit before ordering. If there is a verifiable manufacturer defect, contact Browning directly for warranty service, which has a 48-hour initial response time.
- Does this work with a standard Browning Citori hard case?
- Yes, it works with Browning's standard 52-inch takedown hard case (Model #005012209), but you must specify you need the left-handed foam insert (Part #005012210LH). The right-handed foam insert will not properly secure the reversed stock, allowing movement during transport that can damage the finish.
- What is the chamber length?
- The chamber is 3 inches (76.2 mm), allowing it to fire 2.75-inch and 3-inch 12-gauge shells without modification. The forcing cones are lengthened to 2.75 inches (69.85 mm) to reduce recoil and improve pattern consistency, a feature specific to the CX competition series.