browning citori 12 ga invector

[rockquarry]

Anyone know anything about the "invector" choke system and whether these guns are desirable? I've had one in 12 ga. for almost forty years; been fired very little. It may go in with a number of other guns I want to dispose of. I have no idea of value, but seems it was about $500-$600 new.

 

[browningcollector]

They are worth more today. First came the invector chokes in the 1980’s then all gauges except 16 went to a longer choke, invector plus sometime in the 90’s I believe.

Most people want the invector plus, of course but if yours is in good condition it should bring close to $1000. Shorter barrels more desirable for hunting and the longer ones for trap and sporting clays. I have a 1988 lightning model in 16 gauge and will never sell it

Kelly

 

[rockquarry]

They are worth more today. First came the invector chokes in the 1980’s then all gauges except 16 went to a longer choke, invector plus sometime in the 90’s I believe.

Most people want the invector plus, of course but if yours is in good condition it should bring close to $1000. Shorter barrels more desirable for hunting and the longer ones for trap and sporting clays. I have a 1988 lightning model in 16 gauge and will never sell it

Kelly

Thank you for the response and information. Surprisingly, at least to me, there is a scarcity of these on Gunbroker completed auctions, the first place I generally look to get a rough idea on prices. I also bought a 20 ga. Citori Invector about the same time, but I may keep that one.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Solid brand over under shotguns generally appreciate faster than other "non-hot" guns. With Browningcollector, I would expect to pay well over $1,000 for a good Citori. Most people don't sell their quality over under shotguns. I would regret selling mine.

 

[burneyr]

I had an Invector equipped Citori Superlight I gave to my nephew. Only shotgun I wish I had held on to. Pricing advice mentioned seems solid.

 

[cmansguns]

Much more around here...IF you can find one!

Around here (central coastal Virginia) the Citori is like hens teeth. When you see them for sale they are $1400 (older fixed chokes) to $2200-$2500 with the Invector/Invector Plus.

I've been on the lookout for one in 12 ga, but even at the higher prices, it seems the guns were sold (maybe by heirs or estate liquidation) and the guns are nice BUT missing the spare trigger and chokes that they came with!

Makes it worse than a fine S&W without box, docs or tools. Unfortunately, being Browning Citoris, I haven't been able to wangle any drop in price for the missing spare trigger and chokes.

Pic below is what I think the spare boxed items should look like, but not many around here can recall. One of my friends has a 12 ga Citori Superposed that was really big bucks when he bought it around 2010 or so and it came with the spare stuff.

Maybe you Browning Citori owners can chime in on this...it may help my search too.

For the OP....again...my opinion is that yours is worth more than $1,000.....pics would help...but I'm saying $1500 - $2000 in the condition you noted.

 

[Krogen]

Probably not an apples-apples comparison, and admittedly I'm a newbie O/U shotgunner. I had SxS and pumps, but this is the first O/U.

I just bought a lightly used Browning XT for $2100. I understand the XT is a Citori but set up for trap. It came with Briley chokes, the originals were nowhere to be seen. No extra triggers either. It does have an adjustable comb and an aftermarket Gracoil adjustable recoil reducer/buttplate.

At $2100 for the XT I think I did all right. I'm surprised that a stock-standard Citori could go that high. But, what do I know????

 

[M29since14]

A lot will depend on your particular gun. For example, some of the early versions had no engraving on the receiver, and that, along with barrel length, will make a difference to individual buyers. The Invector choke system may be an older system, but I always thought it worked fine. I would not really discount it in a hunting shotgun, if lead will be used. I don’t know enough about steel shotshells to comment on that matter. I’d just say if your shotgun is in nice shape, and it sounds like it must be, $1000 certainly seems on the light side, to me. Depending on the model, vintage, and barrel length, I’d guess $1000 at the bottom end and upwards from there, possibly by as much as $500, or even a bit more.

 

[Narragansett]

Well, as far as being desirable, I guess they have some following. I put them in a class with SKB, and Weatherby Athena/Orion. Box lock Japanese guns.

As for experience with them, I have fired 2. One was brand new, bought by a friend and walked to the trap line. 3 class A and AA shooters could not break more than 10 targets.

We did a point of aim test on it, and it shot left and low by about a foot. Dealer took it back and sent it back.

Shot a few rounds from another one. Did not like it. Forearm does not feel right. Both guns had lousy triggers for comp guns.

I do like older beavertail forend BT99's. The ones made in Belgium, but the triggers are still not great.

Another thing is that if Browning suspects any modifications they will not work on the gun, or they will return it to original specs.

Humph, guess I am not all that fond of Brownings.

The Belgium rifles and pistols are nice

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

If you look on the bottom of the receiver, where the barrel lugs come through, it may say which Citori model it is. and the shape of the wrist or pistol grip are all important factors in pricing. If a "325" or "425" those are Sporting Clays guns. Some early 325's have one fixed choke and one screw in. That seems odd and a detriment; WRONG! For older Clays guns those are the highest sought after!! Most 325's went to England, some to France and very few to the USA. Current numbering is 725!

Lightning is a highly desirable hunting gun but is usually 8 ounces heavier, A Superlight is very light, straight stock and 24" barrel, They look cool but are hard to hit with and kick a little extra! Then there is the Upland Special (I have 2!) 26", English stock and very sleek! Mine are older fixed choke models and in 20 and 28 gauge (Grade VI). These are just about the ultimate in O/U bird guns. But I wouldn't want one in 12 gauge. The screw in chokes require a certain diameter and these sleek guns have to have the barrels flared to accommodate the tubes, thereby ruining the fine lines and maybe balance. (still not near as good as a small frame Parker or Smith SxS! But at a fraction of the price!)

Any "Blue Book of Modern Gun Values" will help you figure out the exact model, but is worthless establishing fair market value!

My remaining 12 gauge Citori is a 30" 425. A previous owner used it for waterfowl hunting in salt marshes! It has a tendency to rust in the cut engraving. Otherwise, great gun! My 20 gauge 425 is 28" and is considered a little short for Sporting Clays and long for Skeet, balderdash! It is the most balanced and lively Citori I own! (I also have two Superpose from Belgium, there is NO comparison!)

I'm sure this is more than you ever wanted to know, but I hope it helps.

Ivan

 

[rockquarry]

If you look on the bottom of the receiver, where the barrel lugs come through, it may say which Citori model it is. and the shape of the wrist or pistol grip are all important factors in pricing. If a "325" or "425" those are Sporting Clays guns. Some early 325's have one fixed choke and one screw in. That seems odd and a detriment; WRONG! For older Clays guns those are the highest sought after!! Most 325's went to England, some to France and very few to the USA. Current numbering is 725!

Lightning is a highly desirable hunting gun but is usually 8 ounces heavier, A Superlight is very light, straight stock and 24" barrel, They look cool but are hard to hit with and kick a little extra! Then there is the Upland Special (I have 2!) 26", English stock and very sleek! Mine are older fixed choke models and in 20 and 28 gauge (Grade VI). These are just about the ultimate in O/U bird guns. But I wouldn't want one in 12 gauge. The screw in chokes require a certain diameter and these sleek guns have to have the barrels flared to accommodate the tubes, thereby ruining the fine lines and maybe balance. (still not near as good as a small frame Parker or Smith SxS! But at a fraction of the price!)

Any "Blue Book of Modern Gun Values" will help you figure out the exact model, but is worthless establishing fair market value!

My remaining 12 gauge Citori is a 30" 425. A previous owner used it for waterfowl hunting in salt marshes! It has a tendency to rust in the cut engraving. Otherwise, great gun! My 20 gauge 425 is 28" and is considered a little short for Sporting Clays and long for Skeet, balderdash! It is the most balanced and lively Citori I own! (I also have two Superpose from Belgium, there is NO comparison!)

I'm sure this is more than you ever wanted to know, but I hope it helps.

Ivan

No, I welcome any information as I know little about these guns. Thank you-

 

[DWalt]

I have a fairly nice and unmolested Citori Superlight 12 gauge, 2-3/4", mid-1980s, with plain invector tubes, about six of them. It has never been taken hunting, used only for Skeet and a little trap. A very sweet shotgun which fits me well. I have not used it much for the past 15 years, and thoughts about selling keep creeping into my mind. Not long ago I did some pricing research and decided a comfortable asking price today would be in the neighborhood of around $1500-1800 but I would probably accept a range of couple hundred less. One problem in selling shotguns today is that many want at least 28" barrels, and will not even consider buying shorter lengths. I do not know why, but it is a fact of life. And mine has 26 inchers.

 

[rockquarry]

I have a fairly nice and unmolested Citori Superlight 12 gauge, 2-3/4", mid-1980s, with plain invector tubes, about six of them. It has never been taken hunting, used only for Skeet and a little trap. A very sweet shotgun which fits me well. I have not used it much for the past 15 years, and thoughts about selling keep creeping into my mind. Not long ago I did some pricing research and decided a comfortable asking price today would be in the neighborhood of around $1500-1800 but I would probably accept a range of couple hundred less. One problem in selling shotguns today is that many want at least 28" barrels, and will not even consider buying shorter lengths. I do not know why, but it is a fact of life. And mine has 24 inchers.

I was unaware of the longer barrels being more desirable. My Citori has 26" barrels, plenty long enough for someone like me who is not a shotgunner.

 

[H Richard]

I have a Citori Special Sporting Clays, 12ga. I bought about 19 years ago, and it has the Invector Plus choke tubes. It did come with three different triggers which could be swapped for personal preference. I also have a Citori 20 Ga with Invector Plus tubes. It would take at least above the $2000 range to even start a discussion of selling these.

 

[DWalt]

I was unaware of the longer barrels being more desirable. My Citori has 26" barrels, plenty long enough for someone like me who is not a shotgunner.

It is true nonetheless. I have always preferred shorter barrels, many I know believe the longer, the better. But I seldom shoot any shotgun these days, aside from occasional hand-thrown clay targets with the grandkids. 6 Things You Need to Know About Shotgun Barrel Length | Field & Stream.

 

[Nevada Ed]

The modern choke system makes any threaded shotgun work at any range
with a pattern that the shooter, is happy with.
From Cylinder to a extra full, Turkey choke, tou can have the pellet count,
just right for any yardage.

Just make sure that the choke Dia. is correct and the proper length, for your shotgun.

 

[rockquarry]

The modern choke system makes any threaded shotgun work at any range
with a pattern that the shooter, is happy with.
From Cylinder to a extra full, Turkey choke, tou can have the pellet count,
just right for any yardage.

Just make sure that the choke Dia. is correct and the proper length, for your shotgun.

Thank you for that advice; I wasn't aware that chokes nowadays were so versatile.

While on that subject of chokes tubes ...some years ago, I sent my almost fifty year old 870 barrel to Carlson's for installation of choke tubes. I have never fired the gun since installation and likely won't. Is the Carlson choke tube system a decent setup?

 

[slickracer]

I have a Citori Special Sporting Clays, 12ga. I bought about 19 years ago, and it has the Invector Plus choke tubes. It did come with three different triggers which could be swapped for personal preference. I also have a Citori 20 Ga with Invector Plus tubes. It would take at least above the $2000 range to even start a discussion of selling these.

I was thinking the same thing about my 30” gold letter GTI with Invector Plus chokes. Have to be in the $2,000 range to even consider letting it go.

 

[Birdhunter6]

I have 4 Citoris. 3 with Invector chokes and 1 with Invector+. None of them will be for sale in my lifetime.

I consider them priceless. I bought them all used from $900 to $1000, but those prices are 10 years out of date. I would consider $1000 low these days.

 

[IAM Rand]

I got my Citori from my father. I love it. If you want to sell yours for $500 I'll take it.