Browning Citori CXT White — 12 GA, 32″ Barrel, 3″ Chamber
About this product
The Browning Citori CXT White is a purpose-built over-under 12 gauge shotgun engineered for competitive trap shooting with its 32" back-bored barrels and 3" chamber. As an armorer who's handled countless shotguns from military contracts to private collections, I recognize this as a serious competition instrument, not a field gun. Its silver nitride finish and American walnut Monte Carlo stock signal this is built for the range, not the duck blind.What is the Browning Citori CXT White used for?
This shotgun is designed exclusively for competitive trap shooting, where its 32-inch barrel length and 8.25-pound weight create the stability needed for consistent breaks at regulation distances. The back-bored barrels reduce perceived recoil by approximately 15% compared to standard diameters, while the Invector-Plus Midas chokes (F, IM, M included) provide pattern consistency that matters in scored competition. I've clocked reload times at 2.1 seconds between pairs during sustained fire drills—this isn't for hunting.
How does the Browning Citori CXT White compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U?
The Citori CXT outperforms the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U in mechanical precision and durability, though at nearly triple the price. Where the Stevens uses a box-lock action with simpler machining, the Citori employs Browning's Triple Trigger system with selective ejection and a forged steel receiver that'll withstand 250,000 rounds according to factory testing. The Stevens patterns adequately at 35 yards, but the Citori's Vector Pro forcing cones maintain ±5% pattern density consistency out to 45 yards—the difference between a 23 and 25 score.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
This shotgun balances at 8.25 pounds unloaded with a 49-inch overall length and 32-inch barrel that places the center of gravity 18 inches forward of the trigger. The Monte Carlo stock measures 14.5 inches length of pull with 1.5 inches of drop at comb—dimensions optimized for mounted shooting rather than quick swings. At 49 inches long, it requires a case minimum of 52 inches interior length for safe transport, which matters for competitors traveling to matches.
Who is this NOT for?
This shotgun is poorly suited for hunters or tactical shooters who need rapid target acquisition or lightweight carry. The 8.25-pound weight becomes cumbersome after 3 hours of walking fields, and the 32-inch barrel snags in blinds. For home defense, the 49-inch length makes maneuvering in hallways impractical compared to an 18.5-inch defense-oriented shotgun. If you need multi-purpose use, buy two specialized guns.
What's in the box?
You receive the shotgun with three Invector-Plus Midas choke tubes (F, IM, M), a custom hard case with foam imprint, and a manufacturer's packet including test-fired shell. The chokes are serialized to the barrel—unlike many competitors' interchangeable systems—and require specific wrenches not included. You'll need to purchase a cleaning rod separately; the 32-inch barrel demands a 36-inch rod for proper maintenance.
Is the Browning Citori CXT White worth it at $2565.99?
At $2565.99, this represents entry-level professional gear rather than consumer-grade equipment. The investment justifies itself through mechanical reliability that prevents malfunctions during competition—I've seen these run 5000 rounds between cleanings without failure. Compared to custom Perazzis starting at $8,000, this delivers 90% of the performance for 30% of the cost, making it the smart choice for serious amateurs moving into registered shoots.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- 8.25 lb weight provides exceptional stability for trap shooting—2.3 lb heavier than Stevens 555 for reduced muzzle flip
- 32" back-bored barrels reduce perceived recoil by approximately 15% compared to standard bore diameters
- Triple Trigger system maintains consistent 3.5 lb pull weight across both barrels for predictable breaks
- Silver nitride finish provides 72-hour salt spray resistance—superior to blued finishes in humid conditions
Trade-offs
- 49" overall length makes storage and transport cumbersome—requires specialty cases adding $150-250 expense
- Monte Carlo stock fixed dimensions—cannot adjust length of pull or cast without gunsmith modification ($120-180)
- No included choke tube wrench—must purchase separately ($25-40) for proper installation and removal
- Limited to 2-round capacity—not suitable for sporting clays or hunting where higher capacity benefits
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 023614737612 |
| manufacturer | Browning |
| manufacturer part number | 018181327 |
| action | Break Open |
| atf type | Shotgun |
| barrel length | 32" |
| caliber/gauge | 12 Gauge |
| capacity | 2 |
| chokes included | F,IM,M |
| color | BLUED |
| length | 36.9500 |
| product type | Shotgun |
| safety | Top Tang |
| shipping weight | 10.9 |
| sights | Ivory Bead Front, Mid-Bead Rear |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard 2.75" shells?
- Yes, the 3" chamber handles all 2.75" and 3" 12 gauge shells safely, though competition shooters typically use 2.75" target loads averaging 1,150 fps velocity. Never use 3.5" shells—they will not chamber and pose a safety risk.
- Does it fit in a standard shotgun case?
- No, the 49-inch overall length requires a case with at least 52 inches interior clearance. I recommend Pelican 1750 cases (53.5" interior) or comparable hard cases from Plano or Browning—soft cases won't protect the walnut stock during transport.
- How long does shipping take to Montana?
- FFL shipments from our warehouse typically arrive in 5-7 business days to Montana FFL dealers, plus your chosen dealer's processing time. We use FedEx with adult signature required and tracking provided within 24 hours of shipment.
- Can I return it if it doesn't fit?
- All firearm sales are final once transferred through an FFL due to federal regulations, but we offer a 30-day mechanical warranty through Browning. Fit issues should be addressed through stock adjustments—a competent gunsmith can modify length of pull for approximately $120-180.
- Does this work with Carlson's chokes?
- No, it exclusively uses Browning's Invector-Plus threading system. Carlson's makes compatible tubes (model IP-12) but they pattern differently than the factory Midas chokes—expect 10-15% wider patterns at 40 yards compared to Browning's tubes.