Beretta 686 Siver Pigeon vs Browning Citori Hunter | Shotgun Showdown

[@4492573]

If the trigger is gold, the bird will fold. Thanks Steve

[@davecervo]

These are the videos that USA/Canada have been missing!! Love the over under stuff lately. 🎯

[@TargetFocusedLife]

Glad you like them! More to come 👊 Stay Target 🎯Focused (Hebrews 12:1-3)

[@redeyetrucker520]

The Silver Pigeon 20 fits me perfectly and it is the only gun that I've ever shot 25/25 with. To me it's my overall favorite shot gun and I have many. As far as the safety goes I have never had an issue in the field or at the range.

[@JamesMargolis79]

Best shotgun reviewing out there! I'm picking up the Silver in 20 gauge today. I have the 690 Field 3 12 gauge and absolutely love it. Really looking forward to a 20 for quail, dove and rabbit. Thank you for all the hard work!!!

[@floridaaboy]

Just bought a Silver Pigeon this week, it does not have the automatic safety and I love it. Only put 100 rounds through it so far but look forward to many years with this gun.

[@ZackHughes]

Nice. So not all of the Silver Pigeons have the auto safety.

[@floridaaboy]

@Zack Hughes There is a sporting and a field model. The sporting does not have the auto safety , you will need to look at the specs on both guns to see what the differences are other than that. I'm assuming the field is probably lighter and has a different barrel length

[@colt10mmsecurity68]

⁠@@floridaaboyThe field model has a slightly smaller stock for quickly coming on target when flushing birds, whereas the sporting model has a stock that’s slightly larger or “fatter” all around for added weight. Any clay shooters prefer a little heavier gun p, hoping it absorbs more recoil. The field version is lighter for all-day carrying while hunting. The Sporting model has a manual safety, while the field has an auto-safety. The field model comes in all barrel lengths as the sporting, plus a short upland barrel of 26”. Whereas the sporting models does not offer a 26” barrel. The auto safety can be disconnected internally by removing the stock. It’s a 3 minute procedure. Easy.

[@ronblackburn3683]

I have both guns in twenty gauge: a Browning Citori skeet model with a high vent rib, 26” barrels and beaver tail forearm which is great for quick shots at quail and grouse in brushy woods;a Beretta 686 field gun with 30” barrels works in the wide open prairies where longer shots and a steady swing and site plane. I don’t notice the safety switch issues because like you I only take the safety off when mounting the gun and looking at the bird (adrenaline helps). I shoot both well and believe both are great field guns!

[@TargetFocusedLife]

Thank you for sharing your experience with these gun, much appreciated 👊 Stay Target 🎯Focused (Hebrews 12:1-3)

[@WILSON.1]

Can you explain Hebrew 12-1 3 to me? Thanks!

[@jebsoj]

I think a better comparison would be between the Silver Pigeon and the Citori 725. The 725 has a slimmed down receiver, engraving, and I think is a better contemporary of the Silver Pigeon than the traditional Citori is.

[@rockwilderness1232]

I shot a silver pigeon for competitive trap during college. After about 500 rounds the safety got easier to release. Really annoyed me in the beginning.

[@michaelbusch3809]

I had the same experience as RockWilderness, but I did shoot competitively.

[@ryanallen2887]

I agree it gets better with use, however my well broken in 686 still isn’t as nice as a Browning new out of the box. Obviously it doesn’t annoy me that much as I haven’t bothered to do anything about it. You can train around the quirks of most things.

[@johnnichols7324]

Love your reviews Steve! Pulled the trigger on the 686 SPIII after watching your videos-really appreciate the thorough content!

[@thebigguy5538]

Can’t go wrong with either o/u. Pick what fits; for me, it’s the Citori! 😃

[@dougbever8733]

I’ve shot the Beretta 686 Onyx Pro Field for about 6yrs and I don’t even think about the safety anymore. I had a fellow offer to modify the auto reset feature, but shoot a lot of skeet so I’d rather err on the side of being extra safe. But again, it’s very much like driving a manual transmission, shifting becomes muscle memory; and for me, it’s the same sliding my safety forward. Sadly I’ve never hunted duck, but I have done several dove hunts & I don’t think safety ever cost me a bird. I enjoy your videos, and I will follow you on Community as well !

[@jeffreylocke8808]

My Browning Feather 725 12 gauge weighs just 6 pounds 7 ounces with a 26 inch long pair of barrels.

[@kevinyoung1447]

Just buy the Sporting model and the safety stays wherever you put it. I love my 686 Sporting 1 in 12 guage but I’m also a Beretta shotgun lover! Thank you for the content Steve!

[@shervinghannadian9651]

The sporting model is still fine for the field ya? Or a big difference?

[@muhammedmustafasanl5197]

​@@shervinghannadian9651 the buttstock is a little bit different but everything's about preferences on that matter

[@rockrat440]

Love your videos! Keep them coming! I have a Beretta 685, which was made in the early 1980s - was my fathers. It is virtually identical to the 686, I think they came out about the same time. They did not make the 685 very long. A shame, really. They share most of the same parts. The 685 is a bit plainer than the 686 and it does not eject, the extractors simply lift the spent shells. Anyway - I LOVE this shotgun - still runs great after about 40 years. Mine is 12 gauge and extremely light - yet the recoil is very mild. The safety is smooth and easy to disengage, but it is, after all, about 40 years old. I was very curious after your video, so I went to my local Bass Pro Shop. They had one Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon in .410 gauge. Being brand new, the action was VERY stiff! I did several mounts disengaging the safety. While slightly stiffer than my 685, it was not hard at all to disengage while mounting the gun. You appear to be a strapping young lad, and I am an arthritic old man, so I am guessing your hand strength is probably not the issue ;-). I think you managed to get a copy with an unusually stiff safety, which you perhaps could swap for a different copy, or a qualified gunsmith should be able to lighten that up for you. I have never shot the Browning, and I am sure it is a fine gun. I feel confident my 685 will still be busting clays and dropping birds long after I have left this earth though - I will never need anything else. Thanks again! Scott

[@davidbuck5864]

I have that same 20g Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon and quite like it. The thin 'Steelium' barrels get very hot when shooting sporting clays, so a glove for the left hand is a good idea. I have the sporting model without the automatic safety. Even in the field version, the auto safety can be disabled by any shade tree gunsmith.

[@georgehummingbird6702]

I have the Pigeon and had the auto safety removed. Dearly love it. My buddy has the Browning and he loves it. Bottom line is that you cannot go wrong with either.

[@dave_724]

it’s very easy to take the auto sear out of a beretta my choice would be a 30 inch in sporting configuration as the comb height is a little higher you’ll generally find berettas very stiff when new the wood on the new silver pigeons could do with being finished properly browning in my opinion are always finished better at the same price point but there not for me.

[@ja0298]

I picked up a silver pigeon field in 12 gauge with 28” barrels this week. Total impulse buy, saw it on the used rack for 1600 and it was a done deal. Came with the case, the 5 factory chokes, two muller hunting chokes, and a factory extended IM choke. Gonna look good next to my 15 year old 3901. I used to shoot skeet with a collegiate club that was right down the road from the gun store I worked at. My manager would let me borrow his 682 or 686 and coach me so on meets I could actually do a little better. All his had manual safeties vs the automatic safety’s of the field guns. I plan on sending mine out to Coles to have the conversion done.

[@sdriza]

Dang.... wish I could find a deal like that

[@neoturfmasterMVS]

@@sdriza Picked up a Beretta Silver Pigeon I Field Model myself in 12 gauge with 28" used for $1750. You find them once in awhile.

[@mikechapman624]

I have a had a Browning Centori Grand 16 gauge grade II 28” barrel for about five years and love it! As a right hander what I love is the built in palm cast which you didn’t mention. The 16 gauge is ideal for upland hunting… five chokes… many a pheasant with first shot only

[@waynejenkins6259]

I own a 686 and a 687. Out of the box, the safety on the 686 was real stiff. After an afternoon in the dove field, my thumb felt like I had been rubbing it on a cheese grater. After 500 rounds it smoothed out considerably. The automatic safety has messed me up while shooting clays quite a few times. I don’t own a Citori, but do have a Browning Cynergy. The Browning safety is definitely smoother and less troublesome on the range. I shoot both of them equally as well, but if I could only have one, I would have to go with the Beretta. Good objective review.

[@trevorhodgson8844]

I have had 686 23 yrs auto safe love it no issues when fast mounting on pidgeons ect love it

[@Viper50261]

Safety usually loosens up on 686 after a season on pheasants. Leather gloves when shooting pheasants provides good grip on the safety. 686 action probably is the most reliable actions in the world and is built to be rebuilt when the action gets loose (if ever). Body fit is extremely important on an O/U, so prettiness aside, pick which one fits you best.

[@TargetFocusedLife]

Solid feedback 👊 Stay Target 🎯Focused (Hebrews 12:1-3)

[@nathanlozier1817]

Safety definitely gets smoother on the Beretta with use. Also the auto safety feature is removable.

[@ronwilson3414]

I own 3 of the silver pigeon 20,28,410. Safety was a little stiff but work smooth after a a 100 round of clays. To me beretta just shoot more where I’m looking than the browning

[@culverinefirearms9453]

I agree with your assessment. The look and feel is better with the Beretta, However the Browning lightning is more pleasing to me than either. Being old, the weight plays a larger factor than when I was young. So again the Beretta. Browning has a far better customer service department if that is needed. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer. I have both and like them both. I do reach for the Beretta more often than the Browning.

[@skeet25s]

I have both. You're right about that safety....real pain the ***. Since shooting my silver pigeon, my browning hasn't seen the light of day. Some friends say the opposite, but I like the Beretta.

[@mitchd949]

30 minutes of my time and the auto safety was eliminated on my 686 sp1 game. I kept the piece removed and stored it in the case, but I bet I never reinstall it.

[@skeet25s]

@@mitchd949 I also did that. I shot two rounds of skeet, went home and took that thing out of there, probably more crudely than you did. I couldn't get that big screw (the one with the locking screw) out. Tight as hell, and didn't want to damage it. I clipped off the auto-safely mechanism at the 90degree part. I bought the new part, just in case somebody wanted it if I ever sell it.

[@clivenewton7609]

Hi Steve! I know I’m late coming to the party but after watching just had to comment! At 70+years I’ve just started shooting shotguns (July 2022!) the 2 guns I now use are Silver Pigeon S and a Browning 325! So I understand the safety issue. When shooting clays the sp was always catching me out and I’ve lost count of how many clays I have missed because of it, of course no problem with the 325!! So for clays I now use the Browning and love it. My shooting here in the U.K. is mostly driven days so the safety is not an issue and of course the sp is such a pretty gun and as you say you just want to shoot it!! Loving the channel and am looking at the Affinity 3 as a move into the world of semi-autos. Kind regards from deepest Dorset England 🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@789295]

You can remove a simple link inside the receiver that also disables the auto safety if you don't like it. The sporting models of the SP does not have the auto safety.

[@Big222Dog]

Excellent review! I have had two 686s in the past. Couldn't miss with the first one, couldn't hit with the second one. Somehow the shoulder fit alluded me.

[@buckshotaaa]

If the stiff safety is the only let down with the 686, 10 minutes with a file/stone will sort it. Great comparison Steve.👍

[@TargetFocusedLife]

Very true 👊 Stay Target 🎯Focused (Hebrews 12:1-3)

[@christopher3725]

Yes very sticky when I bought it new. Libe it up shot a 100 rounds and works fine. Still a little hard to move . Sporting models do not have auto safety lock. Field models do.

[@mchughcb]

for some reason my silver pigeon 20g safety was much stiffer than my 12g. few hundred rounds and some oil has loosened it a bit. Today I held the faba Elos 20g. that is nice too.

[@hewesjockey]

I've had a Beretta 20/28 Ga 687 EL Gold Pigeon for over 30 years. When first purchased it did have a hard safety let off. Had a gunsmith do a little work on it and it's been very sweet since. The +s over the Citori overshadows the harder safety issue.

[@tylersorensen9597]

I have a silver pigeon and have heard your issue about the safety in other videos and while mine is a little stiff i have never thought about it in the field or shooting clays. I’ve never missed a shot as a result of the safety. Makes me wonder if yours has an issue.

[@terryhodgson2357]

I just went through this very choice: Browning Citori Hunter vs Beretta 686. I agree with all of your points. The Beretta felt like the better handling gun, but only very slightly so. The Browning had the better trigger. In the end, the auto safety decided it. I went with the Browning.

[@clarksmith9890]

I think the Beretta evolves as you shoot it. A new one is night and day difference stiffer all the way around. Guessing tolerances on everything are tighter possibly? They seem to get better with use.

[@DonPMaroney]

I have used a 686 Sporting for 24 years, and my son (by coincidence, 24 yo) chose a Citori CXS. Both a very nice guns. The Browning has better wood and better finish. But the Beretta has a fair amount of cast; the Browning has none. For this reason I prefer the fit of the Beretta. As you say, the Beretta is also a bit slimmer and lighter weight. The 686 also has chrome lined barrels, while the Browning has chrome chambers. The Beretta is less complex mechanically, and I believe has fewer issues. We mainly use ours for clays, skeet, and trap. Either is a good choice.

[@frankmccarthy2624]

I owned a Citori and a Silver pigeon. I agree the browning seemed to have more felt recoil which makes no sense but it’s true. They were both 20 gauges. The feel was better with the beretta but I had the auto safety disconnected. In the end I didn’t love either one and ended up with a Caesar a Guerini Magnus which I love and have had for 15 years now. Getting up on 60 now I probably would have gone with the Magnus light now but it’s not that big a deal. I bought a floor demo for $2700 - now they’re over $6,000! Yikes. I wouldn’t be affording that now that I’m retired. Both shotguns profiled here though are good guns. I’m short so even the browning had to be cut to 13&3/4 inches…

[@HectorGarcia-pf7ih]

I'm left handed and own a Winchester 101 28in. Field model and 3 Beretta 686, 30in. Sporting, 28in. field, 26in. Field, (win.101 and 26in. 686 are my favorites) When new, 28in. 686 safety was stiff, a couple drops of gun oil and worked on/off a few times did the trick.

[@greenman7126]

I've solved the problem of the auto safety on the silver pigeon, I had a gunsmith convert it to manual and fit a bright fibre optic sight. My eyes aren't as good as they used to be. Its now the perfect field and clay gun.

[@scottwebster8886]

A gunsmith or someone who knows what their doing can disable the auto safety its a very common modificafion for clayshooters

[@mrsmartypants_1]

I have a 686 Silver Pigeon II 12-gauge that is my main field gun for upland bird hunting. Do agree that the safety is a bit stiff but personally I like the idea of the automatic safety. I haven’t found it to be a problem in warmer weather but when I wear gloves at or below about 38° it can be problematic. As I hunt behind good pointers in reality it’s not a problem. It’s rare when I get a completely surprised flush and fight with the safety. In cold weather I click the safety off a few seconds before an imminent flush. Love the gun. Its gorgeous. The finish is beat to hell. I go through a lot of brush and briars chasing birds. I usually shred 2 pairs of briar resistant pants per fall and my gun shows it. I haven’t experienced a single failure with the gun in 15 years of hard use. No parts have been replaced.

[@shervinghannadian9651]

What size barrel? You sound like me but will be hunting with a lab who most likely is more gunna be out there for his exercise 😂

[@mrsmartypants_1]

@@shervinghannadian9651 26” barrels. I was going back and forth between 26” and 28” and decided on 26”.

[@shervinghannadian9651]

@@mrsmartypants_1 thx for getting back to me, I will probably go 28” still can’t decide. Was thinking between that and 30” I’m looking into my first over and under to shoot some clay and birds with probably gunna be a one and done buy at least what I’m trying for as I archery and rifle hunt too

[@mrsmartypants_1]

@@shervinghannadian9651 If you’re also shooting clays I’d recommend 28” minimum. Maybe 30”. It just depends how much weight you want to carry in the field with you after 2 to 4 hours of strenuous walking. If that doesn’t matter to you I’d recommend 30”. I can point better with a longer barrel but I’m an average shot - right handed but left eye dominant. It’s a curse.

[@VinceWatches]

I fully agree with your choice. I have chosen my 687 SPIII for the same reasons. Anyway both guns are great....but the shooter is even better, nice demonstration of your skills !!!!

[@eddieb4227]

I own a browning 725 pro sporting 32" barrels. It was suppose to be a pro sport. It shoots well. Of course I made it fit me. I shoot sporting clays, 5 stand, trap, continental, and meat shoots. It's a bit much for sporting clays. It took a while to get use to it. The sight picture finally came in for me. Really started loving this gun. One of my friends have a 686 silver pigeon. It fit me right out of the box. Sight picture felt natural. It swings perfectly. The safty is difficult to get use to but it is easily modified.Hit 23 clays the first time out. It would work great in all but the meat shoot. It costs $2000 less than my browning. Might buy the silver pigeon from him for the faster shooting. Should be great for dove, pigeon, grouse. By so is my barretta AL2.

[@christopher3725]

Browning citori 725.....second shot jam every 50 shots. Browning is junk. Sold it bought a barretta

[@eddieb4227]

@@christopher3725 must be something wrong with the spring or firing pin. I hardly ever clean mine and no issues at all. About a 1/3 of the guns at our club are browning and most are the 725. They are great guns, just not the exact model I thought it was too be. But lots of other shot guns are great also.

[@christopher3725]

@@eddieb4227 exactly... I have friends that have had Browings for 20-30 years no problem. That's why I bought one. I think the new one are just rebranded Winchester. New Browning's are junk. Relying on the name in the past. Browning rep said the would have it shipped to them to inspect. But on a brand new gun? Very angry

[@allannantes8583]

Are the other 2/3 Beretta?

[@eddieb4227]

@@allannantes8583 no where close. There are a number of barrettas from over understand, pump, a lot of autos all function great. There are Kohler, parratzzi, remingtons, krieghoff, etc,etc. But there a lot more brownings showing up. I would say 50% now. One of the issues is not letting up on the trigger to allow it to reset for the second shot. I did it twice at upper Nisqually gun club this weekend at a sporting clays shoot.

[@colt10mmsecurity68]

I have both the 525 and the nicer finished 687. The Beretta edges over the Browning for the win with my choice if I could only choose one. The auto safety is NOT an issue with mine. For hunting, an auto safety is a benefit, especially when in the field with dogs, other hunters closely nearby and lightning fast wing shooting action in every wild direction. Especially where I hunt dove every year on private land. The birds turn out like swarms of locusts and becomes some b@LLS out crazy action!

[@broot1375]

I think the safety on that silver pigeon will probably wear in perfectly after about 500 actuations and a few drops of oil. If the browning is already that easy to actuate...it will probably be too loose after its broken in properly. Just my 2 cents I dont actually have either firearm....but im strongly considering the beretta SP sporting

[@jeffwatson8862]

I've had the 12ga version since 2014. Well over 25 thousand rounds in sporting clays. Replaced the pins once. Can't bring myself to buy something better errrr more expensive. I've shot quite few others as well. 725, Ceaser, Zoli, K80, xcell 400. DT11. Very nice guns for sure.

[@chriskoort5717]

Which gun do you have?

[@jeffwatson8862]

@@chriskoort5717 white satin hunter.

[@jeffcalvin5516]

Several years ago, picked up a saweet SP2 in 12 ga/28". Although it needs slightly tweaked to fit me in a perfect sense, it handles and shoots like 'butta'. The looks and craftsmanship are unmatched as well. My safety is just fine and operates as it should. Finally, it is so well balanced/swings so nicely that the end result is the clays get pulverized!

[@CDNFF82]

I have owned both of these shotguns, 686 SP I and Browning Citori Hunter grade 1. Both were in 20g with 28" barrels. I stuck with the 686 SP I simply because the LOP is 14 3/4" and I am 6'1" tall. I can already tell by watching you shoulder both guns that you would shoot the 686 SP much better than the Browning. That and the more drop on the Browning are simply the two biggest factors when deciding between these two shotguns. They shoulder VERY differently so make sure you shoulder them both if considering to buy one.

[@patrickperkins6280]

Love the videos!! If you get a chance could you do a video on the grisan mc312. They say it’s supposed to be the benelli m2 clone

[@kollikost]

As always the video is perfect. I like the beretta more. It will be my next gun. Now i'm shooting a very light french verney carron o/u and i would like something a little more heavier. The problem is that it is very expensive and i'll have to wait for a long time.

[@Scooter-dm3qo]

The safeties on every new Beretta (3) I have purchased has consistently been oversprung. The solution is very simple and takes about 5 minutes total. Remove the stock and take some bend out of the leaf spring for the detent with some fine tip needle nose pliers. Note, you want to do this in stages so you don't go too far. IIRC what works is to bring the end of the spring down by about the thickness of 2 or 3 dimes stacked together, release it and test the safety for feel. Note, my oldest 686 dates to 2018 and has been fired probably 10,000 to 15,000 times. Currently I shoot Registered Skeet and between 12, & 20 gauge 686's and my 687 SP III in 28/410 I shoot about 10,000-12,000 rounds per year. Every one has a safety that moves as easily as my 1992 vintage Browning Citori.

[@frankpuccio3174]

I have a 686 SP 1 sporting and a 687 SP 5 both in 20 gauge along with a 687 SP 4 in 28 gauge and all the safeties operate flawlessly. The Brownings and Berettas are both excellent. Great videos, keep up the good work.

[@edraymond1304]

I just bought a Silver Pigeon for the reasons you mentioned. I don’t notice the safety issue with mine.

[@TargetFocusedLife]

Thanks for sharing. How are you liking it? 👊 Stay Target 🎯Focused (Hebrews 12:1-3)

[@jakeypoo106]

The safety loosens up after a few hundred rounds on the 686. When mine was brand new she was tight.

[@aaronmcelhinney1436]

My SP686 safety is smooth, but it is an older model. In fact, it was NIB a few years ago, unfired, but I hate that it has fixed full/ mod chokes. What’s the best thing to do for a field gun? Have it bored out to open up the chokes? Buy a new set of barrels? Or send the barrels to Briley for their thin wall choke tubes? I love the way the gun handles and fits me, it’s just those tight chokes that I hate.

[@aluminati9918]

Agree on the stiff Beretta safety. My personal gun is a Franchi with a very smooth safety. Have shot the Beretta SP some times. The ergonomics of the safety is Beretta’s only weak point. I prefer the auto safety though. Choosing between Citori an SP I wold go Beretta for the looks. 😎

[@jdemartini9807]

I have a beretta Perennia and a browning 725 feather, both in 20 ga. I use them for dove and quail. Both have been sent back to the manufacturer for repair. Stuck safety on the beretta. Trigger lockup on the browning. I like the feel of the browning much better than the beretta.

[@davidknisley6462]

On my silver pigeon I had a gunsmith ease up the safety and make it manual. It’s an easy fix and greatly improves the gun.

[@georgebrown7825]

I've got one of each ...love 'em both

[@hyoungsuklim3177]

I have a browning citoi hunter. It has really good auto ejector. I think Beretta has good auto eject too. Both of them are better than another.

[@swampslayer1099]

you can disable the auto safety on those 686s I shot one for a little while and absolutely loved it I did get a high rib over the flat ribed just me tho but I will still get a 686 12 ga with 32 in barrels when I can find one..

[@Badger350]

Great content man! I was handling both guns last night at the store (left handed shooter). I walked out empty handed because I had trouble with the beretta safety and thought the citori forearm was clunky. The cast of the beretta was also dedicated for a right hand shooter, while the citori was neutral cast. The Palm swell of the citori made no difference to me. You might want to touch on the subject of cast for folks that don’t know

[@TargetFocusedLife]

Great points! Thanks for sharing 👊 Stay Target 🎯Focused (Hebrews 12:1-3)

[@alanbush4192]

just order a left hand pigeon

[@richardsveum8452]

Check out the Winchester Select or one of the Franchi's great guns and lower priced as a bonus.

[@patrickbrophy5310]

Shoot both at a pattern board. It’s been my experience that browning barrel regulation is some of the best in the business. Beretta not so much. They have a much looser “acceptable” convergence point. There’s always exceptions, though.

[@TargetFocusedLife]

I have thought about including a pattern shot in the reviews but with so many variables that could get a little messy.

[@BeatRock253]

@Patrick Beretta makes the best barrels in the world.

[@patrickbrophy5310]

@@BeatRock253 they MAY use the best grades of steel, but the barrel convergence is not held to as tight a standard as Japanese Brownings. It’s not just me stating it. Research how miroku regulates barrels.

[@BeatRock253]

@@patrickbrophy5310 not just the steel quality. They have some of the best forcing cones in the world. DT11 shot by champions all over the world. Never see them shooting Brownings. 🤷‍♂️

[@patrickbrophy5310]

@@BeatRock253 you think olympians are shooting the same guns you and I buy? I have no idea why brownings aren’t seen in international competition, but there’s a lot of fine shotguns that aren’t seen on the international competitive circuit. It is ruled by Perazzi and Beretta. Does that mean Krieghoffs, Blasers, merkels, brownings, etc, are subpar? No, it just means they aren’t focused on pursuing that particular market. Krieghoff for instance is much more heavily marketed to American ATA trap shooters. I know at least one USA Olympian shoots a K gun. Beretta deems over/under shotguns for us “regular” users to be “in spec” as long as the barrels are within 6” of each other. To me this is excessive when Browning consistently puts out guns with next to perfect convergence. Beretta obviously can also, if you are a sponsored high profile shooter. I don’t want you to think I’m hating on Beretta because I’m not. I think they make a nice shotgun. I’ve owned a few myself, and am looking hard at an A400 Xcel (I prefer autos, now). Just sharing info that I had gotten regarding what they consider “acceptable” barrel regulation. YMMV. Cheers my friend!👍🏻🇺🇸

[@kevinforsyth3681]

I shoot a citori sporter for clay shooting I love it so much and I also hear you about the fore grip my sporter came with a sharnable fore grip

[@skeeterz.1386]

I have the SP1 12g 30 in barrel, my buddy has the Browning 12g 28in barrel. I love my SP he loves his Browning. I love how my SP points and have no issue with the rib or lack there of. Yes my safety is a touch stiffer than the Browning, but when a bird flushes I've never had an issue pushing the safety up. Two very quality guns, the SP fits my eye a bit better than the browning. Hold both guns and pick the one that feels the best to you and don't look back. Great video, enjoyed it.

[@goory93]

I have a 691 Field, and I gotta agree about the Beretta safety. It is definitely shorter and not as easy as my friend's brownings.

[@rudyelizondo1935]

Agreed, I own 3 of them and they all shoot excellent

[@mikeblast7507]

Kind of an apples-to-oranges comparison with the different length barrels. I'd surmise that the Beretta's longer barrel and length of pull are what's causing the weight discrepancy. I have a silver pigeon 1 field gun and a 725 sporter. Both are excellent guns, though the Baretta has a smoother action, and I never noticed the top lever when mounting it. Frankly, I can't believe the Beretta safety is that big a deal for you. It's a pain for sure, but if you use it with any regularity, you get over it quickly. Overall, I do prefer the Beretta, maybe even over my Ceasar Guerini Summit Sport. Both are fine guns, ultimately it comes down to which feels best to you. Also, the Browning is about 1k more (at least for the 725 sport model I have), but you get nicer wood, as you can see above. I like your videos. I don't always agree with you, but I appreciate your candor. You don't see a lot of that on youtube, where people are often trying to push one item over another, under the guise of objectivity. I don't get that from you at all--keep it up!

[@alanbush4192]

definition of a browning is a gas pipe bolted to a chair leg . Beretta silver pigeon is clean efficient elegance. get the safety changed to manual easy job. I have a 35year old onyx 686 28" multi choke bought from new it never misses a beat best gun ever

[@hammyh1165]

Very easy to take the auto safety out of a Beretta. I find some grips on the 686 a bit skinny depending on model. Shot 682 sporting models for years in the field and at clays , great guns . Had a 686 Onyx black but it just didn't fit me.

[@jasonstone5987]

I have a 686 silver pigeon. No issue with the safety. It is a great gun.

[@ShaunPaget]

I took the sears out of my ejectors and disconnected the link for the auto safety. It's now the perfect gun. No more bending over to pick up hauls and forgetting to turn off the tang safety.

[@robertdearman4449]

I’ve owned a 686 for a couple of years and I’ve shot a ton of clays and used it for upland hunting over two seasons. With that being said, I’ve never had an issue with manipulation of the safety.

[@TargetFocusedLife]

Thanks for sharing your experience 👊 Stay Target 🎯Focused (Hebrews 12:1-3)

[@devinheidt4278]

I have had two citori's and am switching to a Beretta. The reason being is that in colder climates like Sask Canada where I live the inertia trigger system of the Citori will/has failed and the 2nd barrel will not fire. In warm weather not an issue, but important for hunters to know this. Happened in both of mine, and also a friend.

[@christopher3725]

Same with mine. Just bought a 686. Very angry about the money I spent on mt 725 that won't shoot the second shot every 40-50 ,,rounds. Now I hate Browing's

[@Tzimis1111]

I own a browning gran lightning that has mechanical triggers. I also own a 686 sp1 and the triggers are inertia. So I'm not sure if you will be that pleased. I find that even in warm weather the gun gives me issues with firing the second round after about 125 rounds through it. I tore it down for a deep cleaning and seems to have solved the issue. So keep inertia guns super clean and oiled. Both manufacturers sell mechanical trigger guns, but at a premium.

[@browningmaxus5360]

Your citori is old new ones are mechanical not inertia

[@harrisoncrosley2131]

I love this channel! Stay target focused! Fight the good fight and finish the race! ✝️

[@TargetFocusedLife]

👊 Stay Target 🎯Focused (Hebrews 12:1-3)

[@DaveThomspon]

The safety on my 686 gives me the same concern. Too hard to get it off. I too have missed birds struggling to turn the safety off.

[@EADGBESTRAT]

Great comparison Steve. Just got into sporting clays and love it, I am trying to choose which one of these to buy. I also hate the auto safety.

[@shervinghannadian9651]

Did you choose one yet? I’m in the middle as well

[@richardsveum8452]

686 all the way, I've owned both A 686 onyx sporting and a Citori 525 sporting, the neutral balance of the Beretta is just plane superior when the shooting gets fast, The Beretta is more durable in the long run and just plane looks better.

[@HeikkiKekkonen-l6q]

I share your opinion about safety. I have Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon 12/76 and I love that gun, but the autosafety is not that good, and it is not that easy to use as you might think. It handels recoil very well, even if you use magnum cartridges.

[@rudyelizondo1935]

I own 3 Berettas and the ate all fine made and the safety can be made smoother from your local gunsmith. Berettas are much more smoother to shoot and hunt with. I’ve shot sporting clays excellently as well. I’ve even won the local church competitions with my berettas. Seriously, 500 years of experience from berettas, they are master craftsmen. My 20 gauge is nice n light and for an older guy, so much fun to shoot!!

[@almifarji]

Steve oh Steve, I watched this video while researching for my next O/U shotgun and I'm glad I did. I like the ergonomics of Beretta SP1 so I bought it. It feels so authentic in my hands and overall so much fun to shoot. I had to increase the LOP a bit to fit my body though. I have managed the stiff safety issue by opening the safety right before mounting when I'm looking at the bird coming close to the kill zone.

[@GunBlue490]

The Silver Pigeon auto safety is easily disabled, and the let off pressure can be lightened. Silver Pigeon all the way!

[@jonkling2631]

I don’t think you can loose with either of these two O/U shotguns. I personally own the Browning Citori “Special Sporting Clays Edition”so I’m a little partial. I like the polyurethane finish/shine and wood on the Citori…which makes up for the scrolling on the Bereta receiver. You can’t go wrong with either…just a personal preference. Great review!!

[@cherb23]

I have a incredible Beretta 20 gauge over under shotgun, no idea what model it is but it has really nice Ducks Unlimited engraving on it. My grandfather owned it and he talked me into paying him 2500 but he said he was giving me a deal because it was like 5k new.

[@parrisgeorge9708]

You compared the Ford and Chevy of the o/u shotgun world. Generally if a Beretta fits someone a Browning won't and vice versa. When it comes to how long either gun would last before needing a rebuild it tough to say. I have a friend that's a clay target competitor and he's had both of his 682's rebuilt twice. Each of those guns have digested in the high 6 figure range over the last close to 30 years. I bought my first Citori from another target shooter. That gun had around 50K down the barrels when I got it. I put another 30+k through it before selling it and the gun was other than a bit more finish wear as tight as when I got it. I know high volume trap shooters that put box car loads through each companies guns and except for the occasional broken small part both brands are about as reliable as an anvil. I want to like Beretta but they just don't fit me for the most part. The 680 and now 690 based action is phenomenal and is easily rebuilt when needed. I shoot Browning Citori and Superposed guns because I've found several that do fit me. The Superposed action which the Citori is based on IS the action and shotgun that brought the o/u shotgun to the masses. It is brutally strong and after break in very smooth in operation. Browning tends to have their guns setup tighter when new which is why they tend to take a bit of time to get really smooth in opening and closing. Browning o/u guns can be rebuilt by several good shops but the guns have always had a bit more hand work when compared to offerings from Italy so the action parts require some fitting. I have a 1937 Superposed that I'll be sending off in the fall for a rebuild. Once that's done it'll be good to go for the next 85 years of whoever gets it after me. In the end it comes down to fit, balance, and feel. The shotgun to go with is the one that "talks" to you. That can be a decent o/u, sxs, auto, or pump.

[@kclarkeadventures]

I just picked up Silver Pigeon this morning after watch tour video. I think I made the right choice. Great video.

[@rowanplested5506]

I would love to see a review of the browning silver

[@marcgingergagne6701]

Very Good Job on the Video ! I used to lighten/loosen up the safe on the Berretta. I always used leather shooting gloves that I would also use hunting which would eliminate thumb slippage on the safe. I also used to shorten the stock and install a upland style recoil pad. The Browning safe used to get caught in the middle position and wouldn’t come off safe. IMO, the Berretta is the far Superior firearm, stronger material, better designed and much better appearance!

[@dslewman152]

I looked at buying either of these guns, but in 12 gauge. One thing I noticed in your video is you didn't mention that the 686 has inertia triggers. I chose the Citori over the 686 because of the mechanical triggers and the mechanical safety, not the auto safety. Thanks for your videos!

[@ManMak6]

Personally I went with the Browning Citori 725 Field. For me it was the pointability, just like he mentioned on the Browning the eye just goes where it’s supposed to. The Beretta is more slender and stretched out which I didn’t like, to me the Browning is just more chunky which is great for my big hands. On the Beretta I really don’t like the locks with those weird two prongs locking on the sides, just looks weird when you open it up. But anyway I think I’ll get the Beretta as well.

[@davidschneider3118]

I have both in multiple gauges. Beretta are Italian sports cars, Brownings are German sport sedans

[@chucko3879]

Great choice!!! It was my choice also.

[@AlsAllAussieAdventures]

Cannot beat beretta as a whole company, always will be the king of shotguns and what everything else is compared against.

[@kokolakisdimitris9135]

Mine Beretta...does not have an automatic safety...Great Gun...!

[@jerrypemerton8803]

Pull the stock on the 686 and with side cutters cut the small rod that resets the safEy and you ha be a manual safty.

[@scottydouglass1892]

I have a browning, you could never pry it from my hands, unless you had a newer one maybe? I hate the auto safety's. I have been thinking about a 20 lately.

[@BeatRock253]

I think the difference in recoil is from Beretta 686 barrels. The new Silver Pigeon has lengthened forcing cones.

[@nickf8433]

Comment not video related, not sure where to post. Could you do a video comparing a 28” barrel and a 26” barrel for waterfowl hunting? And touch on whether adding an extended choke tube increases the barrel length ie: would a 26” barrel with an extended choke be considered a 27” barrel? Would appreciate yah! Thanks.

[@Brunosdad]

Most sporting O/U shotguns have a manual safety and field shotguns have an auto safe, sort of makes sense but they are annoying, I've have had my silver pigeon1 field for 20 months now and I love it, even after shooting thousands of rounds the auto safety still catches me out occasionally on sporting clays, apparently its easy and cheap to change them to a manual safety.

[@glenbangs7919]

Would have liked to seen you use the citori 725 field it would have been a closer feel and look. Has the ingraving and the Schnabel forend like the pigeon.

[@patricktravis8996]

Could you please do a comparison between the Beretta 686 Pigeon to the Browning Citori White Lightening .... I love your videos and appreciate what you do.

[@patrickmobley7516]

I’ve lost a few pheasant over the years because of the Citori/101 safety when the temps are around 0

[@jaryjensen66]

I’ll look. But based on what you shared here I’d like to see your review/comparison between a Browning Cybery bs the 686 Beretta. I have a 20 ga Cynergy and 12 ga Hunter but I do not have and I have not shot a Beretta 686.