Review of the 2021 Browning B525 SL Laminate (Shooters Vlogg 30)

Love it or hate it...............The Browning SL Laminate really is a divider of opinion. Great gun, but that colour......
Let us know your thoughts by leaving your comments.
Thanks to Northampton Gun for loaning us the Gun, Check them out at www.rugbygun.com

[@LakesMTB1964]

Embrace change I think it looks amazing and people certainly don’t laugh at it on the clay grounds

[@davejarvis5279]

It's an excellent shotgun this guy hasn't done his homework and is giving his personal biased opinions

[@Fendermanpaul]

I love mine, shoots brilliantly. Lots of admiring glances and comments. Best gun I've owned. Never let me down.

[@grahamedwards9920]

Having seen and handled one I can honestly say I loved it. Normally I’m very conventional and old school in terms of woodwork but I really liked it and the plain action complimented the overall look. It’s all in the eye of the beholder and in terms of functionality being a 525 it’ll be as good as anything else out there at 3 times the price.

[@theseatedgun2377]

Hi Graham, I think your absolutely spot on re the functionality, the 525 action is just super! thanks for your comment.

[@k20fty]

I bought one of these a couple of weekends ago - absolutely love the way it shoots and handles, and I love the look of it. In the words of my daughter "much nicer than that stuffy old man one that you had before". The future of our sport is in the hands of our children, and most of them aren't remotely interested in anything that looks like a piece of their grandparents furniture - If this looks like B&Q flooring, then (for me at least) that means a more 'traditional' wood must look like Aunt Bessie's sideboard... We need to be open minded enough to allow some movement with the times, to keep the sport (and therefore the tradition) alive - Both of my daughters follow Amber Hill, and her Perazzi is definitely not 'traditional'...How boring would life be if we all liked the same things? IMHO, too much moaning about the aesthetics spoiled what could've bee a good review

[@theseatedgun2377]

Hi Appreciate your comments and thanks for watching, like I said in the review its a marmite gun! and every gun is personal to its owner! Hope you enjoy your new gun!

[@Woodlandbill]

Great comment and well said about toooo much moaning about his dislikes about the laminate

[@iansimmons1155]

I love the look and handling of this gun, together with the quality and warranty. Just put a deposit on one. Personal choice, everyone is entitled to their view.

[@LakesMTB1964]

Hi I have one of these and absolutely love it it’s amazing to shoot

[@SanderZurhake]

I bought this gun yesterday. Shot a 100 rounds with it. Was amazed by its quality. It flows well and it smashed the difficult rangy targets with ease. I discovered the that due to the extra weight of the laminate, the gun has an improved balance.

[@jon8624]

Love the look of this gun. Yes I'm fairly traditional but there is something about this I love. Thanks for the review. I'm going to try to get my hands on one for a test.

[@daveeverard534]

I Bought one and Love it . Had Berettas for years and this is my first Browning.

[@ratelmike8825]

Looks one of the most amazing finishes I've seen

[@jamesdriver8148]

I do like this gun and I’ve read great reviews about it. I was tempted when purchasing my first gun but I bought a pre-loved 725 Pro Sport for £2400 with a lovely wood.

[@lukedavies4626]

I just bought one. Respectfully, I disagree with some of the comments made in the review, though I think some of the comments here are very over the top! The comments about the gun itself are extremely positive. Looks wise is a personal choice, as with every gun whether it’s laminate or walnut. It’s a lovely gun to shoot and that’s the main thing for me! Live and let live.

[@theseatedgun2377]

Absolutely Luke, as I said the gun itself is faultless. Looks are as you've said a personal thing. I hope you have a great time with it and it performs as well as expected. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@brians8607]

Time to step out of the dark ages. The laminate stocks and satin silver receiver look great. Very practical shotgun for wet weather. For those with soft hands that can't handle sharp checkering there are lots of thin runners or shooters gloves to wear while shooting.

[@aeron-mw7ofs]

I managed to get a left handed one and it's fantastic . My only gripe is the laminate does mark easily .

[@dtaylor9673]

Hey J P don't hold anything back, just say how it is ; ) I am now looking forward to your review of the new B525 Composite. That's if Browning will allow you to review one.....

[@garyharrison734]

Great gun , embrace a change people love it

[@philipstewart454]

I think it looks brilliant what makes it even better is when I’m smashing down birds and the snobby toffs are missing and I eye wipe them 😂😂

[@AnthonyNewman-pq3el]

its a great gun embrace laminate save the walnut clay shooters love em

[@iain777uk]

I would say the benefits of a laminate stocked are many. They only downside I can think of is if say a broken clay where to hit the stock or forend ,it would possibly (currently)be more difficult to fix.

[@kevhmw1fjk768]

Love the stock, I must be strange as I love my Cynergy too. Fed up with the negative comments about the stock, the laminate stock is wood but as it says Laminated eg layers of wood bonded together. It's certainly worth the extra £500. This gun is nowhere near a Cynergy as stated, the Cynergy is a completely different action and bears no relation to the 525.

[@FeckArseIndustries]

Just an update to the earlier post - just returned from my local, fantastic dealer Malmo Guns. Came home with a new 525SL. Awesome bit of shooting pipes. Grips are awesome. If you manage to drop one of these with muddy, bloody or wet hands??? Smug weekend for me.

[@mixerman8]

Great video, to me it looks the part and I have to disagree completely about the laminate. As an all out clay gun its superb, the extra weight and density from the laminate help curb absortion and better handling. For me the only next step up worth considering would be the 725 pro sport at double the price, even then 525sl holds its own. A robust tank of a gun thats superb in every conceivable way. Been borrowing my friends and that impressed im on a waiting list for the 32 inch version to compete with.

[@83Nemix]

I come from a sport target shooting background and have been shooting laminate style rifles for 25 years. There’s a lot of benefits to them. I’m looking to get into shooting clays and this is the most interesting shotgun I have seen so far.

[@theseatedgun2377]

Hi Jorgan Thanks for watching the channel and commenting. The gun in principle super, You cant really go wrong with a Browning, however for me the finish and colouring on the laminate was not something I personally liked. I do however appreciate that there are many people that will like the finish, and thats what great about shooting we all like something different! Best and stay safe

[@189804]

Interesting how people have different views, I own one of these and I really like the look of it, I find the checkering aggressive, but it's certainly not a cheese grater and I have have delicate software developer hands, so I think that is picking holes to be honest. Laminate is certainly a decisive but If you have actually shot one, then you will know that it shoots so much better than a standard 525 and to be honest better that the 725 as a clay gun, the weight distribution is fantastic and the extra weight, which is probably an important part of the review for this gun has a very positive effect on the felt recoil. So all that extra £500 is well worth it in my opinion, obviously is you can afford an ultra xs pro then go for that, but otherwise this is a really fantastic option. Go and shoot one, feel it and then make a decision.

[@theseatedgun2377]

Hi Sam Thanks for your comments and for watching the channel. As I said the gun itself is faultless, I just think Browning could have done something better with the appearance. Stay safe

[@davidusher723]

Hi had one form 2019 checkering ok now after use I like mine in 30” has a tool for a job the balance is spot on I like to hit clays move than looking at the gun lol

[@theseatedgun2377]

Hi David, do agree its about hitting the birds! stay safe

[@davidusher723]

@@theseatedgun2377 you to

[@daddydan1000]

I do like this gun

[@danhill6333]

Thought that third cutaway would be to Live and Let Die as well. Thanks for the review. If I was to have one, it would be the game. Hope you're doing well.

[@theseatedgun2377]

Hi Dan, we like to keep your guessing!!! Thanks for watching!

[@ogstopper]

Marmite, indeed! Thank you for your honest and fearless review!!

[@MrEMrC]

Having enjoyed your films, including those of Ripley Castle and Clovelly, I would have thought that the waterproofing would be an absolute boon! And you could use it as an oar without fear of scratching the wood. It might be a start to looking at alternatives to the conventional, e.g. Fabarm's Triwood.

[@theseatedgun2377]

The thought had crossed my mind John!! Stay safe thanks for watching!

[@duncnz3129]

I'd prefer it in a brown laminate , otherwise a great bad weather gun , checkering is ideal for grip when wearing gloves .

[@wayne59]

Nice review. I've shot one of these and no not for me. Stay safe.

[@raybishop3176]

525 are not available in the states and I would buy the GL in a heart beat 😭

[@ShotawayFilms]

Gather you did not like this gun then ? Only because of how you percieve it aesthetically through your eyes only which is personal and not really a review. Have you actually shot the gun ?? in any of it's formats.Think you might discover it has more going for it than how it looks.

[@theseatedgun2377]

Hi and thanks for your comments, it wasn't that I didn't like it and in actual fact I said several times during the film I love the 525 and the action etc. I just feel that the coloring and texture de-values what is a great gun. In answer to your question, yes I have shot the gun and as a gun more so a 525 it shoots very well, great balance point and typical Browning. My criticism is simply the color and texture could be a lot better. I agree it is a personal preference, again something I stated several times in my review. Stay safe and thanks for watching

[@LakesMTB1964]

Other reviews have mentioned checkering but I don’t find it rough at all I shot 170 cartridges at the weekend and was fine, having said that I am from up north so tougher than you southerners

[@theseatedgun2377]

Hi Richard, thanks for your comments, they are appreciated and thanks for watching! stay safe

[@D3F3ND3R86]

Great video Jean-Paul and you’re right about the flooring! Not sure why Browning thought it would be good to go with a grey colouring.

[@theseatedgun2377]

Thanks for your comment and watching Ash! Stay safe

[@garysmith503]

The Game version looks much better. Interestingly, I had a 525 sporter with a trap forend and the checkering on the forend was REALLY harsh, but did soften up after a few uses. Good honest review - thanks for doing these.

[@theseatedgun2377]

Thanks for your feedback and comments Gary, they are appreciated. Thanks for watching!

[@brians8607]

I don't like the brown laminate on the 525 GL. I do like the grey laminate 525 SL. I'm trying to locate a UK dealer that will export one across the pond. The 525 SL is not a dealer stocked item here state side.

[@briankelly9158]

Good review but kill the background music!!

[@samabuhaira-ou9ex]

Price dear

[@chainsawdom1]

Move with the times pal

[@durexjim]

you could get a good second hand xs pro on a 525 action better quality of gun and lots of goodies come with it

[@Mark-qr5om]

And they actually look decent....

[@theseatedgun2377]

Absolutely, please check out my review of the XS Pro - super package!

[@guydgreenfield]

Ridiculous review. What happened to being impartial? Just a slating because you have old fashioned taste. Not a good review. Seen plenty of wood guns that have that 'floorboard plank finish'. Traditional is not the be all and end all. Of I had one and someone 'laughed' at me I'd certainly have words! As mentioned above, embrace change and accept all variations. Some people should just not review if it's so clearly biased.

[@theseatedgun2377]

Hi Guy and thanks for your comments. From the start, I said this is a "marmite gun" and a divider of opinions. Throughout I mentioned that the gun, in principal, is actually a great gun (action etc). However in my personal opinion, the colour and texture de-values what is a great gun. Something which is repeated in several comments here. What I've said is that when you own / purchase a gun you want it to be not just functional but pretty and elegant. I personally believe this colour and texture doesn't enhance this gun. If you watch my other reviews, you will see that I simply give my opinion which is unbiased. I would like to think that I'm saying what others would like to say or think. Examples of that can be found in other comments on this review where fellow subscribers concur. That said I appreciate your feedback. Stay safe and thanks for watching!

[@guydgreenfield]

@@theseatedgun2377 sorry, having watched it again it is not impartial, rather opinionated. So essentially bias. A good reviewer will simply present the facts. I've now seen one myself in the flesh, it differs completely from the impression you give.

[@scottishwildfowler4062]

Laminate is awful? Thing your opinion is awful…..

[@petermitchell9551]

can not see why you would want that when you can have a nice piece of walnut

[@theseatedgun2377]

Have to agree Peter! Thanks for watching!

[@petermitchell9551]

spend your 2k on a second hand g5 miroku

[@JB-tc8el]

Unfortunately they look hideous once they get dinged.........check out the press gun now. I also think unlike traditional wood this look will age quickly, think avocado bathrooms from the 80s.

[@davidsammels2124]

MFI gun , looks cheap and ugly, would be ok in a pigeon hide if you were by yourself 🤔

[@dc6869]

Good review.bloody ugly looking gun

[@BOILERHOUSE100]

It's a tool.

[@christopherhindle1174]

A gun should b a thing of beauty, as well as functional. I dislike marmite, and I would not be seen dead on a game shoot with a gun looking like this.

[@mikeproctor3664]

Great video, ugly gun

[@theseatedgun2377]

Thanks Mike, Thanks for watching!