I thought I would share my experience with a brand spanking new Citori 20 ga Feather. This is one of only 3 shotguns I have purchased new. More on that later. I understood new Brownings are nothing special. I just wanted a shooter, steel shot, any-load compatible gun.
On the FIRST skeet round the top barrel would not fire half the time. Pull the trigger and nothing. Bottom barrel would fire [i]more consistantly. Oh, and the trigger pull weight must have been 7 or 8 pounds. Yes, I mean 7 or 8 lbs, no kidding! Being stubborn we fire 3 boxes thinking something will change. Of course nothing changes.
Back to the dealer. Dealer says "he will send the gun back to Browning for evaluation." Fine. Several weeks pass. Place a call to Browning to ask what's up. Browning rep says he has not received the gun! I'm getting a bit bent.
Call dealer. Manager confirms they did not send the gun, blames some employee, and is apologetic. Fine, just send it!
Browning calls several days later. Rep says the queue in front of their gun smiths is approximately 6 to 8 weeks long. Fine, just figure it out and call me when you know what is wrong.
Gun comes back 6 weeks later. Browning rep does call and claims internals have been polished. Trigger weight still atrocious. Both barrels now fire "most" of the time.
Call Browning and tell Rep that in my view the gun will forever be a piece of crap. They offer to replace it. Fine I guess. I don't really want it now. Replace one piece of junk with another pice of junk.....who cares really?
I am disappointed but, maybe this is the norm for new O/U manufacture? My experience with a Red Label is not much better (it lasted about 2000 rounds before busting internal parts and jamming shut). The third new O/U, a Sig Arms Italian import seems solid.
From this point on, I think all my guns will be pre war. Any new shotgun will be an import from Europe. Any new gun will get as thorough inspection as a vintage gun. Browning and Ruger honored their warranties, but that is not the point.
You guys are right on with your old doubles. My old Fox and Zoli have proven more dependable than two new guns.
