1973 Browning Citori - Steel Shot

onthefly22 · January 19, 2012, 09:14 PM

I just bought a 1973 Browning Citori 12 gauge. I plan to use it to hunt upland. The gun was fitted with Colonial Arms skeet chokes. I've read about all the early Citori steel shot issues and wondering if I need to exercise my 30 day warranty...

If I get a set of "steel shot" choke tubes from Colonial will I be OK shooting steel BB down to 4 shot at pheasants? Usually hunting federal WPA's which require no lead. If steel isn't an option, can I go to tungsten or bismuth and be ok?

Also, noticed that something is rattling in the stock - butt pad isn't removable. Any idea what this could be and how I could fix it?

Thanks in advance for the help.

onthefly22 · January 20, 2012, 09:14 AM

Quick update. I called Browning's service center in MO. They said with a set of aftermarket chokes designed for steel shot there's no problem shooting steel out of the gun.

Still don't know how to get the butt pad off - no slots in the back for a screw driver. Might be off to a gunsmith.

zippy13 · January 20, 2012, 09:24 AM

Sometimes the screw holes in the butt pad are small slots and can be very hard to fine, you need to probe around. Also, some gun makers glue the butt pad to the stock, I don't know what Browning did in '73. Have you used a magnet to locate the screws?

onthefly22 · January 20, 2012, 09:49 AM

I'll give that a try tonight. Thanks for suggesting. Didn't know how hidden those things might be.

oneounceload · January 20, 2012, 10:12 AM

butt pad screws are typically about an inch from the top and bottom. They might have a small "cross" type incision in the pad.

If you lube your screwdriver with a little liquid dish soap or similar, it makes it easier than fighting the friction of the rubber as you try to remove the screws

onthefly22 · January 20, 2012, 10:29 PM

Got it guys - thanks for the tips. Turns out someone bored a hole in the stock under the butt plate and dropped 2 old Winchester shells in it. Strange.

zippy13 · January 20, 2012, 11:35 PM

They probably wanted to add some weight to reduce recoil and/or smooth the swing -- an old target shooter's trick.

onthefly22 · January 21, 2012, 01:44 PM

I figured as much. Looks like the shells may be from '73! Excited to get this gun to the range and break some clays!

January 19, 2012, 09:14 PM	#1
onthefly22 Junior Member Join Date: January 19, 2012 Posts: 5	1973 Browning Citori - Steel Shot I just bought a 1973 Browning Citori 12 gauge. I plan to use it to hunt upland. The gun was fitted with Colonial Arms skeet chokes. I've read about all the early Citori steel shot issues and wondering if I need to exercise my 30 day warranty... If I get a set of "steel shot" choke tubes from Colonial will I be OK shooting steel BB down to 4 shot at pheasants? Usually hunting federal WPA's which require no lead. If steel isn't an option, can I go to tungsten or bismuth and be ok? Also, noticed that something is rattling in the stock - butt pad isn't removable. Any idea what this could be and how I could fix it? Thanks in advance for the help.

January 20, 2012, 09:14 AM	#2
onthefly22 Junior Member Join Date: January 19, 2012 Posts: 5	Quick update. I called Browning's service center in MO. They said with a set of aftermarket chokes designed for steel shot there's no problem shooting steel out of the gun. Still don't know how to get the butt pad off - no slots in the back for a screw driver. Might be off to a gunsmith.

January 20, 2012, 09:24 AM	#3
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Sometimes the screw holes in the butt pad are small slots and can be very hard to fine, you need to probe around. Also, some gun makers glue the butt pad to the stock, I don't know what Browning did in '73. Have you used a magnet to locate the screws?

January 20, 2012, 09:49 AM	#4
onthefly22 Junior Member Join Date: January 19, 2012 Posts: 5	I'll give that a try tonight. Thanks for suggesting. Didn't know how hidden those things might be.

January 20, 2012, 10:12 AM	#5
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	butt pad screws are typically about an inch from the top and bottom. They might have a small "cross" type incision in the pad. If you lube your screwdriver with a little liquid dish soap or similar, it makes it easier than fighting the friction of the rubber as you try to remove the screws

January 20, 2012, 10:29 PM	#6
onthefly22 Junior Member Join Date: January 19, 2012 Posts: 5	Got it guys - thanks for the tips. Turns out someone bored a hole in the stock under the butt plate and dropped 2 old Winchester shells in it. Strange.

January 20, 2012, 11:35 PM	#7
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	They probably wanted to add some weight to reduce recoil and/or smooth the swing -- an old target shooter's trick.

January 21, 2012, 01:44 PM	#8
onthefly22 Junior Member Join Date: January 19, 2012 Posts: 5	I figured as much. Looks like the shells may be from '73! Excited to get this gun to the range and break some clays!