Browning 525 20ga

yournodaisy · March 24, 2012, 11:40 AM

Can anyone explain why Browning quit making the 525? I found a new lightweight 20 ga....but I'm not sure that I like the idea of having a steel reinforced alloy reciever. Any comments appreciated.

zippy13 · March 24, 2012, 01:23 PM

Quote:

I'm not sure that I like the idea of having a steel reinforced alloy reciever.

I'm with you on that, but there are many successful gun designs with alloy receivers. Alloy receivers have typically been used to reduce weight -- is that what you're after? My unsubstantiated gut feeling is that it reduces the life cycle of an O/U, too.

yournodaisy · March 24, 2012, 10:19 PM

Yea..I dont mind a little extra weight...but alloy reciever for a lifetime gun I'm not sure about.

Virginian · March 25, 2012, 11:09 AM

Quote:

..but alloy reciever for a lifetime gun I'm not sure about.

That's why they reinforced it with steel in the critical areas. If I liked O/Us, which I don't, I wouldn't hesitate to jump on it. Like I said, I'm not an O/U guy, but I think the Beretta's slimmer profile feels better than the Superposed/Citoris, and it would LOOK even better if they slimmed down the fore ends some.
They quit making the 525 so they could make - and market - the 625. Apparently they have signed up for the Beretta/Benelli new model every other year at least sweepstakes. Nothing wrong with any of them that I am aware of. I'm still mad at Browning for dropping the BSS, but I credit them with making good stuff. Shot with a guy yesterday with a Gold Sporting - also discontinued - very nice gun.

yournodaisy · March 25, 2012, 04:16 PM

I'm not going to shoot it that much...so maybe it would work for me...it does fit me like a glove.

BigJimP · March 26, 2012, 11:59 AM

explain what Browning is doing...come on man ....who knows...

But the 525 series ...didn't sell that well / it had a lot of drop at comb and heel ...and in the yrs they made the 525, they made some changes in the stock...

The only 625 that has an alloy receiver ..is the Feather model .../ so its about weight. But I still think the 625 Feather is a 500,000 shell gun...or more..

This series of guns started with the 325, then the 425, the 525 ...now the 625 ...and who knows when the 625 will go away .../ there were small changes made in each of the models...with a lot of guys wishing they had never sold their 425's ( if they did ). Personally, I had a 525 ---when they were very new ...nice engraving, was a big deal when it came out ...and it was fairly new on a production gun.../ but the amount of drop at comb and heel - beat the daylights out of me ( pushed meat in my face up against my cheek bone...) ...so I refinished it, sold it ...and went to a Citori XS Skeet for an all around gun for skeet, sporting and bird hunting...in 30" barrels / and today, I have one each in 12ga, 20ga, 28ga and .410 ...

but if the Feather model is what you like ...I don't think the 625 Feather is a poor choice...

thinkingman · March 26, 2012, 02:09 PM

725's are on the shelves now....

zippy13 · March 26, 2012, 02:52 PM

Quote:

but if the Feather model is what you like

Remember, they kick more and don't swing as smoothly as a heavier gun.

BigJimP · March 26, 2012, 02:58 PM

You're right Thinkingman, I forgot the 725 is here already ...

( 38 versions of the Citori --- on the website today / its getting harder and harder for me to keep up ) ....or maybe I'm losing interest...

yournodaisy · March 27, 2012, 10:56 PM

Well guys..I have a later post telling that I bought a used citori lightening in 20 gauge...absolutely mint for $ 1100.00. I think this solved whether I wanted a 525 or not. I dont think I got hurt...sure fits me like no other..

BigJimP · March 28, 2012, 10:45 AM

As long as it "Fits" ...and hits where you look ...you did very well.

March 24, 2012, 11:40 AM	#1
yournodaisy Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2011 Location: Deep South Posts: 306	Browning 525 20ga Can anyone explain why Browning quit making the 525? I found a new lightweight 20 ga....but I'm not sure that I like the idea of having a steel reinforced alloy reciever. Any comments appreciated.

March 24, 2012, 10:19 PM	#3
yournodaisy Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2011 Location: Deep South Posts: 306	Yea..I dont mind a little extra weight...but alloy reciever for a lifetime gun I'm not sure about.

March 25, 2012, 04:16 PM	#5
yournodaisy Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2011 Location: Deep South Posts: 306	I'm not going to shoot it that much...so maybe it would work for me...it does fit me like a glove.

March 26, 2012, 11:59 AM	#6
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	explain what Browning is doing...come on man ....who knows... But the 525 series ...didn't sell that well / it had a lot of drop at comb and heel ...and in the yrs they made the 525, they made some changes in the stock... The only 625 that has an alloy receiver ..is the Feather model .../ so its about weight. But I still think the 625 Feather is a 500,000 shell gun...or more.. This series of guns started with the 325, then the 425, the 525 ...now the 625 ...and who knows when the 625 will go away .../ there were small changes made in each of the models...with a lot of guys wishing they had never sold their 425's ( if they did ). Personally, I had a 525 ---when they were very new ...nice engraving, was a big deal when it came out ...and it was fairly new on a production gun.../ but the amount of drop at comb and heel - beat the daylights out of me ( pushed meat in my face up against my cheek bone...) ...so I refinished it, sold it ...and went to a Citori XS Skeet for an all around gun for skeet, sporting and bird hunting...in 30" barrels / and today, I have one each in 12ga, 20ga, 28ga and .410 ... but if the Feather model is what you like ...I don't think the 625 Feather is a poor choice...

March 26, 2012, 02:09 PM	#7
thinkingman Senior Member Join Date: March 27, 2008 Location: western WA Posts: 691	725's are on the shelves now....

March 26, 2012, 02:58 PM	#9
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	You're right Thinkingman, I forgot the 725 is here already ... ( 38 versions of the Citori --- on the website today / its getting harder and harder for me to keep up ) ....or maybe I'm losing interest...

March 27, 2012, 10:56 PM	#10
yournodaisy Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2011 Location: Deep South Posts: 306	Well guys..I have a later post telling that I bought a used citori lightening in 20 gauge...absolutely mint for $ 1100.00. I think this solved whether I wanted a 525 or not. I dont think I got hurt...sure fits me like no other..

March 28, 2012, 10:45 AM	#11
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	As long as it "Fits" ...and hits where you look ...you did very well.