grading

bravorigging · March 16, 2010, 05:48 PM

can someone tell me how to tell the grade of a Browning.I have a xt trap and have seen others on line that say they are a grade I,II,III, how is this determined.

zippy13 · March 16, 2010, 06:34 PM

Grading in shotguns is sort of like trim levels in cars. In the case of Brownings, Grade I is the entry level. Standard up-grades may be identified by number, letter or names. As the number increases, extras are added to the gun as well as a price increase. Typical up-grades include fancier wood and metal detailing (engraving, gold, etc) or additional features like adjustable stocks or recoil devices.

With higher levels, the up-grade may include a trip to the custom shop for individual stock dimensioning, custom engraving, hand fitted parts for a better trigger pull, or plastic and/or stamped parts may be replaced by machined metal ones. For example, between a A-grade and D-grade R-1100 you can hear the difference as the gun cycles ammo. Like the difference between hearing the doors closed on a KIA and a Mercedes.

Here's a link to Browning's XT Plus Grade III, you can compare it to yours.

olddrum1 · March 16, 2010, 11:53 PM

Usally on each sit of a manufacturer there will be a custom shop listed.
http://www.browning.com/products/cat...image_cat=001L
This is Brownings custom shop. It pretty much is where they advertise their special wares. Hope this helps.

LanceOregon · March 17, 2010, 03:07 AM

With Browning shotguns, the only difference between the different grades is that higher grades getting more engraving and better wood for their stocks.

The higher grades will not shoot any better. They will simply look better.

.

oneounceload · March 17, 2010, 08:43 AM

Quote:

With Browning shotguns, the only difference between the different grades is that higher grades getting more engraving and better wood for their stocks.

The higher grades will not shoot any better. They will simply look better.

And with few exceptions (like going to a sidelock in the SO series), that is all your extra money is paying for - cosmetic differences.

BigJimP · March 17, 2010, 12:34 PM

http://thefiringline.com/forums/atta...9&d=1264785384

Attachment 58075

Grade levels are not black and white either ...it depends on the subjective comparison of the appraiser....

The 2 XT's that I have / the one on top in photos is proabably a grade 2 or maybe a 3 / the bottom one is probably a 4 or 5 ... in terms of their wood.

olddrum1 · March 17, 2010, 07:01 PM

Actually Browning will have the grade printed on the box.

oneounceload · March 17, 2010, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Actually Browning will have the grade printed on the box.

True, but that is still a subjective thing since no two pieces of wood are identical - what one person sees as Grade II, someone else might see as a Grade I or Grade IV

BigJimP · March 18, 2010, 12:45 PM

I've seen some Browning boxes marked grade III ( when it looked like left over crate wood ...and a mediocre dye job - especially 25 yrs ago ...) although in the last 10 - 15 years or so, Browning is doing a much better job on selecting wood for their stocks.

I see a lot of very nice wood out there on Brownings now ...when boxes are marked grade II / III .....

olddrum1 · March 19, 2010, 02:24 AM

"True, but that is still a subjective thing since no two pieces of wood are identical."

Thats true but they are graded on the engraving, not the wood. Remember the Citori Grand Lightenings that had no engraving but wood suitable for a grade six engraving. I have seen Midas and Diana grade shotguns that were works of art but had some pretty bland wood.

March 16, 2010, 05:48 PM	#1
bravorigging Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Posts: 15	grading can someone tell me how to tell the grade of a Browning.I have a xt trap and have seen others on line that say they are a grade I,II,III, how is this determined.

March 17, 2010, 12:34 PM	#6
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	http://thefiringline.com/forums/atta...9&d=1264785384 Attachment 58075 Grade levels are not black and white either ...it depends on the subjective comparison of the appraiser.... The 2 XT's that I have / the one on top in photos is proabably a grade 2 or maybe a 3 / the bottom one is probably a 4 or 5 ... in terms of their wood. Last edited by BigJimP; July 24, 2015 at 06:27 PM.

March 16, 2010, 06:34 PM	#2
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Grading in shotguns is sort of like trim levels in cars. In the case of Brownings, Grade I is the entry level. Standard up-grades may be identified by number, letter or names. As the number increases, extras are added to the gun as well as a price increase. Typical up-grades include fancier wood and metal detailing (engraving, gold, etc) or additional features like adjustable stocks or recoil devices. With higher levels, the up-grade may include a trip to the custom shop for individual stock dimensioning, custom engraving, hand fitted parts for a better trigger pull, or plastic and/or stamped parts may be replaced by machined metal ones. For example, between a A-grade and D-grade R-1100 you can hear the difference as the gun cycles ammo. Like the difference between hearing the doors closed on a KIA and a Mercedes. Here's a link to Browning's XT Plus Grade III, you can compare it to yours.

March 16, 2010, 11:53 PM	#3
olddrum1 Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Mid Missouri Posts: 807	Usally on each sit of a manufacturer there will be a custom shop listed. http://www.browning.com/products/cat...image_cat=001L This is Brownings custom shop. It pretty much is where they advertise their special wares. Hope this helps.

March 17, 2010, 03:07 AM	#4
LanceOregon Junior member Join Date: May 10, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,774	With Browning shotguns, the only difference between the different grades is that higher grades getting more engraving and better wood for their stocks. The higher grades will not shoot any better. They will simply look better. .

March 17, 2010, 07:01 PM	#7
olddrum1 Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Mid Missouri Posts: 807	Actually Browning will have the grade printed on the box.

March 18, 2010, 12:45 PM	#9
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I've seen some Browning boxes marked grade III ( when it looked like left over crate wood ...and a mediocre dye job - especially 25 yrs ago ...) although in the last 10 - 15 years or so, Browning is doing a much better job on selecting wood for their stocks. I see a lot of very nice wood out there on Brownings now ...when boxes are marked grade II / III .....

March 19, 2010, 02:24 AM	#10
olddrum1 Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Mid Missouri Posts: 807	"True, but that is still a subjective thing since no two pieces of wood are identical." Thats true but they are graded on the engraving, not the wood. Remember the Citori Grand Lightenings that had no engraving but wood suitable for a grade six engraving. I have seen Midas and Diana grade shotguns that were works of art but had some pretty bland wood.