citori 625 feather vs silver pigeon II

guff

guff

New member
im still on the hunt for a new gun, and while drooling over the browings I noticed a beretta silver Pigeon II, besides from the safety/barrel selector it seemed like a great gun.

besides brand loyalty what qualities would make one better than the other for an all around game gun?

beretta advertises a low profile, but is it that much lower than a citori?

thanks in advance!
 
I have the Browning Cynergy Feather in 20 and 12, and absolutely love them. I had regular Citoris and could not shoot them very well. I also tried a Beretta 686 and did not like it. Good luck, both are great guns.
 
There's nothing wrong with a Beretta O/U or any Beretta for that matter. They make quality guns. On another note, you have to pay good money to get nice wood/metal finish on a Beretta. Much more then on a Browning. I also have a Cynergy and a Citori. Love them both. I wouldn't over look a Cynergy. They do fit and swing very nice, much better then the Citori in my opinion.

JMC, I'm looking to get a Cynergy feather in 20ga.. I just haven't got to get my hands on one yet. I would like to at least swing one first before committing to one first. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Onpoint
 
Onpoint;
First let me start of by saying my dad is an O/U nut. The reason I say that is that there are not too many O/U's that I haven't shot due to his obsession. I have personally hunted with an Ithaca/SKB 500 20 for the last 20 years or so. My dad had the Cynergy Feather 12 and did not like it so it ended up in my safe. One day we were in Gander Mtn. and there was a Cynergy Feather 20...same story; he bought it, did not like it, I snag it.

Once you get past the modern styling and non traditional grip, (IMHO), the Cynergy Feather 20 is the best handling and shooting 20 I have ever had. It is an absolute joy to carry in the field and comes up to the eye like no other. My Ruger RL 28 is close but the Cynergy is the real deal. I have many shotguns to pick from; but when the serious hunting is on, the Cynergy is my go to gun. You will not be disapointed. My only warning on the Cynergy is, be careful when the spent shell ejects...those babies come out at Mach III speed. Took one off the cheek one day; ouch!

To prevent any argument, this is not a Browning advertisement nor a Beretta bashing. My favorite auto and dove gun is an old Beretta AL2 20. My sons have (borrowed) all my Benellis, and one of them swears by the Winchester SX3; and who doesn't have an 870 or 1100 lying around, so don't yell at me.

By the way, my dad has two old Charles Daly O/U's; a 12 & 20 that he always goes back to. Both are Miruku built.

Back to the original question: buy it, you won't be disapointed. Not sure were you are or you could try mine. Good luck with you choice.
 
Thanks JMC

Do you have the 28" or 26" barrel's on your feather?

I really want the 26" as it's the lightest but know the 28" could be better at continuing ones swing on the bird.
 
I have a Beretta O/U and one of the things I liked about it is it has more length of pull than many of the others I looked at. Being a bigger guy, I felt like the Beretta fit me better than others I looked at, including the Citoris.
 
The 20 has 26"; the 12 has 28"; and my RRL 28 has 28". The 28" does swing a little better. When I first got the 20, I shot behind everything. Now, I do seem to wait or delay just a little before pulling the trigger on the 20.
 
They are both well made guns but they have significantly different stock dimensions. I've got a 625 "sporting" that is close to the standard dimensions of my Berettas but the 625 field models don't fit me at all.

Get your hands on both and get whichever one fits you best.
 
JMC thank you for the input:thumbsup:, i would rush out and buy a cynergy feather, but I just can't get past the stock... even the front grip strikes me as clunky, I like the looks of the cynergy classic field alot better but they still need to do something with that front stock to get my hard earned money:) plus they are a bit heavier than the feather version. if only browning were like burger king, then I could have it my way!

I know there is whole lot more to a shot gun than how it looks when its sitting in the corner of my gun cabinet, but cynergys don't do it for me... but maybe im too shallow.

what is it that sets cynergys apart for you shooting wise? I understand they have a lower profile than a regular citori. or is it one of those "you have to shoot to understand" situations?

im gonna have to look at the specs of the beretta's vs the brownings length of pull. I am a big dude as well and have found a slightly longer length of pull suits me best.
 
Buy what fits you and what you like! Bottom Line!!! I have not had a lot of chances to shoot to many O/U's , but I own a 686 s. pigeon 20/28 combo I love and it is not because of the name or looks, although it is beautiful. It fits and shoots for me!!!!
 
guff said:
I am a big dude as well and have found a slightly longer length of pull suits me best.
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Within the same price points there's really no difference in quality between the major brands. What you should be looking for is the gun that fits best and the one you want to carry.

Browning field models are too short for me (I'm 6', ave. build). Berettas point where I look. It's worth it even if you have to drive a ways to get to a gun store where you can shoulder several different guns. Sometimes the one you think you want from a magazine add, just doesn't feel as good as another.

For a big guy, you'll be happier w/ longer rather than shorter barrels. 28" min, 30 is better for crossing shots. Don't believe the argument that a shorter barrel is easier in cover, how often is it that you hang up on the last 2 inches of your gun?
 
I agree with bleubijou...buy what fits. As I said, the looks threw me as well, but only when it is on the shelf. When it's in my hands, I don't stare at it and as it comes to my shoulder, the bird is all I see. As for the grip and stock, just grab one off the shelf and try it; I think you will be surprised. Good luck with your choice. I'm fortunate and have many to pick from and although I may have more expensive, better looking guns, the Cynergy is the best shooter for me.
 
JMC, I want a 26" barrel gun, as I hunt in thick timber in northern Minnesota for Ruff Grouse also. I buy most my guns online. I have found a 20ga Cynergy feather with 26" barrels on Gun Broker and the place is only 70-80 miles from me but they want $600.00 more then others who have 28" barreled guns on there. I'm not paying $600.00 for a 2" shorter barreled gun. I just keep watching for one with 26" barrels. There are several on there for just over $1500.00. They are asking $2099.00 for the 26" gun, it's been on there for weeks with no bids

Onpoint
 
Wow that is high...we paid $1600+ and got the package deal with two gun cases, $100 gift cert, etc. You might email the dude and shoot him a price.
 
well I trucked on down to the nearest gun shop and tried out damn near every browning and beretta over and under they had.
the silver pigeons are nice looking guns but fit me horribly... I thought I had long arms but dang I had to reach for the trigger a bit.

to make a long story short: JMc I owe you a beverage!:cheers: I tried out a 12gauge cynergy classic field and it fit better than anything there!

also for anyone like me who judges a book by its cover, all the pics I have seen online of that gun really do not do it justice.

now I just have to figure if I want a 12 or a 20 and I will be ordering my new cynergy from Able's ASAP.

thanks for all the help guys!
 
Ya buddy, I love mine

It's a duck killing machine

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That's why I'm getting another in 20ga

Keep us posted
 
Yea...I won, I won...now rush on down and get a new Chevy and a GSP...:D! Hahaha...hehehe...just messing with the UPH Ford/Beretta/Brittany boys, :p.

Just remember, mine are feather cynergy's...the field may add a little weight? Also, as much as I like the 12, the 20 is the deal. Fits better, swings and carries better. Best of luck on your decision and order that baby up.
 
My favorite guns are now all SXS's but I do have a safe full of O/U's. I have always shot Citori's well but they are bulky and heavy. The Beretta 686/687 series are much lighter and much shorter through the action. My vote would go to the SPII. I have one and it's a very nice gun and only weighs 6.1 lbs in 20ga which is important on long days in the field.
 
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"I have one and it's a very nice gun and only weighs 6.1 lbs in 20ga which is important on long days in the field."
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What many don't know is, the Browning Cynergy feather weighs in at 4lb 12 oz's. Well over a pound lighter then the Beretta. Beretta is a fantastic gun with good quality but they have pretty plain wood on most guns. Unless your willing to pay a hefty amount to get nicer wood. I believe Italy was hit hard in world war 2, as where many European countries and lost most of their quality hardwoods that could be used for gun stocks, furniture, Etc.
 
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What many don't know is, the Browning Cynergy feather weighs in at 4lb 12 oz's.
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I believe that you can actually get a gun too light. Two things to watch out for with these ultra light guns. 1. The swing can be almost too fast with an extremely light gun. 2. Recoil can be an issue even in a 20 ga. especially with heavy field loads.

I feel my 16 ga. Citori White Lightning is an excellent balance of weight and handling.
 
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