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I have a few guns that were willed down to me. I have used most of them in the field (upland and rabbit).
After a long break, I have decided to try my luck at trap (and maybe a little bit of sporting clays).

Could you please give me a "grade" or some input on my current guns to let me know if they are "Field" or "Trap" type guns.
I do understand that ANY gun will break a clay, but curious if I have a "legit" trap gun in my collection.

*If you had to take 1 of these out trap shooting which would it be?
**If you had to take 1 of these out Sporting Clay shooting, which would it be?

This is what I have- They are all 12a and I have no idea what they are choked out at. I assume "standard" out of the box choke.

1. Browning Light 12 (I think it is an A5) w/ a 30" barrel.

2. Browning Citori (O/U) with a 26" barrel.

3. Franchi (I think it is an Alcione, but it doenst say one way or the other) O/U- 28" barrel.

Thanks in adance,
Bip

Looks like all field guns.

The first and the last definitely are. Is the Citori fixed choked? If so, what are the chokes?

None of those are "Trap" guns per say. So, what? Grab your favorite and head out to the range. Shoot some Trap and if you have fun, shoot some more. If you really get into it, then consider getting a Trap gun.

There is no such thing as "standard" out of the box choke. If they are fixed chokes, they will be marked on the barrel as to what they are. If they are screw in chokes, they will be marked on the choke.

You're right... I guess I was thinking about "clays grade" guns with the Citori he mentioned...

The Citori is a fixed choke. I checked to see what it was choked out at.
The only hint it gives is stamped on the bottom of the top barrel is a "1" and stamped at the top of the bottom barrel is a "3".
Also, at the bottom of the barrel where the hook is that locks into the receiver there is a P and a 0 an "SP" in what looks like an apple and an NP.
Do any of these refer to choke?

Look on the left side of the monoblock.

See where this Citori says Invector Plus? That's where yours should be marked. It may just have asterisks like this:
* designates full choke (F)
*- designates improved modified choke (IM)
** designates modified choke (M)
**- designates improved cylinder choke (IC)
**$ designates skeet (SK)
*** designates cylinder bore (CYL)

One * at the top (Full)
two ** at the bottom (Modified)


Thank you so much!
Bip

That is a normal configuration for a Trap gun, but the 26" length is kind of short. Anyway, that doesn't matter. It will work just fine for Trap. Use it in good health.

I assume using Modified (the bottom barrel) for trap shooting would be easier than using the full choked barrel?

I also assume that if I did use the top barrel (Full) to practice that would make me a more accurate shot?

Looks like you have field guns. As for the chokes . Yes most older trap gun have a full on top and mod on the bottom. So did field guns. first shot was the bottom for close shot and if you missed you shot the full choke next.

Would you gun work for trap. Sure it would, but not as good as a heaver trap gun would. I would use the bottom barrel with the mod choke for trap.

I think I am all set. Citori, bottom barrel, and shoot straight.
thanks again guys.

I would use the Full choke for singles and Handicap in Trap. Then shoot the Mod first at doubles. Of course using a Mod as a beginner won't hurt. It's just more difficult to tell if you're centered with a Mod than a Full.

Like Rastoff said +1.

Ive been shooting trap my 26" citori here lately, I use a really tight extended turkey choke..

Well call me different depending on the choke of that A5 I'd be using that for trap hands down over the Citori. 26" doesn't work for me at all. Tried it and hated it when I had a lightning.

I bet the hay baleing effect he get from the recoil will keep him from shooting the a5 at many targets..to me it seems like they kick you twice..I have shot plenty and owned 2 but never got used to the barrel recoil..that's why we all called them hay balers..did you know the first a5's came with a bottle of asprin?

One of my trap partners uses an a5 for trap off and on. It has a kick easy installed and it is set to eliminate the cycling of his trap loads. So no shells flying all over. The gun has no more felt recoil than many o/u's that is so popular. Shooting sporting clays with one with a stock plastic butt plate isn't so god awful either. My 7th grade reading teacher and I shoot together from time to time. He uses and A5. It isn't near as harsh as I thought they might be. I really liked it even though it isn't an 1100 for example. I was surprised. I must own one. You can do far worse and then they seem to be totally acceptable. That 26" Citori vs A5 recoil isn't for me that much different and I think with the 30" barrel your way better off shooting trap with it.

I agree the recoil is less on the A5..I just have never gotten used to one..when i shoot one it seems like it tries to jump out of my hands..
If I ever get a chance at a nice belgium 16 im buying it..They are one of the prettiest guns ever made..

The very first time I used one I must have practiced this one station with 50 or so rounds not getting it down perfect. My teacher with the A5 and I were shooting together. I turned and asked him if I could use his A5 once. I got on the line and called it. I'll be damned if that gun wasn't perfect smoking them clays. To be honest at the time I was so fixed on the targets I never really noticed how it recoiled. All I wanted was smoke and that's what it did. What a fantastic gun. To think I just couldn't warm up to them as a kid looking at the Christmas wish book. Had I actually shot one years ago I'd have probably quite a few by now. It feels like a long lost friend the instant one picks it up. Now any chance I get to use one I don't hesitate.