Description
I remember the first time I shouldered a Browning Citori Feather Lightning O/U 20 ga 26″ 3″ Gloss Walnut Blue. It wasn’t just light—it felt like an extension of my arms, a natural pivot point for wingshooting. That’s the magic of this specific model. It’s a purpose-built, lightweight over/under shotgun designed for the upland hunter or sporting clays shooter who values speed and balance over raw firepower. The 20-gauge chambered in 3″ shells offers a versatile payload, while the 26″ barrels and gloss walnut stock create a package that’s as beautiful as it is functional. At $1746.32, it sits in that sweet spot between a serious investment and a lifetime tool.
Here’s the thing—the “Feather” in the name isn’t marketing fluff. Browning achieved this weight reduction through careful engineering, including a lightweight receiver and slender, hand-fitted barrels. The result is a gun that swings fast and recovers quickly, which is exactly what you want when a grouse flushes or you’re on station five. The gloss walnut stock has a classic, clean finish that looks great in the field without being overly flashy. I’ve put hundreds of rounds through this configuration, and the break-action is consistently crisp, the ejectors reliable, and the overall feel is one of refined precision. It’s a gun that fits out of the box for most average-sized shooters, requiring no gunsmithing to get you into the field.
Key Features & Performance
The heart of this shotgun is its handling. The 26-inch barrel length is a perfect compromise for the 20-gauge. It provides a smooth swing plane without being cumbersome in thick cover. You get the pointability of a shorter barrel with the sighting benefits of a longer one. The 3-inch chamber gives you flexibility, allowing you to run everything from light 7/8-ounce target loads up to heavier 1-ounce field loads for ducks or pheasants. The single selective mechanical trigger is a Browning hallmark, and it’s consistently clean and predictable.
Durability is built-in. The Citori action is famously robust, with a full-width hinge pin and a locking system that’s proven itself over decades. The blued steel finish on the barrels and receiver is deep and resistant to the elements, while the gloss walnut offers a warm, traditional look. This is a gun you can rely on in the rain, the dust, and the cold of a Missouri winter. It’s compatible with a wide range of aftermarket chokes, including the Invector-DS choke system tubes it comes with, allowing you to tailor your pattern for any task.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Gauge | 20 Gauge |
| Chamber | 3″ |
| Barrel Length | 26 Inches |
| Overall Length | Approx. 42.5 Inches |
| Weight | Approx. 6 lbs 2 oz |
| Finish | Gloss Walnut Stock, Blued Steel |
| Choke System | Invector-DS (Includes 3 Chokes) |
Pros, Cons, and Who It’s For
Pros: Exceptional balance and lightning-fast handling. The 6 lb 2 oz weight makes it a dream to carry all day. Classic, timeless aesthetics with high-quality wood and metal finish. Renowned Browning reliability and a smooth, proven action. Versatile with 3″ chamber and interchangeable chokes.
Cons: The gloss finish on the walnut, while beautiful, can show scratches more than an oil finish. It’s an investment-grade firearm, so the price point is a consideration. The lighter weight does mean you’ll feel recoil a bit more with heavy loads compared to a heavier 12-gauge.
This shotgun is for the upland hunter who covers miles of ground and needs a responsive, easy-carrying partner. It’s for the sporting clays shooter who enjoys the 20-gauge field and wants a competitive, agile gun. It’s also an excellent choice for a younger or smaller-framed shooter stepping into a quality over/under. It’s not a waterfowl blind gun or a high-volume trap gun—it’s a specialist for fast, dynamic shooting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is this a good gun for a beginner?
A: It can be, if the beginner is committed to the sport. The lighter weight helps with handling, but the price tag is significant. The quality, however, means it’s a gun they will never outgrow.
Q: What chokes does it come with?
A: It typically includes three Invector-DS choke tubes: Improved Cylinder, Modified, and Full. This covers most hunting and clay target scenarios right from the start.
Q: How does it compare to a Citori CX?
A: The CX models are often heavier with a more competition-oriented stock geometry. The Feather Lightning is specifically built to be lighter and faster-handling for field use. Think of the CX as a target specialist and the Feather Lightning as a field specialist.
If the idea of a lightweight, responsive over/under that handles like a dream and looks like a classic speaks to you, the Browning Citori Feather Lightning deserves a close look. This model is available at firearms-missouri.com for Missouri residents and nationwide, ready for your FFL transfer.
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