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Saw a 24-inch factory barreled Browning Citori Uplander with straight English stock for sale.

Any thoughts on 24-inch O/U barrels ?

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Originally posted by Hammer:
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Saw a 24-inch factory barreled Browning Citori Uplander with straight English stock for sale.

Any thoughts on 24-inch O/U barrels ?

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Um, I don't like them?

how did she swing for you?

Did it fit?

How's it choked?

What do you want it for? It could be handy in a very small hide but I've managed fine with 28" barrels in that situation.

In terms of ballistics, I think I read somewhere that Robert Churchill discovered that you lose a negligible amount of performance.

A 24-incher isn't too bad on an auto or a pump with its longer receiver, but the O/U is already three to four inches shorter than the pump/auto, so with 24" barrels the O/U does seem very stubby. It might be pretty good for quick, close-flushing game, but will be "whippy" when swinging for longer shots/ pass shooting as compared to a more conventional barrel length.

Also, as compared to longer barrels, you'll be surprised at how much more muzzle blast is created by the loss of a few inches of barrel length, plus bringing the muzzle a few inches closer to your face.

I had one in 20ga with a straight grip. I used it on Woodcock and Grouse with success. More of an instinctive "point and fire" type of gun, but that's what I needed.

I had one in 20 ga also I used it for shooting clays one handed.

At 5lbs 2oz I found it to light weight for me on longer crossing shots. I just couldn't get the proper swing through with it.

I found my 6lb doubles just handled better for me.

Everyone is different, but it wouldn't work for me. I am a very quick, fast swinger and a short barrel makes me jerky and stabby in my shooting. I like a 28 in barrel on doubles, 26 on autos as a minimum. I do have a 5-lb 28 ga with 27's that balances perfectly and I shoot it very well, it probably works because it is so small.

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I do have a 5-lb 28 ga with 27's that balances perfectly and I shoot it very well, it probably works because it is so small.

If I were to catch you alone at an unguarded moment in a dark ally, you wouldn't have such a shotgun for long.

I never liked the swing of a short barrel on an O/U