Looking for Browning 825 series, real-world feedback

nosualc · Feb 11, 2025

cheeko said:
Ok, great, thank you!
I'm no trigger mechanism expert, but I'm trying to learn.
Browning says the trigger is redesigned on this new 825.
Besides being a lighter pull weight and more reliability with very light loads, they don't say much else.
So I'm trying to learn if there are any real-world advantages to the 825 over the 725.
I'd have to have the gun shipped as there are no 825s local or I'd happliy go and shoulder one.

Having neither, the question for me was 725 vs 825. There were 725s around and an 825 was near enough that I could go handle one. They both fit the same, and the 825 isn't ported, which was enough of a differentiator to sway me to the 825.

Although not an expert, the changes to the 825 trigger really don't seem that revolutionary, more of a minor refinement. Not enough to warrant the marketing BS it has been given by Browning.

I also believe the bottom bbl firing pin issue on Brownings is overwrought internet handwringing. If you have trouble with it, replace the firing pins. Simple, cheap fix. Replace them proactively if you're really worried about it.

You already own a 725, so is the 825 an "upgrade" thats worth it to you? Comes down to whether you think porting is a feature worthy of eliminating, and styling. Only you know.

cheeko · Feb 11, 2025

TrapFail said:
NOT having to deal with the porting would be enough for me to want to try the 825 if I was in the market for another shotgun.

nosualc said:
Having neither, the question for me was 725 vs 825. There were 725s around and an 825 was near enough that I could go handle one. They both fit the same, and the 825 isn't ported, which was enough of a differentiator to sway me to the 825.

Although not an expert, the changes to the 825 trigger really don't seem that revolutionary, more of a minor refinement. Not enough to warrant the marketing BS it has been given by Browning.

I also believe the bottom bbl firing pin issue on Brownings is overwrought internet handwringing. If you have trouble with it, replace the firing pins. Simple, cheap fix. Replace them proactively if you're really worried about it.

You already own a 725, so is the 825 an "upgrade" thats worth it to you? Comes down to whether you think porting is a feature worthy of eliminating, and styling. Only you know.

Thanks guys, indeed having no ports is a blessing in my opinion as well.
My Beretta 694 has none and i don't feel any noticeable difference when shooting doubles.
Cheers.

cheeko · Feb 12, 2025

Got this screenshot from the 825 promotional video, cued below the pic to trigger actions.

cheeko · Feb 17, 2025

Well,I'll find out early next week. 825 is on it's way. 🎯

TrapFail · Feb 17, 2025

cheeko said:
Well,I'll find out early next week. 825 is on it's way. 🎯

Please post a review. I'm not in the market for anything new but IF I was I would be interested in the 825 minus the HiViz sight.

PhCr · Feb 17, 2025

Looks like the same trigger set up in the 725 that will not cycle with 410 tubes.

jjhess · Feb 17, 2025

My thought too, hammer springs are a little different but function the same on the disconnector

cheeko · Feb 17, 2025

TrapFail said:
Please post a review. I'm not in the market for anything new but IF I was I would be interested in the 825 minus the HiViz sight.

Will do, TrapFail, no problem!
BTW, the 725 and 825 both come with different color HiViz sights. I switched to white on the 725 and it's fine. The green wasn't so bad, it's just my other shorguns usually have white up front.

cheeko · Feb 17, 2025

Another video, featuring that Brit fella:

cheeko · Feb 17, 2025

Got the Browning Citori 825 Pro Trap Pro Fit today...
May take it for an indoor 25 yard pattern test today if time permits.
Here's a few pics.
Will post my experience with it as I use it.

jjhess · Feb 17, 2025

How is the trigger feeling?
One of the videos said the chokes was a new design, invector DS pro? I would hope they are just DS.

cheeko · Feb 18, 2025

jjhess said:
How is the trigger feeling?
One of the videos said the chokes was a new design, invector DS pro? I would hope they are just DS.

Hi JJHess, they are Invector DS, same as the 725.
I believe the Invector DS Pro (or Plus, whatever) are for the European market.
I had a little time so went to the indoor range with 2'x3' bristol board at 25 yards from a bench with a padded rest.
Left chokes, balance and comb as-is from factory, IM Under, F Over.
Patterns were nice, about 70-30 from the Over and a maybe a little higher from the Under.
I stack the beads as I usually do, the mid under the front and cover the bullseye with the front (green HiViz from factory).
I can see a little rib that way.
Barrel regulation is bang-on.
Will post pics of the 8 (took 4 shots from Over, 4 from Under) patterns as time permits.
Yes, and the trigger is excellent, no creep whatsover, forgot to bring my Wheeler Gauge.
Next is 35yd patterning before shooting trap next weekend, weather permitting.
It was 0F with wind chill (35mph wind gusts).
I think she's a keeper.
Son and I may sell a few OUs before wife finds out, and out of nowhere, packages with shoes, dresses, purses and whatnot start showing up in droves LOL, JK!

nosualc · Feb 18, 2025

My 825 didn't come with a giant wooly chamber mop like yours did.

cheeko · Feb 18, 2025

nosualc said:
My 825 didn't come with a giant wooly chamber mop like yours did.

Matter of fact, it came with three; the one in the pic, a wooly black twin and a much finer-haired grey one, too.
🙃 😁

Deerezilla · Feb 18, 2025

When did you order that 825? Also how long did it take to getit. I’d like to get a 825 pro trap also.

cheeko · Feb 18, 2025

Deerezilla said:
When did you order that 825? Also how long did it take to getit. I’d like to get a 825 pro trap also.

Ordered it Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025.
Rec'd it yesterday, Feb.17.
Could have had it last Friday but the two days of snow we had disrupted Canada Post.

Dealer is 2.5hr drive from my home.
I've driven there before but am older now and still working so I opted to roll the dice buying it sight unseen.
Glad I did.
Will post the pattern test shots tonight.

Not too many dealers have the 825s in Canada.
My neighbor just ordered the 825 Trap Max, same day as me, different dealer in New Brunswick (IIRC, or was it around Toronto? LOL, getting old)
He is delaying shipping until he gets back from vacation in the Carribean, lucky family!

On a similar note, I ordered my 725 Pro Trap from a dealer in Alberta, Canada on a Saturday in 2023 I believe.
I'm in Ontario and rec'd it on the following Tuesday.
Can't complain about Canada Post very much...knock on wood!

jjhess · Feb 18, 2025

Wonder if and when GU will offer the trap combo

Deerezilla · Feb 18, 2025

Wow I just called Joel Etchen guns . For a browning 825 pro trap. Matt told me be middle of may before I got one from them. If I put a down payment on it

cheeko · Feb 19, 2025

Here's some pics of the patterning with the Citori 825 Pro Trap Pro Fit, from 25yds.
All shots were with Remington STS, 1-1/8oz, 1200fps.
I stacked the beads as a snowman then covered the bullseye with the top bead.
First 4 shots were from the over barrel.
No adjustments at all, as factory with FULL choke.
The boards are marked as T1 to T4, for top barrel.
I drew a silver circle around the perimeter of the shot pattern, save a few "fliers", then a darker circle around the more heavily bunched shot.
T4 target was hung tilted to the right so I canted the gun right instead of walking the 25yds to straighten it.

cheeko · Feb 19, 2025

First 4 shots, using the over barrel and full choke, are in the post above.
Next 4 shots were using the under barrel, boards are marked B1 to B4.
No adjustments at all, as factory with IM choke.
Very pleased with the results, including barrel regulation.
Looks to be 80/20 from the top barrel and 90/10 from the bottom barrel, the way I was holding the gun.
Of course, the Trap field will be the final judge.
Cheers and thanks for looking.

Looking for Browning 825 series, real-world feedback

nosualc

cheeko

cheeko

cheeko

TrapFail

PhCr

jjhess

cheeko

cheeko

cheeko

jjhess

cheeko

nosualc

cheeko

Deerezilla

cheeko

jjhess

Deerezilla

cheeko

cheeko

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