Quoted:
I have a Browning Citori 12 gauge grade 1 that was made in Japan in 1981. I believe it is unfired and I am trying to find out what it is worth. Are these older Japan made Citori's very desirable or just shooters. Just looking for info on the gun.
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All Citoris are shooters. They're made to be shot. A lot . . . (whether anyone wants to shoot your old gun is another question)
Value/desirablility is determined by:
• Barrel length: These days, shooters want 30-32" barrels. Some guys will still buy 28". Almost nobody will buy a 26" barrel gun.
• Choke: Does it have screw-in chokes? (Yours probably doesn't) Invector or Invector Plus? Few guys are willing to settle for fixed chokes these days.
In the case of the Citori, most guys will want the more modern series -- i.e. 325, 425, 525 and similar models like the XS, CX, etc. The older, original Citoris are not as desirable. Being made in 1981, yours is an older gun with limited appeal.
Your gun is probably worth $600-$900 depending on barrel length (it will be surely be fixed choke if made in 1981). Not really an easy sell to active shooters. The shorter the barrels, the harder it will be to sell. A longer barreled gun can have its chokes opened up to something more usable so there is still some market for guns with barrels 28" or longer. A few old guys still like 26" tubes for hunting but they're a pretty small pool of buyers.
You can buy a brand new Browning CX or CXS for about $1,600 if you shop carefully. The guy who wants an O/U to shoot is much better served going that route.