Browning Citori Hunter 20 Gauge Polished Blued Shotgun

This is not my first...

This is not my first Browning Citori, but it is the first one in 30 years. They have changed. The trigger guard lower extension with an exposed screw is gone, and the exposed screws on the forearm release are missing. There could be more changes, but this is what you can see from the outside. For reasons that I can't explain, the assembly process is much harder than on my old Citori Gran Lightning. In order to get the barrel assembly to seat and close, you have to set the assembly on the hinge pin and pull it hard away from the receiver while holding the locking release lever and closing the action. It was a real fight the first time that ended in some scratches on the locking lugs that are visible on the bottom of the receiver. The manual does not address this, and I had to learn how to do it from an online blog. Still, the gun's fit and finish are excellent; although the stock wood character is very bland. I have several other Browning guns -- several at a lower price point, and all look nicer than this one. It fits me the same as my old Citori, and shoots flawlessly. I really like the recoil pad (it is the same on two of my other Browning guns). I bought the Browning over other choices because of the favorable experience I've had with my other Miroku Browning guns. I'd read in some reviews that the checkering was too aggressive (hurt the reviewer's hands). I think it's fine and looks great. I would recommend the gun. I would have given it a 5 star rating if not for the assembly issue and the mediocre stock character.