Browning 525 or 725

[solz]

Hey all, looking for some advice on what gun to get

 

First may I say this gun will many be used on clays with the odd pigeon ( as I have a semi auto for that)

 

So my question is which to get the browning 525 or the 725 ( I will be buying new) im looking for a l/h sporter grade 1 model.

 

Is the 725 worth the extra money? Is there a noticeable difference in the models? I have shot the 525 and the fit and feel is good for me, although i did have a bit of cheek slap but I guess that's down to my mount, I should also say that I plan to hve a few lessons to start with

 

Any advice is welcome

 

Solz

 

Edit: sry if this question has been asked befor, if it has I'm sry and a link to the topic would be nice

Edited August 5, 2014 by solz

[Gordon R]

I don't know why anyone buys a new gun. I have bought a few - in a moment of insanity. Get a mint second-hand one. I don't think the 725 is worth any more than a 525, but they cost a lot more. Minimal changes, but price increase.

[solz]

Ok thank you for your views I'm a strange person who just likes new shiny things lol

 

But all jokes aside I will look at 2nd if one comes up

 

Thx

 

Solz

[shaun4860]

The 525 is a "proper" Browning, as in deep action,

 

725 is a shallower action, more akin to the Beretta's but not quite as shallow

 

[ColinF]

I know Coley's have demo guns that you can try on clays, might be worth giving them a call to see if they have both available to see which you prefer?

[solz]

I went to coleys the other day I tried the 525 there but didn't try te 725, was just wondering if anyone else thought the 725 was worth the more money

[figgy]

I prefer the 725, but I shoot a beretta.

 

Figgy

[HDAV]

Handled a 725 it felt great in the shop (LH) but felt the same about a cynergy.... Shot the cynergy and hated it!

 

Shoot it before you buy it!

 

PS I have a LH 525 and LH miroku 3800

[ginge_afc]

I have shot both and prefer the B725 although I mainly shoot game and pigeons but have also done some clay shooting

[solz]

When you say you prefer the 725 why is that? Is it the handling? THe piontablity? The recoil? Or just general feel of the gun?

 

Anyway hopefully i will make another trip to the gun shop and I can pick up and shoot both of them side by side

 

Thx

 

Solz

[Cumbrian]

I notice that you have a Browning '352'. I assume that this is a typo for '325'. I have two 325s. They are great guns, very similar to and in one or two respects perhaps a bit better than the 525 series, so I am a little puzzled as to why you want to buy one of the latter. The 725 is quite a bit different, however.

[solz]

I didn't notice I did I typo, yes I have. 325 and a beretta 687, the 687 is a 28" barrel and the 325 is a 30" but don't realy get on well with either.

 

I want to getting into clay shooting a bit more and think I prefer a 30" barrel ( which the 325 has) but like a said don't shoot well with it. It was given to me as a Gift some years ago also. I am going to part ex it for the new one

[ColinF]

I went to coleys the other day I tried the 525 there but didn't try te 725, was just wondering if anyone else thought the 725 was worth the more money

 

The build quality of both will be the same, so if the 725 fits you better, and feels better to you then its worth the extra money. As said above, shoot both then decide.

 

If you can't get on with a standard 325 or Beretta 687, then you will probably benefit from having whatever you buy fitted professionally.

[ginge_afc]

When you say you prefer the 725 why is that? Is it the handling? THe piontablity? The recoil? Or just general feel of the gun?

 

Anyway hopefully i will make another trip to the gun shop and I can pick up and shoot both of them side by side

 

Thx

 

Solz

[ginge_afc]

I do think it handles better and has less recoil because of the pad they used. The gun is LEft handed but I'm right handed and have shot really well with it, I think it feels great! See which one fits you best but the B725 is a lovely gun

[solz]

Thank you for the replies.

 

I will shoot both and make judgment once I have shot them both a few times, I'm planning in getting some coaching/lesson and maybe get it fitted if it needs doing/have the pennies

[ginge_afc]

Btw the one I use is left handed, not all of them just incase you got worried

[solz]

Btw the one I use is left handed, not all of them just incase you got worried

I shoot left handed anyway

[Cumbrian]

I didn't notice I did I typo, yes I have. 325 and a beretta 687, the 687 is a 28" barrel and the 325 is a 30" but don't realy get on well with either.

 

I want to getting into clay shooting a bit more and think I prefer a 30" barrel ( which the 325 has) but like a said don't shoot well with it. It was given to me as a Gift some years ago also. I am going to part ex it for the new one

Lucky you to have been given a 325! It should bring a useful sum in part exchange - check the Guntrader prices - especially as 30 inches are probably more sought after for all round purposes. Anyway, good luck with your search.

[rich_morris]

I don't know why anyone buys a new gun. I have bought a few - in a moment of insanity. Get a mint second-hand one. I don't think the 725 is worth any more than a 525, but they cost a lot more. Minimal changes, but price increase.

The same could be said of many shotguns eg the Beretta 686/7 or Prevail vs the 692.....

[rich_morris]

I went for a 32" B725 in the end over a number of other guns that I tried, including B525, MK38, 686Evo, SV10, and a few others, in varying lengths of barrels. I swapped from a 687.

It was the one I was least interested in at the time, mainly due to the style of the S1 sporter action, and the orange badges.

BUT it was the one that felt most at home in my hands. I spent quite a lot of time trying the guns before I came to my conclusion.

 

As said above, the B525 and B725 are both similar build quality. There are a few 'enhancements' of the 725 over the B525. How much real difference they make I do not know. The most noticeable difference when I first picked up the 725 was the palm swell - which is more notable on the 725, and I liked.

 

PS - I went for new, mostly because there were very few SH 725s when I bought mine.

[Westward]

The same could be said of many shotguns eg the Beretta 686/7 or Prevail vs the 692.....

True that!

I've tried a couple of 32" 725s and in my hands they have much better feel, balance, dynamics and triggers than any previous Browning I've tried. I really don't like the Gd 1 receiver styling, especially the orange, and I know it's significantly more money, but as a gun primarily for clays I would still choose the 725 over the 525 every time.

[HDAV]

The black action is the one to have IMO nicer styling and rather nice wood on the ones I have seen

[dougall]

solz,

if you don't get on with the 325,then I cannot see where a 525 will feel much different?

325/425/525 to me feel very similar.....whereas the 725 is radically different.as a pure clay gun I would think it is 725 v berettas for you.

I am a 425 man and stuck in my ways,I shot a 725 and it shot great...I just could get over having ORANGE bits on it!!But as a clay gun thought it was excellent and lovely to shoot.

I agree with Gordon above,I would never buy a new gun again...20% to govt and say 10% for 'leaving the forecourt' isn't good economics,when guns are going to be used and these days last forever 2nd hand is way to go.atb.

[solz]

Thank you for the replies,

 

I actually like the look at the 725, and like the black action even more, but think that's is a bit to much money for me.

 

What I have been thinking is going for the 525 and with the money I save ( by not buying the 725) spend on a few lessons

 

This of course may change when I try both guns next to each other or if I can find a 725 s/h

 

Solz