Browning 725 Sporter

The changes to this version of the popular over-and-under are both cosmetic and functional, says Michael Yardley; it is a gun he would consider buying

- Michael Yardley

THE Browning 725 has developed a considerable following since it was launched in Hungary in December 2011. It is a gun now liked by both clay and field shooters. The 725 was a clever re-engineering exercise. It retained many positive features of the B25/525 but with a lower action height and changes to the action sculpturing and choking system. The shoulders and fences were remodelled and there was a new shape of top lever. The 725 introduced new ‘DS’ (Double Seal) interchangeable chokes that incorporated a rear copper-banded seal and a forward thread. The gun, however, retained classic Browning bolting and a full-width cross/hinge pin (to be contrasted to the trunnion hinging of Beretta and Perazzi). The 725 was lower in the action than any previous Browning superposed-inspired over-and-under. It gained an improved trigger mechanism and barrels that were lighter, re-profiled and back-bored.

The changes to the latest Sporter version featured here are both cosmetic and functional. It has a new matt-blacked finish to barrels, trigger guard, fore-end and iron and top-lever, and an action without decoration, all features that will appeal to clay shooters. The blacking is non-reflective, so better for a competition gun. It also looks good. The wavy lines that adorned the sidewalls on the action body are now absent. I like my competition guns plain and functional, so this one ticks those boxes.