Browning Cynergy Field shotgun. Illustration courtesy of Browning Arms.

In 2007, I reviewed the Cynergy Classic 20 Gauge that had a $2200 retail price. In 2009, I reviewed (and very much liked) the Cynergy Euro Field that retailed at that time for $2699. In 2010, I reviewed essentially the same model, renamed the Cynergy Field and updated with Browning's Vector Pro forcing cones. $2659 was the 2010 MSRP.

Here are the published Browning specifications for the previously reviewed Cynergy 20 gauge Field with 28 inch barrels:

• Item Number: 018706604
• UPC: 023614043676
• Gauge: 20 Gauge
• Chamber Length: 3 in.
• Barrel Length: 28 in.
• Overall Length: 45 in.
• Length of Pull: 14-1/4
• Drop at Comb: 1-5/8 in.
• Drop at Heel: 2 in.
• Weight: 6 lb. 4 oz.
• Rib Width: 7/32 in.
• Barrel Finish: Matte Blued
• Stock Finish: Satin
• Wood Grade: Grade I/II
• Chokes Included: Full, Modified, Improved Cylinder
• Receiver Finish: Silver Nitride
• Chamber Finish: Chrome Plated Chamber
• Front Sight: Ivory Bead
• Choke System: Invector-Plus (flush)
• Barrel Material: Carbon Steel
• Side Ribs: Vented
• Stock Material: Black Walnut
• Recoil Pad: Cynergy Inflex
• Checkering: Cut 18 LPI
• Receiver Material: Carbon Steel
• Trigger: Single selective
• Ejectors: Selective
• Trigger Guard Material: Carbon Steel
• Trigger Guard Finish: Silver Nitride
• Trigger Guard Engraving: Buck Mark in Gold
• 2015 MSRP: $1,939.99

Here we are, five years later, and the price has dropped significantly, to $1939 MSRP. The wacky recoil pad is gone, replaced with a more conventional, but quite effective, Inflex pad. Surprisingly, the satin-finished wood is a clear step up in figure from the two previously tested models, as is the inked engraving.

Even the trigger pulls are better, breaking at about 5-1/2 pounds after initial take-up. They are still too heavy, but markedly improved from the prior tested examples.

The weight is similar, coming in at 6 lbs., 11 oz., heavier than the stated catalog weight, just as in times past. Gone is the annoying center bead that I personally cannot stand on field guns. That, however, looks like a Browning stuff-up, for the website proclaims "Flat Inflex Technology recoil pad, satin varnish finish, silver nitride finish low profile steel receiver, matte blued barrels, ivory front and mid-bead sights." No mid-bead is present on the tested model and I sure do not miss it. The Vector Pro forcing cones, added in 2010, are retained.

Just last year the Cynergy Field listed at $2849.99, so the current over $900 drop in retail price is remarkable. Yet, this Cynergy is better-looking with better wood and better triggers than the previously tested models. It is now eleven years since the Cynergy was introduced and it is currently available for the best price ever, after over a decade of inflation.

The Inflex pad is one of the better OEM pads out there. The pad, plus the reasonable weight, makes this Cynergy a soft shooter. The Cynergy shoulders effortlessly and has a very good safety that will not cause you grief with frozen or gloved hands.

Ejection of spend hulls is strong and, all-in-all, there is not anything to dislike about this model. (Except the hideous Euro-trash styling! -Editor.) At the current pricing, there is scant little that competes with it in a 20 gauge field O/U and the 12 gauge version is actually a few dollars less than the 20 gauge, 28 gauge and .410 bores.

Although Browning refers to the barrel finish as "matte," it is a higher level of polish and more evenly applied than many other matte (essentially unpolished) offerings. The walnut has significant figure; the forearm and buttstock are evenly matched in figure and color. The engraving is attractive, having good visibility, as opposed to some of the practically invisible roll-stamped attempts out there. Retail pricing varies, of course, and as this is written (summer 2015) Browning has a $100 rebate on O/U shotguns, so this gun can be had at approximately $1700 low net price.