Browning auto 5 question

[wcmachine]

I have a Browning auto 5 shotgun from the 1930's It is 16 GA 2 9/16. I think it was changed along the way to 2 3/4. If it was still 2 9/16 would the 2 3/4 shell fit? A 2 3/4 shell loads and chambers but I have not shot it. Thanks. Warren

 

[gerrycaruso]

I have an old Browning Auto 5 in 16 GA that my father in law brought home from WWII. It has the short chamber. If I load 2 3/4" shells,it will cycle but when I fired one, the shell wouldn't eject because when it opened, it was too long. I got it out without damaging the gun but I don't shoot it anymore. I could send it to Browning and have them open it up to shoot 2 3/4 ' shells but if I really want to shoot it , I'll load shorter shells.

 

[icyclefar]

As said above, if it is still 2-9/16 it will chamber the longer shell, but when fired and the hull opens up you will find it wedged into the barrel area beyond the chamber.

You could measure it, or take a fired shell and drop it in and see if it chambers without any resistance.

 

[wcmachine]

Many thanks, I had forgotten about the extra length for the end of the shell opening up. This gun is about 90-95% and the blue is perfect, I may just put it away and save it. Warren

 

[Jose]

You have two options to keep using it:

1. Take the barrel to a competent gunsmith who will lengthen the chamber to 2 3/4" and re-taper the forcing cone. It ain't brain surgery and the gun will work right, but it might hurt value.

2. Buy a spare, used 16 gauge barrel. If it comes with a 2 3/4 chamber, you are set. If not, do #1 with it. Just save the original barrel for later.

 

[Jose]

I had forgotten about the extra length for the end of the shell opening up.

Yep, chamber length is that of a fired cartridge.

 

[b79holmes]

I would think firing it with a shell that is too long is dangerous, like firing a 3" from a 2 3/4.

Also if it's a real 'sweet 16' it has collector value.

Bill

 

[gerrycaruso]

I think the ejection port also has to be lengthened. I wouldn't do that to my gun and it's not in as nice a condition as yours.

 

[Jose]

I think the ejection port also has to be lengthened. I wouldn't do that to my gun and it's not in as nice a condition as yours.

I forgot about that......

Maybe stick a fired 2.75" case in the chamber, drop the bolt on it, then rack the action open quickly to eject it and see what happens.

 

[DukeInFlorida]

Um, here's another consideration for the old shotguns................

The really old guns were made with DAMASCUS steel barrels. And, the propellant was black powder, which creates much less pressure than smokeless powder.

DO NOT SHOOT modern smokeless powder shells out of an old damascus barrel. They are not strong enough to take the pressure.

Unless you want to get into the reloading of shotshells with black powder, the old shotguns should be just wall hangers.

So, check the barrel for what it's made from before you fire any modern shell in it.

 

[tuna]

3rd option would be to use it as a single shot.

Personally, I'd either try to find 2 9/16 ammo or make my own.

Try this site, http://www.16ga.com and welcome to the wonderful world of the 16ga. I've been a convert for the past few years, and never feel undergunned in the field carrying a 16.

 

[gerrycaruso]

I don't think you can use it as a single shot for 2 reasons. The 2 3/4" shell will open into the barrel which is a bad thing and the fired shell will not fit out the ejection port which is not dangerous but is aggravating.

 

[George D]

I have a 1957 A5 and the barrel is actually stamped "2 3/4" in fine print, check to see what the barrel says.

 

[Jose]

Um, here's another consideration for the old shotguns................

The really old guns were made with DAMASCUS steel barrels. And, the propellant was black powder, which creates much less pressure than smokeless powder.

DO NOT SHOOT modern smokeless powder shells out of an old damascus barrel. They are not strong enough to take the pressure.

Unless you want to get into the reloading of shotshells with black powder, the old shotguns should be just wall hangers.

So, check the barrel for what it's made from before you fire any modern shell in it.

If the Damascus barrel is in British proof, CIP proofed loads of the correct chamber length are safe.

 

[wcmachine]

I have a 1957 A5 and the barrel is actually stamped "2 3/4" in fine print, check to see what the barrel says.

The barrel is actualy stamped 16 65. 65MM equates to slightly less than 2 9/16. It also has a star stamped to the underside of the barrel neer the receiver, which could mean it was sent back to the factory for some kind of work. Warren

 

[Sprocket]

wcmachine - Head over to shotgunworld.com and find the browning section - use the search and check the stickies - there's some really excellent write ups on how to correctly modify the short chamber guns to fit 2 3/4" shells - There's a lot of good info on dating your gun and IDing sweet vs standard versions. Also understand that some will tell you it destroys the collector value to stretch the chamber, etc. - others will tell you it's a shame to not fire it at all...

Search RST shells in the 2 1/2 flavor - these will run in the gun with no mods required.

 

[wcmachine]

wcmachine - Head over to shotgunworld.com and find the browning section - use the search and check the stickies - there's some really excellent write ups on how to correctly modify the short chamber guns to fit 2 3/4" shells - There's a lot of good info on dating your gun and IDing sweet vs standard versions. Also understand that some will tell you it destroys the collector value to stretch the chamber, etc. - others will tell you it's a shame to not fire it at all...

Search RST shells in the 2 1/2 flavor - these will run in the gun with no mods required.

Good info there and I have a box of RST shells and may get more and just go that route. Many thanks

 

[Sprocket]

check over at 16ga.com - the forums are 16 specific as the name implies - the crowd can be stuffy but the info is top notch

save your hulls and reload - waaay cheaper even at $45/bag of shot