Browning Auto 5

[sig shooter]

I was at a LGS today and saw a healthy line up of good condition Browning Auto 5 shotguns, with and without poly chokes, for around $350 to $500. What is the consensus on these shotguns? Does the older recoil operated system increase felt recoil? What should I check for if I buy one? Are they worth buying? I'm looking to use them for general hunting.

Thanks

 

[Sprocket]

As an A-5 enthusiast I'll say it this way:
The gun has been on the planet for over 100 years. There are many desirable features and options - today's modern shells and some of the older guns may not mix well...

2 questions for you to answer for yourself:
What do I want to do with the gun?

• Waterfowl = steel shot issues from older guns
• deer/upland = lead shot = no problem

What do I know about years of manufacture, etc:
ShotgunWorld.com = A-5 forum - read everything by Jeff Mull - The guy is awe-inspiring great, read everything he ever posted. Once you're done we can talk (about 3 years from now...)

I have a few and love them - they aren't today's girl that can suck start a 3.5", 3" & 2.75" shell without a hiccup but the original design was pretty specific. Wood options are becoming harder to find - sadly. Plain barrel, full rib, vent rib, etc - JPN mfgr had screw chokes and so on. Waaaay too many questions at this point.

If I were to but my first A-5 it would be a Light Twelve with a MOD choke (figure out the * numbers) in a 28" barrel flavor. Watch for the split forearm and/or busted buttplate - ring position makes all the difference for recoil. If I found a Magnum in MOD I may drop the coin based on wood and blue.

I regret not buying a $150 A-5 "rescue" that needed new wood. My last rescue has good wood and blue, just a crappy wood finish - $375 out the door for a 1958 model, no collector value so I may have the choke cut for screw ins or just opened up to MOD.

 

[sig shooter]

I'm looking to use it for shotgun sports and bird/deer hunting. What's the difference between the light and standard twelve?

 

[Sprocket]

Light = 2.75" shells
Magnum = 3" shells

The A-5's are like a lot of other make/models - in that, there's a lot to know about "generations", etc.

Glock for instance:
Gen What?
Model What?
Pre-Post What?
What?

The model A-5 is an old gun - your Dad, your Gramps, etc used them - these punk arsed kids want the binellis, machevellis, barettas, etc. - the old names - remington, winchester and browning - those guys had class...before 1984...

1984 steel shot rules the duck marsh and kills the way which ducks are killed forever.

 

[45collector]

I bought a Remington model 11 a few months back. Very nice gun at a fraction of the price of a Browning. The model 11 is a licensed copy of the A5.

 

[HiCap]

I have a pre-WWII Browning A5. I love it. I shoot it a lot and i have never had an issue with lead shot. Had a few hiccups with steel shot though.

 

[DarthRevan]

The model A-5 is an old gun - your Dad, your Gramps, etc used them - these punk arsed kids want the binellis, machevellis, Beretta, etc. - the old names - remington, winchester and browning - those guys had class...before 1984...

1984 steel shot rules the duck marsh and kills the way which ducks are killed forever.

FIFY

 

[ToddDubya]

I acquired an Auto 5 barrel (Hastings?) a few years back and keep thinking I should buy an Auto 5 vs sell the barrel. It's wicked light and from what I understand it's high quality and valuable. This thread has be thinking I should look into them again.

 

[Sweeney]

I'm looking to use it for shotgun sports and bird/deer hunting. What's the difference between the light and standard twelve?

The light 12 is physically lighter than the standard as lightening cuts were made internally to the receiver. If you look at used ones make sure the recoil brake parts are still there, though, you can buy full rebuild kits for them. If you buy one I advise buying a set of screw drivers and/or bits specifically for the Auto 5. The slots in the screws are especially narrow.

 

[sig shooter]

The light 12 is physically lighter than the standard as lightening cuts were made internally to the receiver. If you look at used ones make sure the recoil brake parts are still there, though, you can buy full rebuild kits for them. If you buy one I advise buying a set of screw drivers and/or bits specifically for the Auto 5. The slots in the screws are especially narrow.

They make sets specific to the Auto 5? I have a set of gunsmith screw drivers.

 

[Darksideblues42]

I have a Remington Model 11 with a Mod choke circa 1937 (according to the serial number) 2 and 3/4 shells are perfect for it, it is not the prettiest girl at the dance, but she just works it.

 

[Sweeney]

They make sets specific to the Auto 5? I have a set of gunsmith screw drivers.

They do. I got mine from Brownell's.

 

[jtnf]

I was at a LGS today and saw a healthy line up of good condition Browning Auto 5 shotguns, with and without poly chokes, for around $350 to $500. What is the consensus on these shotguns? Does the older recoil operated system increase felt recoil? What should I check for if I buy one? Are they worth buying? I'm looking to use them for general hunting.

Thanks

I was at the same LGS yesterday, looking at all the A5s and even said to the staff "there's a thread on NES about A5s but I didn't read it. If someone is looking to buy I'll send them this way."

 

[bigblue]

I was at the same LGS yesterday, looking at all the A5s and even said to the staff "there's a thread on NES about A5s but I didn't read it. If someone is looking to buy I'll send them this way."

Except that you haven't identified the FFL in question...

 

[tuna]

$350 or so? No brainer, get it. They are great workhorses.

Mine is a Sweet 16, but I've been thinking of adding a 12 to the stable so I don't make others feel so inferior.

 

[jtnf]

Except that you haven't identified the FFL in question...

Just showing the OP some respect.

 

[bigblue]

Just showing the OP some respect.

I say it bc I've been thinking about an A5 magnum for the better part of a year.

 

[45collector]

I have a Remington Model 11 with a Mod choke circa 1937 (according to the serial number) 2 and 3/4 shells are perfect for it, it is not the prettiest girl at the dance, but she just works it.

Nice. Mine was made in '42.

 

[rkwjunior]

I have my fathers Belgian A5 light 12 from i believe 1952, has 2 barrels and is in 95% + condition. Ive been debating on selling to help fund a custom Bolt action build, but i'm torn.

 

[Sprocket]

Do you use it at all? Or do you just keep it because it was his? I use my Dad's so it's never leaving the family. My Dad's is about 05% so there's no collector value, it's all patina and priceless. I use it when I'm mentoring, opening day, etc.

 

[rkwjunior]

Do you use it at all? Or do you just keep it because it was his? I use my Dad's so it's never leaving the family. My Dad's is about 05% so there's no collector value, it's all patina and priceless. I use it when I'm mentoring, opening day, etc.

No I don't use it, I'm not a hunter, sorta sentimental value and it's now a collectable.

 

[Sprocket]

rock = hard place
You can sell it all once - you may never get it back...
Your call.
What's it worth to ya?

If you sell - ping me and I'll give you an honest appraisal - I'm not in the market but with 2 barrels - I'm interested.

 

[whacko]

The auto 5 is a fantastic upland game shotgun. Also a decent trap gun if u shoot for fun. Mine is a 1969 i bought with the raised rib full choke. I paid waaaaay too much on ebay for a perfectly matching raised rib ic choke barrel for snowshoe hare hunting that imo makes a perfect set for hunting in anythung but ducks ans geese in new england. However the stock did split and as of now i have replaced it with a polymer black stock so my son calls it frankenbrowning. So is a used one "perfect"? No. But.......shoot one and you may fall in love with the design. I love shooting my pogo stick! Now as far as recoil.....set up properly i find nonless recoil than any other semi Auto 12g i have shot. Made the mistake one time if having it set up for light loads and shot at a squirrel with a high brass remy and ouch! That is where i think they got the reputation for hard kickers....people just forgot to set the friction piece properly or bought the gun and didnt do any research.