Browning Auto-5 Question

[professionalcoyotehunter]

I guess it depends on definition of loading by hand.

If mine is empty and I slide a round in the tube, when I pull my thumb away from the round it will travel backwards and load up. I don't have to press the bolt release.

How old is yours. Mine is from 1927. That is weird that you dont have to push the bolt release.

[Auto-5]

In the early 50's Browning introduced the speed feed. It allows the shotshell to be loaded into the chamber automatically
if the bolt is locked to the rear.
The design change that enables this feature is the two piece lifter. It can be retrofitted to older A-5s. Other than that you must depress the bolt release to free the one piece lifter and load the A-5.
Better late than never!