16 Gauge Defensive?

[NapalmCheese]

I own a Browning A5 16 gauge shotgun that I bought at the SF Gun Exchange a reaaalllly long time ago. Why...I can say or maybe I won't say. I have been trying to research the history of the gun but can find much info. From the serial number (A11,xxx) I think it was made in the 40s. The A means 16 gauge. It is parkerized. The barrel is 18" long. It reminds me of what I would think a trench gun would look like. I have posted 2 pics. If any Browning experts can point me in right direction, I would be grateful.


Sorry for hijacking your thead.

https://www.browning.com/support/frequently-asked-questions/firearm-historical-information.html

I have a latter for my Belgian 1947 16 gauge A5 3-Shot. At first the historian couldn't find any info on it and called me up to tell me so. Then a month letter I got my letter in the mail with more info.

[W.R.Buchanan]

Call Art's Gun Shop in Missouri.1-636-944-3630

They can tell you exactly what you have and why it is like that.

My best guess is a Police Gun that was modified locally for that purpose. Otherwise it would be a 12 Ga. It has the safety behind the trigger so it is between 1945 and 1963.

The pre 1963 guns don't really work as well for tactical purposes due to the way you have to load them.

You must turn the gun over and hold the bolt release to free the carrier so you can push rounds into the magazine. There is no other way to load other than single loading thru the ejection port. It can be converted I think to a two piece carrier from a later model gun but not sure about doing that with a 16 ga.

Randy

It will be fine for your intended HD Purpose like it is you just have to learn how to run it effectively. IE: learn to port load it.

[crazy]

Call Art's Gun Shop in Missouri.1-636-944-3630

They can tell you exactly what you have and why it is like that.

My best guess is a Police Gun that was modified locally for that purpose. Otherwise it would be a 12 Ga. It has the safety behind the trigger so it is between 1945 and 1963.

The pre 1963 guns don't really work as well for tactical purposes due to the way you have to load them.

You must turn the gun over and hold the bolt release to free the carrier so you can push rounds into the magazine. There is no other way to load other than single loading thru the ejection port. It can be converted I think to a two piece carrier from a later model gun but not sure about doing that with a 16 ga.

Randy

It will be fine for your intended HD Purpose like it is you just have to learn how to run it effectively. IE: learn to port load it.

Thank you. I will start another thread so I don't screw this one up.

[brian.243]

Love my 16s in the field
Only reason it fell by the wayside was because it wasn't legal for trap back in the day

[THBailey]

If you are looking to buy an additional gun for home defense, by all means the wise choice is a 12 and maybe a 20. But as you say, you already have two 16's. Given one of them at least is a pump or an auto there is no reason it can't do what needs to be done for home defense. Single shot and/or SxS double barrel? Then maybe not so much.