Browning auto 5

[ryan10]

Hello, can i get some info on the browning auto 5. Specifically which model was the most desriable?

[echo1]

The first one you find, at a price you're comfortable with, is the one you want. There's a mess of variable types and gauges. I have a Sweet Sixteen and a Light Twelve, both from the '50s. The old ones don't like steel shot. Then there's the U.S. marked ones which are boss milsurp. PAX

[larkja]

Are you going to shoot it or just let it sit in your safe?

Sweet 16s are very desirable and can range from $1,200 for a shooter to $3,000 for a safe queen. The newer ones (can't remember the exact year but '60s ish) have a two-piece carrier that allows you to speed load. For the older ones, you can add a two-piece carrier. If you go that route, I would send to a gunsmith and expect to spend around $300 to $400 for the conversion.

Bottom line - all depends on what you plan on doing with it. We have two 16s - one from 1947, and one from 1960. Both great shooters and fun at the range.

[Ducky's Dad]

There are Auto 5s and then there are Auto 5s. Do you want Belgian, Japanese, or the current imitation?

[JagerDog]

There are Auto 5s and then there are Auto 5s. Do you want Belgian, Japanese, or the current imitation?

^^^^^^^


What's your goal?

[CWL]

^^^^^^^


What's your goal?

And budget?

[Toomer]

Rough timeline of A5 by country:
1903-1952 - US
1952-mid 1970s - Belgium
Mid 70s - 2000 - Japan
2010+ - Portugal

One of those is not like the others.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

[W.R.Buchanan]

You want a post 1963 gun with the two piece Lifter (loading gate)

The way you quickly tell is If you can't push the lifter up to load the magazine without pushing the Bolt Release it is a Pre 63 gun. You don't really want that.

If you can load the mag without holding the bolt release it is a post 1963 gun and more desirable IMHO.

Most Desirable is a Post 63 Sweet 16 but you are looking at probably $12-1600+ unless the guy doesn't know what he has. Light 12's go for $600-1200+, and 20 ga. go for $800-?+ all this depends mostly on condition. And the prices are going up dramatically due to the Current Political Climate. And we seriously need Climate Change!!!!

Recall Newsom NOW, and we are almost there!!!

lots of people think the Belgium made guns are the absolute best and they are all certainly well made guns, however there is nothing wrong with the Japanese made guns . The way to tell them apart at a glance is the Belgium made guns will have the "Prince of Wales" pistol grip which has the rounded bottom. The Jap guns have a squared off grip.

Also the Belgium made guns say "Made in Belgium" on the barrel and the Japanese made guns say "Made in Japan." The Belgium guns were made by FN, and the Japanese guns were made by Miroku.

The quality of workmanship is nearly identical, and both are excellent firearms.

And you will find these guns in smaller gun shops all over but probably not at Big 5 or "The Dick's !"

Hope this helps

Randy