Browning Auto 5

[subijitsu]

I just picked up a "Browning Auto 5 Light 12" 12ga from a shooting buddy of mine. I have been bugging him about it for the last few years to sell it and he finally gave it up. I dont know why but I have always liked that ugly SOB. He is getting a new Benelli so he doesnt need it anymore so I snagged it for $200. I have dated it as 1976.

Its in good shape but the stock needs a little work but he also gave me a synthetic one with it. I think I prefer the wood on this old guy though so I may try to get it back into shape. I cant wait to take it to the sporting clay course!

Anyone have experience (good or bad) with these? Anything I should look out for or be aware of?

[Thefeeder]

One of the best guns of all time...Hand engraved, hand checkered walnut stock. First made in 1904

Coined the fastest loading semi auto....when the gun is empty...the first shell placed in the mag will load and be ready to fire.

A Light 12 1976 will have 76G in the serial #
May be "Made in Belgium" or Japan as 1976 is the transition year.

Browning does not recommend shooting steel shot in Belgium made guns

FYI There is a friction ring that can be adjusted for light and heavy shells.

The proper stock for that year has the flat bottom pistol grip

Get yourself a reprint of the owners manual on ebay.

I've shot my 16ga A5 since 1970 and it never had a hick-up...I mean never.
You made a good buy

[Southpaw45]

Nothing bad about it. I never heard anything realy bad from guns that were designed from the master mind of John M Browning. It is one of the most famous shotguns in the world...

[bjl333]

2 A5 12g, 1 A5 16g, 1 Rem 11 20g (Twin to the A5) ALL GTG !!!

Keep where the barrel goes into the reciever lubed ....

[subijitsu]

A Light 12 1976 will have 76G in the serial #
May be "Made in Belgium" or Japan as 1976 is the transition year.

The proper stock for that year has the flat bottom pistol grip

Get yourself a reprint of the owners manual on ebay.

I've shot my 16ga A5 since 1970 and it never had a hick-up...I mean never.
You made a good buy

Yup, thats the one. It is a Japanese made version. Browning has manuals for free on their site so I grabbed one from there. Its good to hear about the reliability since that is the single most important thing in a firearm IMO. Thanks.

[subijitsu]

I never heard anything realy bad from guns that were designed from the master mind of John M Browning.

Very true. He seemed to know his stuff a little.

[subijitsu]

2 A5 12g, 1 A5 16g, 1 Rem 11 20g (Twin to the A5) ALL GTG !!!

Keep where the barrel goes into the reciever lubed ....

Will do. I will be taking it down today for the first time and giving it a nice cleaning and lubing. Not that its dirty, I just want to get familiar with it.

Thanks.

[golfrj]

Great Old gun, But the recoil operated action feels a little strange at first.. You gonna Luv it.. Have Fun...

ps I agree refinish the old stock, the gun deserves it..

[subijitsu]

Great Old gun, But the recoil operated action feels a little strange at first.. You gonna Luv it.. Have Fun...

ps I agree refinish the old stock, the gun deserves it..

Yeah, I dont think it will look right with synthetic on it since it is such a classic.

[BigDogatPlay]

The A5 is a John M. Browning design and has been made in the millions since it was first introduced. Remington made them under license for a couple of generations as the Model 11.

The friction ring is an important consideration, pay close attention to the manual and orient it the correct way depending on the type of shells you are shooting.

You probably already know that recoil can be a little bit stiff, but they really are a joy to shoot.

Not really a collector's item so I would absolutely refinish the wooden furniture. It's a nice DIY project, the gun deserves it and it will make the gun really yours.

[subijitsu]

Not really a collector's item so I would absolutely refinish the wooden furniture. It's a nice DIY project, the gun deserves it and it will make the gun really yours.

Thats what Im thinking. I like to do small woodworking projects like this so it will be fun to take my time and make it come out nice.

[BigDogatPlay]

Miles Gilbert has a neat little kit that is pretty good for first time attempts at stock refinishing that includes a how to DVD. An experienced DIY woodworker likely wouldn't need it and could just go with what they know and get solid results.

[elsolo]

I got mine when I was 18 and I'll never sell it.

[Thefeeder]

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Do not refinish.

[subijitsu]

Do not refinish.

The stock had been dropped on the butt pad a few years back and it has a nice chunk out of the bottom the stock by the butt. The spot is pretty ugly. It also has a couple other marks that could be addressed. I think I can reshape it pretty good and because of its location it should not be too obvious (except to the trained eyes here of course).

Would refinishing the stock really hurt the value of it that much? And is it enough of a classic to worry about hurting the value?

Thanks to everyone for their help so far.

I guess a picture is worth a lot so I guess I will get off my lazy *** and take some. Here is what I am looking at.


this picture makes the fore end look lighter than the butt stock but in real life it matches much better. Also the other side is much darker as well. Meh.


and this is the damage.