Browning Auto 5 Light 12 Thoughts and advice

[Old Flash]

Hello shotgunners et al,
Since my Browning A-5 has been sitting unused/safe queen, I have plans to sell it next year. It is a made in Japan (1986) 26" model and I am undecided if I should have it worked on to refinish the barrel & receiver plus the stock and fore end. Or just sell it as it is.
If I were to keep it and shoot it for a little bit longer, I'll most likely leave it as-is since it works as it should. But if selling, is the extra time and money to make it look better worth it? I haven't checked on how much it will cost to do the refinishing work, but I'm wondering if it will be a wash when sold in the end.
Feedback is appreciated.

[2761377]

imho, 95% of the time refinishing the steel lowers the value.

[Ducky's Dad]

Refinishing a shotgun is like restoring a car. It will make you feel good, but you'll never get your money out of the deal. It's worse than a wash. Japanese A5s are robust guns, but not particularly special. It's a good shooter.

[Old Flash]

Refinishing a shotgun is like restoring a car. It will make you feel good, but you'll never get your money out of the deal. It's worse than a wash. Japanese A5s are robust guns, but not particularly special. It's a good shooter.

Alright, if it's gonna be less than a wash then I guess I'm selling my A5 a field grade shotgun next year.

I'll post some pics later on and maybe get a good idea on how much my A5 is worth.

[shovelon]

Alright, if it's gonna be less than a wash then I guess I'm selling my A5 a field grade shotgun next year.

I'll post some pics later on and maybe get a good idea on how much my A5 is worth.

Just curious. Vented rib? Made in Japan means it might be able to shoot steel shot. Does it have invector choke tubes? If so that Auto5 would be a keeper if the finish is not rusted or pitted.

[Old Flash]

Just curious. Vented rib? Made in Japan means it might be able to shoot steel shot. Does it have invector choke tubes? If so that Auto5 would be a keeper if the finish is not rusted or pitted.

Yes, it has the vented rib, interchangeable chokes (invector) and is safe for steel shot. (I think the Belgian made A5's did not come from the factory with removable chokes and are not safe to use steel shot.)
There is no rust and pitting that I can tell; and I would keep it if I knew I was going to use it again, but it's been sitting in the safe unused for the past couple of years. It's ready for another owner that will put it to good use.

[Old Flash]

Here are some pics I took just now. Let me know what you all think this A5 might be worth (I got thick skin, lol).
It's getting a new buttpad from Midwest Gunworks.

[boltstop]

Honestly the gun looks great. Very appealing in its current state.

[xblax619]

[shovelon]

Very nice indeed. That is a shooter. I would value it between $700 and $900.

[Old Flash]

boltstop xblax619 shovelon Thank you!

[Ducky's Dad]

Nice gun, perfect for doves and skeet. Makes zero sense to refinish for sale. I have a Belgian Light 12, 28" barrel, Mod choke, round knob, hard butt plate, absolutely mint condition. I paid $600 about seven years ago. Different gun, but a point of reference. Do NOT put a pad on that gun, it's worth more with the factory plate. If new owner wants a pad, he can do it. Once you square up the butt for a pad, there's no going back.

[Old Flash]

Nice gun, perfect for doves and skeet. Makes zero sense to refinish for sale. I have a Belgian Light 12, 28" barrel, Mod choke, round knob, hard butt plate, absolutely mint condition. I paid $600 about seven years ago. Different gun, but a point of reference. Do NOT put a pad on that gun, it's worth more with the factory plate. If new owner wants a pad, he can do it. Once you square up the butt for a pad, there's no going back.

Thanks for the info.
Yeah, I agree about not installing a pad which will have to be fitted. I saw some factory looking butt plates being sold on ebay and other sites. I think the "new" ones are reproductions which is what I planned to get but will include the original chipped plate.

[shovelon]

Nice gun, perfect for doves and skeet. Makes zero sense to refinish for sale. I have a Belgian Light 12, 28" barrel, Mod choke, round knob, hard butt plate, absolutely mint condition. I paid $600 about seven years ago. Different gun, but a point of reference. Do NOT put a pad on that gun, it's worth more with the factory plate. If new owner wants a pad, he can do it. Once you square up the butt for a pad, there's no going back.

Actually I did not square up the wood. I rounded the KickEzz pad, mounted and scribed the outline of the wood on the pad. Took it to the belt sander and formed. Made a big difference in recoil, and I needed the extra length of pull. This I did with all my Brownings with the curved wood.

[Ducky's Dad]

Actually I did not square up the wood.

You didn't and I never would, but I suspect OP would have the pad fitted by someone who would square up the butt. For my money, that is a definite no-no.