Browning A5

[jbk]

So I went to a local gun shop today. They had a old browning A5, made by FN. it was parkerized (I know not original finish) but that's ok for what I want it for. My question is to anyone who has one. Are these actions solid or are they problematic? It's on the as is rack and I don't mine a little working on the gun but I don't want to buy a complete problem. I know its a crap shoot but any info would help. Possibly how reliable is cycling system?

Thanks in advance.

[Canucky]

Some folks swear by those old hump backs. What's the asking price?

[shovelon]

Some folks swear by those old hump backs. What's the asking price?

That would be me. I love mine.

Yes, what is the asking price?

[jbk]

$200. Anybody know anything about park finish? I don't think it was original. But nicely done. The stocks were junk though. Also am I the only person who gets on shotgun kicks and wants every old shotgun I see?

[Nihonto Chicken]

All commercial Browning A5s, whether Belgian or Japanese, came blued, so the park job is definitely after-market. If the barrel is Japanese, it's good for steel shot, if Belgian, lead shot only. Does it have the cross bolt safety at the rear of the trigger guard (later models), the blade safety at the front of the trigger guard (intermediate models), or the blade safety inside the trigger guard in front of the trigger (oldest models)? The last is often referred to as a suicide safety and might not be the best bet for a HD gun. The wood may be pricey to replace. A Remington Model 11 and a Stevens 720 will work for the fore end, but as for the butt stock, only a Browning A5 design will fit, and there are different tang sizes to contend with, depending on the age of the arm. You need to make sure all the friction pieces are there and in the proper order for the gun to work well (different configurations for low and high base). See p.15 in the manual linked below:

http://www.midwestgunworks.com/field_service_manual/browning_auto_5_field_service_manual.pdf

A5s are polarizing, people tend to either love or hate them.

[shovelon]

$200. Anybody know anything about park finish? I don't think it was original. But nicely done. The stocks were junk though. Also am I the only person who gets on shotgun kicks and wants every old shotgun I see?

The auto 5 has a personality of it's own. I have mine setup for low recoil target loads. I pulled the very good wood off mine and put it in storage and installed plastic stock and forearm. Then had an articulating recoil pad installed. The plastic stock set put me back something like $79 from Midway.

I would ask if it cycles. If it does, $200 is not bad.

[Intimid8tor]

My dad gave me mine, a Belgian made, as my first shotgun. It's a great gun, much nicer than most of my other guns from a cosmetic standpoint. Real wood is beautiful.

I use mine for trap and for field use.

[Ergo the Qualmed]

I have a 1932 BelgianA5. First shotgun, bought at a gunshow a couple years ago for 250.

Very reliable, don't really get too dirty. Only problem is, if something does break, it's a difficult proposition to strip it.

I won numerous rounds of trap and won a turkey in a competition with mine, and that was *with* a broken-off return spring buffer tube that had internally cracked the stock in half. Now that it's been soldiered back together...


Well, no difference actually. Still stupidly reliable (in a good way). Make sure the friction rings are in place properly, the reason mine had the shattered internal part was because the dude who bought it in 1932 hadn't had them in properly.

Keep in mind it worked for 80 years this way... :O

[jbk]

Thanks. The gunsmith at shop said he also had to A5 parts guns. So if anything bad he had replacement parts

[gwgn02]

I have an old Belgium vent rib magnum I may turn into a whippet (legal length)...great shotguns

[NapalmCheese]

If it's not a 12 gauge stocks and stuff can be more problematic to find. While researching I came across an article that said something to the effect of "you can tell how old the gun is, but you can't really tell when the recoil spring or friction piece was last changed, might as well replace them as a matter of course".

[bikr4jc]

I have a 1954 A5 and a newer Japanese model love both of them. The 54 was my dad's and was the first shotgun I learn to shoot with.. don't use it as much as the new one... Both are solid, everyone that shoots them wants one..

[Sicarius]

I have 2 Belgium and 2 Remington hump backs. I don't know why but I have an affinity for them. Wonderful shotguns in design and reliability. Midwestern shooting supplies should have all the springs and friction rings you will need to replace. The wood if cracked can get quite expensive though if this isn't going to be a queen, I think ramline made a plastic forgrip and stock for about 80 dollars. Only thing to be mindful of is the orientation of the spring and friction ring depending on the load you are using. Other than that, they are great to shoot. Definitely a stiffer recoil than what is currently considered modern. They are still the fastest loading shotgun to this day from empty and the bolt locked back if you have a 2 piece carrier. You are also buying into a piece of history. The A5 is the first successful semi auto and the design is 100 years old. It has been used by good and bad guys including bonny and clyde. The US military bought a bunch of the Remington versions of which I have one. I shoot steel through my light 12. Supposedly you will start to see a ring in the barrel near the muzzle. Nothing I can see as of yet but I haven't run any hunting loads through it and nor do I plan to.
Kevin

[shovelon]

I shoot steel through my light 12. Supposedly you will start to see a ring in the barrel near the muzzle. Nothing I can see as of yet but I haven't run any hunting loads through it and nor do I plan to.
Kevin

I have read the same thing about the Belgian "Special Steel" barrels. I think you could shoot steel through IC chokes but that is about it. Full, not so much I think.

The Japanese barrels have better steel and can handle steel shot. A Japanese barrel will fit nicely in a Belgian receiver.

[Jayhawker]

Boyds also has stocks for the A5, but verify the measurements before ordering.