Author Topic: Browning a5  (Read 1875 times)

Offline ToeTag

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Browning a5
« on: September 04, 2011, 07:26:54 PM »
OK....so I was going through my gun cabinet and cataloging my guns.. I was on the browning site and I have a 1972 20 ga. that is fine for modern shotgun shells.  I also have a 1953 12 ga. that according to some sites is not ok for modern shells.  Anyone know for sure?  I don't want to buy a new barrel to be able to shoot it.  I guess I will if I have to though.   :headscratch:
They call it "common sense", then why is it so uncommon?

Offline mbailey

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Re: Browning a5
« Reply #1 on: September 04, 2011, 07:30:57 PM »
If your having second thoughts, have it checked out by a qualified Gunsmith. Or you could contact Browning, just have your SN# in hand, they will let you know the story on what to, and not to shoot thru it.

I have a 1955 (Serial# series L56*****) Belgium Browning A5 that functions fine on standard 2 3/4" shotshells. On a side note, do not shoot steel shot thru it. It could bulge the bbl at the base of the choke. You should be OK shooting Bismuth thru it, as its the closest thing to lead available, but    
ultimately, when in doubt, have it checked out. :aok

Heres a link to Browning Customer Service

http://www.browning.com/customerservice/qna/detail.asp?id=35

« Last Edit: September 04, 2011, 07:42:31 PM by mbailey »
Mbailey
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Offline Rich52

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Re: Browning a5
« Reply #2 on: September 04, 2011, 07:33:45 PM »
I have two both made back in the '30s. A 16ga and a 12ga. They are the Jewels of my collection and are the "duckiest" shotguns I own.
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Offline ToeTag

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Re: Browning a5
« Reply #3 on: September 04, 2011, 07:45:11 PM »
what do you shoot through them?
They call it "common sense", then why is it so uncommon?

Offline Golfer

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Re: Browning a5
« Reply #4 on: September 04, 2011, 09:10:28 PM »
They suck, I'll pay you $200 for the lot simply to take them off your hands and keep your hands safe.  It's the least I can do...


(lucky dog)

Offline SmokinLoon

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Re: Browning a5
« Reply #5 on: September 04, 2011, 09:33:58 PM »
First, stay away from steel shot in either gun, more so the older one.  Second, stay away from modern high brass shells especially in the older one.  Most of the modern day shotgun ammo with the high brass pushes the limits for the sake of "performance".

If at all possible, use the low brass 2 3/4in non-magnum shells.  I have a Remington Mod. 11 (same exact shotgun but stamped Remington, they made the gun under license from Browning for a number of years) and it shoots anything well, but I never shoot steel.  Bismouth is good, but expensive. 
Proud grandson of the late Lt. Col. Darrell M. "Bud" Gray, USAF (ret.), B24D pilot, 5th BG/72nd BS. 28 combat missions within the "slot", PTO.

Offline Rich52

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Re: Browning a5
« Reply #6 on: September 05, 2011, 08:42:43 AM »
what do you shoot through them?

At first I shot lead, obviosly, then had to change to bizmuth, and then later, tungsten. They dont go out often but once or twice a year the old Brownings go out. I used to have a hole in some woods, right out of Duckman videos, and the Sweet 16 was right at home there. I had both opened to Imp/Cyl, which is what I screw into my modern duckers anyways. I only kill birds over the dekes. Even Geese I dont shoot anymore unless Ive fooled them and got them in the spread.

If Im shooting a spot where numbers matter i can be a total Loon. Ive gotten up at 0300 to put out 1,200 goose Sils and fulls, or huge spreads of duck floaters.
« Last Edit: September 05, 2011, 08:50:32 AM by Rich52 »
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Offline ToeTag

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Re: Browning a5
« Reply #7 on: September 05, 2011, 09:45:01 AM »
They suck, I'll pay you $200 for the lot simply to take them off your hands and keep your hands safe.  It's the least I can do...


(lucky dog)

sounds like someone is trying to get one heel of a deal!
They call it "common sense", then why is it so uncommon?

Offline RichardDarkwood

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Re: Browning a5
« Reply #8 on: September 05, 2011, 10:05:19 AM »

If Im shooting a spot where numbers matter i can be a total Loon. Ive gotten up at 0300 to put out 1,200 goose Sils and fulls, or huge spreads of duck floaters.

Good times right there.

Put those A5's away and get yourselves a Benelli and stop wasting your time. Keep in ming I have an A5 as well. Time to yield to the new generation of waterfowl devastation weapons. :D
A yappy back seater like Jester wasn’t popular or fun to fly with, more of an unnecessary distraction than anything else---Puma44

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Offline Rich52

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Re: Browning a5
« Reply #9 on: September 05, 2011, 02:10:23 PM »
Good times right there.

Put those A5's away and get yourselves a Benelli and stop wasting your time. Keep in ming I have an A5 as well. Time to yield to the new generation of waterfowl devastation weapons. :D

Which is why I have my Browning Gold and BPS 10ga. ;) The A-5s are for timber and nostalgia.
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Offline RichardDarkwood

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Re: Browning a5
« Reply #10 on: September 05, 2011, 02:13:41 PM »
Which is why I have my Browning Gold and BPS 10ga. ;) The A-5s are for timber and nostalgia.

You went from bad to worse........
A yappy back seater like Jester wasn’t popular or fun to fly with, more of an unnecessary distraction than anything else---Puma44

https://www.twitch.tv/hounds_darkwood
CO--The Bad Guys

Offline Rich52

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Re: Browning a5
« Reply #11 on: September 05, 2011, 02:27:55 PM »
You went from bad to worse........

I started waterfowling in 1965, which is 8 years before 1973....sonnie
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Offline RichardDarkwood

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Re: Browning a5
« Reply #12 on: September 05, 2011, 03:02:42 PM »
I started waterfowling in 1965, which is 8 years before 1973....sonnie

You stand beside me with your browning and find out your still shooting like it's 1965, cuz our not gonna get anything.....grampie

and he count
A yappy back seater like Jester wasn’t popular or fun to fly with, more of an unnecessary distraction than anything else---Puma44

https://www.twitch.tv/hounds_darkwood
CO--The Bad Guys

Offline canacka

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Re: Browning a5
« Reply #13 on: September 05, 2011, 08:54:36 PM »
The old Browning models made in Belgium are worth, not at auction actually worth, around $1500.  Back then they didn't make the barrels to stand up to steel shot.  However, they can still take a modern load, but I would not shoot a magnum out of it.  I haven't researched that part but I don't think many have and aren't willing to try either.  I know this because my father has a 1950's Belgium Browning.
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Offline SmokinLoon

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Re: Browning a5
« Reply #14 on: September 05, 2011, 10:01:33 PM »
Good times right there.

Put those A5's away and get yourselves a Benelli and stop wasting your time. Keep in ming I have an A5 as well. Time to yield to the new generation of waterfowl devastation weapons. :D

I see you drank the Benelli kool-aid.  You are too far gone to save, so keep drinking.  If you **really** think Benelli is all that, you are sadly mistaken.  Lemme guess, you think Glock is "the best" too???     :bhead

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drinking_the_Kool-Aid
« Last Edit: September 05, 2011, 10:40:40 PM by SmokinLoon »
Proud grandson of the late Lt. Col. Darrell M. "Bud" Gray, USAF (ret.), B24D pilot, 5th BG/72nd BS. 28 combat missions within the "slot", PTO.