Browning A-5

D

danny14424

Inactive
I just purchased a Browing A-5, 16 gauge that holds 2-9/16 shells. I am trying to figure out the age of the gun. The only serial number I can find on the gun reads 41209, that same number was pressed into the upper inner portion of the wooden forearm stock. The barrel says its a full and reads Browning Arms Company Ogden Utah, but also reads made in Belguim. I paid $370 for it and am not really concerned about its worth. However I have read that it is considerd by many as the best bird gun ever made. Its a collectors item I am sure. I would like to shoot it but I dont know if I want to have it modified to shoot 2 and 3/4 shells, but i can't find 2 and 9/16 shells. Any information about my new gun would be helpful.
 
Hang tight, bud... guys will be along to post the name of the firms that make shells for the older, shorter chamber length guns... also they will date the gun as well... have fun with the ol' gal...
Brent
 
Your 16 ga A5 was mase in 1926. It should also have a safety that goes front-to-rear through the trigger guard,

At this point, your A5 is a collector's item, since ammo is not available. It can be converted to fire 2-3/4" shells, but it is costly, probably costing more than the gun cost you to begin with.
 
Welcome to the 16 club, you will find the 16 is a better gun than 12's or 20's after you shoot it and carry it in the field. The place you want to go for 16 gauge is www.16ga.com. There you will find info on everything about the 16 gauge. I know you will be happy with the browning.

There are no less than 18 different mfgr's of 16 ga. shells out of the 18 I would think someone produces 2 9/16 shells.
 
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My A-5

Thanks for the info guys. I have a friend who is a gunsmith who told me he would convert it but Id like to keep it as the collectors item it is. I would like to shoot the old gal. Hell the Browing M-2 50 cal was made back then and it still shoots to this very day. I want to see how she handle's the fields and hedge rows this winter. And yes the safty is on the front part of the trigger gaurd and is pushed front to back. Its the one part I dont like about the gun. Its amazing that gun is 80 years old and its slide release works just as good as my Remington 1187. She is a real beauty. Once again thanks guys.
 
Why can't he just fire 2½" (2 8/16 ths) shells in it? Why does it have to be 2¾"? Is there some unwritten law that states he has to destroy a superb collector's arm just to shoot a different size cartridge/shell/husk?

All of the Euro and some of the American ammo companies are making them (2½") as they are still VERY popular in Britain and Europe for driven game...

By-the-by, the price you paid is a steal as I've seen old Grade l 16s (not 12s or 20s) go as high as $900+ in auction...

Get some 2½" shells and have fun shooting the greatest bore of them all...

I've put away my 12 and 20 bore guns for hunting and am sticking to 16 and 28 bores for all my hunting...I still have to use them for Trap and Skeet and I really wish they'd bring back the 16 bore as part of a multi barrel set for Skeet...
 
I've never had a problem shooting 2 1/2" shotshells through several different 16ga guns that had either 2 9/16" or 2 5/8" chambers.

RST currently markets a big variety, and the Polywad Vintager work well also as long as your satisfied with #6 or #7 1/2 shot - anyone can order some online.

.
 
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