A comment on the first post. He states it has the ring to convert from 2 3/4 to 3 inch shells.
The friction ring design was to adjust from hi-brass to low-brass. Not to upgrade to a 3 inch shell.
They may have made a 3inch A-5 but all of our old ones are 2 3/4 only.
Be very careful that you are not overloading that gun. The friction ring adjustment will greatly reduce the felt recoil of the high brass shell. It will also save soem wear and tear on the gun. Cracks in the fore end result from the fore end result from the wood not being properly set to the receiver, not having the mag cap screwed down all the way and improper setting of the friction ring.
Here are the instructions from Browning. The images did not copy to the post.
The older guns actually had a diagram inside the fore end for the friction ring setting.
Q. How do I change the rings on my Auto-5? A. This information is found in the Auto-5 Owners Manuals. For your convenience, we have reprinted these instructions below:
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Friction Ring Adjustment for Auto-5 Light 12, Sweet 16 and 20 Gauge Models
SETTINGS FOR SHOOTING 2 3/4-INCH MAGNUM STEEL SHOT AND HIGH VELOCITY LOADS --
THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS ARE ONLY FOR 2 3/4-INCH 12, SWEET 16 AND 20 GAUGE MODELS, NOT THE 3" MAGNUM 12 GAUGE OR THE 3" MAGNUM 20 GAUGE SEMI-AUTOMATIC. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS ARE PROVIDED FOR THOSE MODELS IN A SEPARATE MANUAL.
Figure 1
A great deal of attention has gone into the design of the recoil absorbing mechanism to minimize the recoil of magnum loads as much as possible. It is a mechanism specially arranged for those loads. As shown, it consists of a bronze friction piece and one coned friction ring. (See Figure 1.)
1. With the butt of the stock down and the magazine tube pointing up, one friction ring is placed on top of the spring with the beveled surface UP.
2. The bronze friction piece is then slipped over the magazine tube with its beveled surface up. THE GUN SHOULD NEVER BE FIRED WITHOUT BRONZE FRICTION PIECE IN PLACE.
If the correct position of the recoil components is not maintained you will get unnecessary recoil which will severly pound the mechanism.
NOTE: If steel shot loads will not function with the heavy load setting, then set friction ring adjustment for light load settings.
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Friction Ring Setting for Light Loads
Figure 2
The single difference from the arrangements given for heavy loads is a change in the position of the friction ring. For light loads this friction ring is taken off and placed at the extreme rear end of the magazine tube, between the rear end of the recoil spring and the receiver with the beveled edge turned toward the receiver. (See Figure 2.)
NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES REMOVE THE BRONZE FRICTION PIECE FROM ITS POSITION REARWARD OF THE BARREL GUIDE RING. If the gun is fired with either the friction ring or the recoil guide spring in direct contact with the barrel guide ring, the rear surface of the barrel guide ring will be deformed. Removal of the bronze friction piece permits an excess of recoil. You will be getting unnecessary recoil, thereby pounding the mechanism of your gun severely.
You will note, however, that the mechanism must receive a certain amount of force if it is to operate automatically. The addition of any sort of weight to a barrel will have somewhat the same effect. When such factors as these are introduced, care must be given to suitable adjustment of the friction ring setting. It is desirable to utilize the setting for heavy loads as long as the mechanism functions properly. When resistance to recoil is too great to permit proper ejection, the light load setting should be used.
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Friction Ring Adjustment for Auto-5 3-inch Magnum Models
THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS ARE ONLY FOR 3-INCH 12 AND 20 GAUGE MODELS, NOT FOR THE 2 3/4" LIGHT 12 GAUGE OR 2 3/4" LIGHT 20 GAUGE AUTOMATIC. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS ARE PROVIDED FOR THOSE MODELS IN A SEPARATE MANUAL.
Figure 3
A great deal of attention has gone into the design of the recoil absorbing mechanism to minimize the recoil of the big 3-inch magnum loads as much as possible. This recoil mechanism is specially arranged for those loads. As shown, it consists of a large spring, two friction brakes and three coned friction rings. (See Figure 3.)
1. With the butt of the stock down and the magazine tube pointing up, one friction ring is placed on top of the spring with the beveled surface UP, on top of which a friction brake is placed.
2. The second friction ring is placed on top of it with the beveled surface DOWN.
3. The third ring is then placed back to back, that is, with its beveled surface UP. The second friction brake is place on top of it. This is the correcton position for all 3-inch magnums loads.
4. The three friction rings and the two friction brakes are identical to each other and may be placed in any position for ring or brake within the prescribed arrangement.
If the correct position of all the recoil components is not maintaine you will get unnecessary recoil which will severly pound the mechanism of your gun.
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Seetis for Shooting 2 3/4" High Velocity and Steel Shot Loads
Figure 4
This gun has been designed specially for the 3-inch magnum loads. However 2 3/4" magnum loads or 2 3/4" high velocity loads may be used if the recoil mechanism is adjusted as follows:
1. Remove the top friction brake and the top two friction rings as shown in figure 4. This is also the correct setting for all steel shot loads. The top friction rings and brake should be removed entirely and not simply placed under the recoil spring.
2. Be sure that the removed parts are placed in a safe place where they will not be lost. You will undoubtedly want to later readjust your gun to 3-inch magnum loads.
NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES REMOVE THE BRONZE FRICTION PIECE FROM ITS POSITION REARWARD OF THE BARREL GUIDE RING. If the gun is fired with either the friction ring or the recoil guide spring in direct contact with the barrel guide ring, the rear surface of the barrel guide ring will be deformed. Removal of the bronze friction piece permits an excess of recoil. You will be getting unnecessary recoil, thereby pounding the mechanism of your gun severely.
You will note, however, that the mechanism must receive a certain amount of force if it is to operate automatically. The addition of any sort of weight to a barrel will have somewhat the same effect. When such factors as these are introduced, care must be given to suitable adjustment of the friction ring setting. It is desirable to utilize the setting for heavy loads as long as the mechanism functions properly. When resistance to recoil is too great to permit proper ejection, the light load setting should be used.
