BROWNING A-5

[ridgerunner]

Just wandering if anybody on here shots a Browning A-5 20GA.? If you do tell me what you think of the gun...please.

[topher40]

I owned a couple of years ago, got in on a trade for services. I tested it thoroughly before I sold it and it was flawless. It was a FANTASTIC weapon.

[mcbosco]

They are awesome guns and not hard to find a nice one. I don't know enough about them to recommend the best ones in terms of production date, perhaps others can. I never found the standard A-5 heavy but some people say that.

Franchi ripped off the design when it brought out the 48AL years and years ago.

[Mountaineer]

Not a 20 gauge but I have a Sweet 16....beautiful gun...Love it.
The 26" plain barrel Sweet 16s are considered top grouse guns by many when in IC....likely about 6 3/4#, maybe a bit less with some wood densities.
Mine is 28" plain barrel and modified...7# on the nose.
Wonderful pheasant gun.
20s, if of the Belgian mfg would also be fine guns.
The Mirokus are much heavier in general.
The 1950s are often thought to be the top quality period for A-5s.
Even the light 12s are brutes...wonderful brutes but heavy.

Midwest Gunworks is a good spot for Browning gunsmithing if needed.
They have a spring replacement kit that is a good idea for some older A-5s.

[Vman]

I own an A5 20 ga with 28in barrel vent rib made in Belgium. It is a VERY nice gun. My main squeeze is a Benelli M1 20ga. The Benelli is the best of the present day guns, while the Browning is the best of the past. It is very well balanced, shoots a 3in. mag and points beautifully. It is a real gem.
Browning quit making the A5 years back and have not even begun to replace it. They have made several efforts with the gold models, which in comparison suck. If they would only come out with a modern A5 with alloy receiver they would give Benelli a run for their money.
If you can find a used A5 20 ga. buy it. If you don`t the next guy through the door will.

[Greg Jennings]

Depends on what you want to use it for.

If you want to hike up and down chukar mountains, I'd find something lighter. If you want to shoot 200 clay targets on the weekend, well, it'll be stocked too low and be too light in the front.

If you want a day-to-day hunting gun, they're great.

Best? I don't think there is one best.

[Vman]

The A5 twenty is much lighter than the 12ga. While I haven`t weighed mine, I would put it at around 6lbs.

[Greg Jennings]

6lbs would be pretty nice. It's been years since I had mine, but I remember it being heavier. It had high-grade wood, a rib and a Cutts. All that might have added up.

[Vman]

6lbs would be pretty nice. It's been years since I had mine, but I remember it being heavier. It had high-grade wood, a rib and a Cutts. All that might have added up.

I just did a quick google search and I found an article that states the Japanese models weigh 6.5 lbs, and the Belgium models were a little bit lighter. So I think 6lbs is pretty close.

[bulldog18]

Great guns. Mine has killed its share of quail and doves. I have rebuilt numerous A5's in my shop. I have never encountered a worn out A5 that new springs, firing pin, extractors and new wood would not cure.

[mcbosco]

This thread inspired me to look for one from the 1950's.

[Mountaineer]

If you have a factory true 6# 20 gauge A-5 then put it in the drawer with the hen teeth...you got a special one.

[Vman]

If you have a factory true 6# 20 gauge A-5 then put it in the drawer with the hen teeth...you got a special one.

Can I assume that you think I am wrong?

[Vman]

Here is the link that I read.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/browning_A-5_20mag.htm

If I had a good way of weighing my gun I would, but I tried the bathroom scale and it isn`t that accurate. I would put it at 6-6.5 lbs.

[Mountaineer]

If you have a factory true 6# 20 gauge A-5 then put it in the drawer with the hen teeth...you got a special one.

Can I assume that you think I am wrong?

Not really, you can assume that I think you are lucky to have a 28" vent rib 20 bore A-5 model so light.
As I earlier implied, wood density can make a world of difference.
I think we both enjoy the A-5s...why not leave it at that whether you actually weigh your scattergun, or not.


*I find a world(8 ounces) of difference between 6# and 6 1/2# re a 20 gauge A-5....some obviously do not.

[Vman]

I just measured my barrel and it is 27in. from muzzle to reciever.
I have hunted with many A5 12 gauges and while I love them they are just too heavy to lug around all day. This 20 gauge is not bad at all to carry, but I only carry three rounds also. It is a very nice gun that I don`t use all that often. It is probably 92% and I would like to keep it that way. But it is one deadly weapon and I have pulled some shots with it that hunting partners could not believe. One great Gun.

[setterbud]

i bought my 20 in 1969, when i was 19. saved for a year, found a used one, 1967, 26in bar, cyl choke onyl time it was worked on was after i got it put a left hand saftey on it for $5.00
i use it every year

[MO_GSP]

im embarrassed to admit that i missed out on a steal on one of these a few yrs ago. ran across one at a pawn shop while killing time waiting to meet a friend for dinner, anyway i didnt know anything about it and passed on it a couple days later i drove back up to buy it but of course it was gone

[reba]

I have one in both 12 and 20 gauge.

I now only use the 20 ga.

One of the BEST if not the BEST shotguns ever made.

The four hardcore chukar hunters I hunt with all carry 20 ga A5's.

Will need to be cleaned after 250 shots.

[dub113]

I have a Belgium a-5 and a jap light 12 a-5,and they are awesome..I also have a benelli skeet gun,ported barrel,good tigger,extended chokes...can shoot my light 12 better on any day of the week..can't go wrong with any a-5 in my opinion.

[skeetermc]

Best shotgun ever made. I wish Browning would bring it back.

[Dirtysteve]

Best shotgun ever made. I wish Browning would bring it back.

Here's there newest version. I haven't been real impressed with Browning semi auto's since they quit making the A5 and beretta quit making the b80 for them.
Maybe they got it right this time?

http://www.grandviewoutdoors.com/wing-a ... mp-is-Back!
http://www.gundigest.com/shotgun-review ... 5-humpback

[Garrison]

I have a Belgium a-5 12, great gun but heavy. I have also read that you should not put steel shot through it. Not sure if this the same for the 20 but depending where you hunt may be a problem.

[orbirdhunter]

I think that they are a cool part of american shotgunning history.....

I only have one personal experience shooting one. It was a 16 gauge, it seemed to be pretty light weight, i have no idea what kind of load i was shooting through it...i shot it 3 times that that was plenty enough, i was sure that i had blown my should clear off....i had never, ever shot a shotgun that kicked like that thing did....I have never had a desire to shoot one since....

[britspan]

Browning is re introducing them in Spring 2012. They have them advertised on there website.

[Joenailer]

I've got the Japanese light twenty Browning. It's everything that's been said above BUT it will kick the crap out of you. I made the mistake of shooting 100 clays one afternoon. Sore for a week. Hunting, a different story, since around here if your even find wild birds , you don't take many shots