Am I the only one left wanting an auto 5

H

heronfish

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
64   0   0
Is it just me, or are the old humpbacks not holding their value at all any more?
I've notied many of he's come up on the we in fantastic shape and sit unsold at 400 when only a few years ago, it seemed like they were selling quickly at double.
is this a symptom of the created desire to shoot 3.5 shello or just guys moving towards more more design? Or does every shotgunner already own a few?
 
Last edited:
I have also noticed that values have slumped. Same thing with Model 12s, Ithaca 37s, etc. I suspect that it is the desire for magnum chambers and barrels set up for steel shot with choke tubes.
 
I would suspect it to be related to people wanting one gun to do it all (skeet, upland, waterfowl, etc.) which is now a realistic possibility with modern autoloaders. Light, low recoiling, removable chokes, affordable, and able to shoot everything from light loads all the way up to 3.5" shells. Lots of guys aren't willing to shell out $600-$800 for a limited purpose gun when they can spend the same amount (or less) for something that does it all. The proven reliability of the SX3, Silver, 391, SA-08, and 930 have really dampened the demand for some of the older models (1100, A5) that were once the go to for autoloaders. IMO anyways..
 
Last edited:
That would be an exception.
The smaller bores are desirable for upland game.

I have a really nice long barrelled A-5 3" Magnum. Throws a beautiful pattern at 50y with lead shot. Probably worth as much now as it was thirty years go when I bought it. A good turkey gun; patterns well with the small shot turkey loads.
 
I have to say I appreciate the lower prices. Got myself a mint Ithaca deluxe mod choke and a mint Jap light 12 for 600 bucks. A guy can't complain about that and they will lever fail.
 
Formidable weapons they are these Auto 5's. I would take the Auto-5 over any other autoloading shotgun today,
I should mention that if Waterfowl hunting is on the agenda then only the latest Jap guns or a belgian with a
Jap barrel must be used for steel shot use, ideally one with Invector plus chokes and back bored barrels.
These guns are still bringing decent prices compared to the older guns. They are all things of beauty and none
have been made by any other that comes close to the Auto-5 IMHO.
BB
 
I've got a Grade 11 Auto 5, 3" made in Belgium, never use it. 100 years ago they were revolutionary. 50 years ago they were the sh*t. 20 years ago they were a "classic", but some pointed out that they were heavy and clunky. Today you'd practically have to give them away. Times change. Still a bargain for those that want one.
 
There is an A-5 tree inchie maggie here in Light............and in the box it was purchased in..................:runaway:
Four here and maybe one more in a few munths.........:cool:

And never yew mind there Flewtchie...........:dancingbanana:
 
I sold an unfired 1953 Belgian Auto five a couple months ago. It was bought new and sat in a cupboard ever since. A beautiful shotgun, and a bargain to boot. My buddy Dean has a Sweet Sixteen. Lucky boy!
 
I was looking at A5's after picking up an Ithaca 900XL 20g for $200. I love the long recoil and with the 20g you barely feel any recoil at all. Instead of an A5, I stumbled across an almost-new Breda (similar to the A5 and well engineered - they cost more than the A5 when new) for dirt cheap as well. Both shotguns are fun to shoot and I will never sell either of them. I have no need for 3.5" or steel shot, and newer doesn't necessarily make it better IMO.

http://www.gundigest.com/gun-collecting-firearm-collecting/gun-collecting-unique-breda-shotgun
 
An Auto 5 has always been my dream gun. We used to have one in the gun case as a kid that we stored for a fellow but I wasn't a taught to play with other peoples guns so never shot it just looked at it for many hours.
 
I never really cared for them, till my Dad quit hunting a couple of years ago and gave me his 3 inch 20 gauge.
I was going to keep as a nice weather upland gun, then I started shooting it more.
It now gets used all fall, upland birds, rabbits and waterfowl, [yes with 3 inch #2 steel].
My 11-87 hasn't left the house.
 
Here I tawt it was the wind blowing that moaning off the hill.
Lonely ole Remington ....................................................................:runaway:
 
I just assembled #8 in my collection. All from parts gathered over the last few years. All I need is three locking screws to make it complete.
 
I picked up a 1953 Auto 5 a short time ago. Mainly wanted it to go with my B2000 and double auto. However, I also got a newer Japanese vent rib barrel and a synthetic stock set so it is probably going to see some duck hunting this coming fall.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom