Browning a-500 vs a-5

I'm asking this because I own 2 of these shotguns [A-500] and they have been supurb! Yet all the hype is about what garbage they are, and how good the a-5 is. So I'm stirring the pot.
 
I have been doing a bit of research on the A-500s as I own one that I am thinking of selling. Mine was purchased by my father as a retirement gift to himself. It is Belgium made with screw in chokes and has worked flawlessly although with limited use.

There are 2 models from what I read, the A-500G (this is what I have) which is gas operated and the A-500R which is recoil operated. The R model has had some problems that unfortunately got passed by association to the G model. The R apparently is hard on internals, jammed up on occasion and can be hard to find parts for.

The Gs run well but have some issues as well. The fore stock is prone to cracking (mine cracked but was professional repaired years ago). They are heavy and although fairly well balanced some find them barrel heavy. And they throw a high pattern due to the exaggerated raised rib.

Anyway, mine has worked without issue but it is mostly a backup for me. Dad passed away before he used it a lot. He was on the east coast and it was his duck gun. He probably never fired more than a flat through it and the same for me. It patterns Black Cloud very well with the Imp Cylinder factory choke. It has above average wood and deep blueing. It is far nicer than a lot of the reviews I read but can not compare it to the A-5 as I have never owned one.
 
I hunted the recoil version of the A500 (borrowed) for an afternoon on Sharp tails in Manitoba years ago. I found the gun heavy, awkward to point with the high rib and deeply curved pistol grip. It did go bang every time and I did notice the recoil with 1 1/8 oz. heavy field loads. I decided it was not a gun I would purchase if I happened across one. The old Auto 5 is great old design and points and handles way better than the A500. But load sensitivity and steel shot has led to the Auto 5 being less popular than it once was. I am an old guy too and I would go with an Auto 5 with a fixed IMP CYL barrel or newer Invector any day over the A500. To also note I hunted Auto 5's for a lot of years before I found I shoot my Remington 1100 a lot better.

Darryl
 
madtrapper143 said:
I hunted the recoil version of the A500 (borrowed) for an afternoon on Sharp tails in Manitoba years ago. I found the gun heavy, awkward to point with the high rib and deeply curved pistol grip. It did go bang every time and I did notice the recoil with 1 1/8 oz. heavy field loads. I decided it was not a gun I would purchase if I happened across one. The old Auto 5 is great old design and points and handles way better than the A500. But load sensitivity and steel shot has led to the Auto 5 being less popular than it once was. I am an old guy too and I would go with an Auto 5 with a fixed IMP CYL barrel or newer Invector any day over the A500. To also note I hunted Auto 5's for a lot of years before I found I shoot my Remington 1100 a lot better.

Darryl
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I also own an 1100 12 ga.... also heavy. But then I've started shooting 20 and 16 ga. More comfy. My Rem mod 11 in 16 ga.is a great old guy gun, and is really a browning auto 5. 16 ga. is really overlooked as a hunting cal.
 
jim1226 said:
Geez! I'm old as dirt! Gimmie a break!!
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You cant be as old as that smelly ole trout with that silly hat ;)
I guess winter has finally set in back East and some need something to talk about ...
I never heard much about the a-500 other than it was another offering from Browning.
Still the Auto-5 is a work horse and will keep on working..short of a Dove trip to Argentina where even the other B guns will eventually break.
Ok, the Auto-5 is a bit heavy at the end of the day, but if the shot has been true and the ducks co-operative then it will all be worth it in the end.
The smell of burnt powder in the air and on your fingers and fine tasting duck roasting in the oven.
Rob
 
We had a gentlemen come out to the club a couple of weeks back trying to sell an A-500R. I shouldered it, looked it over, thought it was a nice gun myself, appeared to be in near new condition, owner was asking $650. It seemed to shoulder and swing fine by my standards. A number of members with more resources and experience looked it over, told me I would be wiser to spend my money elsewhere. Apparently, according to the older Browning diehards at the club it was one of the few guns Browning had issues with. One member does have one and reported never having issues with his.
 
jim1226 said:
I also own an 1100 12 ga.... also heavy. But then I've started shooting 20 and 16 ga. More comfy. My Rem mod 11 in 16 ga.is a great old guy gun, and is really a browning auto 5. 16 ga. is really overlooked as a hunting cal.
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I've been around 1100 remingtons since 1965 and they have been called many things but HEAVY is a first for me. Hate to see you hunting with one of my 10ga golds
You want comfy pick up a good 28ga
Cheers
 
Maritime Storm said:
We had a gentlemen come out to the club a couple of weeks back trying to sell an A-500R. I shouldered it, looked it over, thought it was a nice gun myself, appeared to be in near new condition, owner was asking $650. It seemed to shoulder and swing fine by my standards. A number of members with more resources and experience looked it over, told me I would be wiser to spend my money elsewhere. Apparently, according to the older Browning diehards at the club it was one of the few guns Browning had issues with. One member does have one and reported never having issues with his.
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They gave you good advice. They are known as one of the biggest mistakes Browning had made in shotguns by collectors which is why there is none in any of their herds

Cheers
 
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