Browning Auto five

IMAT

IMAT

CGN Regular
Rating - 99.2%
125   1   0
Just bought a browning Auto 5 shot Gun like new, never fired. Its a 12 gauge 3inch mag.. Serial number 5V71970. Any one know when it was made?? Also can I shoot steel shot out of it ? I think its full choke.. Made in Belgium..With ST Louis Montreal PQ on the barrel.Barrel marked special steel 3 inch

Thanks for any info IMAT
 
IMAT said:
Just bought a browning Auto 5 shot Gun like new, never fired. Its a 12 gauge 3inch mag.. Serial number 5V71970. Any one know when it was made?? Also can I shoot steel shot out of it ? I think its full choke.. Made in Belgium..With ST Louis Montreal PQ on the barrel.Barrel marked special steel 3 inch

Thanks for any info IMAT
Click to expand...

Gun was manufactured in 1965. It is a 12ga Magnum.

As mentioned.. should have a gunsmith check to see if its OK for steel. It should be OK.
 
It would be ok for steel if you had it opened,but don't be shooting steel through a fixed full. You'll likely do damage to it, and buying a replacement barrel (if you can find one) will cost you almost as much as a good used A5 will!
 
Well no gun should be drug through the marsh, they should be carried and taken care of after use. The A5 was designed with duck hunting in mind. If you don't atleast take it out for clear weather hunts you'll hurt its feelings. I'll warn you though they are known to occasionaly split forends so I'd put a cheap synthetic forend on it for any high valume shooting.
As to collector value...not so much, even pristine condition belgiums don't often go for a whole lot more then 7-800 atleast around my neighbourhood.
 
IMAT said:
Just bought a browning Auto 5 shot Gun like new, never fired. Its a 12 gauge 3inch mag.. Serial number 5V71970. Any one know when it was made?? Also can I shoot steel shot out of it ? I think its full choke.. Made in Belgium..With ST Louis Montreal PQ on the barrel.Barrel marked special steel 3 inch

Thanks for any info IMAT
Click to expand...

If this Belgian A5 in question is in fact "new in box" and "never fired" then "opening" up the choke and having the forcing cone worked on to shoot steel ammo through would be very bad advice. The barrels on those shotguns were not designed to shoot steel at all. I would advise you to Google the topic and check out the many Browning discussion forums where the aforementioned topic has been beat to death. Better yet, contact Browning and get the scoop from them. Pleny of cheaper so so A5's out there if you plan to monkey with it to shoot steel through...IMO:)
 
I would be careful with the steel even if it is opened up they still have a tendency to tear out chokes I have had a few come through the shop with bulged muzzles wow 7-8 hundred I have a couple that i would sell for 450-500. Don't shoot the larger steel threw it and it should be fine as for the forends they dry and shrink and that's why they crack. Good point M12 actually Browning does not recommend steel at all.
 
I had a mid 60's vintage A5 magnum that was threaded for Colonial choke tubes and had a synthetic stock when I got it used. It was my waterfoul rig for years; I put hundreds of rounds of steel 3" mag #2 and BB's through it and when I sold it; the barrel looked as good as the day I first brought it home. So I wouldn't be scared to use if you get it threaded for tubes...
 
I would not use steel shoot with a full choke, however Bismuth and Matrix (Tungsten/polymer) are "safe" in all firearms, but cost a bit more
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom