Browning Shotgun - Made in Belgium
- Thread starter Richardsimon124
- Start date
Well, I might have done the unthinkable. I went to see a very reputable gunsmith. He said Browning won't guarantee anything that it wasn't produced for. The gunsmith stated that if you ream the barrel you can shoot steel. So that's what I have done. I decided if I was going to keep it, I was going to use it.
Thanks guys for all the posts and follow-ups. I'll keep you posted on my successes with the A-5.
Thanks guys for all the posts and follow-ups. I'll keep you posted on my successes with the A-5.
The rings shown over the barrel, are to allow you to use 2 3/4" and 3" cartridges.
The directions should be on the inside of the forestock.
You have a great shotgun.
I have one with three barrels, a full choke for turkey etc, a barrel bored out to modified for stell shot, and a buck barrel with rifle sites.
I did buy a synthetic stock to save the nice wood and because some of the forestocks have been known to split.
The directions should be on the inside of the forestock.
You have a great shotgun.
I have one with three barrels, a full choke for turkey etc, a barrel bored out to modified for stell shot, and a buck barrel with rifle sites.
I did buy a synthetic stock to save the nice wood and because some of the forestocks have been known to split.
What he said. I traded the exact same shotgun in the same shape (mine was a blonde color 1965) with a steel shot compatible miroku barrel and I barely got 400 dollars worth of trade for it. It languished in the EE forever. Nobody wants these. They are heavy to lug. However I will be dead a long time before it gives out. You can't kill them.
Crazy_Farmer
Regular
- Location
- Running Traffic, BC
I did the exact same thing with my A5 I bought. Bored out to Improved cyclinder and havent looked back. I wouldnt worry too much about the browning site, they're just covering their ass. But in all honesty, the guys in the south have been shooting these for longer then any other semi auto shotgun and most have just been bored out after the lead ban.
Just keep it smaller steel shot, I've been told #2s and smaller numerous times by guys who have been shooting these guns a loooonnnngggg time.
Very nice find, excellent condition just like mine
Just keep it smaller steel shot, I've been told #2s and smaller numerous times by guys who have been shooting these guns a loooonnnngggg time.
Very nice find, excellent condition just like mine
That is their "legal" answer. Call the Browning service desk and you will get a different answer. The bottom line is this do not shoot steel from any fixed full choke gun. Regardless if it is Belgian or Japanese. If you open it up to modified you will be fine.
That is exactly what I had done some time ago, and the reps from Browning told me exactly what was on the website. Don't you think it unusual that Browning says OK to steel through conventionally choked Beretta made barrels (b2000, b80), but not Belgium?
I don't give a chit what you shoot, but to recommend someone else do something which the manufacturer specifically recommends against, especially if it is potientially a metallurgy issue, seems to me to be foolish.
Well there ya go ask a question and get a bunch of different answers.
In my opinion you have done the right thing. By opening the choke you have made the gun more useable and more sellable if you choose to go that way.
There is nothing wrong with Browning barrels made in Belgium but they were never meant for steel, in fact as someone else mentioned the fixed choke Japanese barrels aren't meant for steel either. The main problem being the choke constrictions. Modern guns have screw chokes made from hardened steel that can take the pounding of steel shot, but the steel constrictions are different, ie a lead modified constriction is approximately the same as a steel full choke. Another option would have been to have the barrel screw choked by a competent gunsmith .
As you can see there are many fans of the old humpback and if you get the right buyer for a vintage A5 in the condition of yours you could get over $1000 for it, the whols issue is finding the right buyer, Guys who tell you 400-500 simply aren't interested in this type of gun and don't see the value that a collector might. On the other hand you might have to wait a while, or sell it south of the border.
In my opinion you have done the right thing. By opening the choke you have made the gun more useable and more sellable if you choose to go that way.
There is nothing wrong with Browning barrels made in Belgium but they were never meant for steel, in fact as someone else mentioned the fixed choke Japanese barrels aren't meant for steel either. The main problem being the choke constrictions. Modern guns have screw chokes made from hardened steel that can take the pounding of steel shot, but the steel constrictions are different, ie a lead modified constriction is approximately the same as a steel full choke. Another option would have been to have the barrel screw choked by a competent gunsmith .
As you can see there are many fans of the old humpback and if you get the right buyer for a vintage A5 in the condition of yours you could get over $1000 for it, the whols issue is finding the right buyer, Guys who tell you 400-500 simply aren't interested in this type of gun and don't see the value that a collector might. On the other hand you might have to wait a while, or sell it south of the border.
Tommy's right - they do command a higher selling price in the States. I bought both of my Belgians (1960's) for around $500 CAD, and one was like new.
As for opening the barrel, I had my 32" magnum barrel opened to IM and it shot steel perfectly - no barel swell. Opening it makes it more appealing to a hunter, less appealing to a collector - you have to decide which route to take. Personally, I wouldn't part with it - that gun will outlive a brand new SBEII - your kid's kids could be shooting it.
As for opening the barrel, I had my 32" magnum barrel opened to IM and it shot steel perfectly - no barel swell. Opening it makes it more appealing to a hunter, less appealing to a collector - you have to decide which route to take. Personally, I wouldn't part with it - that gun will outlive a brand new SBEII - your kid's kids could be shooting it.
