For the people that own them and have been shooting them 3, 3 1/2 how has it been performing for you? Likes, dislikes I would love to here. Iam intrigued by this gun mostly from a hunting perspective and would love to here some feedback good, bad or otherwise. Thanks!
New "kind of" browning a5
- Thread starter Flyinfish
- Start date
Browning B80 , B2000 , A 500 Browning has tried to do this before they have all gone the way of the dodo bird I see the same death for the A5 even if it is a good gun they already have a winner with the maxus auto . Also there is nothing about it other than calling it a A5 that even resembles a A5
hey the B80 was one of my most loved shotguns .it just fit ,I could shoot that gun better then any other I ever owned .and thy did work very well .I sold it at a time when I lost my job and had two babys .so a man has to do what he has to .I am looking for a real good one to replace it .Dutch ps if anybody see a b80 in a 3 inch with chokes please let me know .
madtrapper143
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Steep Rock Lake NWO
Far as I am concerned browning still has not come up with a replacement for the original recoil operated Auto 5. My nephew has both versions 3" and 3.5". I watched it work for a week long Manitoba duck shoot (lot of shooting) they worked like most new auto loaders will today. Nothing exceptional. If you love the feel and handling of an original Auto 5 this new one is nothing like the old one. I can't put my finger on it but the between the hands (quote Gene Hill) feel is just not there. It is like a 2x4 or maybe 2x6. NOW before the current owners of the new gun jump on me it is all about fit and the new A5 does not fit me at all. The old Auto 5, Remington 1100 and 870 and Ithaca 37 fit me just fine so I must be of somewhat average fit requirements.
Darryl
Darryl
Personally I loved the Auto-5 but I hate the A5! It's way too light for recoil operated 12ga if its main purpose is going to be clays or waterfowl. For upland birds it would be alright but that's where the 20 & 28 gauges shine IMHO.
As for the B2000 it's biggest downfall was the unconventional side loading feature. Other than that they are one of the best balanced and softest kicking shotguns to be found!
The B80 is nothing more than a Beretta A301 series with a Browning nameplate and the added benefit of an optional steel receiver. The steel receiver B80 is arguably the best and most reliable shotgun ever built to this day...I say arguably because the all machined steel Winchester Super-X Model 1 has some pretty big shoes to fill!
Anyway...I don't see the A5 surviving too many years...right now it's the 5yr 100000rd warranty that's selling the gun...even if the guys that are buying it will like never run close to 20000rds thru it in their lifetime!
As for the B2000 it's biggest downfall was the unconventional side loading feature. Other than that they are one of the best balanced and softest kicking shotguns to be found!
The B80 is nothing more than a Beretta A301 series with a Browning nameplate and the added benefit of an optional steel receiver. The steel receiver B80 is arguably the best and most reliable shotgun ever built to this day...I say arguably because the all machined steel Winchester Super-X Model 1 has some pretty big shoes to fill!
Anyway...I don't see the A5 surviving too many years...right now it's the 5yr 100000rd warranty that's selling the gun...even if the guys that are buying it will like never run close to 20000rds thru it in their lifetime!
I have a new A5 3 inch 2 waterfowl seasons on it now . absolutely no complaints with the gun it fits and handles great .really like the palm swell grip and the slim fore arm . I will admit I did induce the famious benelli click once through operator error . by not letting the bolt slam forward when I changed out the 3" bb load in the chamber for a 3" #3 . next pass of birds I shoulder the gun swung on a nice mallard drake and instantaneously clicked him out of the sky 
. other than that the gun has operated flawlessly . I have also shot numerous rounds of skeet ,trap and sporting clays with the gun . I don't find it has any more felt recoil than my maxus . as far as shell choice it doesn't seem to be to picky 1 oz factory target on up to 3" steel . I can also reload a 1oz load that will reliably cycle the action . not so much luck with a friends 7/8 oz powder puff load (his term ) it just kind of rattles the bolt .
. other than that the gun has operated flawlessly . I have also shot numerous rounds of skeet ,trap and sporting clays with the gun . I don't find it has any more felt recoil than my maxus . as far as shell choice it doesn't seem to be to picky 1 oz factory target on up to 3" steel . I can also reload a 1oz load that will reliably cycle the action . not so much luck with a friends 7/8 oz powder puff load (his term ) it just kind of rattles the bolt .
Like Darryl stated I do have both versions of the A5. I find they work for me so far, no issues as of yet and don't plan on any. They work well with 3" waterfowl loads for high volume shooting, but if you run the 3.5" for high volume shooting plan on packing some aspirin because it will hammer you. They don't shoot as soft as my Xtrema 2 did, but the Beretta didn't work for me on fit. Go handle one and see for yourself.Everyone is different , either you'll like it or not.
Scott
You are right . I have shot a couple different sx3 . They are a very nice gun .
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Love my A5 Ultimate in 3". It is super light, which may not be beneficial for some (and thus the weight to recoil ratio is a bit off), but it hasn't failed to cycle yet. It fit me perfectly out of the box, but there are so many shims and things you can add to make it fit virtually any frame shooter that comes in the takedown case. It's all about preference with the A5. Operationally, I've found it to be flawless. You need to try it on for size and see if it swings right, fits right, and if you can shoulder it as quickly as you'd like to and catch the sites. Spend some time in the gun shop -- best thing you can do. Took me a good month to decide whether I was going to go with this or the Benelli SuperSport but this just felt better and I love Browning .... and already have a Benelli .
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