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Started By
Message
Should I modify an old Belgian made Browning A5?
Posted on 12/16/20 at 12:43 am
Posted on 12/16/20 at 12:43 am
I have 2 vintage {1960s) Belgian made A5 12 gauges. They are both fam heirlooms and I hunted with one all the time as a kid, but now I never use them anymore. One is a 12 Super Light workhorse and the other is an antique in great shape that I'll never use again with any frequency. It's just a showpiece at this point.
But I also never shoot my old workhorse gun anymore because of the following:
Only shoots 2/3", jams are frequent, it's the kickingest damn shotgun I've ever shot, and I have other, newer, shotguns I take hunting/shooting now.
But after seeing a new A5 recently (I didn't even know they still made them honestly), I'm tempted to now modify my old workhorse into a newer looking gun.
I'm looking at new camo composite stocks, a new camo paint job, and a railed barrel, and possibly a new spring setup to fix the jams.
Question is, would or should I basically ruin a vintage A5 to make it shootable and useful again or just leave it in the safe to collect dust, but still retain its coelletors item?
But I also never shoot my old workhorse gun anymore because of the following:
Only shoots 2/3", jams are frequent, it's the kickingest damn shotgun I've ever shot, and I have other, newer, shotguns I take hunting/shooting now.
But after seeing a new A5 recently (I didn't even know they still made them honestly), I'm tempted to now modify my old workhorse into a newer looking gun.
I'm looking at new camo composite stocks, a new camo paint job, and a railed barrel, and possibly a new spring setup to fix the jams.
Question is, would or should I basically ruin a vintage A5 to make it shootable and useful again or just leave it in the safe to collect dust, but still retain its coelletors item?
10
Posted on 12/16/20 at 2:13 am to Jack Ruby
I have one as well...late 40s I believe...16 Gauge. Right outside of the "Sweet 16" manufacture dates.
I personally will one day hang it in an office or something, but as of right now I still use it for upland hunting. With great care of course. I'm not one to buy a gun and stick it in a case.
But with what you want to do, I don't think I would go that route. Maybe the spring setup to fix the jams, but I definitely wouldn't go with a composite stock/paint job.
I personally will one day hang it in an office or something, but as of right now I still use it for upland hunting. With great care of course. I'm not one to buy a gun and stick it in a case.
But with what you want to do, I don't think I would go that route. Maybe the spring setup to fix the jams, but I definitely wouldn't go with a composite stock/paint job.
Posted on 12/16/20 at 3:21 am to Jack Ruby
quote:
, it's the kickingest damn shotgun I've ever shot,
Auto 5's when set up correctly are one of the softest recoiling shotguns out there. You either
A) have the rings set up wrong
B) have worn out rings and springs
C) Have too much lube on the mag tube
By the time you buy
$250 composite stocks
$225 camo dip job
$75 rings and mag spring
$500 vent rib barrel
You're in the ballpark of what you could buy either a new style A5 or if you're very very lucky find one of the Mag Stalker Auto 5's that they made for 4 or 5 years in the 90's that came factory with everything you're looking for but camo. They came in a matte black Parkerized finish. I have 2 of the original Mag Stalkers and have a new A5 that I bought my oldest daughter for her first duck gun. I'll take the original over the newer one every single time. Be forewarned the original Stalkers are hard to find and usually are in the $1200 range when you do find them unless you run up on the few killer deals that are out there. As far the new style A5's theres a couple sellers on Gunbroker that have the new 3.5" A5 Stalker models for $1000 that are demo models or factory refurbished and in new condition
Posted on 12/16/20 at 4:13 am to Jack Ruby
The jamming can probably be cured by cleaning the spring,magazine tube and the brass collar that slides.
Clean the receiver thoroughly.
The chamber would also get a wax buildup if I shot the cheap shells sealed with wax.
These days they have these expensive gun scrubber spray chemicals,I always used 409. Today I would use Simple Green and boiling water. Spray it down,then rinse it good.
I bet this cures your problem. This has worked for many of my friends also.
Been shooting Auto 5’s and Model 12’s since I was a kid in the 1960’s.
And you are right about the kick!
You probably know all of the stuff I just said dealing with and shooting an Auto 5 for so long as you have. They were the big deal back then and I couldn’t wait to get one. $212.14 is what I paid for it.
Saved all my money from selling turtles to the pet store for .25 cents each.
Clean the receiver thoroughly.
The chamber would also get a wax buildup if I shot the cheap shells sealed with wax.
These days they have these expensive gun scrubber spray chemicals,I always used 409. Today I would use Simple Green and boiling water. Spray it down,then rinse it good.
I bet this cures your problem. This has worked for many of my friends also.
Been shooting Auto 5’s and Model 12’s since I was a kid in the 1960’s.
And you are right about the kick!
You probably know all of the stuff I just said dealing with and shooting an Auto 5 for so long as you have. They were the big deal back then and I couldn’t wait to get one. $212.14 is what I paid for it.
Saved all my money from selling turtles to the pet store for .25 cents each.
This post was edited on 12/16/20 at 4:49 am
Posted on 12/16/20 at 5:08 am to Jack Ruby
Remove oil from the mag tube and the brass brake. Oil there and the shotgun will hurt you recoil wise.
I would not paint the gun, I would not install chokes, 2 3/4 #4 steel is plenty to shoot ducks with.
Make sure the rings are set correctly for the loads you’re shooting. Re hang ups.
As stated, clean it properly via a full disassembly. The main spring is in the buttstock and could be rusty, dirty and slowing the gun down.
Browning does not make an Auto 5 any more they just use the name “A5” for the Benelli knockoff clone piece of shite they currently make.
I would not paint the gun, I would not install chokes, 2 3/4 #4 steel is plenty to shoot ducks with.
Make sure the rings are set correctly for the loads you’re shooting. Re hang ups.
As stated, clean it properly via a full disassembly. The main spring is in the buttstock and could be rusty, dirty and slowing the gun down.
Browning does not make an Auto 5 any more they just use the name “A5” for the Benelli knockoff clone piece of shite they currently make.
This post was edited on 12/16/20 at 5:12 am
Posted on 12/16/20 at 8:48 am to Jack Ruby
quote:
it's the kickingest damn shotgun I've ever shot,
If you have the rings set up correctly, it's a very smooth shooting shotgun.
If you have the rings set up backwards, you'll usually end up with a cracked forearm stock.
This post was edited on 12/16/20 at 8:50 am
Posted on 12/16/20 at 9:16 am to Shexter
And just to reiterate: I once oiled my mag tube and polished it with steel wool. Worst recoil I've ever felt, about 5x my single shot 10 gauge. Physical pain, no shite.
Posted on 12/16/20 at 11:04 am to lv2bowhntAU
quote:
Auto 5's when set up correctly are one of the softest recoiling shotguns out there.
Posted on 12/16/20 at 12:03 pm to JDPndahizzy
My Dad a Belgium made 16 gauge ,kicked like a mule.After he had it about 30 years he found out the rings were in backwards after he got them right it didn’t kick near as bad.
He didn’t hunt much anyway.
I wish I had it but he left my mother and married an old whore,he got dementia and his alcoholic step-son sold it.
He didn’t hunt much anyway.
I wish I had it but he left my mother and married an old whore,he got dementia and his alcoholic step-son sold it.
Posted on 12/16/20 at 2:52 pm to Jack Ruby
this post deserves every downvotePosted on 12/16/20 at 3:51 pm to JDPndahizzy
quote:
JDPndahizzy
Sorry the recoil from an almost 10lb autoloader seems a bit harsh to you
My oldest daughter started shooting my Mag twenty at 8yrs old. When they're setup right and aren't lathered in oil they aren't heavy kickers. Now if they aren't set up right or have too much oil on the mag tube then they can be eye opening for sure especially in the sub gauge guns with magnum loads
Posted on 12/16/20 at 6:42 pm to LSUA 75
Welp... This thread has kind of ended my desire to modify the A5. I'll look at some of the ring/spring suggestions that are probably causing my issues.
Thanks for the effective downvotes.
One of the A5s was actually supposed to be a Sweet 16, but my grandfather back in the 60s actually bought one and then traded it in for a 12 Guage because he hated the 16 so much. Now, one of the them is not worth half of what it could have been. Oh well.
Thanks for the effective downvotes.
quote:
Dad a Belgium made 16 gauge
One of the A5s was actually supposed to be a Sweet 16, but my grandfather back in the 60s actually bought one and then traded it in for a 12 Guage because he hated the 16 so much. Now, one of the them is not worth half of what it could have been. Oh well.
Posted on 12/16/20 at 6:44 pm to Jack Ruby
No offense but this hurts my eyes to read. Just buy a new A5 if you want one.
Reminds me of people putting racing stripes on a 65 mustang. Hard pass.
Reminds me of people putting racing stripes on a 65 mustang. Hard pass.
This post was edited on 12/16/20 at 6:49 pm
Posted on 12/16/20 at 7:14 pm to MadtownTiger
No. Sell it someone that will appreciate it the way it is
Posted on 12/16/20 at 7:35 pm to Jack Ruby
RST shotgun shells (thy sell direct online) make low pressure shells for old guns. They make a shell designed for the A5
Posted on 12/16/20 at 8:05 pm to Jack Ruby
quote:
I have 2 vintage {1960s) Belgian made A5 12 gauges. They are both fam heirlooms and I hunted with one all the time as a kid, but now I never use them anymore. One is a 12 Super Light workhorse and the other is an antique in great shape that I'll never use again with any frequency. It's just a showpiece at this point.
But I also never shoot my old workhorse gun anymore because of the following:
Only shoots 2/3", jams are frequent, it's the kickingest damn shotgun I've ever shot, and I have other, newer, shotguns I take hunting/shooting now.
But after seeing a new A5 recently (I didn't even know they still made them honestly), I'm tempted to now modify my old workhorse into a newer looking gun.
I'm looking at new camo composite stocks, a new camo paint job, and a railed barrel, and possibly a new spring setup to fix the jams.
Question is, would or should I basically ruin a vintage A5 to make it shootable and useful again or just leave it in the safe to collect dust, but still retain its coelletors item?
I would recommend selling the guns to someone who would appreciate them and you buying what you want.
Posted on 12/16/20 at 8:15 pm to Jack Ruby
Look up Art’s Gun Shop. Get it restored, if anything.
If you don’t like the recoil, make sure the rings are right and buy a leather recoil pad. They make some that velcro on and they work great.
And the new A5’s aren’t the same action as an old Auto 5.
I’ll take them both off of your hands for $350.
If you don’t like the recoil, make sure the rings are right and buy a leather recoil pad. They make some that velcro on and they work great.
And the new A5’s aren’t the same action as an old Auto 5.
I’ll take them both off of your hands for $350.
This post was edited on 12/17/20 at 2:07 am
Posted on 12/16/20 at 8:17 pm to RoyalWe
quote:
Could consider sending it to Art. I've got two '50s era Belgium A5s in his shop now being restored. When they come in I'll take photos and share.
Please do.
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