The auto 5 is a tried and true classic. My Mother worked at a sporting goods store in 1970, and the store owner let her put an auto 5 back for my Dads Christmas present that year. She paid on it every week for most of that year without him knowing. I was just small, but I remember him being so surprised after she told him to look in the closet on Christmas morning, and he pulled out that big (to me) black cardboard box, with the gold writing on it. He was amazed that she saved enough money to actually buy it without him knowing. 175.00 in 1970 was a lot of money. Fast forward 50 Christmas's later, and he still has that old auto 5, and is just as proud of it, as the Christmas Morning, he pulled it from the closet. It has took a lot of birds and small game for him over the years, took hams, turkeys and Beef, as prizes in local still target shoots. it has Worked flawlessly for him, and served him well.
A meaningful story Slick; if people thought differently about guns - your story could be turned into a movie of the week. I'm glad the Auto 5 is still there - one of few things that still work.
Dad got one in '64. Now I have it. Cleaned after each use. Rabbits, grouse, pheasant, trap, skeet, for 55 years and uncounted thousands of rounds. It still functions flawlessly. One day, my Son will inherit this fine shotgun. This shotgun and the 1911 cement for all time the stellar reputation of John Browning, peace be upon him.
Ditto on that one! My dad purchased one for me for Christmas when I was 14 (1971). I not only have the one he gave to me, but I passed on his from Circa 1938 to my Son. I sometimes wonder what will happen to mine. They both shoot flawlessly and have never replaced a single part. Granted I don't get to shoot all that often but I know thousands of shells have passed through those chambers.
Some museums collect old guns as antiques, more precious than the new, not surplus. Keep well, always clean, no rusty, pass to kid, that’s family’s treasure, heirloom. Sometimes, anti-gun people convinced government to do “buy back” or enquirer or confiscation, don’t listen to them.
Got one.....circa 1955....Light 12 Cut 5 inches off the barrel, installed a magazine extension and added a flashlight. Now it's a Browning A-8.... Home defense 😊❤😊
I have my great uncles he bought it in the 50's he hunted with it until the 80's and now my son hunts with it . It has never failed never misfired not once in almost 70 years John Browning may be on to something here
I plan on buying one. There's one at my local firearms dealer for about 550$ and it's in very nice condition, and very reasonably priced for what it is. They are more of an investment than anything else. One day, they won't be as common as they are now. Grab em while you can.
Thanks for making these videos. I recently discovered your channel and really enjoy watching your videos. I have several of the same guns you have made videos about, but you know much more about them than I do! I appreciate the education.
I am humbled by your kind words. Thank you for taking the time. For years, no, decades I met so many great gun people all over the world. I often wondered what it is about guns that makes them so interesting and cherished. I know they last, they are always of value and they often reflect the level of freedom that any given country has. They also say a lot about design and manufacturing and the ability of the people/nation that designed/builds them. I guess there is a special meaning in all those things : ) Anyway, I keep on learning. The very best to you.
I own a 1971 Auto 5 for the same reasons. I love the genius of the mechanics involved in the design. and the Iconic profile of the hump back. there's nothing better
Excellent video, thank you very much! I just recent inherited my grandfather's 1967 Auto 5 (Magnum Twelve) and the craftsmanship is incredible to me. The speed load system is still a really cool feature I think, the whole design is just so efficient.
Some museums collect old guns as antiques, more precious than the new, not surplus. Keep well, always clean, no rusty, pass to kid, that’s family’s treasure, heirloom. Sometimes, anti-gun people convinced government to do “buy back” or enquirer or confiscation, don’t listen to them.
Great video, great shotgun (by the way, I'm Fred). This past Fall I traveled to Missouri on vacation, brought my auto 5 along which I have taken more game than any other gun from rabbit, squirrel, all sorts of birds except waterfowl (I've never hunted waterfowl), lots of deer. I stopped at Art's gun Shop. He rebuilt the operating system. I was well pleased. I was about 15 when my father gave me that shotgun. The only guns he had at the time was the Browning Auto5, and a Smith & Wesson .38 revolver. He gave me the shotgun, and sold the Smith & Wesson to a neighboring farmer. No doubt he thought the .38 was too dangerous for me. He had owned the shotgun since new. He obtained it from a neighbor who was short on cash. The neighbor, a fellow coal miner bought the shotgun on credit from as Tennessee Ernie Ford sang 'the company store'. Although my father lost his right hand at just above the wrist in a mining accident (the accident was caused by a careless miner/ my father a mine foreman always said accidents are caused, hunted with that shotgun by laying the forearm on his right forearm, shouldering the stock into his left shoulder, he was naturally right handed. He hunted small game through out KY, and MI with that shotgun. Those shotguns are time machines to better times. These are dangerous times not because of guns, to the contrary, these are dangerous times because Leftists are gaining, and using their power (deceit, &criminality) to destroy this US. In past days I would say that I don't know what else to do except vote against them. I dread how far these Leftist will try to push those of us who support the Constitution. I absolutely expect this comment to be deleted, I recommend that you find Newtube.com...
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns Before I started reading the comments, I started to say something similar. As I read the comments, I came across your comment, you summed it up perfectly
I bought mine for $165.00 new in 1967, has probably been shot 200,000 times. Still waiting for the first malfunction. The best semi-auto ever made in my opinion.
I own an A5 32" magnum. It was a gift from my brother in law while in a rehab hospital for four months after a botched spine operation. Which left me paralyzed from q neck down. Working hard to walk again and deer season coming I signed out on my wife's birthday. A week later my father drug me in A wheelchair onto the woods to hunt. My new Browning in my lap . So this gun will never leave me till I'm gone. Then my daughter will own it. I have taken so many deer and ducks I can't count them. All one shot kills with either number 4 buck or #1 buckshot. One at over 85yards running. Twice getting two at a time during for days. Being crippled I was a steady sander with deer clubs, when my gun barked they knew meat was down. The called me sergeant slaughter a nickname I accepted. Great guns for sure we'll made and worth every penny. My other is the Remington model 11 12gauge 28" imp mod. Rabbits and pheasants I loved to hunt but all small game didn't get away from her. Thanks
Some museums collect old guns as antiques, more precious than the new, not surplus. Keep well, always clean, no rusty, pass to kid, that’s family’s treasure, heirloom. Sometimes, anti-gun people convinced government to do “buy back” or enquirer or confiscation, don’t listen to them.
Thanks to your advice, I just got a Browning A5, a 1975 Belgian made Magnum Twelve. I can see why the military adopted them: it's built like a tank. I never fully appreciated what a formidable and modern weapon J. Browning created. Thank's again!
Hello Sir, It is a cold wintery day in Michigan and I am sitting next to the fire reviewing and enjoying your videos. Especially this one regarding the Browning Auto 5. When I first saw this video I had never seen an Auto 5 and then afterwards I researched and set out to add to my John Moses Browning creations. I was lucky enough to acquire both Belgium Made an Auto 5 in 12 Guage and a Sweet 16 in of course16 Guage. These are wonderful guns and they in very prestine condition. Thank you again for your time, your efforts, and your videos that enlighten and educate us in the firearm collectors community. Sincerely, Rick Mansberger Redmond Sports Company
Hi Rick - you have amazing luck - the 16 is getting so hard to find! Well done. And both made in Belgium - I hope you buy lottery tickets : ) Thank you for the good and supportive words for my channel. It gladdens me to know there are collectors, law enforcement personnel, soldiers, sailors and too many other people from all walks of life around the world (too many for me to remember) that responsibly own, use and value firearms around the world. I appreciate you being here.
Keep well, always clean, no rusty. Some museums collect old guns as “antiques”, more precious than the new, not surplus. Keep well and pass to kid, that’s family’s treasure. Sometimes, anti-gun people convinced government to do “buy back” or confiscation, don’t listen to them.
Thank you sir , it was your video that made me aware of this fine shotgun and now I have a fine example for my collection as well ,, A great channel that we all enjoy in my family 👍👍👍👍👍
Thnx for this Browning A5 history and review . Enjoyed it very much . I just recently purchased a 12 gauge Savage 720 which is a basic prototype of this Browning in very nice condition for $ 220 here in Massachusetts .Cannot wait to try it out on the range !
I have my dads 1951 auto 5, had a million rounds through it and all it's ever needed was a firing pin replaced around the mid 90's, great gun good video.
What brand of ammo do you use mine had some trouble cycling with it's shells about 30 rounds in it's a new gun for me but a pass down in my family. The A5 I have is a supposed older model before FN around 1940s
I have two A-5, one is 26 improved the other is 30 full choke. I bought the guns new in the 60’s for 200 each, have hunted with them every year until 2000, then started hunting only couple times a year, quail and pheasant. Love the guns, have other shotguns stack barrels and gas operated shotguns, but still use my brownie’s.
Hi Floyd - Great buys - $200. ! And that was probably the average price. They have gone up in value so much! And if inflation continues who knows - they might it 2K each.
2 guns I really like is the auto 5.Browning and the Remington 1100,, I own both. Both are very reliable guns. In my experience. Hunted ever thing to deer to dove with them
My friend's father passed and he had tons and I mean tons of rifles and shotguns that my friend was interested in selling. I got a sweet 16 and an a5 12 Gauge for a couple hundred dollars about a week ago.
I like the way you talk about the mechanics of the pieces with no histrionics. Some of the guys on RU-vid get a little wild in their dissertations. Excellent video, sir.
Hi Kenneth - Thank you and I like that word : histrionics. I know for sure that over decades of collecting the countless gun people I met and know were and are such fine people; family minded and good men and women - thinkers and doers and every kind of interesting. The media and movies and crime make it seem otherwise - but in my experience gun people are the salt of the earth. I guess some of the Tube channels try hard to entertain - I just thought I'd say what I know and appear with all my faults and failings for a few minutes, now and then, for the people that I consider my friends - in every part of the world.
Good video. I ended up with two of these from an uncle who was letting go of his shotgun collection. My Browning A5 was made in 1941, in the Remington factory in Ilion NY. The Germans had invaded Fabrique Nationale in Belgium, so Browning allowed Remington to take over production. My second one is the Remington branded version called "The Sportsman". It was also made in 1941 in Ilion NY. Both are excellent guns. And I feel lucky to have them in my collection.
Some museums collect old guns as antiques, more precious than the new, not surplus. Keep well, always clean, no rusty, pass to kid, that’s family’s treasure, heirloom. Sometimes, anti-gun people convinced government to do “buy back” or enquirer or confiscation, don’t listen to them.
Had one which belonged to my grand grandfather who was in the army & received it from the army as an retirement present or gift have use it for hunting & its outstanding love it 😊
I inherited by late father's 1956 Standard 12. Refinish stock and forearm in boiled linseed oil - best finish for rifle/shotgun! The serial number was stamped inside the stock.
Some museums collect old guns as “antiques”, more precious than the new, not surplus. Keep well, always clean, no rusty, pass to kid, that’s family’s treasure, heirloom. Sometimes, anti-gun people convinced government to do “buy back” or enquirer or confiscation, don’t listen to them.
To my eyes, the A-5 was and is the most beautiful shotgun ever made. I had a 16 gauge first, you had to press the button in order load the mag. tube on that particular gun. Since then I've had many 20 gauge and 12 gauge A-5's as well as their 3" magnum version. Putting extra governor rings on the end of the spring followed by the friction ring enabled recoil control. Didn't have that option with any gas guns.
Some museums collect old guns as “antiques”, more precious than the new, not surplus. Keep well, always clean, no rusty, pass to kid, that’s family’s treasure, heirloom. Sometimes, anti-gun people convinced government to do “buy back” or enquirer or confiscation, don’t listen to them.
I have a question sir. What's the purpose of the small holes in the bottom on each side of the receiver? I can only guess they're for flexibility of the steel during recoil to prevent damaging. Please help!! And by the way, I've been influenced by you to start collecting Browning shotguns. So far I own a light 12 A5 and a 12 gauge superposed, and a 20 gauge A5. All made in Belgium from 1952-1972. They are beautiful and the pride of my collection. Thank you!
Hi Tony - That is a great start - the Light 12 A 5 is a classic and one of the most incredible designs of all time - simply remarkable that Browning (the man) was able to conceive of all the parts - as well as how they all work together. The 20 is probably the best A5 and the Superposed to many is the top O/U. The holes are for punch access to remove pins for disassembly - if I'm thinking of the correct holes. All the best to you.
Browning guns are worthy to be collected, also other brands’ old guns do. Keep old guns with a good way, always clean them and be not rusty, they are more precious than the new, some museums collect old guns and treat them as “antiques”, they are not surplus. Sometimes, anti-gun people convinced government to do “buy back” or confiscation, don’t listen to them. Just keep the guns as you can.
Tony Westbrook great 👍! Up to now, what’s I know, generally for countries even some do strict restrictions of guns, people can be allowed to keep their family’s guns inherited; except some totalitarian country / area would be unknown. There’s no political concerned, basically people want democracy, freedom and human right at all, also these can be accepted and should be.
There is no better shotgun for trap in my opinion. That flat back receiver is amazing for target aquisistion. It feels so much more natural to my eye than a Rem or Mossbergs ramped reciever. Not to mention it also works as an extended sight radius.
Enjoy and appreciate all your videos. Have you ever featured another Browning design, sold in the early 20th century to Stevens,(I have read 1904 and also1909) the pump action "double hump" model 520? I have 2, a 12 ga 30" barrel with "suicide" saftey made before 1928, and a 16 Gauge Western Field model 30 "Ranger" saftey button behind the trigger guard. Heavy well made guns with a unique take down method.
Hi Martin - I don't think I made a video on those - I have a hunch there is one in my gun haul video; but I'm not certain. I'll keep an eye out for one and make a video. Thanks for suggesting!
Keep well, always clean, no rusty. Some museums collect old guns as “antiques”, more precious than the new, not surplus. Sometimes anti-gun people convinced government to do “buy back” or confiscation, don’t listen to them. Keep well and pass to kid, that’s family’s treasure.
Dear Mike I feel like I should address you so.ive been following your channel for a good long while now I have a Belgium made a5 that I picked up for a song It had a Cutts compensator which I immediately had cut off and had a gold bead put up front and in the middle.although large an excellent small game getter .I ordered a barrel and it is an excellent goose producer .2 3/4 mind you You cannot go wrong with an a5 Remingtons included I sleep with mine ño choketubes I sleep very well thanks
Once again, always like your videos and I am trying to get through your backlog. Question, are all the older Remington, Savage and Browning A-5 variants equal in operation and functionality? Also I know you have a tons of requests but any chance on a Wards Western Field Model 30/Stevens 520/620 and even weirder video request on a Marlin 1898. To me the shotguns of today are looking too cookie cutter compared to back then.
Hi Hunter - the Auto-5 and variants are about the same - the system of the original was not too difficult to copy and even with changes - such as the Savage copy - the results were excellent. I'm not aware of any failed copies. I'll gladly make a video on the Wards - just have to get one in studio. Thanks for the note.
Some museums collect old guns as antiques, more precious than the new, not surplus. Keep well, always clean, no rusty, pass to kid, that’s family’s treasure, heirloom. Sometimes, anti-gun people convinced government to do “buy back” or enquirer or confiscation, don’t listen to them.
Thank you for sharing your vast gun collection and knowledge with many of us who can only dream of having the many guns you show. It's sad to see so many haters who want to remove and destroy these pieces of history and heirlooms. Could you do a video comparing the Remington 11, 11-48, Sportsman 58 and 1100? It would be very interesting to many who own/owned them. Keep up the excellent videos.
Some museums collect old guns as antiques, more precious than the new, not surplus. Keep well, always clean, no rusty, pass to kid, that’s family’s treasure, heirloom. Sometimes, anti-gun people convinced government to do “buy back” or enquirer or confiscation, don’t listen to them.
I have. A5 12 ga made in 1903 in mint condition . It belonged to my father who got it from his father my grandfather. I own it now. It will remain in my bloodline via my estate in Trust.
Great 👍 Some museums collect old guns as “antiques”, more precious than the new, not surplus. Keep well and pass to kid, that’s family’s treasure. Sometimes, anti-gun people convinced government to do “buy back” or confiscation, don’t listen to them.
Hey Firefox, I'm west Australian,I have a old straight grip Belgium Browing in 26" no frills ,no magazine cut off family gun ,on a collectors licence now due to our gun laws , my question is us yours straight grip with safety forward of trigger .cheers
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns paid 450... not sure if thats a good deal or not. It doesn't have the speedload option... you have to push the button on the side to load shells.
I’ve noticed shooting clay pigeons that I need to ‘cover’ the bird, or hold it at 12 o’clock. Unlike a ‘trap’ gun, holding at 6 o’clock. Is this true for the Auto-5?
Remington 11s are Much less expensive. I always remember the first time I saw one is in use was in the Movie “The Mechanic” with Charles Bronson and Jan Michael Vincent where they were shooting clay pigeons with them.
Hi Rupert - I'm not sure there were any factory rifled A5s - but it is possible. Some aftermarket rifles barrels were made for the A% - maybe it was one of those.
Great video, thank you. I am having trouble identifying what class or model my A5 is. I believe it is a Super Alleige Chrome with gold inlay, year 1960, with a Grade 1 detail. The serial numbers are also gold inlay. They are 60 23525. There is also a larger 1 above those serial numbers. If there is anyone that has more information on this then please help me out. Thank you
It’s another story. When I was young, people always called full auto, it was meant for shotgun; the later, people wanted to distinguish it from auto rifle (especially for military), it’s really full auto; so people changed the call to “semi auto”. It’s a really nice gun. Some museums collect old guns as “antiques”, more precious than the new, not surplus. Keep well, always clean, no rusty, and pass to kid, that’s family’s treasure, heirloom. Sometimes, anti-gun people convinced government to do “buy back” or confiscation, don’t listen to them.
Just bought one, you're right, a great gun, and it shoots nice.The only thing is it has a Poly-choke, I have to check that out on a paper target to see if it actually works. Geat video, thanks for the info.
Keep it well, always clean, be not rusty. Some museums collect old guns as “antiques”, more precious than the new. Sometimes, anti-gun people convinced government to do “buy back” or confiscation, don’t listen to them, just keep and pass to kid, that’s family’s treasure.
If I came across one in 20 ga, I think I'd scoop it up. Then again, how many shotguns does a guy need? Could be wrong, but think Daiwa made them, too. I don't know whether you shoot yours, but, depending on the loads you use, you may have to replace the springs. The barrel seems easier to move than it should be...or you're really strong.
Hi wholeNwon - : ) I took out the spring. And thanks for mentioning the Daiwa - there were other Japanese copies and they were beautifully made! I'll make a video when I find them again. Thanks for the suggestion.
The Japanese ones were made by miroku. The a5 was made in Belgium by fn until the mid 1970s. Miroku made them until they were discontinued by browning in 1999. Some a5 aficionados will tell you the Belgian ones are way better. I own a Belgian 1969 made one and its fantastic.....but I've handled the Japanese made ones and they are also quite nice.
@@jimlacefield7176 Thanks. I just looked it up and the Daiwa clone was called the "500". Here's a link to some comments on the topic: www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=110995
Jim Lacefield Keep well, always clean, not rusty. Some museums collect old guns as “antiques”, more precious than the new. Keep well and pass to kid, that’s family’s treasure. Sometimes, anti-gun people convinced government to do “buy back” or confiscation, don’t listen to them.
Keep old guns with a good way, always clean up, no rusty, it’s more precious than the new. Some museums collect old guns with very high prices, they treat old guns as “antique”, not surplus.
USOG Old guns would be passed to kid as family’s treasure, heirloom. Sometimes, anti-gun people convinced government to do “buy back” or enquirer or confiscation, we still keep well, don’t listen to them.
Please do a video in follow up to the A5 related to the Buck Special slug gun. Evidently you could buy a slug barrel from Browning, but that did not make your Browning A5 a “Buck Special”. A buck special Browning A5 had special engraving. Do you know this to be true? I am trying to learn more about the Buck special and decide if I want to drop the money for a collectible. As I have dug into this it seems to be a fascinating subject. Thank you for what you do!
Fascinating for sure. I checked with my A5 collector friend and he said he is not aware of a special engraving for the Buck Special. I had one and the engraving was the same as any - but it came with 2 barrels so maybe it was not a "Buck Special" only. I hope I find another "Buck" - and if I do - I'll make a video. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns I found my Light Twenty and it is a Ducks Unlimited engraved model. It was made in Japan in 1990 so the barrel can handle Steel (must hunt with no-lead shot) and lead shot for Trap & Skeet. Are you familiar with Art's Gun Shop in Missouri? They specialize in Browning Shotguns, especially the Auto-5 models. Pricey but many guns to choose from.
The fact is - unless another propellent other than smokeless powder is created, all self loading guns will be based on Browning's principles in one form or another -
I love your videos. You are very well spoken. Some many videos open with “What’s up guys?” with heavy metal background music. I found a 1963 Light 20 in a gunshop I frequent on display that had only been fired once. When the owner died his collection was given to this shop to liquidate. They told the price of the gun was $1250.00 and 3 collectors were actively interested in it.
The gunshop owner asked me what I wanted it for. I told him I intended to shoot it every chance I had. He said the gun is yours. He also said he hated collectors. I’ve kept my promise and shoot it regularly.
Some museums collect old guns as antiques, more precious than the new, not surplus. Keep well, always clean, no rusty, pass to kid, that’s family’s treasure, heirloom. Sometimes, anti-gun people convinced government to do buy back or enquirer or confiscation, don’t listen to them.
I love mine it's an old 3" mag with a 30" barrel it's killed so many deer that was the way my family hunted way back they didn't use rifles every body had their trusty shotguns . I don't believe I want to put steel shot through this one . I can't get mine to cycle 2 3/4 " field loads 2 3/4 mag and 3" only
Some museums collect old guns as antiques, more precious than the new, not surplus. Keep well, always clean, no rusty, pass to kid, that’s family’s treasure, heirloom. Sometimes, anti-gun people convinced government to do “buy back” or enquirer or confiscation, don’t listen to them.
Hi Bob - I was shooting my Mossberg 500 last weekend - I didn't miss much - and what I misses - was me - not the gun. I hope you get that A-5 - but if you don't - your Mossberg is just fine my friend. God Bless.
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns I made some calls to the local shops around here and the only one I could find had a slug barrel and rifle sights which I did not want, and it was priced too high but then I remembered that the gunsmith I've used before had wall full of old guns for sale, and I called him. He said he had 7 or 8 of them for sale and I liked his prices, but before I could get over there to pick one out my truck had to go in the shop. I'll get one eventually though. Love your videos.
Drop the bolt on an A-5 for Remington 11 and someone will ask 'who just slammed the Swiss safe closed.' Drop the bolt on the new crap, sounds like you got run over by a truck load of empty beer cans. JMO
Hi Louis - fair comment and they do kick; yet a lot of hunters don't mind. I find that when I'm bundles up for cold waterfowling, I don't even notice recoil - maybe just me.
@@UnitedStatesOfGuns Certainly a winter-grade outfit will dampen felt recoil, but in the 113yrs since the Auto-5's introduction there have been technology advances to employ gas as the source of energy to power the action/operating system as well as diminish felt recoil. One such method is an adjustable gas port to "tune" the operating system to different "strength" shotshells. Another is the Beretta/Benelli/Franchi/Stoeger "inertia-drive" system. It is a simple, 3-part system with no user-adjustable features. This system works well with shotshells from 2 3/4" to 3 1/2", from light to heavy shot loads. The Auto-5 was the first semi-automatic shotgun, and at the time an engineering marvel for a shotgun, but its' basic design is almost 120yrs. old. The Browning Auto-5 ended production in 1968.
It is a nice shotgun..but it's recoil is not for most shooters..Magumn loads will kick the hell out of most shooters...I have 3 of them...and do not shoot them any more...Beretta has the best System for low recoil...
It may not be so seriously. But anyway, keep it with a good way, always clean without rusty. It’s more precious than the new. Some museums collect old guns as “antiques”, it’s not surplus. Sometimes, anti-gun people convinced government to do “buy back” or confiscation, don’t listen to them, just keep it well and pass to kid, that’s family’s treasure.
This is not a shotgun you want bouncing around in your duck boat. Buy a piece of crap Mossberg if that's what you want. I have a sweet sixteen and a 20 gauge, both Belgian made and both flawless operators.
Hi Core - I don't think it is a special version; people just install brakes at different barrel lengths. I hope I'm answering your question. The Auto 5 is a shotgun; maybe you're thinking of a rifle.
