Browning A-5

[Swampman]

I've always wanted an Auto-5.  I recently read they are becoming good buys due to the failing economy.  I'm sure I'd want a Belgium made A-5 but is there anything else to look for?

[streak]

Swampman,
The Belgium IMHO is the only way to go for the real deal. I used to shoot my daddy`s Sweet 16 made in Belgium and that was one sweet shooting shotgun! Wish I had it now but that brings up a very sad and not so happy story.
That Sweet 16 had the gold trigger and it was bird shooting machine!!

[mcwoodduck]

Swamp man,
I am so suprised you do not want the Remington Model 11.
Same basic gun, But American Made
I grew up wiht the pinicle shot gun being the Browning Auto 5.  Dad has one.  his has a cutts comp on the front. 
Over this past Christmas I was in NC and got to use it for Quail Hunting.  After shooting the Beretta auto, the Remington 1100's and the Browning B2000 the recipricating barrel was strange. 
There is a gun shop here that has a few of them in the rack at most times and they range from 550 to 750 and hte Remingtons are 250 to 500.
 

[Siskiyou]

A friend recently bought a very nice A-5.  Both of us wondered how it would hold up with steel shot.  Not that it would make much difference because most of our bird hunting is quail and grouse.

[Empty Quiver]

A friend recently bought a very nice A-5.  Both of us wondered how it would hold up with steel shot.  Not that it would make much difference because most of our bird hunting is quail and grouse.

I'm not expert in this but was told by a man who claimed superior knowledge in EVERYTHING that the Japanese A-5's will hold up to steel but don't use it in the Belgians.

[Swampman]

I think the Remington Model 11 is cool but my older brother always had an Auto-5 when I was growing up and they hold some memories for me.  I doubt I'd ever need to shoot any steel shot.

[Bitterroot Bob]

Howdy,
Trying to figure out which is Belgian or American can be confusing. FN and Remington built them for Browning off and on throughout the run. I found a mint 12-ga last year for $295. Seems that the Polychoke was the kiss of death for hard-core collectors! I love it.
One of the best of the genre was a Remington M11 16-ga with solid rib and a Cutts. The dealer started getting screwy with our straight-up trade by wanting a "document fee" so I passed it up. Sweet shotgun. My brother-in-law had one with the US Ordinance bomb.
 
Bitterroot

[dukkillr]

I have one in 12 and one in 16, both were my grandfathers.  I don't think it's the economy so much on these though.  I think the younger generation of hunters doesn't see any particular reason to own them, and the old generation has more estate sales each year.  More sellers than buyers.  That's the same thing I see with good clean model 12s.  The halfwit kids sky busting on public land need a 3 1/2 Mossberg and the 80 year old with 25 in his closet isn't going to live much longer...
 
My advice:
1) Avoid polychokes like they are the plague.  Nothing ruined a generation of collectable products like those hideous things.
2) Get a clean one.  They are that hard to find.
3) Don't get in rush.  I bet you can find one for the same price or lower 5 years from now...
4) Avoid weird combinations that will be overpriced for collectors, like real long barrels, real open chokes, or military markings.  Except for the very elite among collectors, these will not hold their value well.

[spruce]

If you come across a Sweet Sixteen for a decent price grab it!  If you like the 16 gauge you'll love that gun.  Had one years ago and (stupidly) sold it.
 
The 12 gauges will, of course, be priced less.  I think dukkillr is right about it starting to become a buyer's market.  Seems to be more of them on gunshow tables now - and the prices are tapering off a little.

[popplecop]

Belgin made A-5s are not compatible with steel shot, but are fine with some of the newer non toxs.  I have a 16 from1932 with 2&5/8th " chambers with a Browning installed Deluxe Polly Choke at the St. Louis facility, this one also came with a leather and wood Browning case.  I do shoot this with the proper ammo from B&P.  My 2nd one is from 1936 a 12 ga. A-5 3 SHOT MODEL, with a solid rib 28" full choked barrel.  Have used this one for ducks useing both bismuth and KentMatrix shot.  Last one is a Sweet 16 from 62, have 2 barrels for it.  Original barrel is a VR 28" mod. choke, other is a 26" IC barrel.  Used mostly with the plain IC barrel.  I like the old A5s both Belgin and Japanese made.  I handled the new A5s at the SHOIT Show in Vegas last Jan., not all impressed with them.

[DeerSlayer777]

I would only buy a Belgium made A5. And I would buy an A5 over a Remington model 11 any day of the week. IMHO, the A5 had better craftsmanship.

[popplecop]

Believe it or not Poly Chokes work, ugly yes but the work.  I have one from 1932 in 16 ga. that had it's Poly installed in St. Louis and cased in a wood and leather case marked Browning.  Now it has a short chamber 2 9/16s", but plenty of ammo available for it.  Browning never installed any add on chokes in Belgium, but if you ordered one it was installed at its St. Louis  facility.  Have a 3 SHOT Model made in 36 with a solid rib barrel that I have duck hunted with useing bismuth loads, it is choked full.  Last but not least I have a Sweet 16 from 62, round knob, 28" VR mod. barrel.  Shot a few pheasants with it, but really didn't like the wayh it handled.  Then I found a 26" IC barrel with the matte stipling down the barrel.  Now the gun became a more lively handling shotgun, really like it.  And yes one may use stell shot in the barrels made in Japan.  I just lucked years back and bought both bismuth and Kent Matrix for 12 and 16s on sale and close outs.  Japanese made barrels cost almost more than any A5 I bought.

[454Puma]

Swampman
 I have three, Mag 12, Light 12 and my dads Sweet Sixteen. All Belguins! In my mind there never been a better made shotgun.  Look around your LGS's and you should find one.  Gunbroker has them as well but most of them are the collector trying to make big dollars.  If you don't mind spending alot you can actually find one unfired that was a safe queen.

[KIMBER45]

I have a sweet sixteen with a rib my dad got for me when I just started to hunt. I still have it and it makes an excellent dove hunting gun. I never had any problem with that gun and I have had it for over 50+ years. It will be passed down to one of my grandchildren.