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Anything I should check on a old Browning A5 before firing it?
Posted on 4/24/24 at 10:22 am
Posted on 4/24/24 at 10:22 am
I inherited an old Browning A5 12 gauge last year that hasn't been fired in decades. Looks like it's in decent shape and everything appears to be working correctly on it. I watched a few videos on breaking it down and setting up the friction rings correctly and plan on cleaning/oiling it before firing. I'm going to check and make sure the forearm isn't looking like cracking where the barrel lug hits it. Anything else I should be checking out on it? Just firing low brass shells through it.
10
Posted on 4/24/24 at 10:40 am to Loup
Check to make sure rings are set to the heaviest setting that it will cycle reliably. Use very little oil especially on the mag tube. If an Auto 5 kicks hard its 100% either the rings are set wrong or you have too much oil on the mag tube causing the friction ring to not be able to do its job. These are very soft shooting guns when setup correctly. As for the forearm tighen it all the way down then back off one click
Posted on 4/24/24 at 10:50 am to Loup
I was given one by a great uncle about 20 years ago. It had sat on his back porch for decades. I took it to a gunsmith to check everything out. He told me to take it squirrel hunting but I have never shot it.
Posted on 4/24/24 at 1:34 pm to Loup
quote:
I inherited an old Browning A5 12 gauge last year that hasn't been fired in decades
The friction ring setup you posted above should be fine. If you want to know more about the gun post the SN and I can look it up for you. I have about every piece of historical literature Browning ever published
Posted on 4/24/24 at 5:18 pm to Loup
I inherited a 16 gauge several years ago from my grandfather that hadn’t been fired in probably 50 years. I sent it over to my local gunsmith to give it a once over because I just didn’t want to risk anything on a really nice shotgun. The gunsmith did a good job of explaining what he was doing like I was a child. He spent a good bit on time talking about the rings, so I’m sure that’s probably near the top of the list. Cost me about $100.
Posted on 4/25/24 at 4:17 pm to Loup
I have/had three Belgian A5’s that I’ve inherited from relatives.
One from my grandfather that’s a mid-40’s model.
One mid-50’s model from my wife’s father that is easily the cleanest one I’ve ever seen. I’m not sure it’s been shot more than 5 times.
One from my uncle that is an early 50’s model (since given back to my cousin when she had kids)
I guess I’m in the minority on this, but I just don’t get the love for A-5’s. I find them clunky and one of the most uncomfortable guns I’ve ever shot. Even after I checked the rings and everything.
Like others have said, I’d recommend having it checked out by a gunsmith if you’re not comfortable doing your own work.
Even if they’re not one of my favorites, I do enjoy breaking them down , cleaning them, and thinking about those men who taught me so much.
One from my grandfather that’s a mid-40’s model.
One mid-50’s model from my wife’s father that is easily the cleanest one I’ve ever seen. I’m not sure it’s been shot more than 5 times.
One from my uncle that is an early 50’s model (since given back to my cousin when she had kids)
I guess I’m in the minority on this, but I just don’t get the love for A-5’s. I find them clunky and one of the most uncomfortable guns I’ve ever shot. Even after I checked the rings and everything.
Like others have said, I’d recommend having it checked out by a gunsmith if you’re not comfortable doing your own work.
Even if they’re not one of my favorites, I do enjoy breaking them down , cleaning them, and thinking about those men who taught me so much.
Posted on 4/25/24 at 7:26 pm to Loup
Don’t shoot steel shot through it
Posted on 4/29/24 at 12:19 pm to Loup
Inherited one also about 6 years ago. I had a local gun shop go through it. All it need was an original wooden plug. Which was hard to find.
This A5 is in close to mint condition.
This A5 is in close to mint condition.
Posted on 4/29/24 at 7:58 pm to Loup
I got rid of mine because of the rings. Got a browning gold and love it.
Posted on 4/30/24 at 10:57 am to Loup
I looked up one of my A-5 serial numbers yesterday for shits & giggles.
It was made in 1934
It was made in 1934
Posted on 5/4/24 at 2:29 am to Loup
Hey man. Just found the original manual that came with my Grandfathers browning. Like others said before, they don't like too much oil. I always have used hoppes #9 in the bore and outside of the gun and wd40 in the action, wd40 keeps it running good into the single digit temps. Also, don't dry fire it, the firing pin might go flying out onto the ceiling.. Here's the photos of the manual.
This post was edited on 5/4/24 at 8:46 am
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