Browning A5 Shotgun

[mscher]

Anybody know about these shotguns, especially used one's?

I am considering a used Remington 870, but might "take it up a notch", if the price is right.

Will probably be the last shotgun, I'll buy (unless I need to arm the family), so I can splurge a tad.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Browning A5 Shotgun

Here is a good write up.

I have had Browning, Remington,Winchester, Ithaca, and Mossberg...... Hands down I do like the remington 870 There are plenty of barrels available and I like the feel..... I do miss my old ithaca automatic some.

My brother just got a nice Benelli that he has played with and likes the action.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Browning A5 Shotgun

My buddy had a rem 1100...wow..that was a lot of shotgun..

 

[Numlaar]

Re: Browning A5 Shotgun

Not sure if you are dead set on the Browningor Remington, but I have a Winchester 1500 XTR, 12ga semi auto, that I just love!

My grandfather gave it to me and its pristine... we have a local free public skeet range here, and I have run at least 1000 rounds through it and never, ever had a lick of trouble.

There are a lot of different chokes available for it, and the best part is, you don't have to pump!

 

[mscher]

Re: Browning A5 Shotgun

Not sure if you are dead set on the Browningor Remington, but I have a Winchester 1500 XTR, 12ga semi auto, that I just love!

My grandfather gave it to me and its pristine... we have a local free public skeet range here, and I have run at least 1000 rounds through it and never, ever had a lick of trouble.

There are a lot of different chokes available for it, and the best part is, you don't have to pump!

The auction I'm attending has a Super X2, that I'll take a look at. Looks like a nice gun.

 

[mscher]

Re: Browning A5 Shotgun

This auction will be selling (8) Remington 870's also.

I have heard that they cannot be exactly dated, unless you look up the s/n, on the Remington web site, which I will be unable to do beforehand.

Anyone know of a "quick and dirty" list, that may break down the model, over the years, that I can take with me at least an idea of the gun age?

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Browning A5 Shotgun

This auction will be selling (8) Remington 870's also.

I have heard that they cannot be exactly dated, unless you look up the s/n, on the Remington web site, which I will be unable to do beforehand.

Anyone know of a "quick and dirty" list, that may break down the model, over the years, that I can take with me at least an idea of the gun age?

http://www.gunsamerica.com/

 

[THEPATRIOT]

Re: Browning A5 Shotgun

You should join AR15.COM,much info you'd enjoy there .I have a Mossberg M590A1 myself for a 12 guage.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Browning A5 Shotgun

May be too late, but I just now saw this thread. Here's what the Remington site has:

Model 870 Wingmaster
Description: The greatest selling pump action shotgun in the history of firearms.
Introduction Year: 1951
Year Discontinued: Currently in production
Total Production: +8 million
Designer/Inventor: L.Ray Crittendon, Phillip Haskell, Ellis Hailston, and G.E. Pinckney
Action Type: Pump action
Caliber/Gauge: 12, 16, 20, 28, .410 bore
Serial Number Blocks: Information not publicly available
Grades Offered: 12 gauge:
870 AP (1950)
870 BC Special Grade (1950)
870 ADL Deluxe Grade (1950)
870 BDL Deluxe Grade (1950)
870D Tournament Grade (1950)
870F Premier Grade (1950)
870TC Trap Grade (1950)
870TD Trap Tournament Grade (1950)
870TF Trap Premier Grade (1950)
870S Trap Special Grade (1950)
870SA Skeet Grade (1950)
870SB Skeet Grade (1950)
870SD Skeet Tournament Grade(1950)
870SF Skeet Premier Grade (1950)
870R Riot Grade(1950)
870 Magnum-AP (1955)
870 Magnum ADL Deluxe Grade(1955)
870 RSS Rifled Slug Special (1959)
870 SX Skeet Grade (1959)
870 TX Trap Grade (1959)
870 ADX Field Grade (1959)
870 ADX (1960)
870 AP Brushmaster (1961)
870 150th Anniversary Edition (1966)
870 Field Grade Left Hand (1971)
870 Magnum Left Hand (1971)
870 Trap Grade Left Hand (1971)
870 All American Special Trap Grade (1972-77)
870 Ducks Unlimited Limited Edition (1974)
870 Bicentennial Commemorative (1976)
870 SA Skeet Grade (1976)
870 TB Trap Grade (1976)
870 TBMS Trap (1976)
870 Competition Trap (1981)
870 Ducks Unlimited Commemorative Mississippi Magnum (1983)
870 Deer Gun (1983)
870 Special Field (1984)
870 SP Special Purpose Magnum (1985)
870 SP Special Purpose Deer Gun (1986)
870 Express (1987)
870 SP w/ Rem Choke (1987)
870 Express Combo (1988)
870 TC Trap Grade (1988)
870 Express Turkey (1991)
870 Express Cantilever Scope Mount Deer Gun (1991)
870 Express Rifle Sighted Deer Gun (1991)
870 SP Cantilever Scope Mount Deer Gun (1991)
870 SPS Special Purpose Synthetic (1991)
870 SPS-T Special Purpose Synthetic Turkey (1991)
870 Marine Magnum (1992)
870 SPS BG-Camo (1993)
870 SPS-Deer (1993)
870 Wingmaster Cantilever (1994)
870 Express HD (1995)
870 TC Trap (1996)
870 Express Super Magnum (1998)
870 Synthetic Super Magnum (1998)
870 Synthetic Camo w/ Advantage Camo (1998)
870 Super Magnum Combo (1998)
870 Express Turkey Camo w/ Advantage Camo (1998)
870 SPS Super Magnum Camo (1999)
870 SPS-T Super Magnum Camo (1999)
870 SPS Super Slug Deer (1999)
870 Express Super Magnum Turkey (1999)
870 Express Synthetic Deer (1999)
870 50th Anniversary Classic Trap (2000)
870 Wingmaster Super Magnum (2000)
870 SPS-T RS/TG (2000)
870 SPS-T Super Magnum Camo CL/RD (2000)
870 SPS-T Super Magnum Camo CL/RC (2001)
870 SPS-T Camo RS/TG (2001)
870 SPS Super Magnum Camo (2001)
870 Classic Trap (2001)
870 SPS-Youth RS/TG Turkey Camo (2001)
870 Express Super Magnum Turkey Camo (2003)
870 Express Turkey Camo (2003)
870 Wingmaster Dale Earnhardt Limited Edition (2005)
870 SP-T Super Magnum Thumbhole stock (2005)
870 Express Super Magnum ?Fall Flight? (2005)
870 NRA Edition (2006)
870 Special Purpose Thumbhole Stock (2006)

www.remington.com/library/history/firearm_models/shotguns/model_870_wingmaster.asp

 

[BWR1953]

Re: Browning A5 Shotgun

Anybody know about these shotguns, especially used one's?

I am considering a used Remington 870, but might "take it up a notch", if the price is right.

Will probably be the last shotgun, I'll buy (unless I need to arm the family), so I can splurge a tad.

Get the Browning. You'll be very happy. My dad had one when I was a kid. I used to "borrow" his 12 gauge A5 all the time when I ran out of 20 gauge ammo for my gun.

 

[mscher]

Re: Browning A5 Shotgun

It's perfect, Boatbouy.

I did see some auction pictures and it looks like there is a bit of everything, from the Wingmasters, to the camo magnums. I'll take a printed list along.

 

[mscher]

Re: Browning A5 Shotgun

Get the Browning. You'll be very happy. My dad had one when I was a kid. I used to "borrow" his 12 gauge A5 all the time when I ran out of 20 gauge ammo for my gun.

Still thinking about the A5 also. Saw a pic of them. One looks super fancy and the other a bit more plain.

We'll see what they sell for. Hopefully they will sell before the Remingtons, to avoid price remorse.

Maybe get one of each.

 

[BWR1953]

Re: Browning A5 Shotgun

Still thinking about the A5 also. Saw a pic of them. One looks super fancy and the other a bit more plain.

We'll see what they sell for. Hopefully they will sell before the Remingtons, to avoid price remorse.

Maybe get one of each.

My dad's was of Belgian manufacture. He had the 24" "rifled barrel" for deer slugs, a 28" improved cylinder and a 32" goose barrel, all in a nice leather case. Sweet.

The guns come in various models and levels... from affordable to very expensive. Be sure to check them all out!

 

[JB]

Re: Browning A5 Shotgun

The A-5 is the original semi-auto shotgun.

Being a John Moses Browning design it is near bulletproof.

Look in the encyclopedia under classic auto shotgun and there it is: the A-5

If you can find one made by FN-Belgium you will have a real precious jewel.

If you want a pump, don't overlook another classic Browning design, the Ithaca Featherweight 37.

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Browning A5 Shotgun

Just as an aside, If you get the opportunity you should read the John Browning biography. It will make you want to run out and buy a Browning. He was truly an amazing man. You'll be suprised at the number of gun designs that were invented by him. I would venture that every gun mentioned in this thread is a Browning design. No wonder they all work so well,

 

[mscher]

Re: Browning A5 Shotgun

The auction was a bust, but a good learning experience.

"family issues" made me late, so the Browning A5's were both sold. They both looked pretty old and fancy, so they probably sold high.

The remington Wingmasters, were kinda old, to very old and in good shape, but the cheapest sold for $400, which is about what a brand new one, could be had through gunbroker.com.

Plus, this auction charged SALES TAX and you had to pick up the guns from a FF dealer, about 40 miles away.

Anyway, what piqued my interest the most, was the the 870 "Express" model. Even though the cheapest sold for $250, It was interesting all of the different barrel available and the plastic stocks and super magnum configurations.

I'm aware of the whole WM vs Express, quality and fit arguments, (which I agree somewhat, from seeing examples), but from what I have read, Express owner's guns seem to work just fine, plus they don't seem to really have to worry about too much about scratches and banging the guns around a bit in actual use.

Is an 870 Express with plastic a stock and a slug barrel, a decent deer gun? is there any reason it would not last many years?

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Browning A5 Shotgun

870's will last forever. They are darn near indestructible, you could probably row your boat or dig a hole with the darn things if you needed to. I have 2. Wooden stock and a synthetic. Mine aren't slug guns, but the parkerized synthetic would do well for wet weather deer hunting. The winchesters are also hard to beat as well. Have never owned one but have shot them. Handle a little different but everybit as good of gun. If had to buy new of the shelf pump I'd go the 870 or the winchester. IMO there are few good pump actions guns out there and some are every bit as good and reliable as the 870. But the 870 sets the standard for what a pump gun should be. For around $550 you can get one with a slug and a shot barrel in 3".

 

[Jeff-in-PA]

Re: Browning A5 Shotgun

If you have the extra coin, get a Browning A5. There is a brass ring with a taper on it under the forearm. One way is for high brass loads and the other way for low brass.

The Ithaca 37 was mentioned earlier. I have one and it shoots very well. Another nice thing is that it ejects out the bottom ( a plus if you ever shoot left handed )

The Remington 870 is a very well made pump. A plus is the steel reciever ( unlike the mossberg 500's or certain winchesters ) which you would have a hard time wearing out from shooting.

 

[mscher]

Re: Browning A5 Shotgun

870's will last forever. They are darn near indestructible, you could probably row your boat or dig a hole with the darn things if you needed to. I have 2. Wooden stock and a synthetic. Mine aren't slug guns, but the parkerized synthetic would do well for wet weather deer hunting. The winchesters are also hard to beat as well. Have never owned one but have shot them. Handle a little different but everybit as good of gun. If had to buy new of the shelf pump I'd go the 870 or the winchester. IMO there are few good pump actions guns out there and some are every bit as good and reliable as the 870. But the 870 sets the standard for what a pump gun should be. For around $550 you can get one with a slug and a shot barrel in 3".

We just took a look at one at ****'s Sporting Goods. It was a green syn stock, with a vented rib barrel, rifled slug barrel and a decent scope, for $499. Nice.

It was only 2 3/4", but the guy working there who seemed knowlegable, mentioned that not many people use magnum ammo, due to the higher cost, more recoil and in most cases, is not needed, to get the job done.

Did not know if it's worth the extra cost for a magnum.

Definetely warming up to the 870 Express though.

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Browning A5 Shotgun

I'd at least get the 3" for turkey and deer. Like everything that evolves at one tome the 2 3/4 worked perfectly well and the 3 came along and the 2 3/4 all the sudden is no good. I am not a fan of the 3 1/2. The essentially packed a 10 gauge in a small frame. The recoil is not shoulder breaking but it is not comfortable to shoot all day and I just couldn't justify the extra cost for the little that I would shoot the 3 1/2's.