Old School Browning A5

[coonhunter]

I just obtained a browning 40's vintage A5 with a 30" full choke barrel 2 3/4" only.  I have read up on the friction rings and they are set right for magnum shells.  I shot a light 7 1/2 load with out a problem then a remington high brass 1 1/4oz #5 with no problem.  So I got a box of federal 1 1/2oz #6 with flight control wad.  I pulled the trigger and it kicked the crap out of me and the shell did not eject??  I could not open the action so I removed the barrel and pulled it off the shell??  what happened?  Are these too powerful??  I ordered a new friction ring. recoil spring and bronze friction piece.  Hope this fixes it?  I also got a box of winchester 2 3/4" 1 1/2oz #5 to try.  Any ideas?     

[lowoctane]

Yep, should fix it. Double check yer rings when ya reinstall the new parts...yer spring is probably original and no telling how many rounds it's cycled. 

[Izzyjoe]

years ago I worked with an older gentleman, and he loved those shotgun, he had several of them, he actually sold me one. But I remember a little tip he showed me on those shotguns that most folk don't realize, do not oil the mag tube cause it defeats the friction ring from working. You can apply a light film of oil, but wipe of any extra oil. I have a few of the browning clones, and the first thing I do is replace all the springs, and friction rings. It will make it work as it should, they are great shotgun that are well built. 1 1/4 loads are the most I would shoot in mine, I don't think they were intended to use 1 1/2 mags.

[decoykrvr]

My first "new" shotgun was a Belgian Browning Auto V with which I shot at everything from doves to ducks and geese.  I shot several cases of 23/4", 11/2 oz duck and goose loads through the shotgun.  When S&W came out w/ their 41/2 dram equivalent 23/4", 11/2oz, copper plated waterfowl loads which would punch through 1/4" marine plywood (our penetration standard in the 70's) at 40 yards, we had the ultimate factory waterfowl shell.  My old Auto V w/ a 26" IC or my additional 28" MOD is still knocking down ducks today w/ a friend who hunts the Green Timber of Arkansas.  Lube the magazine tub w/ white silicon grease and wipe off the excess for best cycling, and don't worry about shooting "hot" shells.  Make sure a tighten down the magazine tube nut to prevent splitting the forearm, but be prepared at some time to carefully remove some wood, cross hatch it, and glass bed the forearm.

[turkey buster]

Mine likes the 2.75in Winchester Rooster XR #6 shells

[Luvbowhuntn]

Replacing those parts should have it running good as new. Those springs and brake were worn out. The tell tale sign was it cycling the light load on the heavy load setting. Also they like very little oil. Matter of fact I use graphite on the action and a slight film of oil on the mag tube. DO NOT TIGHTEN THAT MAG CAP ALL THE WAY DOWN!!!! That's what leads to splitting the forearm. Tighten down then back off one click. I cut my teeth on hunting with Auto 5's and they're still the best auto shotgun ever made in my book. My Mag Stalker Auto 5 is still my go to duck gun.  Also the mag load setting should only be used on high power turkey loads for it to cycle correctly. Any other shell such as field loads and duck loads should be ran on the light setting. When set up correctly an Auto 5 is as light a kicking shotgun as you're gonna find. If you run up on one that really thumps it's either not set up correctly or needs a new spring and friction rings


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[coonhunter]

Well I got the parts in and it works great now.  It also had the wrong friction ring in it?  It ha a single ring that was double beveled like a magnum ring?  anyway it shot great and I patterned the 2 3/4" federals w/ the flight control wad and they shot good patterns at 35 yards.  Im going to try to close the season out carrying this old girl! 

[lowoctane]

Best of luck! My mentor and father in law only used his A5 Mag for turkey. It's a Belgian made killer with a 26" barrel(?), and he ran 3" x 4's thru it. We called him "Hunting Harry"!

[coonhunter]

I finally made it happen with the old A5.  35 yards with 2 3/4" federal #6 fight wad.  11 3/8" beard.   

[lowoctane]

AWESOME DUDE!!!

[Dr Juice]

WTG old school. Congrats.

[owlhoot]

congrats on a nice bird !

[Double B]

Great read, glad you got one with it!

[Izzyjoe]

Congratulations, nice gobbler, glad to see the ole girl is still up to the task!

[surehuntsalot]

congrats on getting it done