browning A5

who has one? and what are the pros and cons?

Con- They are not made by Benneli.

ive had benelli thinkin about trying something new

Pro-They are made by Browning.

The day my 500G finally breaks ill buy another A5. But i doubt it ever will

They are saying this because the new A5 is based on an inertia driven system much like the one Benelli uses (Benelli's patent expired so Browning jumped on it).

The new A5 is like the old A5 in cosmetics only (I have an old A5). I don't have a new one, as I shoot a Beretta A400, but if you are going to spend that kind of money, I would stick with Beretta A400 or Benelli SBE II (Benelli is owned by Beretta, FYI).

Just my opinion.

Sweet thanks for the info

I have one I will sell you. PM me if your interested

I absolutely love my new A5. I like the way it shoots and handles. I like that it's inertia driven and not gas operated.

They say it kicks more but it doesn't bother me at all. I actually really like how crisp it feels when firing. I've shot an A400 several times and while it is an excellent gun as well I don't like the recoil system. It does have less recoil but I just don't like the feel of it.

I have a SBEii and a new A-5. The guns are really similar. I've been really impressed with the A-5 so far, but prob grab my SBEii more often. The camo dip on the a-5 is much more durable.

I love my new A5

The feel and balance of an inertia driven shotgun vs a gas is the main benefit (cleaniness against the older gas models but not the dual valve like the Versas Max or Benelli M4). If I were using 3 1/2" shells or the super fast 3" shells a lot, the gas option is way better for actual recoil (all of the gun makers try to tell you they have the lightest "felt" recoil.....what is that???). Also, if you plan to use the gun for duck hunting in your older years, I would go with the dual gas option. Young guns may not feel the difference, but older guys sure do. The dual gas guns (Versa Max and M4) have way better balance than the older type gas semi's IMO.

I think the new A5 "feels" better than the SBE2. They both shoot great.

I just bought one and hunted with it last week for the first time. It shoulders very nice, shot great. First four shots with it were kills. Had no issues or problems with it first time out. The gun is made in Portugal. The quality and fit of the gun assembly is good. Overall I am very pleased with it. I had an A500 back in the 80's that I loved until it wore out. The metallurgy was not very good and they ended up jamming alot when worn. This gun feels like it on your shoulder. That experience made me leary of buying the new A5 with the inersia drive, but as already stated Browning took their system and Benellis proven design and tweaked to redesigned to their own new system. I also have a Benelli SBE 2 for the last 5 years. It is a great gun but I learned you have to be sure and clean it to be sure it does not jam on extremely cold days. I already like the feel of the A5 better than the SBE. Time will tell if it will perform.

I have a 20 ga auto 5 my grandfather gave me in 93 probally. The only reason I quit shooting it was bc I shot better w my mom's citori. Long story short some day my little man will inherit my a5, it's still in tip top shape.

I have not shot the new A5.
I have used my old A5 3" Mag since 1981 and have never had one issue.

I have a couple of the new A5s I really like the way they pull up, they fit me very well. I have one with a 30 inch barrel and one with a 28. I prefer the one with the 30 inch barrel mostly because I have the pattern and choke combo figured out. I pretty much only run 3 inch shells in mine.

Fit for me: Very Good
Function: Very Good
Shells: 3 inch only (Mostly Hevi-Shot 2, 3 or 4, some 6)
Cleaning: Very Easy to clean and maintain

I think you should shoulder one and if it fits you then you are good to go. I have had a couple of shorter guys complain that the length of pull was to long and they opted for a Remington 870. All the taller guys like the A5.

I have had mine for 1 and 1/2 seasons at this point. Only issue is not real happy with the factor chokes and until recently was not easy to get after market chokes. I have some new pattern master chokes that I will be testing over the next couple of weeks but have had good success with Carlson LM and IM. I use the IM for goose hunting in the 30 inch barrel and love the combo.

You hurt my gut when you said heavy shot lol.

the 30 dosnt feel like to huge of a gun? My 500 has a 28 and it even feels like swinging a branch sometimes

The new A5 with a 30 inch barrel doesn't feel huge at all. It's the lightest shotgun I own, feels good in the hands, and is about as reliable as it gets. The only issues I have with mine is it shoots high and the factory chokes suck. You'd think a $1400 shotgun would have decent chokes.

I can drive tacks with my other shotguns, but this one, I can't. I've missed more damn easy shots on bird hunts with this shotgun than I care to admit.

I'll sell you mine, $800.

I got one if anybody needs one

I got one if anybody needs one

Honestly I love my A5 and my silver hunter but it all comes down to personal preference.

Browning, Benelli, Baretta, Remington versamax, Winchester SX3. They are all good guns and you can find opinions at both ends of the spectrum about each.

I tend to have some brand loyalty and and my first auto was a Browning silver and I've put thousands of rounds through it without a hiccup. I recently went with the A5 due to wanting another Browning, it being inertia, looks and feel.

No matter what gun there will be a few that have some problems but you can't judge a gun on the exception. Go with what you like and hope you don't get a dud.

My A-5 Magnum from 1977 is still going strong, in fact, might buy another for my father if the right deal came along. Trying to wean him off his 870 addiction.

Theres a marked difference between the old A5 and the new A5. I don't care much for the new one just because it doesn't fit me right. Have an old sweet sixteen that I enjoy shooting but would never drag through the mud. Buddy bought a new A5 when it came out and had to send it back for most of the season due to a feeding problem. I think they are nice enough guns, just not for me. Call me crazy, but I like the gassers. Absolutely love my Maxus, it has been the best waterfowling gun I've ever owned. Never had a hiccup although others have noted that they are "high maintenance" so if you're going to treat your gun like a pair of waders, maybe not right for you. However, IMO, all guns (yes even those Benelli's) require the same amount of routine maintenance- I've never understood those that would NEVER maintain their weapons... I figure thats kind of like standing in a cold shower ripping up thousand dollar bills.

I still have that A5 for sale

Is it a light 12?

No its the new one. I like to call it the fake A5. I have a real light 12, but its the first gun I bought and not for sale, well maybe for the right price it would be

Jeff I will trade you the Merkel you wanted for your A5 but you have to throw in a duck hunt for me and two LE Officers....

I tip good...

You are getting my attention Nelson

I love my A5! It's a pretty light gun and feels great! I love the auto load feature! Ive never had a misfire with 2 3/4 all the way to 3 1/2 inch!

also the speed unload is nice