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Browning A5 #8402840 09/30/21 10:50 PM
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2flyfish4 Offline OP
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Looking to get the new production Browning A5. Likely just the standard stalker model model in 3". I have plenty of gas guns and am looking to add an inertia gun to the collection.

I'm sure they are great guns. Anyone have one and what are your thoughts?


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Re: Browning A5 [Re: 2flyfish4] #8402843 09/30/21 10:55 PM
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ken starling Offline
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Yes, I have one that is a few years old. Great shooting gun. No complaints

Re: Browning A5 [Re: 2flyfish4] #8402848 09/30/21 11:02 PM
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Don’t. Had one and it was the most unreliable gun I have ever had and browning was not easy to work with to try to get it repaired. Replaced with a Benelli.

Re: Browning A5 [Re: OTL91] #8402859 09/30/21 11:12 PM
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2flyfish4 Offline OP
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Originally Posted by OTL91
Don’t. Had one and it was the most unreliable gun I have ever had and browning was not easy to work with to try to get it repaired. Replaced with a Benelli.


Did you have the 3" or 3.5" version.
Was it unreliable with dove loads or all loads?


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Re: Browning A5 [Re: OTL91] #8402882 09/30/21 11:57 PM
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ken starling Offline
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Man that sux, I never had a issue with mine. I shot all sizes, 2-3/4” to 3-1/2”
Originally Posted by OTL91
Don’t. Had one and it was the most unreliable gun I have ever had and browning was not easy to work with to try to get it repaired. Replaced with a Benelli.

Re: Browning A5 [Re: 2flyfish4] #8402885 09/30/21 11:58 PM
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I don’t have one…but I watched a fellow grow frustrated with his at5-stand gun would stovepipe and jam with light (dove/quail) loads…

Re: Browning A5 [Re: 2flyfish4] #8402891 10/01/21 12:08 AM
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Save yourself some cash, get a Franchi Affinity inercia gun for about a grand, love my 20 gauge
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/911695657


There is time, and you must take it, to lay your hand on your dog's head as you walk past him lying on the floor or on his settle, time to talk with him, to remember with him, time to please him, time you can't buy back once he's gone" GBE
Re: Browning A5 [Re: 2flyfish4] #8402903 10/01/21 12:23 AM
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The problem with inertia guns not cycling properly is often solved by making sure the gun is firmly against the shoulder.


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Re: Browning A5 [Re: 2flyfish4] #8402958 10/01/21 01:22 AM
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Being a Browning guy, I was excited to buy a new one before last hunting season. It is a beautiful gun, super light and easy to point. Right out of the box I put it together to admire it, then took it back down to clean it, and the clip on the underside of the forearm that hangs on the shell tube came apart (very cheaply glued to the forearm from the factory).

Mine will not cycle light loads regardless of how I fondle her.

With the factory chokes, it patterned down and to the left very heavily. A Kicks for ducks and Carlsons for dove helped correct that a little, but I still have a leftward shot pattern.

I will use it very tenderly for 30-40 hunts this duck season, but I’ve already made up my mind to buy a new Benelli before next dove season. I won’t be getting rid of my A5, but it won’t be seeing daylight much anymore after January.

Re: Browning A5 [Re: WalkSoftly] #8403043 10/01/21 02:40 AM
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Originally Posted by WalkSoftly
Being a Browning guy, I was excited to buy a new one before last hunting season. It is a beautiful gun, super light and easy to point. Right out of the box I put it together to admire it, then took it back down to clean it, and the clip on the underside of the forearm that hangs on the shell tube came apart (very cheaply glued to the forearm from the factory).

Mine will not cycle light loads regardless of how I fondle her.

With the factory chokes, it patterned down and to the left very heavily. A Kicks for ducks and Carlsons for dove helped correct that a little, but I still have a leftward shot pattern.

I will use it very tenderly for 30-40 hunts this duck season, but I’ve already made up my mind to buy a new Benelli before next dove season. I won’t be getting rid of my A5, but it won’t be seeing daylight much anymore after January.



Have you played around with any of the shims to see if that changes point of impact?

Is yours a 3.5" model?


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Re: Browning A5 [Re: 2flyfish4] #8403059 10/01/21 03:06 AM
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I have the sweet 16; never missed a beat.

Re: Browning A5 [Re: 2flyfish4] #8403227 10/01/21 01:01 PM
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So I have had two of them, not by choice. The first one I had gave me a multitude of issues and after sending it back three times Browning went ahead and replaced it. Since I've had it replaced I have not had a single issue (knock on wood). Neither one of my A5's cared for light loads but it will cycle 1-1/8th oz dove loads with no issue.

Re: Browning A5 [Re: 2flyfish4] #8403313 10/01/21 02:35 PM
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I like the A5, but I'm accidentally spoiled. I have my Dad's A5 and my Wife's father's A5, both 1968 vintages.
Sometimes they don't like the real light loads so I just avoid buying those.

Re: Browning A5 [Re: 2flyfish4] #8403324 10/01/21 02:48 PM
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I love mine...

I think there have been some issues with some just like any other.

Once mine got broken in it has been flawless.

Love the feel and how it shoulders. Very solid crisp action.

No complaints.


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Re: Browning A5 [Re: 2flyfish4] #8403327 10/01/21 02:53 PM
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Originally Posted by 2flyfish4
Originally Posted by WalkSoftly
Being a Browning guy, I was excited to buy a new one before last hunting season. It is a beautiful gun, super light and easy to point. Right out of the box I put it together to admire it, then took it back down to clean it, and the clip on the underside of the forearm that hangs on the shell tube came apart (very cheaply glued to the forearm from the factory).

Mine will not cycle light loads regardless of how I fondle her.

With the factory chokes, it patterned down and to the left very heavily. A Kicks for ducks and Carlsons for dove helped correct that a little, but I still have a leftward shot pattern.

I will use it very tenderly for 30-40 hunts this duck season, but I’ve already made up my mind to buy a new Benelli before next dove season. I won’t be getting rid of my A5, but it won’t be seeing daylight much anymore after January.



Have you played around with any of the shims to see if that changes point of impact?

Is yours a 3.5" model?


Yessir, I have the 3.5” model.
I’ve swapped shims around once just out of curiosity but it didn’t have any effect on poi.

Re: Browning A5 [Re: RayB] #8403373 10/01/21 03:49 PM
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Originally Posted by RayB
Save yourself some cash, get a Franchi Affinity inercia gun for about a grand, love my 20 gauge
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/911695657


I agree.....I love my 20ga. affinity. Also have a Benelli and a Beretta Pintail all inertia guns.

Re: Browning A5 [Re: ken starling] #8403467 10/01/21 05:14 PM
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Originally Posted by ken starling
Man that sux, I never had a issue with mine. I shot all sizes, 2-3/4” to 3-1/2”
Originally Posted by OTL91
Don’t. Had one and it was the most unreliable gun I have ever had and browning was not easy to work with to try to get it repaired. Replaced with a Benelli.


By the end it wouldn't shoot anything. Replaced recoil spring.... nothing. Froze up anytime it was 35-40 degrees or below. The chokes were a whole other issue. Prone to getting stuck and quite frankly the pattern density was noticeably off. Switched to an aftermarket choke and it was a noticeable difference. Sent Browning messages about it and all I got told was to find a dealer to bring it to.... I lived 8 hours from the closest authorized gunsmith.... you can ship directly to Benelli when you wear a gun out and they take care of you...if you ever even need repairs.

Re: Browning A5 [Re: 2flyfish4] #8403486 10/01/21 05:54 PM
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Are you guys talking about the new A5 or the old A5? They are different animals. The old has friction rings, must be set up correctly, and well lubed. The new is gas isn’t it? Some posts seem to be about both?

Re: Browning A5 [Re: 2flyfish4] #8403582 10/01/21 07:36 PM
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New.

Re: Browning A5 [Re: 2flyfish4] #8403943 10/02/21 01:45 AM
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Hunt Dog - I also have a 1968 A5. The reason why your guns don’t handle the light loads is because they have a friction ring that you need to move in order to handle light loads. I believe if you take forearm off and look inside it there will be instructions as to how to sequence for light loads. If you take the forearm off, be sure it’s totally flush with receiver before you tighten it down if it’s not you can possibly split your forearm. I love my A5. It was built back in the day when Browning meant absolute quality. After the way Browning handled the duratouch issue, I no longer hold them in high regard. But I will pass that A5 on to one of my sons. PS - if you change it don’t forget to change it back before you shoot heavy loads.

Last edited by Huskerron; 10/02/21 01:47 AM.
Re: Browning A5 [Re: OTL91] #8403953 10/02/21 01:50 AM
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Originally Posted by OTL91
Originally Posted by ken starling
Man that sux, I never had a issue with mine. I shot all sizes, 2-3/4” to 3-1/2”
Originally Posted by OTL91
Don’t. Had one and it was the most unreliable gun I have ever had and browning was not easy to work with to try to get it repaired. Replaced with a Benelli.


By the end it wouldn't shoot anything. Replaced recoil spring.... nothing. Froze up anytime it was 35-40 degrees or below. The chokes were a whole other issue. Prone to getting stuck and quite frankly the pattern density was noticeably off. Switched to an aftermarket choke and it was a noticeable difference. Sent Browning messages about it and all I got told was to find a dealer to bring it to.... I lived 8 hours from the closest authorized gunsmith.... you can ship directly to Benelli when you wear a gun out and they take care of you...if you ever even need repairs.


You can send them directly to Browning for service. I've done it recently. They will just send your an authorization and you ship directly. After repair it will be returned directly to you, no FFL required.

Re: Browning A5 [Re: Huntmaster] #8403972 10/02/21 02:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Huntmaster
Are you guys talking about the new A5 or the old A5? They are different animals. The old has friction rings, must be set up correctly, and well lubed. The new is gas isn’t it? Some posts seem to be about both?


No, not gas


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Re: Browning A5 [Re: Huntmaster] #8404014 10/02/21 03:03 AM
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The maxus is their gas gun and the A5 is an inertia gun.


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Re: Browning A5 [Re: 2flyfish4] #8405340 10/03/21 02:00 PM
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OP my answer is based on the assumption you are shooting from the right shoulder. If your A-5 is shooting to the left, it is one of two things:
Either your eye is not getting to the center of the rib which more cast off will fix
Or you are left eye dominate.

To chime in on the rest of the thread regarding Browning auto loaders.

Auto-Five is the original. Recoil operated with friction rings. The entire barrel on the auto-five slides rearward inside the receiver to the back of action. When the barrel slides back forward the spent hull is ejected. Then the bolt slides forward and picks up another round. The “humpback” was revered for it’s reliability.

Browning Gold. Gas Operated.

A-5. Similar shaped receiver and similar name to the original. Recoil operated with a locking rotating bolt head.

All three are quality shotguns but have completely different actions.


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Re: Browning A5 [Re: 2flyfish4] #8405359 10/03/21 02:08 PM
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I have had a post 12' A5 since 2016. It is the only gun I take to the field. Never had one problem from dove loads to 3.5" goose loads. As others have said, it will short cycle with any load if you do not have it firm on the shoulder. FWIW I use carlson's waterfowl chokes year round with good luck. 2.5-3k rounds estimated.

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