[Third_Rail]

I was poking around a gunstore yesterday, and I saw a Browning A-5 for $99 - should I pick it up?

It was rusted in light patches here and there, no clue on if it worked, but the barrel looked like someone had re-barreled it or took really good care of it. Even for a wallhanger, is this too much?

[birdv]

Sounds like a deal to me.

If you don't get it I wouldn't mind having one more Browning A5.

NOTE:Are you sure it is a browning.

[Third_Rail]

Marked as a Browning, but I didn't look on the shotgun itself, so maybe not.

It's in AG Guns, on the bottom shelf near the register.

[TrapperReady]

That sounds like a good enough deal that I'd be suspicious of it.

First of all... what gauge is it (in general, the smaller gauges sell for more)? How long is the barrel (to determine if it's been chopped)? See if they will let you field-strip it. Check to see if the forearm is split (usually easier to see from the inside).

With the forearm wood off the barrel, check for a small proof mark on the side of the barrel near the receiver. There should be a number corresponding to the gauge, followed by the length of the chamber in millimeters. For example "12 70" would mean a 12 gauge with a 70mm (2 3/4") chamber. If it says "16 65", then it's a 16 gauge with a 65mm (2 9/16") chamber.

Check the barrel closely both inside and out and look for any bulging. Also, with everything assembled, carefully cycle the action and make sure that everything works smoothly, including the trigger and safety.

FWIW, about the cheapest I've seen an A5 recently has been around $300, and that was a 12ga beater. If they are in decent condition (especially the smaller gauges), they usually command from $500 to $800.

[Third_Rail]

12 ga, but they wouldn't let me field-strip it. Sounds like it's a wallhanger.

[anapex]

I think for that price I'd take whatever chance I had on what replacement parts would cost. Depending on what the problem was I guess. Cheapest I've seen em here is low 5s. Could it maybe be a Remington 11?

[TNT]

I would buy it, even as a wall hanger. It would make a great project gun for the long cold winter evenings. :) There are always parts on ebay and the cheapest I have seen a beat up A-5 was $250 with most going for $500+

[Third_Rail]

Hm. I may have to pick it up afterall, then.

[SteelyDan]

I saw a 12-gauge A5 lightweight recently for $500 or $525 in a local Gander Mountain. It looked pretty good cosmetically, but I was just browsing and didn't check it out. They're fabulous guns, and if I saw one for $99 in a reputable gunstore I'd grab it in a heartbeat. Having said that, I agree the way-low price should set off some mental warning bells.