Hi
Need some advice from some of you "oldtimers", like myself.
At this time of my life i should be looking to dispose of some of my stuff rather than add to it. The Browning has always intrigued me, yet, after 45 yrs in the field never ran across anyone using one.
Before i check out, I feel the need to own one off these humpbacks now, but i'm not sure what to be looking for, as i want one of the older versions, between say 1945- 65. Another reason i got interested in one now is i walked into the local gun shop and he had one in 16ga which is what i want. I needed some work done on my Marlin 32-20 and after he fixed it he offered me $850. While looking at some of his used guns for sale, he had a Auto 5 in 16ga listed for $650 (?) Fit & finish was quite good, but from what i think i know about these Brownings, 650 sounded too low. He got busy with others and i didn't make any inquiries. Now i'm thinking i should go back and consider a trade. What should I be looking at/for? I know a little about the "friction ring(s)"; they are part of the gun right? Didn't some of these come in a different chamber, 2 9/16 i think. The one i was looking at was not a "sweet", no sweet engraving or gold trigger. You tube video talked about the sweet being just a lighter version of the regular 16 with the added engraving and as being more desirable to a collector. I'm not collecting so looking for an upland that will be used on pheasant hunts with either a modified or IC barrel. I'd be curious on what if any type of guarantee the dealer could give me and even with one, what would parts availability be like?
Any hints on what to look for would be greatly appreciated.
Need some advice from some of you "oldtimers", like myself.
At this time of my life i should be looking to dispose of some of my stuff rather than add to it. The Browning has always intrigued me, yet, after 45 yrs in the field never ran across anyone using one.
Before i check out, I feel the need to own one off these humpbacks now, but i'm not sure what to be looking for, as i want one of the older versions, between say 1945- 65. Another reason i got interested in one now is i walked into the local gun shop and he had one in 16ga which is what i want. I needed some work done on my Marlin 32-20 and after he fixed it he offered me $850. While looking at some of his used guns for sale, he had a Auto 5 in 16ga listed for $650 (?) Fit & finish was quite good, but from what i think i know about these Brownings, 650 sounded too low. He got busy with others and i didn't make any inquiries. Now i'm thinking i should go back and consider a trade. What should I be looking at/for? I know a little about the "friction ring(s)"; they are part of the gun right? Didn't some of these come in a different chamber, 2 9/16 i think. The one i was looking at was not a "sweet", no sweet engraving or gold trigger. You tube video talked about the sweet being just a lighter version of the regular 16 with the added engraving and as being more desirable to a collector. I'm not collecting so looking for an upland that will be used on pheasant hunts with either a modified or IC barrel. I'd be curious on what if any type of guarantee the dealer could give me and even with one, what would parts availability be like?
Any hints on what to look for would be greatly appreciated.