A few questions on the A5

[eagleno49]

I am in the market for a 12ga A5 so I can retire my old 16ga. What year did browning put the speedload feature on them and how can I tell if the gun has it? Is there just a light 12 or is there a standard 12 too? I would like to get one with an interchangeable choke. I am not looking for a mag, I'm not concerned with the cosmetic appearance. So, how much can I expect to pay for one?

Extra comments are always welcome
brian

 

[rcmodel]

The speed-feed carrier was introduced about 1955-56 I think. They have a two-piece carrier, where the older guns had one-piece carriers.

The only A-5's made with a choke-tube system were the later ones made in Japan.

All were all either light-12's or standard weight 3" mags, and all had the speed-feed.

Go here and do a search for light-12 to get some idea of price vis condition.
http://www.gunbroker.com/

rc

 

[Bill B.]

Someone can correct me if I am wrong.

I think any A5 you see with the mag. cutoff lever on the left has the speed load feature.
There is both a Standard and a Light 12 A5.
I think to get an interchangeable choke it will have to be an A5 made in Japan. All the ones I have seen made by FN had fixed chokes.
I would think that you should pick up a hunting condition Light 12 A5 Japan with rib and chokes for no more than $600.00. As the condition goes up the price goes accordingly. Hope this is some help.

 

[rbernie]

I think any A5 you see with the mag. cutoff lever on the left has the speed load feature.

No. You have to look at the serial number or the loading gate/carrier thingee to tell if it's got the speed load feature.

I would think that you should pick up a hunting condition Light 12 A5 Japan with rib and chokes for no more than $600.00.

I wish. While you can still find a bargain if you wait and shop around a lot, most Light12s are selling for upwards of $750 in decent shape. The folk selling unmolested Belgians price them at $750 because they're, well, Belgian and unmolested. The folks selling the Japanese guns price them at $750 because they have interchangeable chokes.

The ones you see that are under $600 are usually the ones with butchered barrels or cut-down stocks. With replacement barrels selling for $350 and up and a repalcement buttstock sitting at around $150, that's a costly R&R.

ETA - do a search on GB for 'light 12 invector', searching only completed auctions. You'll quickly see the price point that these things are actually selling for.

 

[earlthegoat2]

There are some out there that believe that the Belgian A5s are better and therefore more valuable. This is conventional wisdom at its worst and if you run into someone like this then be glad to buy the Japansese gun off them at a lower price.

 

[rcmodel]

+1
There is no difference in quality or function worth noting.

The major difference is the Jap barrel is heavier due to steel-shot rating and choke tube barrel wall thickness, and it changes the balance slightly.

A true A-5 connoisseur can tell the difference when swapping a Belgium barrel for a Jap barrel on the same gun.

rc

 

[rbernie]

A true A-5 connoisseur can tell the difference when swapping a Belgium barrel for a Jap barrel on the same gun.

It's a very noticable change in balance. Even a duffer like me can tell the difference blindfolded.

 

[Bill B.]

I would think that you should pick up a hunting condition Light 12 A5 Japan with rib and chokes for no more than $600.00. As the condition goes up the price goes accordingly. Hope this is some help.

Hey I was closer than you thought! There is an 95% Japan A5 with a rib, mod. choke with a buy it now for $625 on AA. It may not have the choke tubes buts its in much better shape than I was expecting for that price!

 

[eagleno49]

Thanks for the replies. My A5 has the one piece carrier so I guess it will be pretty obvious to me when I see one with a two piece carrier.

Brian

 

[aHFo3]

My LGS had 3 A-5's yesterday. They ranged from $450 - $550. I only noticed the $550 was made in Belgium, and it was very clean and appeared to be original. There was one Light 12 with a solid rib, but none had chokes. I sure like the A-5's.

 

[Sauer Grapes]

My father bought me an A-5 in the 60's when I was 12 yrs. old, still have it. It is a great gun! Too bad no more pheasants around here in Pa.