A Remington Auto 5??? What is this?

[TexasRifleman]

Was presented with the opportunity to buy what was described to me as a 16 ga Browning Auto 5, and when it was handed to me that was sure what it looked like.

But, it's a Remington. Says "Sportsman" on the bolt.

Take it apart and it appears to be an Auto 5 in all respects, down to the same friction ring design and everything else.

The barrel is marked Remington, and something about licensed from Browning. (I don't have it with me at the moment).

It is in excellent condition and appears well kept.

I can buy it for $400 which for a Browning is a steal and I am assuming it's a good price for this as well since it appears to be the same darned thing.


However, I didn't know Remington made a copy and don't know the value or reliability of the thing.

Anyone know anything about this Remington/Browning?

Many thanks!

 

[zinj]

Sounds like a Remington Model 11. Like you noticed it is a licensed Auto-5 clone. They are less valued (though still a fine gun) than a comparable Browning. I'll let someone better versed say if that is a good deal or not.

 

[Third_Rail]

$400 seems a bit high. I think I bought mine for.... $250? $200? I'd have to look at the receipt.

 

[Chawbaccer]

The Sportsman is a three shot version of the model 11. 400 might be a bargain for a Browning but I think the Remington should be about 250 tops.

 

[Gordon]

ALL the Browning Auto 5's were built by Remington, with Browning style safety and buttplate ect. during WW2 (basically during the decade of the 40's) and have an "A" as a serial number prefix. The also have a different portrait of JMB and some have a stippled texture reciever that I find very pleasing. I can't really find much difference in the quality of manufacture, even with a detail strip and examination of parts. I find the Lt. weight FN produced ones from the middle 50's to middle 60s the most desireable from fit and finish, AND these guns have that nifty 2 piece lifter which gives the "speedload" feature

 

[TexasRifleman]

Thanks for the information folks. Saved me from way overspending here.

I will try to get the price lowered on this one, but it does appear to be in immaculate condition so I will try my best to buy it at a reasonable price.

I have a Browning Auto 5 already, but this was so nice I thought I'd pick up another.

 

[foghornl]

The first shotgun I owned (not including using using 'Pops' 16-Ga Savage 94-B) was a 20-Ga version of what you have.

Don't know what happenned to it....First Mrs. Foggy loaned it out without my knowledge.....don't know where it lives now.

 

[axeman_g]

my input

As a devout yet forgetful, fan of JMB and his Auto 5 design I will try to add some insight and opinion. Trust me, not much, just a little and I might be off some since I dont have my reference materials with me.

JMB had originally taken the Auto 5 design to Remington after Winchester passed on it. The very anticipated meeting was called off by the sudden death of Mr. Remington 30 minutes before they were to meet, therefore pushing JMB to a meeting with FN, whom still produces the A5 to this day every once in awhile or for special orders. JMB worked out a deal where he could sell the licensing of the A5 to a manufacturer in the states after a certain period of years, that is how Remington eventually did start manufacturing and selling the A5 sometime during the 30s and into the 50s I believe. The Sportsman is a direct copy of the FN 3-Shot Model. This model was designed with the intent to remove on of the largest prejudices against semi autos in the early to mid 1900s... that these guns could be used to shoot out a flock of ducks with the amount of lead they could throw in the air from their 5 shot magazines. This would be very unsporting the double barrelled crew screamed. FN designed a shorter magged version and called it the 3-Shot to see if they could get some buyers in. Remington copied it and named it the Sportsman.

All in all the gun is a A5, just not a Browning and not a Leige made gun. The safeties are different also, with the Sportsman having a crossbolt I beleive and the 3-Shots had the Garand Style in the trigger guard, which I live being a lefty. Therefore the Sportsman is not worth as much as the Browning made guns. A excellent condition a5 in 16g should go for about $400-$450, with a Sweet Sixteen going in the $500 and up range. I would prop pay $300 for the Sportsman if it is in really nice shape, but I am a bit of a freak. Make sure that it is stamped with and has a 2 3/4 length chamber, not a "altered" chamber from 2 9/16. If it has been altered, run away. It if was not altered and is a 2 9/16 gun, ammo will cost you much more, but is not horrible.

I have a Leige built Browning A5 3-Shot in 16g with a 2 9/16 chamber. I order my shells by the flat and pay about 50% more for a box. But they are high quality shells also, not just wally world federals. I dont shoot the gun much, but take it huntin every once in awhile. I paid $350 for the gun. This gun was a mistake when I bought it, I did not realize what I bought just that I found another A5 for cheap. Then I went through a period of anger and such, but eventually it led me to figure out that if I wanted to collect A5s I better learn all about them. Plus, the gun is beatiful, the wood is a really neat reddish color, and it shoots like the dickens. It has never FTE or FTF on me. It handles very nice also, like a carbine. See here http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=167839&highlight=browning

Buy it for the novelty and some shooting, but $400 is a bit much.