A-5 friction ring set up
Accordinng to my Browning books, Browning A-5's did not come with recoil pads. However, a number guns had pads added at the US Browning headquarters.
Recoil depends upon the "set up" of the friction and compression rings... and very, very few are set correctly. Mine weren't even when two other owners of this gun "fixed" it for me!
First - Never oil the "friction rings", the bronze friction ring and spring steel spring, or the magazine tube upon which they slide. Remember that these work by "friction"!! In this case, a little oil between the magazine and the bronze friction rings is NOT your friend! ( I have the bruised shoulder to prove this!)
Second - According to my research, when assembled for shooting all but very light loads, the solid steel compression ring should be placed forward of the spring, between the spring and the friction rings, with the beveled side abutting the friction rings and the flat side abutting the spring.
Third - The brass and steel slotted friction rings bronze friction ring and spring steel springs should be set so that the slots of both are set together. That is to say, so that with the rings on the magazine, you can see the magazine through the open ring slots.
Bowfin47