Old Auto-5's

[Mordoc]

I stopped by my local dealer today and he has about a dozed older Belgium Browning Auto-5's. All of them are either Light 12's or Sweet 16's. All are well worn finish wise but he said they were good "hunting guns". I take that to mean and would agree that they probably have no collector interest. I love the way they handled especially the 16's. None of them were Invectors. Could an Invector barrel be fitted to an older Auto-5. What are some wear issue's to be aware of. I don't hunt ducks so steel shot is not an issue. I might want to try trap though. They were all priced at $450-$600 this seems a little high but I know the Auto-5 is out of production and I don't see many of them at shows. The only other shotgun I have is a Winchester Defender although I have hunted with some loaned guns, especially a 20 ga. Franchi that I really liked.

 

[Gordon]

If you can pay $500 you might hold out for one in 20ga. They are slick , even slicker IMHO than the Sweet 16. The 16 ga has ammo cost issues , but is a great Pheasant and Grouse gun. A standard, 12ga makes a good Trap gun with the right barrel , if the gun fits you. You CAN put a Japanese made barrel on the earlier guns (with in the right family) I haveone for my 12ga Trap Auto five from the late 60's that is modified choke so I can use steel shoot if needs be. You can find a good post war(the best ones) Auto 5 for $300-400 if you look around and wait. Good luck

 

[mnrivrat]

Don't forget to check the chamber lengths on the older A5's . A short chamber 16ga. for example will leave you buying special ammo or having a whole lot of conversion work done.

Prices seem high to me also for well used guns.

 

[fecmech]

I don't know about invector 16 ga but invector barrels were made for 12's and 20's, I bought one for my Lt20 some years ago. There is just one minor thing to watch for. If the gun is one of the Belgium guns they tapered the metal on the barrel between the ring and the barrel. Invector barrels are Japanese and that was not done as a cost saving measure so that hump will sometimes hit the inside of the forearm and can crack it on the older guns. A dremel can releive the area in 2 minutes no problem. One other option is send your barrel to Briley and have srew chokes installed, I think it's about $200 including 3 chokes. Nick