I LOVE my new/old Auto-5!

[Bitterroot Bob]

Howdy,
I'm way behind the times, but I just added a Browning (FN circa 1953) Auto-5 to the family. I have fired a LOT of 12-gauge in my life, but this is the SOFTEST recoiling 12 that I have ever launched shot from! No wonder the design was produced for so long.
After reading the manual and monkeying with the magazine tube, friction rings, etc, I can see how a compensating gas system is superior to the recoil design, but as long as I already know what loads I am shooting, the adjustment is easy and all that barrel weight must be eating the kick.

Thank you Jonathan Browning!

Bitterroot

[Gatofeo]

I have a Browning Auto 5 in 12 gauge Magnum, made in 1958.
When it was given me, in the early 1990s, it had a long "goose gun" barrel on it.
I decided to turn it into the "house gun" at my cabin in British Columbia, Canada, for bear protection.
A new slug barrel with rifle sights was more than $300, but after searching for months I found a 21-inch Miroku/Browning barrel, smoothbore, with rifle sights, on Ebay for $150. The barrel is like-new, and designed for the Magnum Auto-5.
I replaced the nice walnut with a plastic stock and forend from Butler Creek, then added a sling.
The right cheekpiece has a cartridge carrier for five extra rounds.
At the cabin, I load it so the first shot is a 3" shell loaded with 00 buckshot, followed by Foster slug (the classic design). I alternate with slug and buckshot shells.
If I have to use it on a bear at close range, I don't need a $3 "super ultra wunderslug" that shoots flat to do the job, I just need a big chunk of lead.
At the cabin, I remove the magazine plug to turn it back into a 5-shooter. This gives me five shots as fast as I can pull the trigger.
Heck of a close-range bear gun!
With these loads, the Auto 5 recoil is significant but less than with a pump.
One thing about the recoil design rarely mentioned: it can be used with black powder or any other propellant that causes a lot of fouling. A gas system will be plugged in a few rounds, but the recoil system just keeps on going. There is no gas port or piston system to get fouled.
John Browning designed this shotgun when black powder shells were still commonly sold. The Browning company has always strongly suggested that the customer use smokeless powder shells, but if you were in the backwoods in 1915 and the only shells you could find were black powder, they'd work!
Yet another tribute to Browning's genius!

[Chief Beel]

Believe it or not, it seems to me like my 20 gauge A-5 kicks more than my 12 gauges with 2 3/4" loads. Don't know why. I know the 20 is a little lighter but a 3/4 oz load should recoil a lot less than a 1 1/8 oz load. The recoil isn't significant in either gauge but there is a difference.

[Bitterroot Bob]

Howdy,
After studying the book and examining the recoil system, I believe that if there isn't enough drag on the friction rings the barrel could slam into the receiver pretty hard, rather than eat the recoil. Try wiping the mag tube with a dry cloth to remove any oil, and try it again. I had heard the "kicks twice" description of the Auto-5, but it hasn't been my experience.

Bitterroot

[pastorp]

Bob you could be right about the oil on chiefs A5. But in general the gas guns lower the recoil more than a recoil operated gun. I do like the old brownings especially the " sweet 16s" 

Merry Christmas !

[Bitterroot Bob]

I agree.
My gas guns are far better on the shoulder and my wife's Remington 1100 LT-20 has broken many a new shooter's first clay target. I wouldn't hand anything else to a new shooter. Gas is good.
On the other hand, I still long for my inline-six Jaguar even though the newer V-8 cars are twice as good. I like the funky look of the A-5. I even have a couple of the recoil auto-loading rifles, and they really kick funny. There is something about owning firearms designed and built during the transition from black powder to smokeless repeaters. Nowadays, about the only true retro-gun is the new Ithaca pump, with the short slide-handle and great wood.

Bitterroot

[wanders]

Bob you could be right about the oil on chiefs A5. But in general the gas guns lower the recoil more than a recoil operated gun. I do like the old brownings especially the " sweet 16s" 

Merry Christmas !

My Sweet 16 is a soft shooter.  Folks complaining of hard recoil should carefully check the friction ring setup.

[pmeisel]

I have wanted one ever since I first saw one in the Sears catalog, but just haven't gotten to it yet.  Someday, I hope.....

[dickttx]

About 40+ years ago my BIL brought his brand new Auto-5 out to his uncle's on the farm on Thanksgiving day.  He shot it a few times, then the other men (mostly older) took their turns.  Another uncle shot at a tin can on the ground.  Before he could turn loose of the trigger he emptied the magazine of all five shells, the last one going nearly straight up in the air.  I never see a Browning Auto-5 that I don't remember that sight and every one else scattering like a covey of quail.

[454Puma]

Of my three A5's I'd have to say my Sweet 16 kicks the worst!  It might be I need to get a new recoil spring cause of the three I have that one has seen way more shooting!  It was my Dads and he shot the snot out of it for 30 years before I got it!