Post by: Mongo Hunter on August 31, 2015, 08:16:45 AM
Recently my Grandfather in-law passed away. He left some firearms to the family, but unfortunately he passed away rather sudden and some finer details of some things passed with him. one of the firearms was an old Browning auto 5 (Belgium made I believe) and it has a screw in choke tube in it. while cleaning out some other items around his work bench we found 2 additional choke tubes. now my initial thought was that they might be for the Browning, but there was a second shotgun that has a adjustable choke on it. Also I thought I remember my Grandfather in-law telling me that he had the A5 tapped for chokes.
So I guess my question would be is there any way to know for sure that these chokes are for this gun? is there a danger of cross threading if I try to test fit (I wouldn't force it of course)? can a gun smith maybe tell me?
like I said I think he had chokes threaded for this gun so I cant just look to see if they say Browning on them.
any Ideas would me very helpful. thanks guys.
Post by: Firedogg on August 31, 2015, 10:46:58 AM
Post by: brokenvet on August 31, 2015, 10:48:59 AM
Like you said don't force it in. Good idea to take it off anyways to clean and place antiseize on the threads.
My guess is that your GP had chokes put in so that he can shoot steel shot shells.
Is it a magnum or a light twelve, sweet sixteen, 20?
Post by: Mongo Hunter on August 31, 2015, 10:49:21 AM
Is there a choke currently in the shotgun? If so take it out and check the threads and length against the other ones. If it is close try to gently screw them in. The shotgun with the "adjustable" choke is most likely a fixed system (something like the Polychoke) that cannot be removed or changed out to put in another choke.
Good call, there is one it. maybe I can find some markings on it that show its part of the same set.
Did the old Belgium Browning's come with screw in chokes? I know the new ones do but I thought I read that the old ones you had to buy separate barrels.
Post by: brokenvet on August 31, 2015, 10:52:03 AM
Post by: Mongo Hunter on August 31, 2015, 11:18:33 AM
fix chokes
So it is entirely possible that these are a custom job and definitely might be specific to this gun? that might make things easier actually. thanks guys!
Post by: wadu1 on August 31, 2015, 11:35:25 AM
:twocents:
Post by: brokenvet on August 31, 2015, 11:41:54 AM
fix chokes
So it is entirely possible that these are a custom job and definitely might be specific to this gun? that might make things easier actually. thanks guys!
Could be.
Look at the barrel again, if it says made it Belgium, then yes it is specific. Could be a Japanese barrel as well.
As wadu1 said it could Truelock, Colonial, however it could Carlson's or Breiley too.
Post by: AWS on August 31, 2015, 04:32:51 PM
Post by: brokenvet on August 31, 2015, 04:53:31 PM
Man your A5 is ready for duck season.
Post by: Mongo Hunter on August 31, 2015, 06:51:20 PM
I'm trying to find info on some of these guns cause the family kinda knows me as " the gun guy" but I only know some basics about Auto 5's and people customize things over the years and sometimes detective work is needed.
Post by: Firedogg on August 31, 2015, 06:53:56 PM
Had chokes added to a Beretta AL2 (colonial) I have, but no way I would put steel shot through it because I know it has a thin barrel.
Post by: Mongo Hunter on August 31, 2015, 07:07:34 PM
Hopefully that barrel on the A5 is thick enough to really support an added choke when using steel shot. Wouldn't go much beyond a modified or even improved cylinder, blowing the end off the barrel would be no fun. Have a gunsmith take a good look at it and find out if shooting steel out of it is safe.
Had chokes added to a Beretta AL2 (colonial) I have, but no way I would put steel shot through it because I know it has a thin barrel.
It probly would never get used for water fowl. Too much family sentemental value to risk not only the barrel but rust and waterlogging the stocks. But it will definitely get used for deer and upland bird if needed.
Post by: brokenvet on September 01, 2015, 10:13:15 AM
Post by: AWS on September 01, 2015, 11:07:43 PM
Briley photo of Browning Invector tube.
http://www.briley.com/browning.aspx
Post by: brokenvet on September 02, 2015, 08:36:24 AM
Post by: Mongo Hunter on September 02, 2015, 11:28:26 AM
Mongo can you post pics of the gun.
Sure later tonight ill take some and get them up tomorrow. Curious of how old it is? I'm not even sure I should run the serial and check.
Post by: brokenvet on September 02, 2015, 12:00:46 PM
Post by: Mongo Hunter on September 02, 2015, 09:59:04 PM
Post by: Mongo Hunter on September 04, 2015, 10:05:28 AM
so in short I have 2 recoil springs, 1 brass compression ring and 1 beveled compression ring.
now I'm really confused. luckily all the other firearms were strait forward.
Post by: brokenvet on September 04, 2015, 02:15:41 PM
I just got back from shooting slugs out of mine. Winchester BRI Sabot slugs, FPS is 1350, 1 oz. out of a Hastings Paradox rifled barrel, at 70 yards I got 1" groups with open sights.
You can obtain the rings from Numrich gun parts or Midwest Gun Works (MGW), MidwayUSA
Post by: Mongo Hunter on September 14, 2015, 11:59:08 AM
Post by: CP on September 16, 2015, 07:09:43 AM
Here's the ring setup FYI -
Post by: brokenvet on September 16, 2015, 07:20:28 AM
Bought my Auto-5 with two springs and I just left it there.
Post by: CP on September 16, 2015, 07:26:39 AM
My A5 light does just fine with loads down to 1 oz.
Post by: Mongo Hunter on September 16, 2015, 10:23:25 AM
I've never seen 2 recoil springs, interesting.
Here's the ring setup FYI -
I have never seen it either but from what I have seen this does appear to be a mod. I was unable to find the other rings for while I was digging around. my guess is this is what you did if you lost the "magnum" set of rings. Ill have to research more however.
Post by: Mongo Hunter on September 16, 2015, 11:24:33 AM
Post by: CP on September 16, 2015, 11:41:11 AM
That's the right move. Keep them properly tuned and they are sweet shooters. You might try Brownells for the parts:
http://www.brownells.com/shotgun-parts/receiver-action-parts/recoil-spring-parts/recoil-springs/recoil-spring-sku149005375-3839-9414.aspx
Post by: brokenvet on September 25, 2015, 03:37:07 PM
On other forums, people say that older Auto 5 magnum 12's should have two recoil springs.
Let's see what Browning says on this.
Post by: huntinguy on September 25, 2015, 06:11:29 PM
I have talked to more than a few A5 aficionados and they all say that none of the A5's ever had double springs. But, I have talked to several folks who have the older Belgium made guns and on the 3" guns it doesn't seem to be uncommon.
I wonder if it was a European thing and the double spring guns were not made for the U.S. market?
Post by: brokenvet on September 29, 2015, 04:38:16 PM
According to Browning customer service, one recoils spring is correct.
Hello Arnold,
Thank you for the email. Your A5 should only have 1 recoil-spring. It might be a good idea to take your gun to a local gunsmith to find out why you have 2.
Best Regards,
Browning Customer Service
www.Browning.com
800-333-3288
TR