I'm currently using a mossberg 930, but ive always wanted an old browning auto 5 magnum for waterfowl hunting, but i recently saw the new design come out. Which should i buy and is the old one reliable?
outlawduckhunter
The old one are probably the most reliable auto loader ever made. I do not know much about the brand new ones but I have the older Japanese model and my dad has even the older Belgium models and they have always been reliable.
You can NEVER go wrong with a classic Auto 5 but it just depends on what you want. I haven't shot a new A5 but I'm sure it's a fine shotgun too.
Just be aware that they are completely different guns.
It comes down to do you want that classic, recoil operated design, or a newly designed, camo-covered gun?
An older Auto-5 will give you pleasing, historical looks with old-time craftsmanship. However, you may also have a fixed choke, with limited ammunition options. The older, Belgian made guns were not designed for steel shot.
The Japanese made Auto-5 is rated for steel I believe, and later models have screw-in chokes.
A "new" Browning Auto-5 gives you modern steel, lightweight components, a durable camo finish, screw-in choke tubes, ability to use all sorts of modern ammo and I think they have a 3 1/2" version.
Any of them will give you lots of enjoyment. Buy what you want.
It comes down to do you want that classic, recoil operated design, or a newly designed, camo-covered gun?
An older Auto-5 will give you pleasing, historical looks with old-time craftsmanship. However, you may also have a fixed choke, with limited ammunition options. The older, Belgian made guns were not designed for steel shot.
The Japanese made Auto-5 is rated for steel I believe, and later models have screw-in chokes.
A "new" Browning Auto-5 gives you modern steel, lightweight components, a durable camo finish, screw-in choke tubes, ability to use all sorts of modern ammo and I think they have a 3 1/2" version.
Any of them will give you lots of enjoyment. Buy what you want.
If you want an "original" Auto-5 for waterfowl hunting, I would suggest one of the late models (made in the 1990s) in Japan.
As posted above, Browning specifically warns against using steel shot in their Belgian made barrels.
A late Japanese made one is made exceptionally well. Good quality steel, and will have choke tubes to boot. The reason lots of folks like the old Belgian ones is that they are lighter in weight, and do have a different and more lively feel to the swing.... in short they tend to balance better. But a gun you can't shoot hard non-tox through, for a serious/volume waterfowler, isn't of much use really.
The Auto-5s need to be tuned to your specific load. Most people seemed incapable of this feat. Its little more than flipping a ring over to increase the friction. Unlike most other semi-autos that you want to keep oil away from, you need to oil the springs on the Auto-5. John Browning designed it to be lubed with 30 weight motor oil. The man was no fool.
The new A5s point great. I haven't gotten to shoot one myself yet, but have handled them and I like the way they swing and fit me. I have some friends who own them and all but one has been tickled with them.
As posted above, Browning specifically warns against using steel shot in their Belgian made barrels.
A late Japanese made one is made exceptionally well. Good quality steel, and will have choke tubes to boot. The reason lots of folks like the old Belgian ones is that they are lighter in weight, and do have a different and more lively feel to the swing.... in short they tend to balance better. But a gun you can't shoot hard non-tox through, for a serious/volume waterfowler, isn't of much use really.
The Auto-5s need to be tuned to your specific load. Most people seemed incapable of this feat. Its little more than flipping a ring over to increase the friction. Unlike most other semi-autos that you want to keep oil away from, you need to oil the springs on the Auto-5. John Browning designed it to be lubed with 30 weight motor oil. The man was no fool.
The new A5s point great. I haven't gotten to shoot one myself yet, but have handled them and I like the way they swing and fit me. I have some friends who own them and all but one has been tickled with them.
Just my humble opinion, if I was faced with your decision I would buy the new A5. With it you can shoot any steel ammo on the market with no worries. You also have the ability to adjust your stock to your dimensions via provided stock shims as well as the ability to change your choke to any constriction you please. With all of the above you are starting out with modern steels and a new stock which has no oil in it or possibly microscopic cracks that will just get worse with time and shooting.
I am giving you this advice through experience. Three years ago I took a look at my gun collection and said to myself if NJ or the Federal Gov. ever decides to make lead ammunition illegal for hunting across the board and not just for waterfowl I am up the creek without a paddle. I have only two choices buy new guns or shoot very expensive non toxic alternatives. So, I made the decision to sell the Parker, the Fox, the LC Smith, the Ithaca and the Charles Daley which have all served me well for many years and used the money to buy all new guns. I was able to buy some really nice Beretta O/Us and a browning O/U and have the stocks bent to my dimensions. Now I can shoot anything I want without giving it a second thought and it is really a liberating feeling. I also never have to worry about old wood cracking in my lifetime. Again, just my opinion.
I am giving you this advice through experience. Three years ago I took a look at my gun collection and said to myself if NJ or the Federal Gov. ever decides to make lead ammunition illegal for hunting across the board and not just for waterfowl I am up the creek without a paddle. I have only two choices buy new guns or shoot very expensive non toxic alternatives. So, I made the decision to sell the Parker, the Fox, the LC Smith, the Ithaca and the Charles Daley which have all served me well for many years and used the money to buy all new guns. I was able to buy some really nice Beretta O/Us and a browning O/U and have the stocks bent to my dimensions. Now I can shoot anything I want without giving it a second thought and it is really a liberating feeling. I also never have to worry about old wood cracking in my lifetime. Again, just my opinion.
Ill put it to you this way. I just traded my shadowgrass 3-1/2"A5 for some cash and a Mag Stalker Auto 5. I made some cash and got a better gun in the process. I love Auto 5's. The A5 is a good gun but they should've named it something else. Bc it's not on par with its namesake IMHO. The new one feels great and shoulders great. But it definitely doesn't point or swing nearly as well as the original. Get ya the real thing......
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The new A5 is made out of alum alloy which WILL wear out with a lot of use. The Browning Auto 5 mag 12 is all solid steel and will last 2 lifetimes!!! Stick with the original.
Luvbowhuntn, that is an awesome gun and a wise trade!
Luvbowhuntn, that is an awesome gun and a wise trade!
I wouldn't buy any Browning auto that hadn't been on the market for at least 10 years. Browning has a habit of building the next greatest auto ever for a few years and then all of the sudden forget all about it and move on to the next greatest of all time soon to drop all support for the last one.
I've shot both, and i'll stick with my old Auto-5. Make sure you find a japanese made magnum 12 with the invector choke system. Only downside compared to the new A5 is that they are heavier, but that doesn't matter to me. Go to a store and shoulder both, most gun stores that sell used guns will probably have an Auto-5 of some sort in stock, either way you'll be happy with either gun. Don't be afraid to get one off gunbroker either you can find good deals if you just look.
You can pick up a "used" Jap Auto-5 Magnum for about $900. The new one will cost several hundred more. Two years ago I paid $825 for a Jap Magnum that might not have been shot. I couldn't tell it from new and I am picky. The old one feels like a Mercedes - everything is solid and slams shut with a nice "Clunk" noise. The new one is more like a Toyota - nothing wrong with that and it might work well, but it just doesn't have the quality feel.
New member,old hunter. I have shot the original A5 mag for (I don't want to say how long) it is reliable to say the least. As bad as I hate to admit it the recoil is starting to bother me,I'm getting old. If recoil does not bother you the old A5 will not let you down. Take a look at gunbroker you can normally find them there for a fair price. Never have picked up the new one so I'm no help there.
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