Guns and Guts

The Legendary Browning Automatic 5

January 19th, 2009

If you have never handled and shot a Browning Auto-5 or a Remington Model 11 shotgun, make it a priority to do so. They are absolutely fabulous autoloading guns, invented by none other than Saint John Moses Browning, in 1898. FN made the A5 for much of it’s production history that lasted for nearly one hundred years, before being discontinued in 1998.

The distinctive design is instantly recognizable, and while there are many newer and more technically advanced designs, the old A5 is tough to beat. It operates in a somewhat unique manner. The barrel and bolt both are repelled by the recoil of the fired shell, and in turn cock the hammer, and load the next round. More modern autoloading shotguns either rely on only the bolt being cycled by recoil, or are gas operated.

The shape of the A5, as I said is very unique. It is lovingly called “The Humpback” by it’s owners, because of its interesting asthetics. The forearm is a bit skinny compared to lots of other shotguns, which evokes an old world feel, similar to holding an old Winchester lever action. Personally, no other autoloader points as naturally as an Auto-5. The thinner forearm is perfectly sized for me. The only example I have fired, was a Daiwa copy that my uncle has. Shooting his gun, made me instantly fall in love with the design.

John Browning’s gun was also produced in the United States for some time as the Remington Model 11. The early Model 11s had a straight grip stock, similar to Winchester’s early lever actions. Later they were made with a more conventional curved pistol grip stock.

Throughout the years of production, the A5 was manufactured in large numbers in Belgium, the United States (as the Remington 11), and later in Japan. There are several different model choices including the Light 12, Magnum 12, a 16 guage variant, and 20 guage configurations.

Not having an Auto-5 in my collection, presents quite a large hole. A hole that hopefully will be filled in the next year or two with a nice Light 12, or perhaps a 16. After looking at many different autoloading shotguns including $1,000+ examples from Benelli and Berretta, my first auto shotgun is going to be an Auto-5 for sure.

Update: This would work!

Categories: Guns |