Browning Auto 5

[Eoinsloan]

Having recently added an Auto 5 to my Boswell collection I wondered if Any of the Auto 5s in any form -as made by FN or under licence to Remington or by Savage?
Eoinsloan

[Eoinsloan]

Should have added "got to India!"
Eoinsloan

[marksman]

Oh Yah, I had a Belgium made Browning Auto-5 for a decade or so. Sold it when renewing became a pain in the @$$ initially. Got rid of it in a hurry and bought a H&H royal Ejector Game Gun. Later the law got relaxed and favored the guys who had it for a while, but too late. Don't entirely regret the swap but have lot of sweet memories attached to my auto-5 which will never leave me. Don't remember having a single misfire with it ever. it was the one with a rounded pistol grip and James Browning's face etched on the left side of the receiver along with border engraving. Also had Light and heavy load adjustment illustration drawing inside of the fore end. Alas !!!! Can't possess it anymore. It was made some time in early 60's if I remember it right..

Marksman

[Eoinsloan]

Owning a shot gun in India sounds like a bureaucratic nightmare. Mine is a 1936 with the semi-pistol grip. I must say I am enjoying it - it is such a change from the SxS. Would have quite liked it in 5 shot form not 3 with the plug....
Eoinsloan

[marksman]

No such rules in India if one is lucky enough to possess it. In fact, I was planning to get an extension mag tube as well those days but decided against it as it would spoil the feel and balance of this superb Humpback. Besides, one could not have achieved something in Eight shots if one didn't in first five.

Marksman

[Katana]

I had one till about 2007 when I had to sell it because of a licensing issue. Enjoyed shooting with it, but this one wasn't particularly fond of KF ammo! The empties would jam during ejection, although this wasn't a problem with plastic shells.

I wrote to Browning USA trying to find out about this weapon and surprisingly, they sent me details of when it was made and imported into India(1939) along with a manual and some 'Buckmark' stickers.

[marksman]

Katana,This could have been due to recoil spring fatigue as one is advised by makers to change it every Fifteen thousand rounds. Looks more probable in your case as yours was built in late 30's.The best way to find out was to shoot light loads on heavy setting and see if it ejected them. If it did, then it was time to change the spring. This set of Recoil spring, Brass collet and Steel Ring is available in the U.S. for under $20 and your A-5 would be as good as new for another 15 Thousand rounds. I loved this feature and have still kept this set as a tribute to this great shotgun and it's maker. Hopefully someday I shall acquire it again.

Marksman

[Katana]

Marksman,

Alas, I sold it and no longer have it. I was always aware that the recoil in this firearm could be 'set'. Something I learnt much later when the aforementioned literature arrived from Browning. As I said I had to sell it shortly after a particular incident . Sometimes I do miss it but what the heck.....

[Eoinsloan]

Interesting points arising. In UK getting a Section 1 Firearms Licence is not a 'right' and to get it without a Registered Firearms Dealers Licence means fudging it by claiming the need for a gun for clearing vermin. Not worth the hassle! A Section 1 Auto 5 as a result is much cheaper than a Section 2 plugged Auto 5
Interested in the suggested way to check for a knackered recoil spring. With decent ammunition I would check the outside of the magazine tube was in the specified oiled or virtually dry state and the friction parts installed per the 'book' for the weight of shot (28 grm or more: 'heavy') and if it didn't eject, get a new spring AND new rings. Mine is 1937 and touch wood has no problems.