is it worth it

DaBowMan18

i found a browning a-5 that its stocks are kind of chewed up(well acaully they are pretty bad). would they be worth replacing? If they are, where can i get some?

DaBowMan18

18 year old Jamisons, is it worth $200?

select-fire

Flea Bay . Restore the old gun [:)]

CLINTF

There are plenty of old A-5 stocks floating around and it is probably worth fixing up if you're getting a good deal on it. I second Select-fires suggestion of where to find one but there are lots of other sources also. Do a google search on "Browning A-5 stocks" and you'll probably find dozens of places!

Locust Fork

Simmons is a WELL known place that re-furbs old Browning A5s....they are a great place to have a rib put on the barrel also. A little pricey.

cacti25

Absolutely fix it up.

DaBowMan18

can they fix a stock with a lot of dents?

11b6r

dabowman- if the stock is bedly chewed up, may not be fixable. If the wood is DENTED- that is fibers are bent, not sheared, you might try to damp washcloth/ steam iron routine. Lay a damp cloth over the dent- let set for 5 minutes. Use mom's iron, and iron the cloth. Steam softens the fibers, makes them swell back. Will need sanding after. Not 100%, but better. If stock looks like was used as a teething ring, time to replace it.

scottm21166

here is the best advise you will ever get.....shooters are shooters parts guns are parts guns....sell that one at auction, use the money to buy a nicer one....you will have alot less headaches, and more cash in your pocket when youre done. restoring the stock on a gun with bad bluing is like whipped cream on a terd JMO
I don't know which browning you bought there are many gauges and eras early guns can be worth a bit.... mid guns with the safety in front of the trigger housing are less desirable ...remington made the A-5 for browning during the WWII years and fn guns (european market)are out there too. Starting in 76 they were made in japan...the most popular (hense valuable) are made in belgium from 1950-1966 rd knob vent rib and need to be all original in 95% or better condition to bring good prices


if the gun is worn badley but you want it restored send it to arts gunshop in arnold MO. His prices are fair and his work is excellent he worked for browning many years and knows his stuff

peabo

FWIW in my opinion, since you are young and just starting to collect guns, make sure the gun is safe to shoot and shoot away. Then when you move up to something you think is better, and it is time to retire the old Browning, then re-stock and reblue it. Put it in retirement happy.


Thanks---Peabo

surekill

quote:Originally posted by 11b6r
dabowman- if the stock is bedly chewed up, may not be fixable. If the wood is DENTED- that is fibers are bent, not sheared, you might try to damp washcloth/ steam iron routine. Lay a damp cloth over the dent- let set for 5 minutes. Use mom's iron, and iron the cloth. Steam softens the fibers, makes them swell back. Will need sanding after. Not 100%, but better. If stock looks like was used as a teething ring, time to replace it.


White Vinegar works good also

scottm21166

If you intend to restore the stock yourself....
restore the stock and forearm at the same time
they are stained so the color will need to be reapplied doing them both will assure a match.
step one
remove old finish with a varnish remover
you will have a light colored piece of walnut to work with.
find any chips or scratchs use a felt tip marker and darken them.
mask off the checkering and the edges of the wood. (do not sand it)
sand the wood with the grain until the marker you applied is gone take as little as possible of the wood begin with 100 grit paper then 220 then 400 should make a nice surface for finishing. clean the checkering with a dental pick carefully removing any traces of the old varnish.
choose your color and stain both pieces following label directions.
be careful of grain ends they take stain more redily than the length of the grain
After the desired color is attained
remask the checkering
rub the pieces with a rag to clean off excess stain and bring out the highlights in the wood make sure they are clean free of lint and dust.
hang the pieces in a warm well lit ventilated area free of dust.
I use spray cans of spar urathane for a tough protective top coat. it is beautiful and resists weather. plus incidental scratches can be wetsanded and polished Gloss is the proper finish for brownings.
Following directions on the can apply several coats...then let it dry 24 hours when completely dry sand smooth with 600 grit wet dry paper
repeat until desired smoothness and depth is achieved
on your last coat. remove the masking from the checkering and lightly spray that area. too much varnish will fill the checkering.
sand th whole stock with 1000 grit wet dry then 1500 then 2000 by now it will shine like glass with some polishing compound
Its a fun project and something you can be proud of
Good luck