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browning A-5...safe to shoot modern loads?

LOKO383LOKO383 Member Posts: 7,503 ✭✭✭
edited October 2007 in Ask the Experts
IYHO..is this rechambered.? A-5 safe to fire modern factory loads in?..what was the original size of the shell if it wasn't 2 3/4"..and obviously the restocking and the reaming of the chamber affects collector value right?....thanks all..Loko

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=81387520

Comments

  • tsr1965tsr1965 Member Posts: 8,682 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Robert,

    There are a lot of these good golden oldies around, and rechambering the 2 9/16 chamber to the 2 3/4 is a common practice. The ejection port might also need to be opened a little. I found some 2 9/16 slugs for a friend who has one labeled FN with the original short chamber still...it will drill a coffee can at 100 yards. But yes, they are safe to shoot with modern factory loads.
  • LOKO383LOKO383 Member Posts: 7,503 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    T, this price seems low for a 16ga Belgium..other than the finish wear what am I missing here?..the restocking [nice wood] or the rechambering?..whats hurting the collector value?..R,
  • mrbrucemrbruce Member Posts: 3,374
    edited November -1
    The gun looks a little rough for a collector, but you gotta love the wood on the forearm...
    It seems like a nice shooter grade A-5 to me......
  • tsr1965tsr1965 Member Posts: 8,682 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    It is definately not a collector grade for show and tell. For one to show and shoot yes. The forearm, though nicely figured wood, has way too much dimensional thickness, and the stock would most likely have been round knob, with no grip cap, and no recoil pad. Or at least not that early of a gun.

    Take a look at this...it is a 1962
    http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=81344137
  • COLTCOLT Member Posts: 12,637 ******
    edited November -1
    ...As said, should be fine. You may even be able to shoot the shoot the 2 3/4" magnums in it too...but I'd get it checked out for those shells first [:D]

    I had an old Rem Sportsman 16g (spring recoil) made back in 19 '0 chit that handled the 2 3/4" magnums, SUPER GUN!!! Heavy but was one of the best shooting shotguns I ever owned. Had a BROWNING Reciever on it! I "heard" that for a year (?) that Rem paid Browning to use their reciever on that particular gun...had "Browning Patents" on the reciever too, very fine shotgun.
    ...Also, remember those old spring recoil operated shotguns will make snot come out of your noze when you squeeze the trigger too...[:D]

    ani-texas-flag-1.gif
  • HerschelHerschel Member Posts: 2,035 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    According to Encyclopedia of Modern Firearms, Parts and Assembly by Bob Brownell the following parts are altered to convert the 2 9/16" Browning A5 to 2 3/4".

    1. Receiver--The shell port of the receiver must be lengthened......
    2. The link must altered to prevent the rear portion of the link from over-riding the sear......
    3. Carrier.....The carrier must be altered at the shell stop.....
    4. Locking bolt latch-The shell stop portion of the locking bolt latch must be cut......
    5. Ejector The fixed ejector must be altered.........
    6. Barrel-.....The barrel and barrel extension must be ground to clear the front end of the longer shell......
    7. Fore Arm-The forearm must be altered to let the barrel forward in receiver.........

    As you can readily see by the excerpts from the instruction by Brownell, much more than rechambering is needed for the conversion.

    Since the experts have advised that it should be considered a shooter only and it is questionable that the conversion was properly done, I would avoid buying this item.
  • LOKO383LOKO383 Member Posts: 7,503 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks all.and.Herschel..appreciate the info alot..just what I was hoping for some definitive professional answer on the changing of the shell sizes..I had figured there was more to it than rechambering alone...Thanks again..[someone elses wallhanger now]..Loko [;)]
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