Any reason not to buy a Light Twelve Auto-5?

[Matt-man]

I've always wanted a Browning Auto-5, and I've come across a nice Belgian Light Twelve for a decent price. Are there any drawbacks to the Light Twelve version, aside from maybe more felt recoil due to the lighter weight? I'd be using it mostly for informal clay busting, and possibly an occasional dove hunt.

Thanks

Matt

 

[Dave McCracken]

I just stared at my monitor for 5 minutes thinking about this. My conclusion?

No probs. Go ahead and get it. Change the springs and friction rings every 10K of rounds and enjoy....

 

[Marshall]

Got 4 of them, enjoy!

 

[Onmilo]

Marshall answered the question best,,,,,
If you buy one, you will want to buy others.
The Auto 5 is one of the few shotguns that has a collecter following.

 

[Blue Line]

thats the silliest question I've ever heard! If its a Belgian and in good shape its a classic. Love those hump backs!

 

[BigG]

You ain't bought it yet? !!

 

[Matt-man]

Thanks guys. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't overlooking something.

Matt

 

[mnrivrat]

Thanks guys. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't overlooking something.

Only the gift of giving and my address !

 

[EVIL5LITER]

Had to bring this one back to the top...

I just bought one about ten minutes ago

 

[Smoke]

Humpbacks are cool.

Enough said.

Smoke

 

[bad LT]

So that I can buy it.

 

[Matt-man]

Well, I sure was surprised to see this one pop back up. I did in fact buy that sucker, and after shooting it a few times I sure do like it. I can't quite put my finger on why, though... it just seems to feel good to me. I'm sure part of it is the nice wood and bluing, and the fact that I think it's a mechanical marvel.

Mine turned out to be of 1970 vintage, wood's in good shape, a couple small spots of rust here and there. Overall, I'm glad I bought it.

 

[LeonCarr]

Make sure there are no cracks in the pistol grip of the stock or in the forend, and you should be good to go .

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[TrapperReady]

Even if there are some cracks in the forend, they can be repaired easily with Acraglass. It is something to check before the sale, mostly so that you can try to drive the price down if the cracks are present.

Neat guns... and they just plain seem to fit me well.

 

[brickboy240]

If anything, buy it for an investment. A Belgian Light Twelve (I have a 1968 version) is a thing of beauty and a tribute to the gunmaking genius of John Browning.

The 12 gauge A-5s are a bit heavy and clunky for dove or quail, but for ducks or clays, they're fun.

Some will swear the A-5 is not reliable, but if you set the rings up right, it is very reliable with the loads it is set up for. The rings inside the forearm can be arranged for either light or heavy loads,. Neat, huh?

My brother has a 20 gauge A-5 and it is a very good dove/quail gun, indeed.

I'd say, if it appeals to you, buy it. They stopped making A-5s in Belguim in 1976 and stopped making the Japanese ones altogether a few years ago and its likely we'll never see A-5s produced again.

Its a classic...go for it!

-Brickboy240

 

[Mannlicher]

Buy it.

You will never regret owning a Browning A5. I have three now, one each in 20, 16, and 12 GA. I don't have a light 12, and would love one.

 

[33-805]

The only reason I can think of is that if you don't buy it, maybe I can. They are very nice guns. I hope you enjoy it!

 

[dogngun]

I have a Savage version of this gun, aluminum 2 3/4" 12 ga. It's the only shotgun I have ever owned that I can hit anything with. It's dinged, losing the finish, and looks funny. It works great and is fun to shoot.


Mark