Browning A5 wicked wing

thinhorn_AK

thinhorn_AK

"DADDY"
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Jul 2, 2016
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Any reason not to buy one of these? The reviews seem good, I’m looking for a nice all around gun for ducks and geese, lots of saltwater here.

Thanks!
 
I’ve shot with guys that have them. They like to stovepipe from time to time. The guy from the duck gun podcast has one and tons of videos on YouTube using it. I personally hunt with a Winchester SX4 and wouldn’t picked anything else.

I’m a gas over inertia guy. I have a black eagle two and shoot SX4 better and more.
 
No reason at all. I’m sure it’s a great shotgun. If it feels right to you go for it. But I like the inertia gun but that just me
 
thinhorn_AK said:
Any reason not to buy one of these? The reviews seem good, I’m looking for a nice all around gun for ducks and geese, lots of saltwater here.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
My group has a couple of them. For whatever reason, the finish/cerakote seems to wear off on them easily. Some of us went all in on the SBE IIIs without doing research and they are awful guns. The flaw in the stock resulting in wonky poi is real. A lot of us have gone to the Franchi 3.5s. If you haven’t looked at the Affinity, I recommend taking a look at them. They are essentially an SBE II and have been amazing.
 
PredatorSlayer said:
My group has a couple of them. For whatever reason, the finish/cerakote seems to wear off on them easily. Some of us went all in on the SBE IIIs without doing research and they are awful guns. The flaw in the stock resulting in wonky poi is real. A lot of us have gone to the Franchi 3.5s. If you haven’t looked at the Affinity, I recommend taking a look at them. They are essentially an SBE II and have been amazing.
Click to expand...

Opened the post because I've been looking at a Browning Wicked Wing A5 as well, but your comment here just had me go down a rabbit hole for over an hour looking at the Franchi 3.5s. Thanks for the info, I might very well end up picking up one of the Franchis.
 
RockAndSage said:
Opened the post because I've been looking at a Browning Wicked Wing A5 as well, but your comment here just had me go down a rabbit hole for over an hour looking at the Franchi 3.5s. Thanks for the info, I might very well end up picking up one of the Franchis.
Click to expand...
No matter which gun you go with, take a moment to watch a video on stripping the gun down.

I was pretty interested in a Franchi Affinity, but comparing it's breakdown to similarly priced models I was sold. Just got one, can confirm that it's as easy or easier to strip down than my old 870. The length of pull is pretty long on the affinity though, I'd shoulder one without a trigger lock on before you buy.
 
huntineveryday said:
No matter which gun you go with, take a moment to watch a video on stripping the gun down.

I was pretty interested in a Franchi Affinity, but comparing it's breakdown to similarly priced models I was sold. Just got one, can confirm that it's as easy or easier to strip down than my old 870. The length of pull is pretty long on the affinity though, I'd shoulder one without a trigger lock on before you buy.
Click to expand...
You can buy different recoil pads that will reduce the LOP. Factory is 14-3/8” and you can get down to 14” with their smallest recoil pad. I did that with mine and it fits me much better, especially with heavy clothes on.
 
GreenNDark Timber said:
You can buy different recoil pads that will reduce the LOP. Factory is 14-3/8” and you can get down to 14” with their smallest recoil pad. I did that with mine and it fits me much better, especially with heavy clothes on.
Click to expand...

They also sell "compact" stocks, that come with what look like about half a dozen spacers as well.
 
I tried the A5 guns and absolutely loved everything about how they felt and functioned but I couldn't hit the broadside of a barn with them.
 
Duckhunterbrad said:
I tried the A5 guns and absolutely loved everything about how they felt and functioned but I couldn't hit the broadside of a barn with them.
Click to expand...

It's amazing how much personal fit seems to matter with shotguns. Give two guys the same gun, one can crush clays and birds left and right with it, and the other can just whiff everything.
 
I bought one over the winter but unfortunately haven't shot it yet. Hoping to soon. I have a Sweet 16 that I shoot really well and wanted a 12 ga also. Haven't had any issues with the 16 other than it doesn't like to cycle real light loads. Otherwise not a hiccup out of it.
 
thinhorn_AK said:
Any reason not to buy one of these? The reviews seem good, I’m looking for a nice all around gun for ducks and geese, lots of saltwater here.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
I bought one, sent it back four times to browning, eventually they gave me a replacement Maxus. A5 wouldn't feed correctly, I tried dozen different ammo brands/types, tried various amounts of oil in the receiver from bone dry to a copious amount. I hate that gun with my soul, I would rather go through another divorce than possess another A5. It was only one guy and one gun, but it left me jaded.
 
bullmtn said:
I bought one, sent it back four times to browning, eventually they gave me a replacement Maxus. A5 wouldn't feed correctly, I tried dozen different ammo brands/types, tried various amounts of oil in the receiver from bone dry to a copious amount. I hate that gun with my soul, I would rather go through another divorce than possess another A5. It was only one guy and one gun, but it left me jaded.
Click to expand...
That sucks. I ended up getting a good price on a benelli super Vinci so hopefully it’s a winner.
 
to each there own...but i bought a franchi affinity and couldnt shoot the side of a barn with it. no matter what adjustments/shims/etc., just couldnt dial it in. I think the A5 fits different than most brownings. I love brownings (especially citoris) because they seem to have a steeper drop which is good for taller/lanky guys like me. the A5 is the opposite -- fits very flat. so if that's what you're looking for...and you like the hump...then it might be a good option.

but for my money im still going with a Maxus for browning.
 
PredatorSlayer said:
My group has a couple of them. For whatever reason, the finish/cerakote seems to wear off on them easily. Some of us went all in on the SBE IIIs without doing research and they are awful guns. The flaw in the stock resulting in wonky poi is real. A lot of us have gone to the Franchi 3.5s. If you haven’t looked at the Affinity, I recommend taking a look at them. They are essentially an SBE II and have been amazing.
Click to expand...

Following up - your post caused me to look into these pretty deeply, after having really had my sights set on the Wicked Wing A5. Hit several stores, spent a couple of hours mounting a bunch of guns...SX4, SBE 3, etc. But the Affinity 3.5 pointed for me like it was custom fit.

Picked one up yesterday, went out for an afternoon duck shoot without any practice - and knocked down 3 birds with the first 4 shots I've ever taken with it.

I could not possibly be happier with the Affinity. Thanks again for the recommend.
 
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