Browning (new) A5 experiences

[sndmn11]

Can anyone share their experiences with the new style Browning A5? Any gauge.

I finally got to handle a 20ga this last week, and being under 6lbs, it may be a winner for Colorado ptarmigan, Chukar everywhere, and snowcok.

I understand it's an inertia gun, so "clicks" and cleaning are of interest.

 

[Muddler]

I got the 16 right after they were released and bought a 12 ga a couple years back. I have more rounds through the 16...maybe 1-2k? I don't count, just ball parking. No issues other than mine won't cycle real light loads...like 15/16 oz with 1100ish fps velocities. Specifically it was some cheap Herters target ammo that it wouldn't cycle. I see Cabelas doesn't even sell that any more. But I read others who had no issues with that same load. Everything else it has cycled fine.

The 12 ga probably doesn't even have 200 rounds. Found out my dog had arthritis right after buying it and had to be retired. Just haven't had time to shoot much.

But overall no problems. No clicks or hiccups of any sort. Cleaning is of no issue to me.

I'm a big fan and would be first in line to buy one in 28 gauge if they ever made it.

 

[sndmn11]

I'm a big fan and would be first in line to buy one in 28 gauge if they ever made it.

Pretty much the second thing the Browning guy said to me after I asked where the 20 was on the display wall...
"Guys biggest us about the when the 20 would ship out, now all I hear is when's the 28 coming."

Are yours blued and wood?

 

[pirogue]

How “new” are the new models you are referring to. I’ve always been a Browning guy, so I added a new model, about 6 years ago, to join my Belgium mades.

 

[passinggas33]

I recently bought the new 20gauge and so far I’ve been happy with it. Haven’t shot it nearly as much as I would like though, so the final verdict is still out. One thing I don’t love about any of them is that I “feel” like the action isn’t “closed” when compared to my older A5s. As can be seen by this picture. Browning says this is exactly how it should look. I had some concerns about it getting nasty and having issues when bird hunting and having debris get in there. I may just be paranoid though.

 

[Dos XX]

Have a sweet 16 lightning version. Love it. Never had a problem with it. I would love a 28.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Can anyone share their experiences with the new style Browning A5? Any gauge.

I finally got to handle a 20ga this last week, and being under 6lbs, it may be a winner for Colorado ptarmigan, Chukar everywhere, and snowcok.

I understand it's an inertia gun, so "clicks" and cleaning are of interest.

I waited forever for stupid browning to re-release the A-5 in 20 guage. Sub 6lbs sounds like a perfect hunting gun! I always loved the way an A-5 points

 

[IDMNT17]

I have a A5 20 ga. Purchased it before last fall, so I got one season of use. So for it has preformed flawlessly. No jams or anything. I haven't tried light loads. Just good hunting 5s and 6s loads.

I have a Benelli Montefeltro also, so I am familiar with inertia guns. I don't ever get clicks because of the bolt is out of battery. You learn to make sure not to bump it out of battery. I do feel its harder to bump the bolt out of battery with the A5 then the Montefeltro.

 

[sndmn11]

How “new” are the new models you are referring to. I’ve always been a Browning guy, so I added a new model, about 6 years ago, to join my Belgium mades.

The 12ga is probably from 2010ish?

Essentially, the fixed barrel, not actually the OG Browning humpback design.

 

[sndmn11]

I waited forever for stupid browning to re-release the A-5 in 20 guage. Sub 6lbs sounds like a perfect hunting gun! I always loved the way an A-5 points

I'd been pretty set on a lightweight cynergy or 686. I half hearted shouldered and A5 20 and did a wow on how well it aligned.

I like that Orion SxS I used last year a lot with the exception of those cold days I need real gloves. I haven't gotten the double trigger thing down with thick gloves yet.

So, if I can get a snowcoxk/ptarmigan/Chukar banger that I can use for witch cold pheasant days I'd be excited.

 

[Fetty Wapiti]

I have the 16 lighting and it is a joy to carry and shoots well. I have struggled to get it to patern well though. I have never wounded as many birds as I do with it. Like 80%. It is a bit better with a truelok imp mod but still not great. I am dumb founded. As I love the shotgun, but hate that I cant kill with it. Tried all kinds of loads too. Any ideas would be appreciated. I want to get the 20 for the wife, but have some hangups with the pattern density issues I have seen with my 16

 

[sndmn11]

I have the 16 lighting and it is a joy to carry and shoots well. I have struggled to get it to patern well though. I have never wounded as many birds as I do with it. Like 80%. It is a bit better with a truelok imp mod but still not great. I am dumb founded. As I love the shotgun, but hate that I cant kill with it. Tried all kinds of loads too. Any ideas would be appreciated. I want to get the 20 for the wife, but have some hangups with the pattern density issues I have seen with my 16

What shells?

 

[Fetty Wapiti]

Kent, super x, have had the best luck with fiochi so far. Cycles everything like a dream, just paterns loose or i have it in my head now. I gotta get it on paper with the new choke and do some pattern testing yo know for sure

 

[sndmn11]

Kent, super x, have had the best luck with fiochi so far. Cycles everything like a dream, just paterns loose or i have it in my head now. I gotta get it on paper with the new choke and do some pattern testing yo know for sure

I've read that some people expressing the ds chokes aren't marked to match their pattern.

 

[Zak406]

Have a 16 lightning. Great gun and it’s light. Only cycling issues I have had where after I oiled it heavy in cold cold weather.

I got the trulok chokes for mine as well

I plan to buy some more of these down the line before browning does something dumb like discontinue them. However they may have single-handedly saved the 16 gauge shell