Browning Super Shotgun

TheKlawMan · August 17, 2011, 01:03 AM

Did Browning make a 12 gauge autoloader 40 years ago that was chambered for a 3 1/2 inch shot shell?

Scorch · August 17, 2011, 01:11 AM

Would have been pretty useless without ammo, 3-1/2" 12 gauge is pretty recent, introduced about 1990s. They did make the A-5 chambered for 12 gauge 3" magnum.

TheKlawMan · August 17, 2011, 01:48 AM

I was wondering about that but not sure. It is possible that the guy said it was 4 years old and not 40. Whatever, he was complaining that ammo costs $35 a box for and if he tries to shoot 3" or 2 3/4" it doesn't cycle. If he brings it up again I will find out exactly what model it is.

swopjan · August 17, 2011, 01:59 AM

is there any reason 3.5" shells wouldn't be reloadable? maybe he should find a friend that can reload for him if he doesn't want to.

oneounceload · August 17, 2011, 09:27 AM

Quote:

and if he tries to shoot 3" or 2 3/4" it doesn't cycle.

Many shotguns have that issue unless an adjustment is made to the gas system - either changing something, reversing something, etc.

One gun I know that doesn't have that issue is the Beretta A400 Xplor; otherwise, using a 3.5" shell in a gun whose gas system is set up for light target loads would batter it to pieces in short order - maybe that is the issue your friend is having??

jaguarxk120 · August 17, 2011, 09:49 AM

The Browning web site (ggod place to start) has the owners manual for the Maxus shotgun.

The Maxus comes in 3 and 3 1/2 barrels and the owners manual says it will cycle all 1 oz. field loads in 2 3/4, 3, and 3 1/2.

Sounds like the gun needs a good cleaning.

Couzin · August 17, 2011, 12:05 PM

If this is an supposedly an older Browning Auto-5 - first I'd check to see if it is actually chambered (marked) for a 3-1/2" shell. Since the 3-1/2" did not arrive until 1988, I bet not. If the seller says they couldn't get the gun to cycle on 2-3/4" rounds or the 3" ("Magnum" marked guns for the 3" round starting about 1974) - my bet is on the gun was chambered in one of those two rounds and the seller started experiencing extraction problems and just upped the load to compensate. The likely reason the seller was having problems was the friction rings/recoil bolt was dirty/worn. Also, if the gun was a "Magnum" - the friction ring had to be reversed according to the load so it would extract. IF the gun is an early model (check the serial number) AND the seller was shooting 3-1/2" shells out of a 2-3/4" rounds or the 3" gun - I would pass on the purchase!!

BigJimP · August 17, 2011, 01:09 PM

Double check what it is ...whether we're discussing a 40 yr old Auto 5 ...or one of the newer gold versions or something else...is a big difference.

But the number one reason semi-autos don't cycle is because they aren't cleaned and lubed properly ....and the older the technology the more that is true. And some guys think swabbing the barrel ...once a month ...means its "clean" ....

I saw 3 semi-auto jam-amatics at my club yesterday .../ a 10yr old Beretta that I know he hasn't cleaned in 5000 shells or more ....and a couple of old Auto 5's ...( even the barrels were rusty and pitted ...) .../ some guys take care of their guns ...and some guys don't ...

TheKlawMan · August 17, 2011, 01:41 PM

What you guys say is essentially what I thought. He took it to a dealer and was told there was nothing to do to adjust it, such as changing a spring, and he simply had to shoot 3 1/2" shotshells. It isn't a cleaning issue. I will have to get some specific info from him.

zippy13 · August 17, 2011, 01:45 PM

YIKES! This has perilous potential. As was mentioned by Scorch, the 3 1/2-in 12-ga is a fairly recent load. It should be noted that the 3 1/2-inch 12-ga, being new, has a higher SAAMI maximum pressure. Using one in an old 3-inch gun is not recommended. Anything capable of shooting 3 1/2-in 12-ga maxi mags will have the shell size clearly marked on the gun.

Jim, ol' buddy, I wonder if the jam-o-matic Auto-5s were even adjusted properly (ring settings) for target loads.

BigJimP · August 17, 2011, 04:03 PM

They were probably not adjusted properly ....and I'll guarantee they hadn't been cleaned in my lifetime, based on the looks ...( and I'm old ...) ....

No reputable gunsmith would tell a guy he had to shoot 3 1/2" shells in it to get it to cycle....that's nuts ...

I have a hard time believing it was clean --- or properly lubed ---/ but then I'm a skeptic by nature ...

oneounceload · August 17, 2011, 04:06 PM

Sounds like gunk in the gas ports

Just because it will chamber a 3.5, does not mean it should be fired with one - fired shell length and all that - this sounds like something ugly going to happen

jaguarxk120 · August 17, 2011, 05:23 PM

Also find a new "dealer" just because the guy is behind the counter doesn't make him a expert or gunsmith, even though many will claim to be.

TheKlawMan · August 17, 2011, 07:13 PM

I told the guy that a lot of dealers, even honest ones, don't always know what they are talking about and that he should ask a smith. He thought he had talked to a smith. I hadn't thought about a dirty gas port, but told him he might have a smith look at it to see if it was too small and could be enlarged.

jaguarxk120 · August 17, 2011, 08:54 PM

Chances are if a smith gives it a good cleaning, everything will fall into place and the gun will operate as designed.

publius · August 21, 2011, 01:54 AM

Clean the heck out of it and make sure the friction ring is right if it's an A-5. If it's a gas gun it really needs to be clean and there is always the small possibility the gas port does need to be cleaned up or slightly enlarged. Had that problem with a B-80.

August 17, 2011, 01:03 AM	#1
TheKlawMan Junior member Join Date: June 23, 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 2,150	Browning Super Shotgun Did Browning make a 12 gauge autoloader 40 years ago that was chambered for a 3 1/2 inch shot shell?

August 17, 2011, 01:11 AM	#2
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 11,029	Would have been pretty useless without ammo, 3-1/2" 12 gauge is pretty recent, introduced about 1990s. They did make the A-5 chambered for 12 gauge 3" magnum. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Taylor Machine

August 17, 2011, 01:45 PM	#10
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,281	YIKES! This has perilous potential. As was mentioned by Scorch, the 3 1/2-in 12-ga is a fairly recent load. It should be noted that the 3 1/2-inch 12-ga, being new, has a higher SAAMI maximum pressure. Using one in an old 3-inch gun is not recommended. Anything capable of shooting 3 1/2-in 12-ga maxi mags will have the shell size clearly marked on the gun. Jim, ol' buddy, I wonder if the jam-o-matic Auto-5s were even adjusted properly (ring settings) for target loads. Last edited by zippy13; August 17, 2011 at 01:50 PM.

August 21, 2011, 01:54 AM	#16
publius Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2005 Location: Mississippi/Texas Posts: 2,348	Clean the heck out of it and make sure the friction ring is right if it's an A-5. If it's a gas gun it really needs to be clean and there is always the small possibility the gas port does need to be cleaned up or slightly enlarged. Had that problem with a B-80. __________________ "Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress, but I repeat myself." Mark Twain

August 17, 2011, 01:48 AM	#3
TheKlawMan Junior member Join Date: June 23, 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 2,150	I was wondering about that but not sure. It is possible that the guy said it was 4 years old and not 40. Whatever, he was complaining that ammo costs $35 a box for and if he tries to shoot 3" or 2 3/4" it doesn't cycle. If he brings it up again I will find out exactly what model it is.

August 17, 2011, 01:59 AM	#4
swopjan Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2011 Posts: 150	is there any reason 3.5" shells wouldn't be reloadable? maybe he should find a friend that can reload for him if he doesn't want to.

August 17, 2011, 09:49 AM	#6
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,680	The Browning web site (ggod place to start) has the owners manual for the Maxus shotgun. The Maxus comes in 3 and 3 1/2 barrels and the owners manual says it will cycle all 1 oz. field loads in 2 3/4, 3, and 3 1/2. Sounds like the gun needs a good cleaning.

August 17, 2011, 12:05 PM	#7
Couzin Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2006 Location: Terrell, Texas Posts: 226	If this is an supposedly an older Browning Auto-5 - first I'd check to see if it is actually chambered (marked) for a 3-1/2" shell. Since the 3-1/2" did not arrive until 1988, I bet not. If the seller says they couldn't get the gun to cycle on 2-3/4" rounds or the 3" ("Magnum" marked guns for the 3" round starting about 1974) - my bet is on the gun was chambered in one of those two rounds and the seller started experiencing extraction problems and just upped the load to compensate. The likely reason the seller was having problems was the friction rings/recoil bolt was dirty/worn. Also, if the gun was a "Magnum" - the friction ring had to be reversed according to the load so it would extract. IF the gun is an early model (check the serial number) AND the seller was shooting 3-1/2" shells out of a 2-3/4" rounds or the 3" gun - I would pass on the purchase!!

August 17, 2011, 01:09 PM	#8
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 9,952	Double check what it is ...whether we're discussing a 40 yr old Auto 5 ...or one of the newer gold versions or something else...is a big difference. But the number one reason semi-autos don't cycle is because they aren't cleaned and lubed properly ....and the older the technology the more that is true. And some guys think swabbing the barrel ...once a month ...means its "clean" .... I saw 3 semi-auto jam-amatics at my club yesterday .../ a 10yr old Beretta that I know he hasn't cleaned in 5000 shells or more ....and a couple of old Auto 5's ...( even the barrels were rusty and pitted ...) .../ some guys take care of their guns ...and some guys don't ...

August 17, 2011, 01:41 PM	#9
TheKlawMan Junior member Join Date: June 23, 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 2,150	What you guys say is essentially what I thought. He took it to a dealer and was told there was nothing to do to adjust it, such as changing a spring, and he simply had to shoot 3 1/2" shotshells. It isn't a cleaning issue. I will have to get some specific info from him.

August 17, 2011, 04:03 PM	#11
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 9,952	They were probably not adjusted properly ....and I'll guarantee they hadn't been cleaned in my lifetime, based on the looks ...( and I'm old ...) .... No reputable gunsmith would tell a guy he had to shoot 3 1/2" shells in it to get it to cycle....that's nuts ... I have a hard time believing it was clean --- or properly lubed ---/ but then I'm a skeptic by nature ...

August 17, 2011, 04:06 PM	#12
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	Sounds like gunk in the gas ports Just because it will chamber a 3.5, does not mean it should be fired with one - fired shell length and all that - this sounds like something ugly going to happen

August 17, 2011, 05:23 PM	#13
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,680	Also find a new "dealer" just because the guy is behind the counter doesn't make him a expert or gunsmith, even though many will claim to be.

August 17, 2011, 07:13 PM	#14
TheKlawMan Junior member Join Date: June 23, 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 2,150	I told the guy that a lot of dealers, even honest ones, don't always know what they are talking about and that he should ask a smith. He thought he had talked to a smith. I hadn't thought about a dirty gas port, but told him he might have a smith look at it to see if it was too small and could be enlarged.

August 17, 2011, 08:54 PM	#15
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,680	Chances are if a smith gives it a good cleaning, everything will fall into place and the gun will operate as designed.