Her's a link to the model 11's / Auto 5's ....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Browning_Auto-5
Model 11's and Auto 5's - in my opinion - you asked, are they:
1. Soft shooting -- not compared to todays technology in gas guns...
2. Reliable ---no, they tend to be finnicky / need to be kept lubed and clean / the action is slow to cycle
3. There are a lot of them around / so scavenging parts won't be that big a deal probably
4. Value --- probably $ 150 - $ 300 .../ personally, I wouldn't pay over
$ 100 for one with a fixed choke ( its not versatile gun in my view).
In general, I think its a poor choice compared to so many options you have today. For its time / it was a solid gun (it was the semi-auto of my youth !!) - but things have really changed on semi-auto shotguns - with the newer guns shooting quicker, cycling a wider variety of shells, shooting cleaner, etc. Are they terrible guns, No --- but you'll have to fuss with them / tinker with them ....
In my opinion - for $ 100 / maybe $ 150 its a gun you, or your wife, can shoot a little bit ....if it fits either one of you .... / they don't fit me very well ...and I was never that big a fan of the Auto 5's ....