Browning A5s Belgium or no?

Panzer D6 · January 26, 2002, 03:02 PM

I did a search before posting, but didn't find what I was looking for, which is a quick way to tell if a Browning Auto-5 shotgun was made in Belgium or otherwise. My father has 2, one is excellent, and one is very well used. But barrels may come and go, and I am looking for markings on the receiver to designate where it was made.

A friend has one with a broken extractor and a cracked receiver. I was wondering about the difference in quality, since my dad's has fired countless thousands of rounds and still works flawlessly. In other words, is my friend's Browning Light 12 substandard quality because maybe its made in japan. And how can I tell?

C.R.Sam · January 26, 2002, 03:40 PM

Check serial number for two letter suffix. If it has suffix, post it and one of us can date the gun.

Roughly, if made after 1974, will be made by Miroku of Japan.

Personal opinion, the Japanese made brownings are stronger and often better finished.

Sam

January 26, 2002, 03:02 PM	#1
Panzer D6 Junior Member Join Date: February 18, 1999 Posts: 9	Browning A5s Belgium or no? I did a search before posting, but didn't find what I was looking for, which is a quick way to tell if a Browning Auto-5 shotgun was made in Belgium or otherwise. My father has 2, one is excellent, and one is very well used. But barrels may come and go, and I am looking for markings on the receiver to designate where it was made. A friend has one with a broken extractor and a cracked receiver. I was wondering about the difference in quality, since my dad's has fired countless thousands of rounds and still works flawlessly. In other words, is my friend's Browning Light 12 substandard quality because maybe its made in japan. And how can I tell?

January 26, 2002, 03:40 PM	#2
C.R.Sam Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 1999 Location: Dewey, AZ Posts: 12,858	Check serial number for two letter suffix. If it has suffix, post it and one of us can date the gun. Roughly, if made after 1974, will be made by Miroku of Japan. Personal opinion, the Japanese made brownings are stronger and often better finished. Sam