Belgium Browning A-5

SPEMack618 · June 14, 2019, 01:27 PM

I came into possession of a A-5 Magnum with the long 28" barrel.

I'd like something a bit shorter to improve handiness in the field.

My question is does anyone know if there was ever a barrel threaded for screw in choke tubes made for this gun?

Auto5 · June 15, 2019, 07:58 AM

I once lucked out and found a 26" barrel at a gun show for $60, but that will probably never happen again. I've seen several early models that have been fitted with a Poly Choke or Cutts Compensator with screw in tubes (like my 1947 "Brownington"). While the very idea makes me cringe, a capable gunsmith should be able to shorten and thread your barrel for choke tubes cheaper than the current prices of another barrel.

Virginian · June 15, 2019, 11:27 AM

Quite a few Japanese manufactured barrels came with screw in chokes. I believe they moved the manufacturing of all Auto 5s to Japan about 1977. You might be able to find one on ebay or elsewhere. It is relatively easy to have a barrel shortened and fitted with choke tubes, but make sure you get a quality job. I will vouch for Briley's and Mike Orlen for their work.

Ricklin · June 15, 2019, 11:40 AM

Virginian already mentioned the guy I would use.

Easy to do, a heavy cardboard shipping tube, no problem sending just the barrel to Mike.
Might shoot him a message first. If you have calipers you can measure the OD and the ID of the muzzle.
He may know already based on the gun what can be done. The wall thickness of the barrel determines the type or the possibility of having it tubed.

T. O'Heir · June 15, 2019, 01:30 PM

Browning will sell you a 26"(that's as short as Browning goes) A5 barrel with changeable chokes. Cheap they ain't though. MSRP is $499.99US.

Virginian · June 16, 2019, 07:43 AM

An A5 barrel is not an Auto 5 barrel. The new A5 is an inertia action; totally different from the classic Auto 5.

Ricklin · June 16, 2019, 09:45 AM

I have an old Remington 31 that I may send barrel to Mike. Still deciding.

It's an old dime a dozen 30" full choke, I would guess no more than a box of shells have been through it, virtually no wear. Very nice for it's age, it has a few pinprick pitting spots on receiver and that's it.

I'm thinkin cut back to 28" and choke tubes. I'll refinish the stock and call it good.

Either that or reassemble and sell as a project gun. It would be nice cut down for HD too, no dis-connector like a model 12.

I have very little in to it, and I don't need another 12 gauge pump.

giaquir · June 16, 2019, 04:30 PM

I vote Briley chokes as well ,worked well for me. Browning A5 Light 12,thin wall barrel

June 14, 2019, 01:27 PM	#1
SPEMack618 Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2010 Location: Central Georgia Posts: 1,863	Belgium Browning A-5 I came into possession of a A-5 Magnum with the long 28" barrel. I'd like something a bit shorter to improve handiness in the field. My question is does anyone know if there was ever a barrel threaded for screw in choke tubes made for this gun? __________________ NRA Life Member Read my blog! "The answer to any caliber debate is going to be .38 Super, 10mm, .357 Sig or .41 Magnum!"

June 15, 2019, 07:58 AM	#2
Auto5 Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2013 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 662	I once lucked out and found a 26" barrel at a gun show for $60, but that will probably never happen again. I've seen several early models that have been fitted with a Poly Choke or Cutts Compensator with screw in tubes (like my 1947 "Brownington"). While the very idea makes me cringe, a capable gunsmith should be able to shorten and thread your barrel for choke tubes cheaper than the current prices of another barrel. __________________ At the young age of five, a bear told me that I was the only person who could prevent forest fires. Why I was chosen, I'll never know.

June 15, 2019, 11:27 AM	#3
Virginian Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2012 Location: Williamsburg, Va. Posts: 1,528	Quite a few Japanese manufactured barrels came with screw in chokes. I believe they moved the manufacturing of all Auto 5s to Japan about 1977. You might be able to find one on ebay or elsewhere. It is relatively easy to have a barrel shortened and fitted with choke tubes, but make sure you get a quality job. I will vouch for Briley's and Mike Orlen for their work. __________________ What could have happened... did.

June 15, 2019, 11:40 AM	#4
Ricklin Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Location: SW Washington state Posts: 2,013	Agreed Virginian already mentioned the guy I would use. Easy to do, a heavy cardboard shipping tube, no problem sending just the barrel to Mike. Might shoot him a message first. If you have calipers you can measure the OD and the ID of the muzzle. He may know already based on the gun what can be done. The wall thickness of the barrel determines the type or the possibility of having it tubed. __________________ ricklin Freedom is not free

June 15, 2019, 01:30 PM	#5
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Browning will sell you a 26"(that's as short as Browning goes) A5 barrel with changeable chokes. Cheap they ain't though. MSRP is $499.99US. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

June 16, 2019, 07:43 AM	#6
Virginian Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2012 Location: Williamsburg, Va. Posts: 1,528	An A5 barrel is not an Auto 5 barrel. The new A5 is an inertia action; totally different from the classic Auto 5. __________________ What could have happened... did.

June 16, 2019, 09:45 AM	#7
Ricklin Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Location: SW Washington state Posts: 2,013	Rehab I have an old Remington 31 that I may send barrel to Mike. Still deciding. It's an old dime a dozen 30" full choke, I would guess no more than a box of shells have been through it, virtually no wear. Very nice for it's age, it has a few pinprick pitting spots on receiver and that's it. I'm thinkin cut back to 28" and choke tubes. I'll refinish the stock and call it good. Either that or reassemble and sell as a project gun. It would be nice cut down for HD too, no dis-connector like a model 12. I have very little in to it, and I don't need another 12 gauge pump. __________________ ricklin Freedom is not free

June 16, 2019, 04:30 PM	#8
giaquir Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Deerfield,New Hampshire Posts: 512	I vote Briley chokes as well ,worked well for me. Browning A5 Light 12,thin wall barrel