Wingman Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 (edited) Was rummaging around some of the guns at my local RFD this morning, he has a stock of cheap knockabouts i was looking for something as another pigeon gun (like I really need another, but thats another story!!) I came across an old Browning A5 humpback that caught my eye so we talked price and he offered it at 90 quid. Its in fair condition very original with no cracks to the stock or forend, and has a prince of wales type stock. Seemed to fit well and I really liked the way it handled. Took the barrel off and it looks like the friction seals are missing it only had a brass ring but I thought there should be another two seals ahead of that where the barrel joins the magtube. Barrel has some light pitting but he checked and its well in proof. Serial number starts with "34" which according to the Browning site makes it manufactured in 1952, the first year when FN took over production. I walked away today to do some research and see what spares availability is, still in two minds as it will need a fair bit of work to get it back to how it should be. Would at a minimum want to get the barrel reblacked and any dents removed and a full strip and clean. May do it myself but not sure how feasible this is as a project to be fair. Would really appreciate any comments or advice on this, interested in spares availability cost to service and anything else that may sway me either way! Cheers guys! Edited April 13, 2016 by Wingman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casts_by_fly Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 for a knockabout gun, I wouldn't even both fixing up the barrels. For the price of a used A5 just buy another when it is totally useless. Sure it is nice to have pretty blueing but unless you are looking for a project I wouldn't bother. Same with the stock, though I like the look of pretty wood and would probably do a strip and rework myself since the A5 is super easy to work and and take apart. For the mag tube, I think there is only 1 friction ring on the A5s. Get a part diagram from Numrich's (they are listed online) if you haven't already and you can confirm that, but I thought it was just the single ring. The Franchi AL48 has a double ring but I thought the A5 was a single. Parts are readily available in the US, but getting them here might be a challenge unless you have a friend there. thanks, rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingman Posted April 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 Thanks Rick.. I have been looking at various videos and diagrams and it seems to mention that some have friction rings to compress the mag spring more when using lighter loads. Will keep looking, I do have a contact in the US so that may prove useful if I end up getting it.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 For 90 quid it's cheap enough for a wall hanger . Harnser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesterse Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 I got a kit from Brownells in the States to revamp an old A5, think it only cost about $15 and got a local gunsmith to put all the bits in for. another tenner. Never missed a beat after that. Mine is quite badly pitted but the barrels are so thick that the gunsmith assured me it would not be a problem. Brownells now have a site in the UK - might be worth having a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingman Posted April 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 I got a kit from Brownells in the States to revamp an old A5, think it only cost about $15 and got a local gunsmith to put all the bits in for. another tenner. Never missed a beat after that. Mine is quite badly pitted but the barrels are so thick that the gunsmith assured me it would not be a problem. Brownells now have a site in the UK - might be worth having a look. Can you tell me how you have the friction rings setup on yours please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddoakley Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 Buy it! Bargain. Great old guns. Edd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 they are good guns the yanks love them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesterse Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 Can you tell me how you have the friction rings setup on yours please?Yes the sloping edge points towards the muzzle. Hope of use! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesterse Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 Yes the sloping edge points towards the muzzle. Hope of use! Also there are two rings and inner brass type one and an outer one. Tried to send you a picture but it did not go through. If you send me a PM with your email address, I can try it that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingman Posted April 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 Also there are two rings and inner brass type one and an outer one. Tried to send you a picture but it did not go through. If you send me a PM with your email address, I can try it that way. thanks PM sent! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impala59 Posted April 14, 2016 Report Share Posted April 14, 2016 Go for it Wingman! at that price and tidying it yourself, if an A5 does it for you, it will always repay in the field. Now, personally, I have always hated the A5, for no reason other than I don't like the look. I am sure they are great guns, they made enough of them and across the pond they are very popular. Got to love the old guns, keep them working, bringing in the pigeons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.