1957 Browning A5 Light Twelve Buck Special Value?

firefighterjohn · Mar 2, 2020

I have an opportunity to buy a 1957 Browning A5 Light Twelve Buck Special 12 Ga with the round knob on the stock. I've never owned or shot an A5...or any Browning shotgun for that matter. I didn't measure the barrel length but it's shorter 20+". It has shiny bore, wood is great shape-no nicks, bluing is great with no scratches or dings. I've researched and watched some videos on the A5 Buck Special but have no idea if the $800 price is too high or not. Are these nice to collect, shoot or both? I have no idea but don't want to let it go if it is. Any help would be greatly appreciated...sorry no pictures yet to help you out.

Thanks,
John

s&wchad · Mar 2, 2020

I think $800 is too much. High condition Light Twentys bring big money, but the 12ga slug guns aren't that popular anymore. Most shotgun deer hunters today prefer an easily scoped gun with a rifled barrel and shoot sabots. Even those aren't as desirable as they previously were here in Michigan, since the rules were changed to allow pistol caliber rifles in the prior shotgun/muzzleloader/pistol only zone. The Ruger American in .450 Bushmaster has really changed the game.

A5's are gorgeous and a true classic. Unfortunately, they don't suit me very well. The stocks are too short and the hump causes me to smack myself in the nose with my right thumb. A good friend of mine loves them and has quite a few. He recently sold a Belgian A5 12ga that had two barrels, a 28" VR and a slug barrel. He was asking $850 for the package and it was like new. He ended up selling the slug barrel separately for $250, so he could offer the gun for less. IIRC, he eventually got $600 for the gun with the VR barrel.

As a side note, later Japanese VR barrels with Invector Plus chokes are in high demand and bring $500 or more. They're safe to use with steel shot and can be fitted to the older Belgian guns.

firefighterjohn · Mar 2, 2020

thanks for your insight!

Thanks s&wchad, I really appreciate your knowledge and advice. It would have been more of a range novelty since I don't deer hunt. I don't know anything about the A5s and sounds like I'll pass on this one. Heck, I could put that money towards a nice S&W N or L frame instead!

John

6518John · Mar 2, 2020

That is a classic heavy woods/brush gun for slugs and buckshot.. One of my best friends dad growing up ran deer with a pack of beagles and that Browning slug gun and his Winchester thurty-thurty never left the window rack of his pick-up.

I think that is/may be a high price, but for one in that condition I would probably bite.. I don’t think they are by any means common, and most I have seen saw heavy use—down south at least-chasing briar/swamp bucks.

There is an excellent Hickok45 on these Buck Specials. Google and watch.

firefighterjohn · Mar 10, 2020

Thanks 6518John. I might go back to re-evaluate and decide. But with my luck it's probably already gone. I've been saving my money for a really nice M25-2 in the box with all the tools and paperwork. Got it set aside and will pick it up soon. Sometimes you gotta pass on certain ones that come up.

6518John · Mar 10, 2020

If it was me I would go lay down 5 $100 bills and see what he says. Can’t hurt to try.

Tubbsy · Mar 10, 2020

Exactly what John said.... the market for the a5s has been pretty soft for a few years.... unless of course it's a 16 or 20....

dave1918a2 · Mar 10, 2020

You don't list where You are so all I can offer is that A-5 would bring maybe $500 - $600 here if I waited awhile. At the price You mentioned I don't think it would sell anywhere in the US/

Fishinfool · Mar 10, 2020

If it were me, I would offer $600, and consider myself ahead of the game if he accepted.

For all practical purposes, a modern plastic stocked pump shotgun with a rifled barrel is the prudent choice.

But, if you appreciate walnut and steel, hand fit from another era, where craftsmanship and pride meant something, then that Browning has it in spades. I challenge you to find another semi auto shotgun, made today, that is better made, at about any price.

Yes, I am an Auto-5 fan. Mine, pictured below, was a gift from my uncle back in the early 70's. It is also a round knob 1950's model, and has been a constant and reliable hunting partner for well over 40 years.

Larry

federali · Mar 10, 2020

The barrel is probably not original to the gun. I owned a 12 gauge buck special and as I recall, dedicated shotguns and accessories for slug shooting didn't make their debut until the early 60s. I ordered a buck special barrel for my auto-5 and waited nearly a year for it to arrive.

The Auto-5 is a beautiful gun but the recoil operated mechanism may take some getting used to. It sort of feels like a double shuffle. Keep the magazine tube clean and lubed and be sure you have the friction ring in the right place for the loads you're shooting.

richcory · Mar 10, 2020

I’ve had two Auto-5’s and loved them. They were a joy to shoot & the craftsmanship was great. You won’t regret getting it, even at the asking price. Mine were not slug versions but I wouldn’t pass it up if I liked it.

Cory

lrrifleman · Mar 10, 2020

John,

Within the past few years, I purchased an A5 to "replace" my grandfather's A5 that I inherited (long story, painful to share). My grandfather's A5 was a '57, the one I picked up was a '56. I found my new A5 on GB with a 28" barrel with a polychoke, paying $322. I sold the polychoke barrel and replaced it with a 30" VR with Invector chokes. The A5 was the first gun I was exposed to, and holds a special place in my heart.

While I do love the A5, I really think that $800 is way too much! While a Belgian A5 should command more than a Miroku A5, at $800, someone is living in a fantasy!

firefighterjohn · Mar 11, 2020

Thanks for all the great replies and insights. I remember it having a FN type marking on the barrel and not the Japanese marking. It had the special front sight and not just a bead sight. I might stop back in and see if it's still on their shelf.

firefighterjohn · Mar 12, 2020

Stopped at LGS yesterday and it had sold. As you all mentioned above, it was overpriced but not to that one guy. Thanks again for all your great history and personal experiences with the A5. I'm better informed in case I ever see one in the future.

1957 Browning A5 Light Twelve Buck Special Value?

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