Belgian Browning Light 12. What's It Worth???

[RSanch111]

Anyone have any thoughts on what this Light 12 is worth???
Thanks.

 

[j a]

Beautiful gun

RSanch111 that is a beautiful gun. I have a twin to it in my safe. These are marvels of machined steel. In my opinion the nicest semi auto shotgun ever made.
As far as value. I looked at several a few weeks ago at the Des Moines gun show. Really nice ones like you have pictured were priced in the $700 to $900 range. Lesser condition guns were $450 and up. I did not see any of them sell for these prices. Nor did I see anyone even looking at them.
Sorry I can not help any more than that. If you do not already own the one shown buy it ASAP. You will cherish it forever. JA

 

[RSanch111]

Thanks, JA...."Problem" is, I'm selling an estate off for a friend and I want ALL of them!!!! I also have a nice Sauer Rifle that I'll be posting in the "for sale" forum. Already have a nice Engraved 66-1 in there. For the prices you quoted on the Browning, I'll probably buy that one myself. But I have to sell some of them!

 

[RSanch111]

Thanks, JA...."Problem" is, I'm selling an estate off for a friend and I want ALL of them!!!! I also have a nice Sauer Rifle that I'll be posting in the "for sale" forum. Already have a nice Engraved 66-1 in there. For the prices you quoted on the Browning, I'll probably buy that one myself. But I have to sell some of them!

Sauer is in .270 Winchester. Also have a 50th Anniversary Weatherby in .300 Weatherby Mag. These guns will be listed here for my "buy it now" price and also on GB with a No Reserve auction with a $500.00 minimum bid.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I may be mistaken, but I don't believe that the forend of your Auto-5 is properly seated in the receiver. Be sure that it is properly seated and the magazine cap screwed down snug BEFORE FIRING THE GUN. If the forend is not seated properly, I'm pretty sure that firing the gun will crack it.

 

[daddio202]

That is an absolutely beautiful gun for sure!!! The problem holding values down on them is that everybody has one. They made zillions of them over 100 years making them a more dime a dozen. The nicer older ones with more engraving in good shape have better values. I see them from $300 to $750 in every single gun shop I visit. Most have a layer of dust on them. Great guns don't get me wrong.

 

[chief38]

Beautiful A-5! The earlier ones with the Round knob and Long Tang usually bring more money and I've seen those types in 98% + condition bring $900 - $975 in 12 Gauge. The 16Ga. and 20 Ga. guns bring approximately $500 - $900 more! The Square Knob (pictured here) and Short Tang (can't see Tang in picture so I don't know what you have) will usually bring about $100 - 150 less in the same condition.

You also did not state what Choke it is and the barrel length is. Usually the desired combo is a 28" with a Modified Choke but the 26" and I/C Choke would be the next desired version. Off hand it does look to me that it's a 28" but the picture you provided of the entire gun is not great and it's a guess.

The A-5 here does have the desired Ventilated Rib which is good - some do not and they also will bring less money.

Better pictures would certainly make for a better estimate. Without them I'd guess in the $700- $750 Range with the Square knob and Short Tang if 28" Mod. and if it's really that nice in person. The "Light" version also helps - if it were NOT the Light, about $75 less.

 

[chief38]

I may be mistaken, but I don't believe that the forend of your Auto-5 is properly seated in the receiver. Be sure that it is properly seated and the magazine cap screwed down snug BEFORE FIRING THE GUN. If the forend is not seated properly, I'm pretty sure that firing the gun will crack it.

Correctamundo and great call! This man may have just saved the Forend on the first shot.

 

[RSanch111]

Beautiful A-5! The earlier ones with the Round knob and Long Tang usually bring more money and I've seen those types in 98% + condition bring $900 - $975 in 12 Gauge. The 16Ga. and 20 Ga. guns bring approximately $500 - $900 more! The Square Knob (pictured here) and Short Tang (can't see Tang in picture so I don't know what you have) will usually bring about $100 - 150 less in the same condition.

You also did not state what Choke it is and the barrel length is. Usually the desired combo is a 28" with a Modified Choke but the 26" and I/C Choke would be the next desired version. Off hand it does look to me that it's a 28" but the picture you provided of the entire gun is not great and it's a guess.

The A-5 here does have the desired Ventilated Rib which is good - some do not and they also will bring less money.

Better pictures would certainly make for a better estimate. Without them I'd guess in the $700- $750 Range with the Square knob and Short Tang if 28" Mod. and if it's really that nice in person. The "Light" version also helps - if it were NOT the Light, about $75 less.

Thanks Chief!

 

[Camster]

I was the original owner of it's twin,which I sold about ten years ago.The market for them was better at that time.If memory serves,I got something in the 800-900 range and that was to a dealer/collector.(A 1969 Lt 12 28 mod VR square grip)
As has been mentioned,they sold a lot of them,and a lot are coming onto the market now.Nice as they are, they apparently don't appeal to the younger set.
My LGS says that nice ones are no more than a 500-600 item nowadays.
The same dealer is seeing a lot of High Standard 22 pistols coming in from owners of that generation as well.They seem to have a better market.

 

[browningcollector]

I will second the forend not being seated correctly, that is why you see a lot of these cracked. Also barrel is modified as I see two * marks on it. Vent ribs bring a premium over matte ribs or plain barrels. Very nice shotgun and I would guess close to the $700 range with VR and nice condition.

 

[RSanch111]

I will second the forend not being seated correctly, that is why you see a lot of these cracked. Also barrel is modified as I see two * marks on it. Vent ribs bring a premium over matte ribs or plain barrels. Very nice shotgun and I would guess close to the $700 range with VR and nice condition.

Thanks BC. What kind of mods could those marks realistically mean? Vent rib and chokes?

 

[RSanch111]

Thanks for all of the insight, gents, I do appreciate it!

 

[browningcollector]

Here are markings for choke constrictions

* Full
*- Imp Mod
** Mod
**- Imp Cyl
*** Cyl

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Problem with the Belgian made ones is that they don't shoot steel and for that reason you can't give them away down here. I own a Jap Light 12 I bought in the late 80's with the round knob and 26" invector choke that has killed many a duck. Problem with it is that it KICKS LIKE A MULE. But it is a death ray-I had the stock shortened to fit me and honestly I have to really try to miss with this one. But IT KICKS LIKE A MULE .
DO NOT shot it with a hangover!

 

[chief38]

Problem with the Belgian made ones is that they don't shoot steel and for that reason you can't give them away down here. I own a Jap Light 12 I bought in the late 80's with the round knob and 26" invector choke that has killed many a duck. Problem with it is that it KICKS LIKE A MULE. But it is a death ray-I had the stock shortened to fit me and honestly I have to really try to miss with this one. But IT KICKS LIKE A MULE .
DO NOT shot it with a hangover!

Hmmmm,

Don't know why it kicks so hard Caj. My A-5 Light 12 from the mid 1950's is actually quite pleasant to shoot. If your Ring is in the proper position - set for Heavy Loads and the Recoil Spring is in good shape the only think I can think of is that you are over lubing the outside of the Magazine tube. That would make the recoil more intense as the Friction Ring does not have enough resistance to slow down the barrel movement. The correct Lubricant to use on the exterior of the Mag Tube is straight 30 weight NON-detergent motor oil. Apply and wipe off any excess leaving just a thin coating of the oil there. This way even though the friction Ring will be lubricated, it will still have some resistance. Many longtime A-5 owners do not know this (straight from Browning themselves) and after I inform them they say it helps not only with recoil, but with totally eliminating any ejection issues.

You are correct about not shooting Steel out of the older Belgium ones, but I don't Duck hunt so it does not mater to me. I hunt Upland Birds and use lead. My A-5 is my second Fav. 12 Ga. only after my Superposed Grade 2 from the mid 50's which is #1 to me.

If you are not already doing so, try the straight 30W Non Det. Oil and please let me know if that helps.

 

[rwsmith]

Be careful that you have the right.....

I may be mistaken, but I don't believe that the forend of your Auto-5 is properly seated in the receiver. Be sure that it is properly seated and the magazine cap screwed down snug BEFORE FIRING THE GUN. If the forend is not seated properly, I'm pretty sure that firing the gun will crack it.

Slide bushings can go together all kinds of ways. Check the Browning site where they have all of the assemblies.

 

[Drm50]

We are A5 family. In my area $600-700 range would be the tag
at a show. Like some one said the market on them is soft. The
great shotguns like A5 and Win 12 are hard to sell. New shooters
aren't into them. I take a beating over mine. They all have 1100s
Berettas, Benelli, ect and call mine a WW1 gun that needs wheels
The desired choke depends on locality, here it's Full or Slug. We
we're always told to tighten nut hand tight then back off one click
to avoid cracking fore end. Far as I'm concerned best auto loader
ever made, 100yrs is a long run for a gun. Besides Brn A5 the
Rem 11 and Savage produced this design. A gun in nice shape
like yours probably has the instruction sheet for friction bushings
still in fore end. If it is set for light loads the recoil will be stiff
with Hi brass loads and can put metal to metal and possibly
crack your bushing with continued use of heavy loads. The only
jam I can recall is when my dads A5 grabbed a cat tail with bolt
handle and tried to feed it. The portion it cut off jammed the gun
closed.

 

[Dave.357]

I have a 12 a 16 and a 20guage all time best auto shot gun ever made, If put together right and verly lightly oiled it will kick now more than any other shot gun of the same weight.

 

[clang444]

As already mentioned, it's a beautiful gun but there is a small market for them. You have to find someone interested in upland hunting with a classic autoloader to buy this gun. That is a small market and getting smaller.

Most upland hunters that want a classic gun will go with a double barrel shotgun, and most upland hunters that want an autoloader will go with a more modern design. That leaves the group of hunters that want a gun just like Dad had and Dad carried an Auro 5.

Upland season is just starting, so right now is the best time to sell. But if you want it to move I wouldn't mark it above $600 and be willing to accept any offer above $500. That may seem low, but that's where the market is now.