Browning Auto 5 humpback

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Mine is an heirloom from an uncle. He bought it new in the mid-60s and put exactly one box of shells through it at a trap range. I doubled its usage by doing the same when I got it.
I love the round pistol grip knobs!
 
I’ve one FN 1954 with a 26in imp mod solid matte ribbed barrel and a 1956 FN with a 24in imp cyl solid matte ribbed barreled. My uncle had one and I just thought it was the coolest shotgun ever. My 70 year old aunt still uses it as her HD gun. I pop the fore end off every time I visit to keep it lubed. She’ll still shoot a round or two trap in the summer with it.
 
I have a Light 12 and Sweet Sixteen, both Japan made, but those removable choke tubes are nice to have.
 
I’ve got a Browning Auto 5, 1957 12 ga. on layaway, real nice low usage all original FN Belgium made “humpback”. Anyone else?


Great guns. Super reliable. Make sure that the gun is "adjusted" properly (the gas system). Light loads vs. heavy loads. [Edit: sorry, not gas. The spring system].


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Poor ergonomics for me, but the first really reliable automatic shotgun. I have one my dad purchased in the early 60's.
 
After years of shootings doves and just a few ducks,usually unsuccessfully using a 20 gauge pump, I saw a visiting hunter killing ducks and doves at great distances using a Browning Auto 5 with Cutts Compensater. That became my most desired object. I was eighteen and almost nothing else was on my mind.And as I was getting ready to begin my sophomore year in college and was gifted $100 unexpectedly by an aunt.I went directly to the store and there was a glistening brand new Auto 5 for $119!!
I had saved a few bucks myself and I had them have a Cutts compensator installed.Seems the whole works about $135.
For years that “humpback” collected untold numbers of ducks and doves and a few quail and geese.It was shot so much that it began to single shoot on a goose hunt.I took it for repairs and the recoil spring was 1 1/2 inches short due to compression.
For years I was shooting “more modern guns”and it sat faithfully in the closet.I thought about taking it turkey hunting for old times sake. I found my Cutts Long range choke and screwed it on.To my amazement I was getting denser groups with 2 3/4 inch shells than I was getting with my Super Black Eagle 3 1/2 Magnums with turkey tubes.Due to health problem I couldn’t get a turkey,but I hope to collect a couple with it in the spring.It is faithful after 66 hard years, and I think the Cutts Compensator is superior to all the others as the choke section follows the gas reduction section.Precious memories!!
 
I have my lite 12..... dads and grandpas two lite 20,s

Pawpaw raised dad and my uncle alone. The story goes between the three, someone was always having shotgun problems. Pawpaw decided to spring for three new high dollar shotguns. He bought three new Belgium Browning 20 gauges for 100$ each.
Lost sight of the uncles after his passing, managed to hang onto the other two. They are all blonde round knobs.
 
I’ve got a Browning Auto 5, 1957 12 ga. on layaway, real nice low usage all original FN Belgium made “humpback”. Anyone else?

I also had a Stevens model 77e 16ga. in my sights on Gun Broker and let it get away from not checking the bidding often enough. With a damaged butt stock (otherwise very nice) it sold for $109, if I could kick myself, I would, probably several times. Can’t believe I missed that one, it was a long barrel full choke, really attractive with its long lean purposeful lines,,,damn
 
Years ago I was given a brand new Belgian Light Twenty, by far the most elegant shotgun I ever owned. A real thing of beauty. And in my long-ago drinking days, I sold it. I've kicked myself ever since, though it was not the gun I shot best.

I love the A5s.
 
My Dad got a Brn A5 in early 50s as partial payment for some electrical work. It was a bring home from WW2 by the home owner. Gun was mint
and true FN Belgian Browning with safety in front of trigger guard. 30" FC
12g. I have it and two Lite 12s. One 30" VR and another 30" FC that is
cut to 24" with rifle sights. Since I was a kid I only saw two jams. My Dad
was in some cat tails along a pond while we were pheasant hunting. He
jumped a bird and when he shot bolt handle sucked in a cat tail and locked it up solid. The other jam was mine. I shot a buck and it was down flopping. I was ready to shoot it again if necessary and looked down and
empty was hanging out the bolt. The Remington slug casing had extra length roll crimp and empty was to long to clear gun. Neither jam was fault of guns.The A5 auto and Win 12.pump are the guns all others were
judged by. My brother has several of them from 20 to 12s. Thousands of
rounds with no problems and the only one bought new is a Jap A5 slug
gun my brother bought.
 
My favorite shotgun! I have a really nice Belgian A5 Light 12, and a mean looking sawed off 12 gauge Remington Model 11.

Congrats on a great gun!
 

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I had a '58 Light Twelve for many years, but didn't really shoot it a lot after the first couple of years I had it. Eventually I sold it, & have regretted it ever since. I never could remember which way the ring was supposed to be turned after letting it set a while. Had to drag the manual out every time. LOL! Beautiful gun, with a round knob.

Looking forward to pictures of your when you get it notsofast. Congratulations!
 
My father loved them and one of the oldest had the square sliding safety inside the front of the trigger guard.
The newer models had the safety behind the trigger guard
and were a lot easier on your trigger finger.

I liked the humped back design for shooting and how the action locked and would load with a flick of a cut off switch, tossing a round
from the magazine, into the chamber.

They are a little heavy for field work but fit me well and I seldom miss
with the lead shotgun loads.
With the long full choke barrel, I can only use Bismuth for ducks and geese
but it is still fun to shoot, with the recoil springs set up correctly
so I don't crack the wood forearm from heavy recoil.
 
I own 4. A lite 12 I traded for in 1967(graduation present) a 20 I bought about 10 years ago(wanted one forever). A lite 12 that was my fathers, he bought it after I told him what I had trade for as a grad gift. And a Mag 12 that my dad bought about 1960. His waterfowl gun until he moved up to a High Standard 10. (I have that one too.) All Euro Brownings and all top shooters.
 
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