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USMCGrunt

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So I got myself a Father’s Day present a few days ago, a Belgian-made Browning magnum Auto-5 in 12 gauge. Like me, it’s a 1969 vintage and apparently it used to belong to one of the other gun store owners here in town before he passed away. I spent a lot of time growing up stopping in at his store so I was glad to pick this one up since it has a little extra meaning.
What never gets old is the long recoil system of these guns. It’s a different feel than a gas gun like my Mossberg 930 or the recoil operation of my Stoeger or Benelli shotguns. It’s a little more labor-intensive to take it apart than modern designs but that’s just the way they made them back in those days. It’s just too bad Browning quit making the old humpbacks but in a world of cost cutting and modifications to make the lawyers happy, I suppose Saint John Moses Browning’s masterpieces like this are a thing of the past.
 
It’s just too bad Browning quit making the old humpbacks but in a world of cost cutting and modifications to make the lawyers happy, I suppose Saint John Moses Browning’s masterpieces like this are a thing of the past.
1911 pistol is still one of the most popular handguns being made.
 
So I got myself a Father’s Day present a few days ago, a Belgian-made Browning magnum Auto-5 in 12 gauge. Like me, it’s a 1969 vintage and apparently it used to belong to one of the other gun store owners here in town before he passed away. I spent a lot of time growing up stopping in at his store so I was glad to pick this one up since it has a little extra meaning.
What never gets old is the long recoil system of these guns. It’s a different feel than a gas gun like my Mossberg 930 or the recoil operation of my Stoeger or Benelli shotguns. It’s a little more labor-intensive to take it apart than modern designs but that’s just the way they made them back in those days. It’s just too bad Browning quit making the old humpbacks but in a world of cost cutting and modifications to make the lawyers happy, I suppose Saint John Moses Browning’s masterpieces like this are a thing of the past.
We shoot skeet every Sunday at our club. I normally shoot one of two O/U's, but every Father's Day I haul my late dad's Auto5 out to the field and do a little kerchunking. That long-recoil action does have a distinct sound and feel...;-)

geo
 
I like your taste! In my humble opinion, John Moses Browning's birthday should be declared a national holiday. I've loved the A5's since i first shot my father's 1930's vintage 12 ga. (with him helping me hold it) at the ripe old age of 8 or 9. Today it would be called child abuse. To me it was one of the most memorable things in my life. I bought my first one in 1963 and my first magnum in 1971-72. Since then I've fallen in love with several Light Twelves and a couple of Sweet 16's. I hope you get as much enjoyment out of yours as I have mine. GOOD SHOOTING!
 
agreed ! Dont leave out the High Power though ✌
The hi-power or P35 was an unfinished design of 2 pistols when JMB died. Duane Disosuve(wrong spelling) finished the final design of what we see today. JMB did all the leg work......I've owned mine since `1972........It was........The first hi-capacity "wonder nine".
 
The hi-power or P35 was an unfinished design of 2 pistols when JMB died. Duane Disosuve(wrong spelling) finished the final design of what we see today. JMB did all the leg work......I've owned mine since `1972........It was........The first hi-capacity "wonder nine".
I can spell it, but I can’t pronounce it: Dieudonné Saive
 
There is nothing quite like shooting a long-recoil action shotgun. I have an Auto-5 12ga. and Franchi 48 AL Deluxes in 20ga. and 28 ga. (the Franchi 48 AL is basically an Italian-made, simplified, lightweight Auto-5 with an aluminum receiver).

Kerchunk! Kerchunk! Kerchunk!
 
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The most impressive thing about the Auto 5 is that even after all these 100+ years that long recoil system is still one of the very fastest operating of all. Yes, that includes Benelli and gas autos of various makes.

That seems counter intuitive with the barrel moving back a full 3 inches but it is the truth. I will look for the article where it was tested against many modern guns and beat them in the speed of cycling department.
 
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