John Moses Browning’s Auto-5 set the standard for semi-automatic shotguns. Introduced in 1902, the long-recoil Auto-5 enjoyed an illustrious run until it was discontinued in 1999. By the turn of the century, more than 4 million had been sold, making it one of the most successful autoloading shotguns. Many upland and duck hunters were sad to see the Auto-5 retired. It was a simple, reliable gun worth the price. Thankfully, Browning brought back the A5 in 2012. The new 12-gauge (followed by the 16 in 2016) operated on an inertia system instead of a long-recoil action, but the classic “humpback” receiver remained. Two years ago Browning released a 20-gauge variant—a sub-gauge that carries well and swings easily.
- Few modern autoloading shotguns are available in wood-and-steel models, as most use plastic stocks and forends. So it was nice to put our hands on the gloss-finish Turkish walnut with 18 lines-per-inch checkering. Stock measurements are: 14¼" length of pull, 1¾" drop at comb and 2" drop at heel. (There are ¼" and ½" stock spacers included.) An Inflex II pad softens felt recoil.
- The Kinematic Drive inertia action had no issues cycling 1- and 1¼-ounce loads. A small bolt-release button and standard-size bolt handle made loading and unloading a snap, and the rotating bolthead always sent the shell into battery. Browning’s Speed Load Plus feature chambers the first shotshell loaded into the tubular magazine, which holds four 2¾" shells. The gloss-black anodized receiver is sized for the 20 gauge and has no engraving—although the Browning Buck Mark appears in gold on the trigger guard. Our A5 had a 2½-pound trigger pull, which is light for a production hunting shotgun. The crossbolt safety sits at the rear of the trigger guard.
- The A5 Hunter that we tested had a 3" chamber and 26" high-gloss blued barrel (a 28" barrel is optional) with a red fiber-optic front sight and an ivory mid-bead. Three flush-fitting Invector-DS chokes (Improved Cylinder, Modified and Full) are included. Chokes can be identified by the notches cut into the ends of their muzzles. Browning offers Skeet, Light Modified, Improved Modified and Light Full chokes at an added cost.
Today the A5’s “humpback” is mainly for aesthetics. The original Auto-5 needed that space to function, because in the long-recoil operating system, the barrel moved rearward into the action. With the short-recoil-operated Kinematic Drive System, the gun moves rearward as recoil energy is converted into the mechanical motion needed to operate the action. (Browning claims the humpback still serves to provide a longer sight line to the target.) The down side with an inertia action is that if the gun’s stock isn’t properly brought to the shoulder, there is nothing for the gun to recoil against and the action won’t operate properly. That wasn’t an issue in our tests, as the 5-pound 9-ounce A5 mounted with ease and we never experienced a failure. The A5 Hunter shot and ran beautifully on 5 Stand with light target loads, and we found recoil to be manageable with heavier 3", 1¼-ounce shotshells. Price: $2,020. For more information, visit browning.com.
Never miss an issue. Subscribe to Shooting Sportsman magazine.
Read our Newsletter
Stay connected to the best of wingshooting & fine guns with additional free content, special offers and promotions.
