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Browning Auto-5
Model: Browning Auto-5While the shotgun has been out of production since 1998, it's had 96 years of continuous mass production to make up for that. The Browning Auto-5 is an important piece of firearm history: it was the first successful semi-automatic shotgun, and being designed in 1898 it was one of the earliest semi-automatic weapons on the market. John Browning himself (the man who almost singlehandedly revolutionized weaponry) called it his greatest achievement, and it was produced by Remington as the Model 11 and Savage as the Model 720 and Model 745. After the Remington 1100, the "Humpback" was the second best selling semi-automatic shotgun in history by the time production ended in 1998.
The Auto-5 uses a relatively uncommon long-recoil action, where the barrel and bolt recoil together for a distance greater than the length of the shell it fires. It was the first action of its kind, patented by Browning in 1900. To control the recoil, the A5 comes with a series of friction rings that can be adjusted for different loads, recommended by the owner's manual. Setting the rings correctly is important for ensuring a long service life and controlling the recoil. Most guns came with removable hunting plugs that restrict the magazine to 2 rounds. Like many rifles and shotguns of this time, the Auto-5 has a magazine cutoff; when activated, it prevents shells from being loaded from the magazine into the chamber.
| Specifications: | |
| Weight: | 4.1 kilograms (9.0lb) |
| Length: | 1,270 millimeters (50in) |
| Barrel Length: | 711 millimeters (28.0in) |
| Cartridge: | 12 gauge 16 gauge 20 gauge |
| Action: | Long-recoil |
| Muzzle Velocity: | XX ft/s (XX m/s). |
| Effective Range: | Shot: 50 yd (46 m) Slugs: 100 yd (90 m) |
| Feed System: | Tubular magazine. 3 to 5 rounds. |
| Sights: | Front bead |
Where to find
Millions of Auto-5 shotguns have been made under several names, so finding them (especially in stores that commonly have surplus or used weapons) is not especially difficult. They tend to go from as low as $200 to as high as $500 depending on the model and quality.
Complexity
As with many Browning designs, the Auto-5 is an excellent weapon for rugged field use and saw military service from World War I all the way to Vietnam. The small magazine capacity can be a problem (and combined with the semi-automatic firing, can lead to a trigger-happy shooter panicking and emptying his gun instantly), so shooters should make sure to be careful and make their shots count.
Controls
- Safety: Located on the rear of the trigger guard. Push from right to left for FIRE, left to right for SAFE.
- Magazine cutoff: Located on the left side of the receiver just behind where it meets the barrel. Push forward for OFF, backwards for ON.
- Charging handle: Located on the right side of the upper receiver.
Loading
Condition One, or "Locked and Cocked." Chamber loaded, magazine full, hammer cocked and safety applied.
- Point the weapon in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
- Push the safety from left to right to activate it.
- Pull the charging handle to the rear. Take a shell and insert it into the chamber through the ejection port. Release the charging handle.
- Take the remaining shells and insert them into the magazine through the loading gate on the bottom of the receiver until the magazine is full.
- Cannot be done.
Condition Three. Chamber empty, magazine full, hammer down, safety off.
- Point the weapon in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
- Take the shells and insert them into the magazine through the loading gate on the bottom of the receiver until the magazine is full.
Unloading
How to unload the firearm and make safe. Presented in a numbered list.
- Point the weapon in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
- Push the safety from left to right to activate it. Push the magazine cutoff forward.
- Turn the gun over and push down on the carrier. Draw the charging handle back about 1 inch to draw a shell onto the carrier. Release the carrier to remove the cartridge from the gun. Repeat until the weapon is empty.
- Pull the charging handle back and examine the chamber for any ammunition. Release the charging handle.
- Deactivate the safety.
- Pull the trigger.
Field Stripping
How to disassemble the firearm for cleaning. Presented in a numbered list.
- Point the weapon in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
- Unload the weapon as described above.
- Resting the butt on your leg or the ground, push the barrel down to overcome the strength of the recoil spring.
- Unscrew the magazine cap and slowly let the magazine tube and barrel move up. Slightly pull back the charging handle to free the barrel. Remove the barrel.
chitoryu12 |
Latest page update: made by chitoryu12
, Apr 30 2012, 4:24 PM EDT
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