Longshot - barrel for Browning A5?

[Jay Christopherson]

I've got a old Browning A5 shotgun, 12GA 3", made in Belgium. Can't shoot steel through either of the two barrels I have for it. I'm trying to track down a Japanese-made A5 barrel with the Invector choke system, but so far, coming up blank. Nothing on GunBroker, barrelexchange (listed, but not available), or other sites I've checked.

Thought maybe someone here might have a line on one.

Thanks!

 

[bheadboy]

try Brownells, also Cabellas at one time carried them

Bob

 

[agr516]

I have been in the same boat. You may be lucky enough to find one with standard invector chokes but it is no certainty. Finding one with invector plus tubes is nearly impossible. I ended up buying a Hastings barrel on Gunbroker after a few months of looking but even that was hard to find.

 

[KMart]

An option is to give Briley a call and see if they can install an extended choke tube that is suitable for handling steel shot. If they can, you may ask about lengthening the forcing cone to prevent the steel shot from forming a bulge in front of the chamber.
Shooting bismuth shot is another option. A bit softer than lead. Maybe heavi shot..quite expensive but patterns better than lead

 

[LRPV]

You might try Trapshooters.com if you haven't already. Just ask for what you're looking for, it's hard telling what some of those guys have laying around.
Jason

 

[Jay Christopherson]

The problem with the Belgium made A5 barrels is that they used a thinner barrel wall, so no matter what the choke is, you can't shoot steel. I talked to Browning for quite a while about it and they agreed that I could shoot bismuth or Kent Tungsten Matrix through it (I could also probably use Hevi-Shot Classic Doubles, but they weren't 100% sure about that), all of which are about $3 each time you pull the trigger.

Until I can find a replacement barrel with the Invector chokes in it (made in Japan), I guess I'll shoot one of the approved alternatives. Guess I better brush up on my shotgunning skillz cause at $3 a trigger pull, I better not be missing.

An option is to give Briley a call and see if they can install an extended choke tube that is suitable for handling steel shot. If they can, you may ask about lengthening the forcing cone to prevent the steel shot from forming a bulge in front of the chamber.
Shooting bismuth shot is another option. A bit softer than lead. Maybe heavi shot..quite expensive but patterns better than lead

 

[KMart]

Jay
Somewhere in the back of my mind, I am thinking that the Japanese Browning barrels are not a direct replacement for the Belgian A-5. If you checked with Browning about that when you talked with them, then I stand corrected.

 

[Jay Christopherson]

According to the Browning guy I talked to (not a custsvc rep), it should be a direct replacement *if* it's a Japanese barrel for an A5 and not an A500, A5 "Light" or other one off model. Has to be an original "A5" model barrel.

 

[kjcpoint]

Try midwest gunworks in Missouri.

Kyle

 

[Jay Christopherson]

Yep, that's who I've been bugging, but it's tough to get ahold of them. They have one listed (out of stock) and I'm on the notify list for when it comes back in stock.

 

[MooseHunter]

I have one. Will check if it is 3 in. It might be 2 3/4.
I shoot Bismuth in older A5 and Model 12. Better performance than steel. Almost as good as lead but solves the barrel problem