DuckSouth.com

I have a 70's model Browning Light 12 I think that is an A-5 but I don't know, but here is my question. I have inherited this gun and have been hunting with it for 2 seasons and I like it a lot but being that it only shoots 23/4 shells I've noticed the knock down power is there but not compared to my buddy's 870 due to no choke system in the gun. I talked to a gunsmith the other day and he said that he could thread the barrel and put a Rem-choke system in. From an outsider point of view would you go this route or leave the gun as I got it?

DON'T DO IT! You got a nice gun that is a collectors item in my thinking. Duck guns can be bought for a few hundred bucks all day long. Retire that gun, except for a quail hunt or a dove shoot...

DON't Please, i have the exact same gun, The choke threads won't work. The barrel is to thin for the threads!! The best thing you can do is go buy a used 870 W/a choke tube already in it. I DID. Besides the gun is to $$$$$$ to be put through the havoc that a duck hunter will dish out. Put the gun in the gun cabinet.

You are right , i have never found or shot a better wing gun MY $.02

I agree, DON'T DO IT. The Browning is a sweety the way she is. Leave her alone and pass it down again.

Deep down I was thinking the same as all of your replies, just needed some insight from you fellas, Christmas is coming and it may be a good time to start looking at some new guns and save this to give to my son.

Here's something neat, you can go to browning.com and date your gun by the serial number. Find out exactly when it was made. Also get it appraised and keep it safe, you have no idea how much those guns are worth, and if you have the box that the gun came in, it could double in value. Have fun, and get something that won't hurt to get muddy and scrathed up.

DSHunter,
I did what the guys are saying. I have a browning B2000 which is gas operated and is all I used in my old camp in lousiana as we had permanant blinds that we steped into from the boat. When I moved here, I wanted some thing I could get muddy while walking into a spot or get down on the ground with so I got a 870express synthetic and have loved it for versitility and for the fact I can change choke tubes if needed. I too only have full choke on the Browning but if you hit em' dead on.........

The condition of the gun is unknown at this point. We know it's not NIB.

Has it already been re-blued, scratched & dinged, maybe rust, someones initials carved in the stock or some other similar malady? If you like to hunt with it, go get some invector choke tubes put in. Few barrels of that era, even the "Light" 12 are too thin for Invectors, Briley thin wall, Colonial etc. I'm a believer in hunting with guns while taking normal care. However if the gun is a cherry heirloom maybe not?

If you want to keep hunting with it, just buy a new barrel with chokes for it. If you're looking for an excuse to buy a new gun you have a good one, the 2 &3/4" shells are on the light side for steel. Also if you are going to have a barrel choked I'll recommend Briley for that. However, there is a chance that if you have been shooting steel shot you may have already messed up the barrel, so you'll want to get that checked out too.

Gordon

I checked the Browning web site and found my gun was made in 1973, made in Belguim, on the other side of the barrel it says " Special steel 12 ga. 23/4" so I don't know if that means it was made for steel shot or not , I'm not old enough to remember but I didn't think steel shot was required back then. As for the condition of this gun, it probably would not bring very much money, the blue is worn off the barrel in several places and the gold is worn off the trigger on one side, so I figure it probably means more to me than it would a collecter.

No, you should not shoot steel shot through that barrel.

http://www.browning.com/faq/detail.asp?ID=128


Q. Can I shoot steel shot in my Browning shotgun?
A. All current Browning shotguns with the Invector or Invector-Plus choke tube system are fully steel shot compatible with current factory loads. However, there are limitations to the compatibility of many older Browning shotguns with conventionally choked barrels. In certain models, shooting steel shot may cause a slight "ringe bulge" just inches behind the muzzle. The damage to your gun is purely cosmetic, but the "bulge" can be a factor in resale, especially with collector-grade shotguns.


Accordingly, our recommendations concerning the use of steel shot in Browning shotguns is as follows:


1. WILL ACCEPT ALL CURRENT FACTORY STEEL SHOT LOADS: All Browning shotguns with the Invector choke or Invector-Plus tube systems, However, we do not recommend the use of Invector full or extra full chokes with steel shot. They pattern too tightly, and sometimes result in a "blown" pattern.
2. WILL ACCEPT ALL CURRENT FACTORY STEEL SHOT LOADS EXCEPT THOSE WITH T, F, BB AND BBB SIZE SHOT: The B-2000 and B-80 shotguns with conventional chokes (Non-Invector)
3. DO NO USE ANY STEEL SHOT LOADS: The Belgian-made A-5, Superposed, Leige, and other Belgian Over/Under models, Double Automatic, American-made A-5 and all other models not listed in category 1 or 2. Note: Belgian Auto-5 barrels are interchangeable with the new Invector barrels which are made in Japan. With this new Invector barrel installed on the Belgian-made Auto-5 receiver, steel shot loads can be used.


DAMAGE: In not all, but a number of instances a very slight ring will develop about 1 1/2" to 3" rearward of the muzzle. This ring is about .005 of an inch above the plane of the barrel, completely encircling the barrel. From our tests we could determine no adverse effect on pattern or shot velocity because of this ring. Our conclusion is that the most significant objection, the slight ring, is entirely cosmetic. This "ring" effect does not affect the function or safety of the firearm.


YEAR OF PRODUCTION: Nearly all Browning firearms manufactured after 1975 have two letters in the serial number. The two letters indicate the year of manufacture: M=0, Z=1, Y=2, X=3, W=4, V=5, T=6, R=7, P=8, N=9.


FUTURE: Obviously, we have no control over the ammunition companies and the loads they will produce in the future. So, if in doubt, please check with us or the ammunition company before using new loads in your shotgun.