I recently inherited my grandfather's Browning A5 (sweet 16) manufactured in the mid '50s.

For all his mechanical inclination (which was significant) he had several bad experience cleaning auto-loading weapons including one event where, as my dad recalls, he took the A5 apart and couldn't put it back together: "I've never seen your grandpa so upset with himself." That time he just took it to a gun smith in pieces.

Consequently he barely cleaned the gun other than swabbing out the barrel, and he never taught me how to do a deeper cleaning.

Right now the gun doesn't fully eject the spent shell about 1/3rd of the time. I think a deeper cleaning might be all it needs.

Obviously I could just take it to a smith and get a deep cleaning, but I would really like to spend the time learning hands-on how to take care of the gun long term.

Any recommendations for a knowledgeable, patient smith in the Houston area? (Obviously I am willing to pay extra for the hands on time.) Of course it doesn't have to be a smith. If you'd like to meet up and teach me some things I'm happy to buy your dinner, bottle of bourbon, etc.

Take it to Briley

Wow. That place is walking distance from my house. Thanks.

We're in Houston. Need to set some time up but I would be happy to have one of my gunsmiths do a hands on instruction with you

K_P said:

---

Wow. That place is walking distance from my house. Thanks.

---

Good decision. I've got an A5 50's era as well (12ga) and it's one I really don't strip down. Some of the parts on those were "semi-drop" in by today's standards and can be a bit difficult.

Or take it to Texian if Eyeguy can set aside some time if you are wanting to learn to DIY. They are awesome and have been very helpful to me when I've had questions/needs.

I have taken an heirloom shotgun to Briley to clean before since I knew they specialize in shotguns.

They charged like $95 to take apart and clean everything. They did a great job.

I recommend both!

Believe it or not, I just bought a Belgian made A5, Light 12 gauge today. Mine was made in 1970.

If it's not ejecting shells properly, check the friction ring setup. If it's set up for high brass, heavy loads and you're shouting light dove loads, the shells won't eject properly.

I bought one of the new A5 Sweet 16's a couple of years ago and it's a heck of a gun. It weighs 5.3 pounds, empty, so it's like carrying a 20 gauge but it hits birds like a 12 gauge. I've shot a lot of pheasants with it in South Dakota, Kansas, and the panhandle.

Get that old 16 of yours going and enjoy carrying an iconic shotgun!

Possible it just needs the chamber cleaned.

Have you confirmed the rings are installed correctly?

Once you get it working, you really don't need to take the internals apart again unless it gets dropped in the water.

The wood for the butt stock tang screws is known to strip out so I wouldn't make it a common practice to remove it.

You can always remove barrel, point the receiver nose down and spray inside with gun scrubber letting the excess run out the front. Let dry and re-oil.

TheEyeGuy said:

---

We're in Houston. Need to set some time up but I would be happy to have one of my gunsmiths do a hands on instruction with you

---

I thought your smithing business was mainly an AR shop? Does your smith have expertise in this area?

I haven't checked the ring. Not exactly sure how. You're talking about the ring around the spring at the top of the mag tube?

In normal circumstances I would just teach myself on youtube, but I can't afford to screw this up.

We do gunsmithing of all kinds.

https://www.browning.com/content/dam/browning/support/owners-manuals/auto5-light-om-s.pdf

Check out Page 9 of this document for friction ring setup.

+2

I traded an AR for a 1948 model Sweet 16 years ago. It's got an awesome patina from years of use and it strikes up a conversation everytime I take it shooting. My research showed '48 was the first year after WWII that they started making them in Belgium again so that always seemed kinda neat. Check the friction ring setup for sure. If it's worn out brownells should sell replacement rings and springs. It's my favorite gun to shoot, bar none!

I am just south of Houston and would be happy to show you the ropes on it.

My very first gun was a Remington Model 11, which was built on the A5 patent. I have torn that gun down about a half million times it seems like.

Check Youtube. There's a hundred youtube videos on Auto 5 assembly, cleaning, friction ring setup, etc. A5 is a well made machine that lasts a long time with basic maintenance, thus their popularity. Pops has 3 from the 1940s still rocking and rolling.

As others have stated, make sure your friction ring and spring are set up correctly for the loads you intend to shoot. A5's are notorious for cracking the fore end.

schmellba99 said:

---

I am just south of Houston and would be happy to show you the ropes on it.

My very first gun was a Remington Model 11, which was built on the A5 patent. I have torn that gun down about a half million times it seems like.

---

Thank you for the offer. I went ahead and took in into Briley just because they are so close to my house. Their gun smith was patient and went through everything with me. Overall good experience.

I have really appreciated all the good info posted so far on this thread. I'm looking forward to keeping my grandfathers gun running smooth for a long time.