Price Estimate Browning A5 - 16ga

[Hoss50]

Hi,

I am kind of in the market for an original Browning A5 in 16 gauge and wanted to find out what the real world price should be for what I am after. I am looking for something in field grade shape. Something nice, Not perfect, but not beat. I want to take it dove hunting and use it.

 

Outdoorsman had one but it was in fair shape at best with a lot of small rust pits for $600. Cabela's has one in what I would call field shape for $1000. Are these prices in line or on the high side? They seem a little on the high side, but I thought someone here might be able to shed some light on the real world pricing.

 

Thanks

Harley

[Guest akaspecials]

I'd expect to pay 900 to a private seller or 1000 to a store for one that is in 75% condition. Thats a fairly rare caliber and model in my experience. I'd expect 1400-1600 for a one in 90-95% condition.

 

I've never owned one and haven't ever been sold on the A5. But they do have some pretty cool history!

[Arizona Griz]

Belgium guns obviously bring more money than the newer ones which were made in Japan. There are a couple on Backpage right now. The one for $475 might be gone though. That is/was a great price. I own two, love the guns.

[Healy Arms]

Browning A5's in 16ga are desirable guns (I own a Belgian Sweet 16) HOWEVER they don't command the $$ one might expect. Be careful and diligent in researching the value of the gun you're thinking of buying. I had a gentleman in here just 2 hours ago with an A5 Magnum 12ga that he thought was worth 800 to 1000 bucks. Truth = 400 to 500 bucks at auction depending on condition. The Blue Book of Gun Values in some cases with A5's can set you up with a number that's just not realistic for the market of willing buyers and what they'll spend.

 

This happens with A5's all the time.

 

To really know the market on any gun, I spend a lot of time on GunBroker in the advanced search area looking at closed auctions so I can see that people actually are willing to pay for an item. It also gives me a good idea of what items close with no bids because the asking price is simply too high to even get a single bid.

 

There are a lot of sub models in the A5 group and looking up the serial number can be tricky. Good luck sir.

[forepaw]

The Japanese Brownings are very good. I have a Miroku Win. 101 and it is a handsome, well made, well fitted gun. However, these don't command the prices of Belgian guns, or Pre-64 Winchesters (M 12 or 25 or 24). The very early Belgian A-5s in some cases did not have the shell cutoff, which is a useful feature. The Belgian 16 came as a standard field grade, and Sweet 16. They are easy to tell apart. The Sweet 16 is lighter, and generally will bring a higher price, but as far as shooting characteristics, I doubt if I could tell any difference. I have never seen a 16 ga. A-5 in anything other than field grade.

 

If you can find any Belgian A-5 in good shape with a spare barrel and an original fitted hard case, you might want to really look at it. Matched sets are rare, but extra barrels are relatively easy to come by.

 

forepaw