The new Browning A-5 semi -automatic shotgun may share many resemblances with the older model of the same name, but as Browning say themselves ‘this ain’t your grandpa’s Auto-5’. In fact, the new A-5 is a completely different gun – every part has been altered, customized or completely replaced to make it a better weapon in every way.

The one iconic trait that the gun does indeed share with its predecessor is the iconic humpback-shaped receiver that earned the gun it’s now famous nickname – the humpback. The gun has been designed around a recoil-operated mechanism which makes it particularly efficient for hunting and Browning claims that it is the fastest cycling, softest shooting gun in it’s category on the market today.

Anyone who’s used to the mechanism of the previous model will immediately know and feel the difference when using the new A-5. It’s something that can only really be understood in practice – as they say, the proof is in the pudding. So if you’re interesting in upgrading your grandpa’s old A-5 to the new model, I would highly recommend reading this and putting the old A-5 to rest in your storeroom or adding it to your antique collection because the new A-5 is sure to blow your mind.

Browning A-5 History

The original Auto-5 was developed well over a hundred years ago and was the first-ever semi-automatic shotgun invented at the time. The idea of having a self-reloading firearm was indeed revolutionary and saved a lot of time in between reloading, making for an ultimately more efficient weapon.

Due to the ease of fire and shortened reload time, the gun saw military action during WWI and a later version was implemented during the Vietnam War. The gun was produced in a variety of gauges including 12, 20 and even a 16 gauge – but this was discontinued for a short period of time and eventually only came back onto the market in the late 80’s.

The gun was produced by a variety of different manufacturers over the course of the 20th century in different parts of the world and at different times including the US (where the gun was developed), Belgium, Japan and even Portugal.

Shortly after World War II, Remington developed a similar model called the Remington Model 11. They hailed the gun as the ‘new generation’ of semi-automatic shotguns and it was very similar in design and function to the A-5. However, the Model 11 only lasted until 1968, when it was replaced by the Sportsman ‘48 – a gun designed to comply with the new hunting regulations set by the government. The gun could hold a maximum of 3 shells at a time and came in 3 gauges namely 12, 16 and 20. Although the Model 11 was specifically designed for hunting purposes, the gun also saw action during the Vietnam war and was used by both the USMC and South Korean soldiers.

Browning A-5 Specs & Build

The success of the A-5 lies in its new short-recoil operated mechanism and Browning’s patented Kinematic Drive System. The old A-5 made use of a long-recoil system, which often gave the gun more of a kick and took slightly longer to reload. The new system reduces recoil (and therefore kick) with each shot, and increases the weapon’s reliability as it’s a much simpler system that can work under almost any conditions and with almost any load type.

The new system makes for a cleaner, more efficient firing mechanism as gasses are designed to go out through the barrel and away from the action – meaning less overall wear-and-tear and a steadier shot each and every time.

The gun has been carefully designed to be as balanced and ergonomic as possible so that every shot hits home that much better – literally giving you more bang for your buck. The new Browning A-5 has a lengthened sight plane (30% longer to be precise), which helps to guide your eye down the barrel and link up directly with your target – crucial for hunting and making each shot count.

Adding to the gun’s increased ergonomic feel is the fact that it has a light-weight barrel contour, so your arms won’t be weighed down by any unnecessary excess weight. The gun also refrains from using a gas system which ultimately reduces the overall weight of the weapon and makes it easier to grip the slim forearm of the gun. The new A-5 comes in a variety of different finishes and gauges (12, 16 and 20) and each version of the gun has it’s own character traits making each suitable for a different use or purpose.

So I’d be sure to look over each one before making your decision to buy the gun – as you might find one that caters specifically for your own personal needs – my personal favorite is the A-5 Sweet 16 because of it’s sexy walnut gloss stock and the inclusion of the Invector DS choke tube which helps to prevent the buildup of gas and grit in between the choke and barrel, minimizing the amount of maintenance the gun needs as well as increasing its performance.

Browning A-5 Shooting & Performance

The new A-5 is a great shot and can really help to give you the edge when it comes to hitting those targets and maximizing your speed in between each shot. The gun is incredibly fast and can literally fire as quickly as you can pull the trigger. The short-recoil mechanism works like a charm, slotting in a new round within a few milliseconds of pulling the trigger, so in the odd chance you miss on your first shot, you can follow up immediately with another two in a very short space of time.

The gun was designed with hunting in mind and has a 30% longer sight plane to help greatly increase your aiming ability. Along with the iconic humpback feature, it’s definitely one of the most accurate shotguns I’ve ever used.

Depending on the rounds you use, the A-5 is also designed to help reduce the effect that the recoil has on your aiming in between shots. The new Inflex Recoil Pad attached to the end of the stock of the gun helps to pad your arm against the kick of the gun, and is designed to bring the gun down and away from your cheek when it’s fired, helping you to keep your eyes on the target in between shots.

The A-5 has a great loading mechanism that makes both loading and unloading incredibly easy and safe, so you won’t have to spend minutes trying to reload – it’s really a matter of seconds. The gun can also take a wide variety of loads bullet types and handles each with ease – although it’s important to note the gun’s performance will alter slightly with shells from a higher gauge, as you’re likely to get more recoil with each shot.

After trying this gun – I would definitely recommend it to anyone who’s looking to upgrade their current rifle or is new to field of hunting altogether. You can feel the difference with each shot, and the improved aiming system, efficient firing mechanism and overall lighter weight makes the gun perfectly suited for novice and experienced shooters alike.

Browning A-5 Magazines & Accessories

Because of the long-term manufacture of the original A-5 and it’s near cult-like status amongst shooters, there are a wide variety of aftermarket accessories and customizations available to you for this gun – many have of which have been updated to fit the new A-5 too.

One of the more valuable accessories I came across and has made all the difference to my shooting, is the B-Square Shotgun Saddle Mount. This is an easy-to-fit mount that allows for the addition of electronic sights and scopes and can greatly increase your accuracy as well as give your eyes some relief in between shots.

The part is great because it’s cost effective and makes a noticeable difference in your accuracy – it has also been specifically designed for the A-5, so it doesn’t require any additional gunsmithing or machining to be fitted. Simply screw it on and you’ll be shooting again in no time.

Even though the A-5 is so well balanced – and is definitely one of the most ergonomic shotgun’s I’ve ever fired with regards to comfort and balance – enough is never enough. At least for me. So, to help balance out my gun even more, and reduce the overall recoil of each shot, I invested in the Ballistic Specialties Kinetic Magazine Weight.

Once installed, the Kinetic Magazine Weight helps to bring more focus to the guns center of weight and significantly reduce the muzzle jump and recoil in between shots. This is due to the Kinetic Magazine Weight’s carefully designed, CNC machined pure aluminum bar stock.

It’s a little pricey because getting it installed adds onto its original cost, but the end result is definitely worth it. With these two simple additions, I’ve made my own A-5 the best hunting shotgun I’ve ever owned and I probably won’t need to upgrade it ever again – so long as the gun is well maintained and treated well.  

The accessories for the A-5 are nearly limitless – everything on the gun can be replaced, modified or customized to your precise specifications and suitability. It’s really just a matter of shopping around for what you want, and doing a bit of research in your spare time. However, these are the two essential additions I would recommend – as the gun works just fine on its own in stock form. Straight out the box – you’re already getting your money’s worth and more, but when it comes to ergonomics and balance – enough is never enough.

Remington Model 11 & Sportsman ‘48

As I mentioned in the paragraph on the A-5’s history, the Remington Model 11 was a variation of the same mechanism that made the A-5 famous and was hailed as the ‘new generation’ in semi-automatic shotguns. The Model 11 was developed shortly after World War II in 1949, but only lasted until 1968 when the gun was replaced by the Sportsman ‘48 in order to meet new hunting regulations.

The gun was produced in a variety of gauges and also saw some military use during the Vietnam war. What made Remington’s model revolutionary (as compared to Browning’s original design) was that the parts of the gun were cheaper to make, therefore reducing the overall cost of the gun.

But, there was another advantage to this. Because the parts fitted together so easily, it became the first gun of its kind to have interchangeable and replaceable parts without the need of gunsmiths – which ultimately made customization and maintenance a much easier process. After this, many of Remington’s competitors adopted a similar method of steel pressing when it came to manufacturing their parts – and since then this has become a standard feature with most guns in the same category or even in general.

The Browning A5 One in #Realtree Max-5: Perfectly designed for #hunting wildfowl!
Find out more at #TeamWildTVhttps://t.co/kZUS7MArCH pic.twitter.com/QAuTJmznAj

— Team Wild (@TeamWildHunting) August 26, 2017

Conclusion

I think I could sum up the new A-5 in 4 words: ‘Wow, what a gun!’ It’s the easiest shotgun I’ve handled so far and is probably the number one recommendation I would make for anyone looking to upgrade their hunting gun, or even for a beginner looking to get started.

It’s quick to shoot, easy to reload, incredibly comfortable  and accurate – not to mention that it’s easy to operate in general. The gun feels like it was designed for hunting and it definitely proves itself in the field. It can do a lot of damage and survive the harshest of conditions – only to shoot straight like it was fresh out of the box. It’s easy to clean and maintain, meaning you won’t need to replace any parts or buy a new gun any time soon.

In terms of getting value for money – the A-5 has and always will be one of your best investments. The gun has a long history, and hopefully an even longer future. I almost forgot to mention that Browning trusts their design so much that they’ve included a 100,000 round guarantee (or 5 year warranty) with the gun – so in the odd chance that something does go wrong, you’ll be covered. If that doesn’t seal the deal – I don’t know what will.

Check out Gunivore reviews on Gun Oils such as Lucas Gun Oil, Hornady Gun Oil and Rem Oil

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Table of Contents

• Hunter & Stalker Variants
• Specs
• Build
• Shooting & Performance
• Magazines & Accessories
• Vs. Remington 870 Shotgun
• Conclusion

John Browning was arguably the most influential gunsmith and inventor in history, but what many people don’t know is how committed he was to shotgun engineering specifically. In fact, some of Browning’s most significant contributions to the firearm industry were his multitude of improvements to the shotgun. Even to this day, the Browning Arms Company is at the forefront of shotgun manufacturing and design. I have a special place in my heart for shotguns, especially Browning’s varieties. The Browning BPS is just one of many remarkable firearms manufactured by Browning.

Although Browning has been working on advancing shotgun technology since their debut in 1878, not every one of their products has been as huge a success as the BPS. For example, I found their “revolutionary” new A5 model, a revamp of the classic firearm, to be a disaster. Browning began designing shotguns in partnership with Winchester, but eventually signed a deal with FN to create his famous Browning Auto-5. He spent years working on perfecting the shotgun and ultimately was responsible for the designs of around 10 different shotguns, including the Savage Model 720 and the Remington Model 17. Well that’s enough history – let’s get down to it and break down one of the most impressive pump actions in the world.

Browning BPS Shotgun Variants: Hunter & Stalker

Like many of Browning’s firearms, this shotgun comes in a wide variety of options. Although the Stalker is only available in different forms of the 12 gauge, the BPS Hunter is available in 12, 16, 20, and 28 gauges, plus the .410 caliber. As a general rule, the smaller gauges (28, 20, 16) are meant for clay target shooting and hunting smaller birds and game, while the larger gauges (10, 12) are commonly used for personal defense and hunting larger game species like deer and turkey. When picking out the right model for you, you must consider what type of shooting you’ll be doing.

These shotguns aren’t really meant to be all purpose weapons, so if you’re looking for a combo of hunting and trap shooting, I don’t think the BPS is the best choice for you. However, if you’re in the market for a reliable hunting shotgun, it could be the perfect match.

Browning BPS Shotgun Specs

• Model: Hunter
• Gauge: 12 Ga
• Overall Length: 46 ¾”
• Barrel Length: 26”
• Mag Capacity: 4
• Weight: 7 lbs. 10 oz.
• Sights: Front silver bead
• Mag Type: Tubular
• MSRP: $699.99

• Model: Stalker
• Gauge: 12 Ga
• Overall Length: 46 ¾”
• Barrel Length: 26”
• Mag Capacity: 4
• Weight: 8 lbs.
• Sights: Front silver bead
• Mag Type: Tubular
• MSRP: $699.99

Browning BPS Shotgun Build

The Browning Arms Company has delivered yet another top-notch hunting companion with their impressive BPS shotguns. The durability of these guns is definitely their best quality. The forged steel receiver, tough dual-machined steel slide bars, and sturdy stock give these shotguns the trademark resilience which Browning is famous for.

As I mentioned earlier, the versatility of these guns is a huge plus in my book; the BPS’s ability to chamber all types of shotgun ammo makes it the perfect companion for all kinds of hunting. I’ve always like pump actions, and when Browning incorporated the rugged twin steel action bars, they set the standard for what a pump action could be. One of the most exciting features is its bottom feed and ejection port, which we’ll discuss more below.

Browning BPS Shotgun Shooting & Performance

I first took out the BPS Stalker to test it out on waterfowl and I was blown away by its handling. The vent ribs allow the shooter to point and swing smoothly, plus the silver front bead picks up easily in darker environments. The Hunter was designed with interchangeable Invector-Plus choke tubes and a back-bored barrel to deliver reliable and uniform shot patterns every time. Even at the average maximum shotgun range, the Hunter and Stalker can take down almost anything.

Browning threw in a convenient top-tang safety and bottom ejection to ensure that their shotgun would be southpaw-friendly. Although shotguns are generally tough to handle, these Browning’s offer superb balance and handling.

Browning BPS Shotgun Magazines & Accessories

When reviewing shotguns, I’ve come across very few experts who focus on magazines. Browning incorporated a magazine cutoff in the BPS to ease loading and unloading, which comes in handy when you want to rapidly change shells. I found that the BPS’ cycling was smooth and consistent, making it a hunting shotgun you can trust. The shotgun shells are loaded & ejected from the bottom, which makes one less opening for gunk to get into the action.

A major benefit of the bottom ejection is that a lefty shooter won’t wind up ejecting empty cases into their face. To upgrade the already impressive mag system of the BPS, you can order a magazine extension online. I’ve found that although these aren’t so necessary, they can be a big help when hunting fowl.

While most shotguns don’t require many aftermarket additions, there are a few that I like for the BPS. For starters, I’m a big fan of the HIVIZ Sight Set, with a fiber optic green rear sight and an interchangeable red and green front sight. It’s crucial to keep your shotgun clean and the best way to do that is to invest in a solid cleaning kit. I recommend the Hoppe’s Bench Rest Rifle and Shotgun Cleaning Kit (available online on Amazon or Cabela’s). Keeping firearms clean can be a tough task, check out our overview of general gun cleaning tips, and check out our Hoppe’s 9 Review, too.

Browning BPS Shotgun vs. Remington 870 Shotgun

The Browning BPS is often compared to the Remington 870, and it’s easy to see why. Although there are those who swear by Remington’s quality, the Browning is a better buy. Besides for having better availability for parts, the Browning BPS is all that you can really ask for in a pump action shotgun. The difference that sticks out the most between these guns is their prices; however, in most cases, you get what you pay for. This holds true for the BPS and Rem 870. The extra cost of the Browning is well worth it, so if you’re considering these two options, don’t let the price deter you. For a more comprehensive look at the Remington 870, check out our Remington 870 Review.

Conclusion

Overall, I had a great time with the Browning BPS. It’s an affordable shotgun that is a pleasure to shoot, that is sure to change the way you hunt. The adaptability of BPS is unmatched in its class, so whether you go for the Hunter or the Stalker, you’ll have a reliable and versatile hunting companion by your side.

Looking for more on Browning? How about our Hi-Power Review, Bar M1918 Review, X-Bolt Review, SA-22 Review, BLR Review or A-Bolt Review? It’s all here at Gunivore!

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