Belgian Browning Shotguns
Question:
I am considering buying a 1974 Browning Magnum 12 guage for duck hunting. I have heard that steel shot ruins the barrels of older shotguns. Does anyone have any first hand information on this? If the Belgian Brownings are not a good gun for steel shot, can anyone recommend a new automatic that isn’t prone to jamming? Thank you for your help. John Leach
Response:
>I am considering buying a 1974 Browning Magnum 12 guage for duck hunting. >I have heard that steel shot ruins the barrels of older shotguns. Does >anyone have any first hand information on this? >If the Belgian Brownings are not a good gun for steel shot, can anyone >recommend a new automatic that isn’t prone to jamming? >Thank you for your help. >John Leach
John, Browning does not recommend using steel shot in their Belgian made O/Us. As to semi-autos, hunters have had good luck with the short recoil operated Benellis (expensive at around $1000) and the gas operated Beretta 390s costing around $650. Some of the Benelli models can handle 3 1/2" shells if you want to celebrate the Fourth of July in January. You will find some fairly detailed technical discussions on the pros and cons of the Beretta and Benelli if you root through the archives of <http://www.shotgunreport.com>. Best regards, Bruce Buck Shotgun Report’s Technoid (Often in error, never in doubt.
Response:
> I am considering buying a 1974 Browning Magnum 12 guage for duck hunting. > I have heard that steel shot ruins the barrels of older shotguns. Does > anyone have any first hand information on this? > If the Belgian Brownings are not a good gun for steel shot, can anyone > recommend a new automatic that isn’t prone to jamming? > Thank you for your help. > John Leach
John, I hunt quail, dove, duck and goose in South Georgia using a Browning Gold Hunter. It is the only browning sgun still made in Belgium. I love it. No jams. Excellent pattern. Very good quality for an autoloading sgun. I paid $550.00 for the gun. Take a look at the 26" barrel over the 28 or 30 as it has a very good balance and feel. Happy Hunting.
Response:
> I am considering buying a 1974 Browning Magnum 12 guage for duck hunting. > I have heard that steel shot ruins the barrels of older shotguns. Does > anyone have any first hand information on this? > If the Belgian Brownings are not a good gun for steel shot, can anyone > recommend a new automatic that isn’t prone to jamming? > Thank you for your help. > John Leach
Browning does indeed warn against shooting steel shot in the older A5’s that were made in Belgium. You can call them to verify this. What you can do is buy one of the new Browning A5 barrels that are made in Japan and have choke tubes to boot. I know this will work because this is what I did for my Browning Sweet 16 that is made in Belgium. The new barrel fit just fine and functioned well too. You might have to have a gunsmith fit the newer barrel to the older gun, but only do this if the gun does not function when fired. It should work. Jay
