Browning Sweet 16?

Do not shoot the hell out of that shotgun. If it is good shape it is worth alot of money. I'm not one to not shoot my guns but might not want it to be your regular hunting shotgun.

waterhead said:

Do not shoot the hell out of that shotgun. If it is good shape it is worth alot of money. I'm not one to not shoot my guns but might not want it to be your regular hunting shotgun.

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It's in pretty good shape... Would it be worth while to have it reblued and refinished or would that bring the value down? I would never think of selling it considering it was my Dad's first gun, he would kill me anyways.

If she is in good shape, DO NOT GET IT RE-BLUED OR REFINISHED, That would drop the value of the gun way down.
But then again it was handed down to you, and you may not want to sell her. In that case the monetary value dose not matter if you just want her to look nice with all new make-up.

I don't think that is one you need to shoot the hell out of.
As others have said that is one to keep in good condition, the worth of that gun can be substantial. It was on my wish list when I was a kid for shotguns that is.

Depending upon the exact condition and specifics a mid 60's vintage sweet 16 can run anywhere from $800 to $2,000. As far as what loads it can shoot, you can safely run most any 16 gauge lead load through the gun as long as the brakes are properly set for that load.

Look under the forearm and there should be a paper sticker with diagrams showing the arrangement of the brakes for different loads. If the sticker is gone go to Browning North America's Official Web Site -- Firearms -- Rifles -- Over and Under Shotguns -- Guns, look under Support at Owners Manuals and download the one for Auto-5 Light. There will be a page describing how to arrange the brakes.

At the last two auctions I went to one went for $2000 and one inlayed went for somthing like$2200-2400 can't remember.

I like shooting stuff and I'm crazy. So I'd consider shooting it, no magnum rounds, nothing with hot powder and nothing with hard shot (no steel)

If you don't know how to clean it/lube it find out before ever firing it. If its not wet your abusing it I'd imagine.

Depending on the finish on the stock you might want to wear gloves show us a picture.

If you have reloads/know people that reload unless they are very experienced I wouldn't do it, a double charge I imagine would bang it up fairly badly.

Why all the advice not to shoot it? Browning A5s are built like a tank and can handle 1000s of rounds. Shoot the hell out of it....then clean it good and put it back in the safe....it will be worth the same whether you shoot it or not since it's a used gun. You can't hurt it by normal recreation shooting or hunting...just don't drop it on concrete or leave salt water residue on it!!!

If it was unfired, I would give you different advice.

bcbz71 said:

Why all the advice not to shoot it? Browning A5s are built like a tank and can handle 1000s of rounds. Shoot the hell out of it....then clean it good and put it back in the safe....it will be worth the same whether you shoot it or not since it's a used gun. You can't hurt it by normal recreation shooting or hunting...just don't drop it on concrete or leave salt water residue on it!!!

If it was unfired, I would give you different advice.

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What he said. I just sold my light twelve at a gun show. Hated to see it go, but it's making the way for a project gun to be named later.