Browning A5 Sweet Sixteen
Posted May 26, 2023
Though the Browning A5 Sweet Sixteen is a classic—it was a top seller for the company ever since its introduction in 1931—it retains some of the elements of the original design. It feels more timeless than the other Browning offerings, benefiting from a sleek, modern aesthetic and small size. But despite its modern shape, the Sweet Sixteen remains an excellent choice for hunters—its reliability and strength, which have made it so popular over the years, ensuring it is a reliable, reliable choice.
Aesthetically, the Browning A5 Sweet Sixteen is certainly pleasing. Its matte black finish combined with its unique patterned lines give it an distinct look that is both stylish and timeless. It's far from an audacious design—it doesn't try to stand out—but it's attractive and eye-catching.
At just 7 pounds, the 16-gauge of the A5 Sweet Sixteen is lightweight but still strongly built. This combination of light-weight but sturdy construction makes it ideal for hunting in dense woods, while its length makes it admirably maneuverable. The gun also features a checkered grip and forend, providing a comfortable and secure hold when carrying and shooting.
The A5 Sweet Sixteen's use of Browning's Balanced Gravity Contour System (BGCS) is an important part of the gun's appeal, as this system works to reduce recoil and improve balance. The BGCS features a gas-operated semi-automatic action, meaning the gun will automatically reload another round in the chamber every time the trigger is pulled. This automatic cycling nature of the gun softens the blow and mitigates felt recoil, allowing you to quickly and efficiently fire away with minimal worry of muzzle rise and unpleasantness that comes with large amounts of recoil. In addition, the gun's positive chamber headspace ensures safe operation every time—this is a strong selling point with all A5 models.
The A5 Sweet Sixteen, of course, is a break-action shotgun. This means it's easy to operate, no matter your experience level. Unloading the gun is simple; at the end of a hunting trip, simply drop the barrel and slide the extractor out of the breech. From there, you need only to eject the rounds from the gun. Its ease of operation fires against the grain of many of its competitors, making it stand out as being one of the most user-friendly guns on the market.
The A5 Sweet Sixteen's trigger pull is smooth and crisp at 4 pounds 7 ounces of pressure. Not too light, not too heavy, this trigger pull allows for a steady and smooth shot every time. Another plus for the Sweet Sixteen is that it cycles all types of shotgun loads from light target loads to heavy waterfowl loads without any obvious change in performance.
The Sweet Sixteen is a reliable choice that will not disappoint. As a matter of fact, it has a strong reputation among hunters as a reliable and accurate shotgun. With a cylinder bore choke, the gun shoots tight patterns at a range of 30 yards, with good results from other chokes out to 45 yards. The sights are also reliable with low-glare. The sight post is easily adjustable with a trigger finger, without ever having to take your eye off the target.
The A5 Sweet Sixteen features a variety of features that make it a great choice for hunters. In addition, it's an affordable option, costing about $650. It is well worth the price. With its user-friendly handling and light-weight, reliable construction, the A5 Sweet Sixteen is an excellent choice for a variety of hunting styles and applications.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
-Lightweight and well balanced
-Traditionally styled and easy to maintain
-Accurate with nearly zero recoil
-Exceptionally designed checkering on the stock and forend, making for a secure grip
-Smooth, reliable action that rarely requires adjustments
Cons:
-Price is relatively high compared to other shotguns
-Not as many aftermarket options for customization as some other models
-May not be the ideal choice for very large game such as moose or bear due to its small 16-gauge size
Who Should Buy
BROWNING A5 SWEET SIXTEEN is a hunting shotgun designed for shooting game or waterfowl, and so should only be purchased by those with proper licensing and safety training. People who do not intend to use the weapon for hunting or target shooting should not buy the BROWNING A5 SWEET SIXTEEN.
Comparisons
| BROWNING A5 SWEET SIXTEEN | Product 1 | Product 2 | Product 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gauge | 16 Gauge | 16 Gauge | 16 Gauge |
| Action | Semi-Auto | Semi-Auto | Pump |
| Barrel Length | 28 in. | 28 in. | 26 in. |
| Finish | Blued Steel | Blued Steel | Blued Steel |
| Stock | Walnut | Walnut | Synthetic |
| Weight | 6.50 lbs. | 6.50 lbs. | 6.25 lbs. |
| Chokes Included | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Features / Specs
-Gauge: 16
-Calibre: .410
-Barrel Length 25”
-Weight 6 lbs 8 oz
-Chamber Length: 2.75”
-Receiver Finish: Blue
-Choke: Fixed Full
-Forend Style: Pistol-Grip
-Sights: Brass Bead
-Butt Plate: Plastic
-Capacity: 2 rounds
Popular Accessories
Vintage Shotguns
- Shell Belt
- Recoil Pad
- Shotgun Sling
- Stock Pack
- Tuning and Polishing Kit
- Choke Tube Set
- Comb Riser
- Magazine Follower
- Flash Hider
- Trigger Lock
Accuracy
The Browning A5 Sweet Sixteen is one of the most accurate shotguns on the market. It was designed in the late 19th century and is still being used today. Its barrel is perfectly balanced and the action functions reliably with every shot. Its ability to produce consistent patterns and tight patterns at long range make it ideal for hunting. Despite its age, the Sweet Sixteen is still very accurate and capable of producing excellent results.
