Here in the part of GA where I was raised owning a A5 was a status symbol. There were a few, but mostly owned by gunners that were at least financially secure. Owning one was on the verge of being ostentatious. It was just the times, and the people. Not a judgement on the gun by any means.
They are still held in high regard by most people here, but you don't see many in the field. Most people now who shoot autoloaders prefer a gas gun or a Benelli. In the dove shooting crowd I run with, probably 80% shoot autoloaders. Maybe another 20% have O/Us, and usually I'm the sole one with a S x S.
SRH
When I was a kid A5 ownership was for the fairly rich but Superposed ownership put you a step above that. Heck back then most hunters owned one shotgun and maybe one rifle if the shotgun did not do double or triple duty. When I got my Model 12/28ga I was the only person shooting a 28. Not in my family but I bet in a three county area. The Western Auto only ordered shells for me they did not stock them.
