doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Decline of the Side-by-Side

I�m kind of fond of my granddad�s A-5. I�m betting it�s better than a 390 or a SBE. It sure functions good as long as I keep that 30 weight motor oil on the friction magazine sleeve that he left me with the gun. But, I try to keep it out of the mud pits, even though it�s probably the best of the automatics.

Haven�t read the internet post that complains about the Browning A5 click. My A5 standard wears a Browning Stalker stock, and has several different barrels. If it fails to fire, the ammunition is bad. Use it once or twice a year in horrible weather.

I own one of the first SBEs that came to the US, marked Heckler & Koch.

Hasn�t been fired in years. Anybody who thinks it is the best is delusional.

Best,
Ted

If the A5 is anything like the Remington M11 jam-o-matic, then it's got no place on a windy Kansas sandbar. Even if bluebird weather, never mind the bad stuff. But maybe A5s are a whole 'nother thing.

I've put the recoil operated A5 and M11 style guns to the test for years, exclusively. The 390 is superior in reliability, and other ways, too. Not the least of which is recoil attenuation.

Can you name a recoil, or inertia, actuated semi-auto shotgun that the US military ever adopted? Wonder why.

SRH

Nothing wrong with a Beretta to me their action just feels clunky...push the bolt release and it's like chhhhhuunnnkkk.

True there were problems with the first SBEs...they shot low and had problems with the extractors I think..both of mine are left handed they have the later stepped rib and triangular safeties.

One of my SBEs I bought new in 2000 it's going on 19 years old the other a guy traded me for a turkey call it's going on 16 years old ...I had both cerakoted several years ago.

I've never had a fail to fire or function with either one with the exception of slow 1 oz loads....1290fps 1 oz. Estates work flawlessly.

I've also never used them for a boat anchor or a boat paddle and I try keep them clean and lightly oiled with just a tiny bit of grease on the rails and bolt.

Sounds like you were using too much oil on your anchor Stan.

I've changed the recoil springs two or three times and the magazine springs once or twice.

SBEs are not made for dummies...

The great majority of military shotguns are pumps.

Best,
Ted

It's all good

I�ve heard about A5s and Remington model 11s jamming, and, to a one, the operator doing the complaining can�t describe how the adjustment rings are placed for the load they are using, or, when the last time the crud was unpacked from around the action spring. Most of the time when you ask how the operator has the adjustment has been set, you get a stupid look, accompanied by a �huh?�
Gas guns are more idiot proof, in that regard.

Best,
Ted

A5s are not made for dummies either...only A5 I've owned was a wood stocked Jap 26" 3" magnum I set up for turkey hunting...had it parkerized and cut the shine off the stock with 00 steel wool.

Cool looking gun didn't pattern that well and being left handed the bolt handle poked me in the back on a sling. Wish I still had it.

Stan, I�m pretty sure the A-5 was indeed used in warfare, even by the US (e.g., WWII, Vietnam). Not sure what is specifically meant by the term �adopted�? Nevertheless, the A-5 has stood the test of time. Has the 390 stood the test of time like the A-5? Also, I think you are talking about perceived recoil rather than recoil attenuation, since energy is energy, it�s just changed with time depending upon the recoil mechanism, but it�s not attenuated, or lessened. The amount of energy in terms of recoil is the same no matter the action. BTW, I think SBE guns are pretty nice too, except they don�t like light loads. 390�s are good guns too, I just don�t see the superiority part....sorry.