Got a nice A5, just not sure what the barrel choke is...

I read that a single * (which I see a couple places) means full choke, but the 18.3 would translate to cylinder/no choke right?











Thank you for any help!

Single "*" = Full
18.3 is bore measurement in mm's

*    designates full choke (F).
*-    designates improved modified choke (IM).
**    designates modified choke (M).
**-    designates improved cylinder choke (IC).
**$    designates skeet (SK).
***    designates cylinder bore (CYL).

It was originally full.

Worth checking to see if it was bored out.

Grab some Boss or bismuth and kill some ducks.

It's a Belgian FN barrel in full choke. IIRC, they are not steel shot safe. I have a few A5s in the cabinet. I'd only shoot waterfowl with my Japanese barreled A5s. Mainly due to age. Be aware A5s gather in herds. I need a magnum 12 and I have the full set. 12, 16, 20 gauges, Belgian and Japanese and magnum, heavy and light variants.

They shoot fantastic, if you have never shot one before. For me they swing and mount the best. I sold my Browning Citori White Lightning O/U pheasant gun in favor of using my A5s exclusively.  


*Edit DO NOT USE normal flat head screwdrivers on A5s. They need a jewelers tools. Below are THE two resources for A5 parts and restoration.

artsgunshop.com/
midwestgunworks.com/

Choke designation is related to the restriction from the bore size to the taper at the muzzle.
Your gun should have a .7205 in. (18.3mm) bore and if it is actually a full choke, it should measure approx. .6855" at the muzzle.

Choke restrictions:
Cylinder - .000"
Skeet - .005"
Imp Cyl - .010"
Light Mod - .015"
Mod - .020"
Imp. Mod. - .025"
Full - .035.

Note: These sizes are for 12 gage only

What this guy said. 18.3mm is the nominal bore diameter. Choke is a measurement of the constriction from the bore diameter with "*" being the marking for "Full". If any choke was going to be opened up after-market, it would be Full, so it's worth measuring.

Thanks guys!

thats not a A5. thats a Auto 5.

Yes correct! It's a true Auto-5. Not the new model A5 that's nothing like the old Auto-5.

I don’t have any documentation, but aren’t Auto-5 barrels after 1958 OK with steel shot?

I'd definitely like to know this!