Need help with Browning A-5

[Ufatz]

Simple question this morning fellas: What length is the plug (adapter) for a Browning A-5 magazine to reduce the gun to three shells. A guy gave me this nice shooting 1956 dandy and I was going to take it out and shoot a mallard or two BUT first I checked and sure enough-not only had he not used it much, there had never been a plug put in it!!

I can make one but it will help if I start right off with the right length.

Thanks.

[bearberg]

I have used a pencil as a plug

[Steve Foss]

Dude, have you had your morning coffee yet?

Put two shells together end-to-end and measure the length. Make a plug that long. Or just multiply 2 3/4 inches by two (5 1/2 inches) and make a plug that long. I used oak dowel to make my plugs.

Enjoy that sweet old gun!

[Ufatz]

Good Grief! Talk about a dunderhead!! And to think....people used to consider me a pretty bright guy!!

I guess the photos/diagrams I found made it look like a longer device.

Thanks you guys. I'm gonna go out and smack down a nice oak and whittle one out this morning.

Oh....Steve. I used my Makita electric for a while yesterday to whack up some stuff for the shop stove. And every time I am reminded what a nice little tool it is.

[shamrock7]

the mid size Lincoln log works nice

[mechanictim]

You might need to shorten up that plug just a little more. Unfired 2 3/4 shells measure 2 1/4 inches. So you would need a plug 4 1/2 inches. The length of the shell on the box or barrel refers to the length of the fired hull.

[311Hemi]

A plastic clothes hanger cut to 7" works perfect, I just measured mine (which was checked by a CO last weekend).

Also, if the A5 (I would assume it's Belgian made) does not have swappable chokes you may want to reconsider shooting steel out of it, especially if it's a full choke. It is not recommended to shoot steel out of the full choked Belgian barrels.

[Ufatz]

By golly you guys make some good points. I am gonna fix it today. There has never been ANY steel run through ANY shotgun I use.

Steel shot is one of the major marketing scams of the 20th Century. It is an environmental and ballistic fraud.

But hey!!! that's only one guys take on it.

[CJH]

You may be right, but depending on where you hunt, its a requirement.

(not starting a debate, just stating the obvious)