A Shotgun Nobody Liked? - Browning A500R
Back when I was a young boy and just getting into hunting, I would borrow many of my grandfather's firearms. As I grew older, I began to really enjoy hunting birds, and my favorite shotgun for the job was my grandfather's Browning A500R. To me, it was a fairly lightweight semi-auto shotgun that fit my needs as a bird gun perfectly throughout my high school and college years. Last year, I became the owner of this particular shotgun after my grandfather passed away, and that got me thinking about the fact that I know barely anything about this shotgun I have been using for years. I did a little bit of digging on the internet and to my surprise found that most people actually really dislike the A500R.
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Historical Background of the Browning A500R
Let’s rewind to 1987, when the Browning A500R first hit the scene. At the time, the Browning company was a giant in the firearms world, thanks in no small part to the legendary Auto-5. That recoil-operated shotgun had been around since 1902, earning a reputation as a tough, dependable workhorse. But by the late ‘80s, the semi-auto market was heating up, and Browning wanted a piece of the action with something fresh. Enter the A500. The A500 was a short-recoil-operated semi-automatic shotgun that was not so different from the Auto-5, aside from that gun having a long-recoil operation and all wood furniture.
Some other differences included it being one of the first Browning shotguns to feature the Invector choke system. This nifty innovation allowed shooters to swap out chokes on the fly, tailoring the shotgun to anything from upland game to clay targets. It was chambered for 12-gauge shells, handling both 2 3/4" and 3" magnum loads.
This would also mark a shift in production for the A500 being assembled in Portugal with Belgian parts rather than being completely from Belgium. Coupled with the fact that loyal Auto-5 fans were not too keen on jumping ship to a new shotgun, the A500 would already be fighting an uphill battle before it made it into the hands of hunters. Adding insult to injury, there would be a recall on many of these shotguns due to a defect in the trigger housing. It's not hard to see why Browning pulled the plug after only 5 years of production from 1987 to 1992.
Why the A500R Has Been Largely Forgotten
So, why did the A500R slip through the cracks? First off, that short production run didn’t help. With only a handful of years on the market, it never had the chance to build a big following or flood the shelves. Compare that to the Auto-5, which had decades to cement its status as a classic.
Then there’s the shadow of the Auto-5. That shotgun was a legend, a family heirloom for many, with a distinctive “humpback” receiver that the A500R actually echoed in its design. But I can imagine how the Auto-5’s proven track record made the A500R feel like an untested newcomer back in the day. Why gamble on something new when the old faithful is still kicking?
Reliability issues didn’t do it any favors either. Some shooters reported hiccups with certain ammo types. Word would get around, and then there was that recall in the late ‘80s. Browning marked the fixed guns with an “H” on the trigger guard, but the damage was done. It should be mentioned that at some point during production, Browning would rename the A500 to the A500 R (like the Model I have) and G models based on what operating system they were using. The R would be for recoil, while the G would be for Gas. The competition was also fierce at this time, with Remington’s 1100 and Beretta’s offerings grabbing attention and within Browning’s own lineup, the A500R struggled to stand out.
Back to the Future
Imagine reading all of the negativity about the A500R after using it for years on multiple hunts and bagging more birds than you can shake a stick at. My A500R has been nothing but reliable, but it also has the “H” under the trigger guard, meaning it has been serviced for its recall. I still use this shotgun today for birds, and until I acquire a replacement for it, I think it will stay that way.
I have always been impressed with the very mild recoil impulse out of this shotgun, even when shooting heavier loads. It's also a light gun weighing 5.4 pounds. The lightweight is certainly due in no small part to the laminate furniture on the front and back of the shotgun. While I would prefer real wood, the laminate still looks great to this day. The tube can hold up to four shells plus one in the chamber. While I do have a very personal connection to this shotgun, I think the more generally A500R deserves more credit
So, why’s it forgotten? Short run, tough competition, and a few missteps. Why should it be remembered? Soft shooting, kinda rare and a quiet charm that grows on you. If you ever get the chance to shoot one, give it a try. You might just find, like I did, that the A500R’s got more to offer than its reputation suggests.
-Former Army Photographer / Videographer -Current Aviation Student -Future in debt due to Firearm collection
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Yeh agreed with 9triggers comment. Didn't know about this specific version and will be on lookout at my local trap range.
The bane of any fine shotgun without a long production run is part replacement. Hopefully Nummrich will have what you need when a small piece breaks.