My grandfather left me his Auto 5 when he died. I remember asking him about guns as a 6 year old boy and him pulling out that beautiful 1969 FN Auto 5, and him telling me it was mine when he died. Sadly it happened 3 years later. Auto 5s are still my favorite shotgun, due in no small part to the inheritance. Glad to see them get some love
I own 2. One belonged to my Dad, one to Uncle. I still hunt with them today - both are 60 years old…and run as smooth as they day they were made! But…the follower will absolutely peel the skin off your thumb knuckle when you load in a hurry!
My grandfather gave me his Auto 5 as well. About a decade ago, he told me that he wanted me to have all of his guns. As his mental health declined due to dementia, my grandmother had me take them from the house for safekeeping. He got his in the mid 50's when he was a teen from his father, and that would have been a handsome gift for a North Dakota farm boy that had basically no money. I took my first deer with it with slugs. It's my favorite thing in my safe.
I read about a 3-gun competitor "modernizing" an Auto-5 with a extended magazine tube, the Select Choke (?) compensator, and he had the whole thing Cerracoated. The thing he liked about it the most was the feed switch, where when it locks open, you can shuck a shell in the bottom and it automatically feeds. I've got an Auto-5 (Browning Light 12) from the 50's that my grandfather passed on to me. Once I figured out how to set up the friction rings correctly, it has a very light recoil. Funny thing, my brother and I were fishing when we were kids and I saw a pipe sticking out of the mud under the bridge. I pulled it out and it was the last 6 inches of a shotgun with a Select Choke compensator on it. I guess someone stole a shotgun and hacked the end off for nefarious activities and threw it in the creek.
Thank you for posting this shotgun project and for talking about the Vang Comp barrel modifications. We really appreciate your support. Glad to see you're enjoying that awesome 12ga. Stay safe, see you soon!
Saw something on that model 11 that is a little concerning. It's hard to tell in the video because we don't get a great look at the operating handle, but it looks like your handguard may be worn about to it's limit. The operating handle appears to be almost coming into contact with the receiver in the full locked position, it should have a decent, but not huge gap to the receiver in the locked position. As the handguard ages the wood shrinks, and gets beat from use, which allows the barrel to settle into a further forward position. Eventually this can split the handguard, and in really bad conditions cause improper lock up. It's an easy repair, I've done hundreds over the years. It's either that, or your magazine cap was loose. I'd just hate to see that rare handguard cracked.
@@bills6093 Yup, it's not a good angle, so I can't tell for sure, but it looks like the handle is coming into contact with the receiver. That should never happen on the Auto-5. Some guns get so bad that the operating handle actually damages the receiver from slamming into it every time the action is closed.
My dad had an original Browning semiauto 12g humpback that my grandpa bought new at the feed store in Monticello KY. at least 40+ years before I was born. That was my first "scattergun" i shot when I was big enough to hold it up on my own. Unfortunately it was stolen when I was a teenager and I've been wanting to find it or one just like it ever since. I miss that gun so much.
In the Canadian Firearms Safety Course I attended when getting my license, .30-30 / .303 was called out specifically as being common hunting calibres in Canada and doofuses had been insisting on firing .30-30 out of .303 guns for... well over a century. Also, despite being specifically warned not to jam .303 dummy rounds into the loading gate of the deactivated .30-30 lever gun, it took exactly 10 seconds for some idiot to do exactly that. This was, of course, after multiple emphatic reminders to check cartridge headstamps against the calibre markings on the gun itself.
I was at a range in SOCAL shooting a Civil War Cannon. The rangemaster came over and showed us a 7.62X54 round that had been crammed into an SKS, needless to say the bolt wouldn't quite close but there was rifling engraved about a CM up the brass. The world is full of idiots.
ive got a vintage browning auto 5, belonged to my grandfather who left it to me after he passed, has a fixed full choke, shoots so bloody smooth i can feel everything moving in the gun when I fire it.
I have the Savage version of the Auto 5, a Model 720 that is US Property marked and probably used for aerial gunnery training as it has a cylinder bore with a 26" barrel. Fun to shoot and I always get a kick out of correcting someone when they call it a Browning.
This is really cool. For anyone wanting to attempt something similar, mag tube extensions built for the Remington 1100 and 11-87 Will screw right onto a model 11 mag tube. They work great, just use the new spring with the original follower. No fiddling or gunsmithing required.
I own a Japanese Pointer shotgun which is also an exact replica of the Auto 5 and its very well made. Not sure if its made under licence, but its a bit of a party trick when you show people how it works. Would love an extended magtube like that, but here in South Africa cool gun stuff is a bit scarce if it is not for the more popular brands and models. And yes, continue with these - its cool.
Some theorize those shotguns were made by Miroku, unlicensed, to prove they could make them. Mainly because as soon as Miroku got their contract with Browning, these A5 clones stopped being manufactured and the company records for these guns vanished
Had a Remington Model 11 Army ordinance marks that had been bubba'ed with a poly choke. Kicked like a pissed off mule. Found out after selling it you were supposed to adjust the gas rings to the ammo. Live and learn. Very much like seeing your video.
I'm sorry but can we all just pause for a moment, send some scouts out to scope the lie of the land, and then wait for the reports to come in before we confirm that Ian is ABSOLUTELY SMASHING IT in terms of delivering... oh, I dunno, endless free youtube content, high quality analysis of relevant issues present and historical, tertiary-academic-level publications... talk about adapting to the changing strategic landscape of these damn Covid times. Keep crushing it mate, much respect from down under.
Astonishing amount of content production, and not lazy BS "Reaction" crap content either. I recently searched through the uploads for a Q&A video where Ian answered my questions. It took me six hours with a nap in the middle to finally scroll far enough to find the video.
Yeah, I love forgotten weapons. I can't watch that many firearms channels, because many of them come off as too nutty or jovial (or dangerously immature) for me, personally. Ian's the best! Also I just love the presentation, history and flatout rarity of some of these weapons. So, uh, yeah, much respect from Germany ✌
@@CalamityCain I'm continually astonished at the number of Germans I see around the web commanding such excellent English. I picked up a bit of generic German before/during a trip to Bavaria and northern Austria, but I probably sounded like a bit of a fool. :) Cheers from Sydney mate
@@sixstringedthing Hey, thanks, man! Such a nice thing to say. Appreciate it. I'm 35 years old now and I started watching movies, TV shows and reading books in English pretty early on in my life. So I guess in written form I might come across as somewhat proficient. But I think you'd have a lot of cringing to do, should you have to talk to me. I simply haven't had that many occasions to polish my conversational skills, to be honest. I propably sound a bit like Schwarzenegger ;-) Picked up a lot in Glasgow last year, though, that was cool. From a Canadian, Scots, Irish and Americans. Sure helped a lot. Any weird or funny German expressions you remember/like to share? I'd love to know if they taught you dirty slang or something alike ✌
The first shotgun I ever fired was my father's FN AT sweet 16 built in the late 40s. It's still my favorite auto gun. It's still in the family and used by my son.
Model 1911 Winchester I own since the 80s...well, called the Widow maker and I respect that so it has never been fired by me. It is cool for the 3 piece laminated stock.
Picked up a Franchi (Colt marked) Mod 48, alloy, in 20ga (2 3/4-3") for $150. Super light at 5 1/4lbs. It is quail lighting. Shortened brl to 24". Lite kicking, reliable. Love!
My fathers duck gun is a Savage copy of the Auto 5 in 16 ga. Man, is it a sweet shooter. Between the reduced recoil of 16 ga. and the action spreading out the push, even as a teen I could shoot high brass all day and not get a sore shoulder.
I love the gun show story of how you got that "16 gauge" really cheap for $150 because it wouldn't run. Then you measured the bore and, voila!, it's a fully operational 12 gauge. Hahaha. That alone will compel me to return to our local gun show in Fishersville, Virginia. The only things getting me to go anymore are the Mennonite doughnuts and pickles. I'm sick of all the overpriced crap.
Be happy that you are able to go to such events. I´m german and haven´t even touched a real Shotgun in my life. If i can visit the US one day i will enjoy every single second on a range. Even if it´s just a Zip.22 or something like that.
Yeah I don't know what it is with gun shows, but honestly 75% of the people at them are the same folks selling literally the same insanely overpriced guns year after year after year. Nothing ever moves, and half of them would act insulted by reasonable offers. I stopped going to most local shows because of that, and with almost total lack of turnover there wasn't even anything new to see.
@@brettimkopp7514 You could also just go to your local shooting club and touch one. its not realy that hard to fire a gun in germany. owning them isnt that hard aswell (harder than in the US of course).
To be fair prices at gun shows are jumping off points. Nobody ever pays asking price when they make a deal. Well, at least thats how it used to be but I guess I havent been to a show in over 10 years.
I have a AMERICAN BROWNING AUTO 5 MILITARY & POLICE that was built by Remington when FN had to halt production during WW2. I love the short barrel and beautiful wood furniture. 🥃😎👌
Wait, if it was called an Auto-5 because it could hold 4 in the tube + 1 in the chamber, and this custom version has an 8 round tube... Shouldn't this one be called an Auto-9?
Ian, your barrel extension is sticking out the receiver due to the foreeend not holding the barrel in the right position, you can see its damaging the corners of the handguard at the barrel extension. You can also see there is no room beetween the receiver and the charging handle, if you leave it like that and shoot it often it will eventually peen or crack the receiver. You can shim where the barrel ring extension interacts with the wood to get it back to its right position
I really DO enjoy your work. I'm dutch, living in fun-forbidden-land germany .. So many people don't understand the funpoint of this hobby. For those shooting is similar with psychopaths and killing. And yes, wappons are mostly made to kill. But not for me. Its the technic, the "competition" between mechanism and me. Its a safety response and meditativ hobby. I get a smile in my face when i succeed in a card split trial.. Your historical and technical investigation is great to know and listen. cheers
During WW II, they were not just for pilots. My dad as a B29 gunner (CFC) used them. They were required to shoot so many rounds of skeet a week (month?) to keep their skill level up regarding leading targets. They (according to Dad,) used auto load instead of pump to "replicate" machine gun fire.
I had hoped you'd discuss the usage of the 8 round model by Elbonian police units, but I will always be happy to hear you talk about weird/custom/atypical guns
On my M1 Grand I sanded the stock and used 'Snow Seal Wax' on it. Wow, great stuff. It's not greasy. Three years later when I grab it to take out and fire it. Wow, nice. Your hand has a positive grip on it. Me. I'd sand all my wood stocked weapons and apply Snow Seal Wax on them. Just a fyi.
The old market hunters used to take an A-5 and modify a magazine to screw onto the existing mag for a double load of shells. My uncle showed me one, all nicely wrapped in friction tape. Of course it was just a ...curiosity...something he just picked up...or something...
Right on. The only shotgun I own was a Christmas present from my parents when I was a kid around 1980. It’s a Browning Light 20 Auto 5 made in Japan with improved cylinder barrel. I will never get rid of it. Love that shotgun!!!
Very cool mods, Ian. Coincidentally, I too have a Remington model 11 that I modified years ago… I cut the barrel to 20 inches, installed screw in chokes, added a Front Rifle sight, a mag tube extender, and Parkerized it. Through my research on this model, I found out that the US military did use them for aircraft gunnery practice, and there was actually a dual mount setup With these guns in place of 50 calibre machine guns. I also learned that a quantity was purchased by the US Navy to use aboard naval vessels. Great video. Ty
I knew Ian was the ultimate gun guy when I first saw the Auto 8 in one of his older videos, Googled it, and pretty much the only search results were other videos by Ian. Please, more content like this!
Man, I love this gun. So much fun to shoot. You really appreciate the weight of an A-5 when that recoil starts bucking your sight alignment around. Almost makes me want to modify my 1955 Belgium-made Browning Auto-5 Light Twelve like this. Almost...
I had an Auto-5 for a couple years back in the late '90s that was made by FN in the 1930s (it was an actual 16ga, lol). That gun had the smoothest action I've ever felt on any gun. It was even a joy just to listen to. Many times I sat on the couch, watching tv and manually cycling that action, just to feel and hear it. 😄 Btw, I bought it at a place I believe you're familiar with: Bear Arms in Scottsdale. 👍
Auto 5 - Remington - 40 yrs ago I was looking in the pawn shop - and found an Auto 5 looking shotgun - with Made In Japan, stamped on it. I was looking for a 3 inch and this was the short version. It was a few years later before I learned to load magnum shot into the short shells - and then we lost lead. Thank you - Really nice shotgun!
My grandfather has an original auto 5 on his wall and I’ve appreciated it as long as I’ve seen it. His father got it from the back of a salvaged truck he had f purchased in the late 1910s
I got a Browning patent “Springfield Automatic” from a guy on Facebook a few years back. Paid 100 clams for it. Said it didn’t work. Wiped the barrel down with a WD40 rag and it runs like a top. My favorite farm lot dove gun
Thank you for the slow motion! It's mind blowing to me the whole barrel cycles with each shot but the design makes sense. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and guns with us!
Ian I'm sure over your many, MANY years of firearms collecting you've accumulated many an interesting modified firearms. Please do more videos like this one! It was super interesting to see!
I actually love that "Ka-Chunk" recoil impulse of a properly set up Auto 5. Those that complain of excess recoil with the Auto 5 are usually unaware of the friction ring and it's two settings. They are also damaging the shotgun by firing heavy loads with the friction ring in the "stored" position. Yes, I also loved those slo-mo shots illustrating the "double thump". Semper Fi, TreeTop
I never knew about the auto 5 till I played a game called hunt showdown, and now knowing it was not originally a Remington or Winchester kinda surprised me. This is a fantastic looking classic 😍.
I believe Clyde had a Remington Model 11 with a sawed barrel and Bonnie had one too... her "Whipit" gun with an even shorter barrel and a shortened stock. I suppose Bonnie wasn't the type to ask a fella to "whip it out then handsome"...
of course they were well liked by bad guys. Charles Askins killed far more people than those two put together, and he mentioned him in the video. It doesn't get more bad guy than self admitted psychopath border patrol agent.
Any of you with love in your eyes and wanting to get yourselves a Remington m11 like Ian's, you can pretty much forget about it for the next year or two. Ian has just single-handedly guaranteed that every m11 and anything like it (like the Auto-5) is going to get vacuumed up off of Gunbroker and every gun show in the country. Thanks, Ian. And I was actually saving up to buy one. Seriously though, back in the early 80s I knew a guy who was more or less a refugee from Rhodesia, being a white guy who served in a special unit in the Rhodesian Army before the country (rightfully) reverted to black rule. He'd been especially fond of an Auto-5 he carried that had been modified to fire full auto. It only had the original 5 round magazine tube on it, and he carried it primarily as a reaction-drill weapon against ambush when out in the boonies. He said he didn't use it very often but when he did he emptied it every time. It apparently had an uncomfortably high cyclic rate and would beat him half to death, but it could put out such a volume of buckshot in a short time that it never failed to break the impetus of the ambush in which it was used. I asked how he managed to control it and he replied "not well." But then said it wasn't exactly sniper work he was doing and it got the job done every time. I grew up reading gun magazines and books in the 70s and one of my favorites was Charles Askins. Not the best role model for a kid, I know, but I managed to not grow up to be a psychopath like he was. If he killed even half the number of people he claimed he did--many or most under questionable conditions--then you could arguably call him a serial killer albeit not an especially subtle one. I recall him writing about how, as a soldier in post-war occupied Germany, he and some cohorts went door to door in nicer neighborhoods essentially doing home invasions and robbing the people therein. What they were after were high-quality German and Austrian doubles and especially drillings, which cost so much in the USA as to be out of the reach of all but the rich. He justified it by citing restrictions on gun ownership for Germans under the occupation, but you can believe that any such weapons they found did not end up in official inventory but were boxed up and sent home. I also remember one thing that's stuck with me all these years, and I've actually tried it (it works.) When he was with the Border Patrol they engaged in a lot of zero-dark-thirty gunfights at night. These were the days before night sights and weapon-mounted lights. What they'd do is tie a white handkerchief around the muzzle of their shotguns and that was enough to help them keep track of the muzzle and enable point-aim when it was too dark to even see the shotgun, much less the muzzle. Decades later I was doing some night-shooting training at the range of police department that I worked for and I gave it a try. Well, it ain't Trijicon but it did work. A lot better than I thought it would. I'd decided that at least half of all that stuff Askins wrote was probably bullshit but that one wasn't.
Ian thank you so much! I have owned a low serial number 16 gauge FN Browning Auto-5 for almost five years now, and until now I have never known how to load the magazine. I'd always assumed the elevator was broken on mine (easy to assume considering it was over 100 years old and in rough shape when I bought it), and I'd never found a gunsmith that could figure out the action. You have absolutely made my day, possibly my entire year, thank you! Also as always love seeing stuff from your personal collection! Amazing gun!
I have a Model 11 with Cutt’s Compensator I bought for $150 and used it for hunting for years. Have thought of turning it into a custom defense shotgun like this but with Cutt’s reattached to a shortened barrel. Never could find any parts for the extended tube, etc or anyone who could do the work. Might have to check out Vang Comp and give this idea a shot.
I have 2 model 11's, $100 each from a broke friend. lmao. Best money I ever spent. An 870 extension will work, but needs a spacer, or an 1100 extension will fit out of the box I believe.
I love the fact that two of Ians customs, this and his M1 Garand Scout rifle, perfectly mirror my own 2 favorite guns. I have a Springfield M1A Scout rifle and a Browning A5 shotgun. I did not plan to use him as inspiration, it just happened that this is how my extremely practical mind worked. I did not add a magazine tube extension to my shotgun, but it is otherwise close enough.
We all have that one gun that is special to us for the way we got it and the manner in which we were able to have it made custom to fit our needs. You have done quite well.
That's really cool. I love the auto 5 and related models. There's just something kinesthetically pleasing about using them. On this one I think I would be tempted to strip off that black paint. The whole thing but really look good with that walnut contrasting to the park.
Not gonna lie, head-turning and "mall-ninja" tacticool kinda drove me to buy a Mossberg 590M. Nowhere near as cool as Ian's Auto-8 but I understand the need for a sweet shotgun.
This is the famous humpback shotgun. This was used in warfare as early trench gun. They are all spring driven vs o-ring modern semi shotguns. The magazine tubes and altercation on early A-5 are pain in ass.
Charlie Askins wasn't "sorta" a pyscho. The dude was a straight up cold blooded killer who happened to have a badge so, naturally, he never got in trouble.
Yeahhhh, I was like, "That's a VERY charitable way to talk about that guy." But also, it's good that he mentioned that Charlie Askins was a fucked up guy in the first place instead of just letting it go without comment.
I remember excerpts from that book too. I believe they were in Gun World Magazine, where of course you could order the book AND a copy of World's Combat Shotguns, which also featured the Auto-5 history in combat.
Like my dad and grandfather buying 2 HK model 300s for like 300 bucks back in the day because one was working and one was broken...well needless to say there is Few things Granddaddy could not fix.
Awesome shotgun Ian. My dad had one in standard configuration when I was a teen. Had a lot of fun with the old girl. Thanks for bringing back the memories.
Jesus: Turns water into wine... Gun Jesus: Hold my beer.....! Seriously though, that is one fine-looking and -working firearm you've got there, looks like LOTS of fun to shoot. You've turned a pig's ear into a fine silk purse (minor miracle #364) I, for one, would love to see more of "Ian's Customs" and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone!!
I really enjoyed this video, hearing both historical context and more personal anecdotal context for why it is what it is was plenty enjoyable enough but taking it to the range to show it in action after giving that context really drove it home for me. I hope this becomes it's own series on the channel, even if it's only done irregularly whenever is convenient/fun for Ian to do. (Would love to see Karl in on this too if he has anything to share)
I really enjoyed this presentation. I get so caught up in your past presentations that I miss the current ones. Glad I caught this. It is also really neat to see a gun that I might actually be able to find and reasonable price so I could own it! Even better!
Yes, I love stuff like this where it takes some proper gunsmithing to complete a modification to improve the gun for a particular use. Reminds me of the 7mm BAR.
Ian laid hands on a 16 gauge and faith healed it into a 12...
And as such he miraculously turned a 16 guage bore into a 12 guage, with just the touch of his palm, and took out a bucket full of shells
I like my 16.
😂😂😂😂
and thus my friends, he lath hands on thee. For he blessed it sevenfold. Loljk
Lol
My grandfather left me his Auto 5 when he died. I remember asking him about guns as a 6 year old boy and him pulling out that beautiful 1969 FN Auto 5, and him telling me it was mine when he died. Sadly it happened 3 years later. Auto 5s are still my favorite shotgun, due in no small part to the inheritance. Glad to see them get some love
I own 2. One belonged to my Dad, one to Uncle. I still hunt with them today - both are 60 years old…and run as smooth as they day they were made!
But…the follower will absolutely peel the skin off your thumb knuckle when you load in a hurry!
Thats the beauty of firearms. Theyre a very strong link to fond memories and family members no longer with us.
I have my dads model 11, its the reason I like them so much.
My grandfather gave me his Auto 5 as well. About a decade ago, he told me that he wanted me to have all of his guns. As his mental health declined due to dementia, my grandmother had me take them from the house for safekeeping. He got his in the mid 50's when he was a teen from his father, and that would have been a handsome gift for a North Dakota farm boy that had basically no money. I took my first deer with it with slugs. It's my favorite thing in my safe.
I have a similar love of the Remington 870
Yes, more of Ian’s Customs. Dig the background story and history.
Agreed there. Let's see more of this.
The background is kind of bland though, it's just a white wall, needs gun jesus posters.
Salty.
@@smith5796 I think the joke flew right over friend.
Yes!!! More customs
I read about a 3-gun competitor "modernizing" an Auto-5 with a extended magazine tube, the Select Choke (?) compensator, and he had the whole thing Cerracoated. The thing he liked about it the most was the feed switch, where when it locks open, you can shuck a shell in the bottom and it automatically feeds. I've got an Auto-5 (Browning Light 12) from the 50's that my grandfather passed on to me. Once I figured out how to set up the friction rings correctly, it has a very light recoil. Funny thing, my brother and I were fishing when we were kids and I saw a pipe sticking out of the mud under the bridge. I pulled it out and it was the last 6 inches of a shotgun with a Select Choke compensator on it. I guess someone stole a shotgun and hacked the end off for nefarious activities and threw it in the creek.
wait was it just the barrel you found
@@rmblwgn seems so, the end with comp choke.
Like the lady of the lake, the felon of the creek gifted you a compensator for your shotgun
@@warrenharrison9490 is it larger than the barrel in diameter?? If you have it, it's likely an original cutts compensator. They are SOUGHT AFTER.
Let me make this clear: we will ALWAYS want to see YOUR guns Ian
Is that an Auto 5 in you pocket or are you just happy to see me...?
@@lasithajayawardana9559 this
@@lasithajayawardana9559 i only carry sub compacts :(
Thank you for posting this shotgun project and for talking about the Vang Comp barrel modifications. We really appreciate your support. Glad to see you're enjoying that awesome 12ga. Stay safe, see you soon!
I really want to see some more of Ian’s Customs
@@ommsterlitz1805 what country, if you don’t mind me asking? I like collecting firearm knowledge from around the world.
@@TheRealSupernoah47 I know France does that
@@TheRealSupernoah47Ian’s American
Prediction: Somewhere along the path of this series, we'll have "Ians Customs: Hudson H9"
I come from the future. You were right sir, check Ian's recent instagram posts
@@ZombineCiaI come further from the future.
Daniel Defense bought the design and is now manufacturering them but completely redesigned.
Be honest Ian, the primary reason this first caught your interest is because from a distance it kinda looks like a Lebel.
And it was maybe helped along, in part, because it shares the same recoil operation as the Chauchat
even loads like one and has the same capacity!
Also it is designed by the saint john moses browning himself
I can’t unsee that
Saw something on that model 11 that is a little concerning. It's hard to tell in the video because we don't get a great look at the operating handle, but it looks like your handguard may be worn about to it's limit. The operating handle appears to be almost coming into contact with the receiver in the full locked position, it should have a decent, but not huge gap to the receiver in the locked position. As the handguard ages the wood shrinks, and gets beat from use, which allows the barrel to settle into a further forward position. Eventually this can split the handguard, and in really bad conditions cause improper lock up. It's an easy repair, I've done hundreds over the years. It's either that, or your magazine cap was loose. I'd just hate to see that rare handguard cracked.
My 11 didn’t have the handle. You had to grab the knurled part of the bbl.
7:08 ? Is that what you mean?
@@joeanthony1456 Sounds like you had a Winchester Model 1911, not a Remington Model 11.
@@bills6093 Yup, it's not a good angle, so I can't tell for sure, but it looks like the handle is coming into contact with the receiver. That should never happen on the Auto-5. Some guns get so bad that the operating handle actually damages the receiver from slamming into it every time the action is closed.
I was gonna jokingly comment “Ian didn’t even put a duckbill on it?”
And then: The Prestige.
My dad had an original Browning semiauto 12g humpback that my grandpa bought new at the feed store in Monticello KY. at least 40+ years before I was born. That was my first "scattergun" i shot when I was big enough to hold it up on my own. Unfortunately it was stolen when I was a teenager and I've been wanting to find it or one just like it ever since. I miss that gun so much.
"I have a broken 16 gauge shotgun, here."
"It's actually a 12 gauge."
"You fixed it!!!"
Ian McCollum, master gunsmith :p
I did that with an old 10 gauge once.
Is there any more broken than having the wrong sized chamber? :-D
In the Canadian Firearms Safety Course I attended when getting my license, .30-30 / .303 was called out specifically as being common hunting calibres in Canada and doofuses had been insisting on firing .30-30 out of .303 guns for... well over a century.
Also, despite being specifically warned not to jam .303 dummy rounds into the loading gate of the deactivated .30-30 lever gun, it took exactly 10 seconds for some idiot to do exactly that. This was, of course, after multiple emphatic reminders to check cartridge headstamps against the calibre markings on the gun itself.
I was at a range in SOCAL shooting a Civil War Cannon. The rangemaster came over and showed us a 7.62X54 round that had been crammed into an SKS, needless to say the bolt wouldn't quite close but there was rifling engraved about a CM up the brass. The world is full of idiots.
ive got a vintage browning auto 5, belonged to my grandfather who left it to me after he passed, has a fixed full choke, shoots so bloody smooth i can feel everything moving in the gun when I fire it.
Every so often Elbonian ingenuity creates a truly impressive weapon
Elbonia went and bought from a proper manufacturer, they bought Winchester Model 1911's thinking they were handguns
Ian has yet to fit the by-pod and cartridge hopper the Elbonians fitted as standard to their guns.
Ian has yet to fit the by-pod and cartridge hopper the Elbonians fitted as standard to their guns.
Ian has yet to fit the by-pod and cartridge hopper the Elbonians fitted as standard to their guns.
@@davidbrennan660 dude, you posted that twice already
I have the Savage version of the Auto 5, a Model 720 that is US Property marked and probably used for aerial gunnery training as it has a cylinder bore with a 26" barrel. Fun to shoot and I always get a kick out of correcting someone when they call it a Browning.
This looks cooler than most modern shotguns
My opinion: Cooler than the Pancor Jackhammer
@@smokey3185 Heresy !
Also, no shotgun will ever look cooler than the S.P.A.S-12 with the folded stock.
Tru
@@s.p..smdness8748 with dragons breath
@@s.p..smdness8748 snatch
This is really cool.
For anyone wanting to attempt something similar, mag tube extensions built for the Remington 1100 and 11-87
Will screw right onto a model 11 mag tube. They work great, just use the new spring with the original follower. No fiddling or gunsmithing required.
That's excellent news, thanks!
I own a Japanese Pointer shotgun which is also an exact replica of the Auto 5 and its very well made. Not sure if its made under licence, but its a bit of a party trick when you show people how it works. Would love an extended magtube like that, but here in South Africa cool gun stuff is a bit scarce if it is not for the more popular brands and models. And yes, continue with these - its cool.
They were made under license. I remember reading about them at some point when I was repairing a friends Browning Auto 5 that he inherited.
Some theorize those shotguns were made by Miroku, unlicensed, to prove they could make them. Mainly because as soon as Miroku got their contract with Browning, these A5 clones stopped being manufactured and the company records for these guns vanished
@@Calvin_Coolage Cool thanks - interesting
The Japanese make excellent guns. Had a few Miroku shotguns and they were really good quality and not that expensive either.
@@roeng1368 ... Agreed. I have a Winchester 1886 made by them. The craftsmanship is outstanding.
One of my dream guns is an auto 5 with a mag conversion, cuts compensator, and tommy gun style front grip
Honestly, I’d love to see more stuff like this
100% I kinda love seeing Ian's weird little beasties!
Rimjob!
Had a Remington Model 11 Army ordinance marks that had been bubba'ed with a poly choke. Kicked like a pissed off mule. Found out after selling it you were supposed to adjust the gas rings to the ammo. Live and learn. Very much like seeing your video.
I'm sorry but can we all just pause for a moment, send some scouts out to scope the lie of the land, and then wait for the reports to come in before we confirm that Ian is ABSOLUTELY SMASHING IT in terms of delivering... oh, I dunno, endless free youtube content, high quality analysis of relevant issues present and historical, tertiary-academic-level publications... talk about adapting to the changing strategic landscape of these damn Covid times. Keep crushing it mate, much respect from down under.
Astonishing amount of content production, and not lazy BS "Reaction" crap content either. I recently searched through the uploads for a Q&A video where Ian answered my questions. It took me six hours with a nap in the middle to finally scroll far enough to find the video.
Yeah, I love forgotten weapons. I can't watch that many firearms channels, because many of them come off as too nutty or jovial (or dangerously immature) for me, personally. Ian's the best! Also I just love the presentation, history and flatout rarity of some of these weapons. So, uh, yeah, much respect from Germany ✌
@@Tusk_III It might help save time if you go to his channel and just type "Q&A" in the profile seach bar.
@@CalamityCain I'm continually astonished at the number of Germans I see around the web commanding such excellent English.
I picked up a bit of generic German before/during a trip to Bavaria and northern Austria, but I probably sounded like a bit of a fool. :)
Cheers from Sydney mate
@@sixstringedthing Hey, thanks, man! Such a nice thing to say. Appreciate it. I'm 35 years old now and I started watching movies, TV shows and reading books in English pretty early on in my life. So I guess in written form I might come across as somewhat proficient. But I think you'd have a lot of cringing to do, should you have to talk to me. I simply haven't had that many occasions to polish my conversational skills, to be honest. I propably sound a bit like Schwarzenegger ;-) Picked up a lot in Glasgow last year, though, that was cool. From a Canadian, Scots, Irish and Americans. Sure helped a lot.
Any weird or funny German expressions you remember/like to share? I'd love to know if they taught you dirty slang or something alike ✌
"I know what you're thinking: Did he fire -six- *eight* shots or only five?"
The first shotgun I ever fired was my father's FN AT sweet 16 built in the late 40s. It's still my favorite auto gun. It's still in the family and used by my son.
Held a sweet sixteen that was also a Ducks unlimited version, what a beautiful gun, amazing engraving work.
Some of Browning Style autoloaders it's really nice to see that.. I like how that Barrel reciprocates like that...
This will be a cool series, looking forward to it.
Model 1911 Winchester I own since the 80s...well, called the Widow maker and I respect that so it has never been fired by me. It is cool for the 3 piece laminated stock.
No need for a tactical bandolier when you have a tactical front pants pocket.
Or better yet a tactical Paul Harrell coat wit magic pockets.
Picked up a Franchi (Colt marked) Mod 48, alloy, in 20ga (2 3/4-3") for $150. Super light at 5 1/4lbs. It is quail lighting. Shortened brl to 24". Lite kicking, reliable. Love!
Wow, what a beautiful sight. Not just the Remington, but also Gun Jesus shows another miracle.
We are truly blessed.
My fathers duck gun is a Savage copy of the Auto 5 in 16 ga. Man, is it a sweet shooter. Between the reduced recoil of 16 ga. and the action spreading out the push, even as a teen I could shoot high brass all day and not get a sore shoulder.
I love the gun show story of how you got that "16 gauge" really cheap for $150 because it wouldn't run. Then you measured the bore and, voila!, it's a fully operational 12 gauge. Hahaha. That alone will compel me to return to our local gun show in Fishersville, Virginia. The only things getting me to go anymore are the Mennonite doughnuts and pickles. I'm sick of all the overpriced crap.
Be happy that you are able to go to such events.
I´m german and haven´t even touched a real Shotgun in my life.
If i can visit the US one day i will enjoy every single second on a range.
Even if it´s just a Zip.22 or something like that.
Yeah I don't know what it is with gun shows, but honestly 75% of the people at them are the same folks selling literally the same insanely overpriced guns year after year after year. Nothing ever moves, and half of them would act insulted by reasonable offers. I stopped going to most local shows because of that, and with almost total lack of turnover there wasn't even anything new to see.
I live in England, so yeah. Protect your 2nd, go visit. even just to create some headcount.
@@brettimkopp7514 You could also just go to your local shooting club and touch one. its not realy that hard to fire a gun in germany. owning them isnt that hard aswell (harder than in the US of course).
To be fair prices at gun shows are jumping off points. Nobody ever pays asking price when they make a deal. Well, at least thats how it used to be but I guess I havent been to a show in over 10 years.
I have a AMERICAN BROWNING AUTO 5 MILITARY & POLICE that was built by Remington when FN had to halt production during WW2. I love the short barrel and beautiful wood furniture. 🥃😎👌
Wait, if it was called an Auto-5 because it could hold 4 in the tube + 1 in the chamber, and this custom version has an 8 round tube... Shouldn't this one be called an Auto-9?
"I got an Auto 9."
"Holy shit, where'd you get a 93R?"
"Oh not the RoboCop gun, I just put a 8 round mag on an Auto 5, hence Auto-9."
5 in the tube, not 4.
@@zerotheero The Fat Controller laughed, "You are wrong."
Should've just done a quick google search though, they are in fact 4+1.
Mr McCollum, I am French, and you are my favorite best history teacher I've had so far. Thank you for your work.
YES, customs, rarities and 'franken-guns'. MORE PLEASE!!!
Excellent video, I had one that was surplus from WWII and the Arizona Highway patrol!
Ian, your barrel extension is sticking out the receiver due to the foreeend not holding the barrel in the right position, you can see its damaging the corners of the handguard at the barrel extension. You can also see there is no room beetween the receiver and the charging handle, if you leave it like that and shoot it often it will eventually peen or crack the receiver. You can shim where the barrel ring extension interacts with the wood to get it back to its right position
I really DO enjoy your work.
I'm dutch, living in fun-forbidden-land germany ..
So many people don't understand the funpoint of this hobby. For those shooting is similar with psychopaths and killing.
And yes, wappons are mostly made to kill.
But not for me.
Its the technic, the "competition" between mechanism and me.
Its a safety response and meditativ hobby.
I get a smile in my face when i succeed in a card split trial..
Your historical and technical investigation is great to know and listen.
cheers
During WW II, they were not just for pilots. My dad as a B29 gunner (CFC) used them. They were required to shoot so many rounds of skeet a week (month?) to keep their skill level up regarding leading targets. They (according to Dad,) used auto load instead of pump to "replicate" machine gun fire.
My favorite shotgun is my grandfathers Police-Auto5 he bought at a garage sale in the 70’s. Things a beast.
I had hoped you'd discuss the usage of the 8 round model by Elbonian police units, but I will always be happy to hear you talk about weird/custom/atypical guns
On my M1 Grand I sanded the stock and used 'Snow Seal Wax' on it. Wow, great stuff. It's not greasy. Three years later when I grab it to take out and fire it. Wow, nice. Your hand has a positive grip on it. Me. I'd sand all my wood stocked weapons and apply Snow Seal Wax on them. Just a fyi.
In this episode, Gun Jesus turns a 16ga into a 12ga. 😇
The old market hunters used to take an A-5 and modify a magazine to screw onto the existing mag for a double load of shells. My uncle showed me one, all nicely wrapped in friction tape. Of course it was just a ...curiosity...something he just picked up...or something...
That is really quite a pretty shotgun. It also has this weird blocky look to it that I actually find adds more character and makes me like it more
Love the floating barrel
I had a Model 11 that was a factory riot gun. 12 guage. Engraved “Palmira state Bank. Palmira Wis.
Right on. The only shotgun I own was a Christmas present from my parents when I was a kid around 1980. It’s a Browning Light 20 Auto 5 made in Japan with improved cylinder barrel. I will never get rid of it. Love that shotgun!!!
I'd like to see more videos like this. Custom gun builds always interested me.
Very cool mods, Ian. Coincidentally, I too have a Remington model 11 that I modified years ago… I cut the barrel to 20 inches, installed screw in chokes, added a Front Rifle sight, a mag tube extender, and Parkerized it.
Through my research on this model, I found out that the US military did use them for aircraft gunnery practice, and there was actually a dual mount setup With these guns in place of 50 calibre machine guns. I also learned that a quantity was purchased by the US Navy to use aboard naval vessels. Great video. Ty
I knew Ian was the ultimate gun guy when I first saw the Auto 8 in one of his older videos, Googled it, and pretty much the only search results were other videos by Ian. Please, more content like this!
Man, I love this gun. So much fun to shoot. You really appreciate the weight of an A-5 when that recoil starts bucking your sight alignment around. Almost makes me want to modify my 1955 Belgium-made Browning Auto-5 Light Twelve like this. Almost...
Ian's Auto 8, Mark's Pig Stick. It's been a good week for shotguns on the internet.
Can’t help but think how cool this particular scattergun would be with a barrel shroud and a bayonet lug. The auto 8 trench gun!!🤯
I had an Auto-5 for a couple years back in the late '90s that was made by FN in the 1930s (it was an actual 16ga, lol). That gun had the smoothest action I've ever felt on any gun. It was even a joy just to listen to. Many times I sat on the couch, watching tv and manually cycling that action, just to feel and hear it. 😄 Btw, I bought it at a place I believe you're familiar with: Bear Arms in Scottsdale. 👍
Auto 5 - Remington - 40 yrs ago I was looking in the pawn shop - and found an Auto 5 looking shotgun - with Made In Japan, stamped on it. I was looking for a 3 inch and this was the short version. It was a few years later before I learned to load magnum shot into the short shells - and then we lost lead. Thank you - Really nice shotgun!
Lengthened forcing cone is a pretty legit mod. Tightens patterns and reduces felt recoil. What's not to love?
Probably the cost of getting it done. And finding a shop that can do it.
My grandfather has an original auto 5 on his wall and I’ve appreciated it as long as I’ve seen it. His father got it from the back of a salvaged truck he had f purchased in the late 1910s
I got a Browning patent “Springfield Automatic” from a guy on Facebook a few years back. Paid 100 clams for it. Said it didn’t work. Wiped the barrel down with a WD40 rag and it runs like a top. My favorite farm lot dove gun
Thank you for the slow motion! It's mind blowing to me the whole barrel cycles with each shot but the design makes sense. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and guns with us!
Ian I'm sure over your many, MANY years of firearms collecting you've accumulated many an interesting modified firearms. Please do more videos like this one! It was super interesting to see!
the slow motion really illustrates that classic Browning "double thump" recoil
I actually love that "Ka-Chunk" recoil impulse of a properly set up Auto 5. Those that complain of excess recoil with the Auto 5 are usually unaware of the friction ring and it's two settings. They are also damaging the shotgun by firing heavy loads with the friction ring in the "stored" position.
Yes, I also loved those slo-mo shots illustrating the "double thump".
Semper Fi, TreeTop
I never knew about the auto 5 till I played a game called hunt showdown, and now knowing it was not originally a Remington or Winchester kinda surprised me. This is a fantastic looking classic 😍.
I just got a specter 1882 which os the 1882 spencer pump shotgun....but mines later the 1890 bannerman
Its in RDR 2
I have a Remington 11-48. Amazing shotgun.
A cut down Auto 5 was found in John Dillinger's arsenal and I believe Bonnie Parker used one as well. So they were well liked by Bad guys too.
I believe Clyde had a Remington Model 11 with a sawed barrel and Bonnie had one too... her "Whipit" gun with an even shorter barrel and a shortened stock. I suppose Bonnie wasn't the type to ask a fella to "whip it out then handsome"...
of course they were well liked by bad guys. Charles Askins killed far more people than those two put together, and he mentioned him in the video. It doesn't get more bad guy than self admitted psychopath border patrol agent.
@@TheGrammargestapo1 "I'm _not_ a psychopath. I'm a _high functioning_ psychopath."
Any of you with love in your eyes and wanting to get yourselves a Remington m11 like Ian's, you can pretty much forget about it for the next year or two. Ian has just single-handedly guaranteed that every m11 and anything like it (like the Auto-5) is going to get vacuumed up off of Gunbroker and every gun show in the country. Thanks, Ian. And I was actually saving up to buy one.
Seriously though, back in the early 80s I knew a guy who was more or less a refugee from Rhodesia, being a white guy who served in a special unit in the Rhodesian Army before the country (rightfully) reverted to black rule. He'd been especially fond of an Auto-5 he carried that had been modified to fire full auto. It only had the original 5 round magazine tube on it, and he carried it primarily as a reaction-drill weapon against ambush when out in the boonies. He said he didn't use it very often but when he did he emptied it every time. It apparently had an uncomfortably high cyclic rate and would beat him half to death, but it could put out such a volume of buckshot in a short time that it never failed to break the impetus of the ambush in which it was used. I asked how he managed to control it and he replied "not well." But then said it wasn't exactly sniper work he was doing and it got the job done every time.
I grew up reading gun magazines and books in the 70s and one of my favorites was Charles Askins. Not the best role model for a kid, I know, but I managed to not grow up to be a psychopath like he was. If he killed even half the number of people he claimed he did--many or most under questionable conditions--then you could arguably call him a serial killer albeit not an especially subtle one. I recall him writing about how, as a soldier in post-war occupied Germany, he and some cohorts went door to door in nicer neighborhoods essentially doing home invasions and robbing the people therein. What they were after were high-quality German and Austrian doubles and especially drillings, which cost so much in the USA as to be out of the reach of all but the rich. He justified it by citing restrictions on gun ownership for Germans under the occupation, but you can believe that any such weapons they found did not end up in official inventory but were boxed up and sent home.
I also remember one thing that's stuck with me all these years, and I've actually tried it (it works.) When he was with the Border Patrol they engaged in a lot of zero-dark-thirty gunfights at night. These were the days before night sights and weapon-mounted lights. What they'd do is tie a white handkerchief around the muzzle of their shotguns and that was enough to help them keep track of the muzzle and enable point-aim when it was too dark to even see the shotgun, much less the muzzle. Decades later I was doing some night-shooting training at the range of police department that I worked for and I gave it a try. Well, it ain't Trijicon but it did work. A lot better than I thought it would. I'd decided that at least half of all that stuff Askins wrote was probably bullshit but that one wasn't.
To quote another sociopath, "WHERE does he get those marvelous toys?!??" Indeed, I've lusted for an Auto-5 since I was old enough to recognize it....
Got mine at a pawnshop for $300.
Got mine for ~80 bucks. Built in 1928, runs like a boss. Looks beat up like a rented mule, but thats the way I likes it.
Ian thank you so much! I have owned a low serial number 16 gauge FN Browning Auto-5 for almost five years now, and until now I have never known how to load the magazine. I'd always assumed the elevator was broken on mine (easy to assume considering it was over 100 years old and in rough shape when I bought it), and I'd never found a gunsmith that could figure out the action. You have absolutely made my day, possibly my entire year, thank you!
Also as always love seeing stuff from your personal collection! Amazing gun!
Really cool to see "tastefully revised" versions of old guns like this.
That loading at the beginning needs to be looped as an ASMR. So soothing.
Found it painful myself...he needs to learn to double or quadload please 🙏 or... at least get a better shell organiser.
I have a Model 11 with Cutt’s Compensator I bought for $150 and used it for hunting for years. Have thought of turning it into a custom defense shotgun like this but with Cutt’s reattached to a shortened barrel. Never could find any parts for the extended tube, etc or anyone who could do the work. Might have to check out Vang Comp and give this idea a shot.
I have 2 model 11's, $100 each from a broke friend. lmao. Best money I ever spent. An 870 extension will work, but needs a spacer, or an 1100 extension will fit out of the box I believe.
I’ve got one of the Rhodesian Auto 5s. I was thrilled to see this video.
I have a Browning Auto 5 that was manufactured just a few months before the Auto 5 was discontinued
I love the fact that two of Ians customs, this and his M1 Garand Scout rifle, perfectly mirror my own 2 favorite guns. I have a Springfield M1A Scout rifle and a Browning A5 shotgun. I did not plan to use him as inspiration, it just happened that this is how my extremely practical mind worked. I did not add a magazine tube extension to my shotgun, but it is otherwise close enough.
"I don't have a police model auto 5 so I'll make a police model auto 5" - Ian. Probably.
The Auto-5/Model 11 are my favorite shotguns! Such a cool build!
The energizer bunny of shotguns.
We all have that one gun that is special to us for the way we got it and the manner in which we were able to have it made custom to fit our needs. You have done quite well.
That's really cool. I love the auto 5 and related models. There's just something kinesthetically pleasing about using them. On this one I think I would be tempted to strip off that black paint. The whole thing but really look good with that walnut contrasting to the park.
He has instructed us to elevate a misunderstood tool to its highest form. His idea is truly Divine.
Not gonna lie, head-turning and "mall-ninja" tacticool kinda drove me to buy a Mossberg 590M. Nowhere near as cool as Ian's Auto-8 but I understand the need for a sweet shotgun.
This is the famous humpback shotgun. This was used in warfare as early trench gun. They are all spring driven vs o-ring modern semi shotguns. The magazine tubes and altercation on early A-5 are pain in ass.
Charlie Askins wasn't "sorta" a pyscho. The dude was a straight up cold blooded killer who happened to have a badge so, naturally, he never got in trouble.
Yeahhhh, I was like, "That's a VERY charitable way to talk about that guy." But also, it's good that he mentioned that Charlie Askins was a fucked up guy in the first place instead of just letting it go without comment.
I remember excerpts from that book too. I believe they were in Gun World Magazine, where of course you could order the book AND a copy of World's Combat Shotguns, which also featured the Auto-5 history in combat.
Charlie used a white bandaid wrapped around the muzzle for aiming in low light conditions
Thank you Ian, for rescuing that poor gun and giving it a good home!
Like my dad and grandfather buying 2 HK model 300s for like 300 bucks back in the day because one was working and one was broken...well needless to say there is Few things Granddaddy could not fix.
Awesome shotgun Ian. My dad had one in standard configuration when I was a teen. Had a lot of fun with the old girl. Thanks for bringing back the memories.
We need more videos on Ian’s custom guns so they don’t become Forgotten Weapons
I now want one of those insanely badly. I grew up shooting a model 11 "sportsman" from ~1932 and that thing... is awesome.
Jesus: Turns water into wine...
Gun Jesus: Hold my beer.....!
Seriously though, that is one fine-looking and -working firearm you've got there, looks like LOTS of fun to shoot. You've turned a pig's ear into a fine silk purse (minor miracle #364)
I, for one, would love to see more of "Ian's Customs" and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone!!
I really enjoyed this video, hearing both historical context and more personal anecdotal context for why it is what it is was plenty enjoyable enough but taking it to the range to show it in action after giving that context really drove it home for me. I hope this becomes it's own series on the channel, even if it's only done irregularly whenever is convenient/fun for Ian to do. (Would love to see Karl in on this too if he has anything to share)
This gun looks astounding
Hey Dude! I kinda didn't expect a fellow guy from Discord!
@@shinmalpure2397 huh, where from?
@@PopeHeavy Hazbin Hotel discord?
@@shinmalpure2397 oh yeah. I am a bit surprised, because Im barely active there.
I really enjoyed this presentation. I get so caught up in your past presentations that I miss the current ones. Glad I caught this.
It is also really neat to see a gun that I might actually be able to find and reasonable price so I could own it! Even better!
Who's stupid enough to run 16 gauge, then not try to look up the gun and figure out if they're loading the wrong gauge?
The same people who cause Ruger to carve extremely long warnings into their barrels.
Did he mention 16 gauge i kinda tuned out
The "Red 9" Mauser pistols make a little more sense now. End users are dumb and can't be trusted with anything
Same people who put 300 Blackout in their 5.56 AR
Someone who was probably told its a "Sweet Sixteen" cuz those have a higher collector value
We can all appreciate the unique rifles and machine guns and pistols but there really is something just extra cool about a kickass shotgun
If Ian wears a frog top to the range then so will I
I'm glad you bought it from that guy. He doesn't sound like he should own old (rare) firearms.
Hunt showdown flashback
*Humming intensifies*
Yes, I love stuff like this where it takes some proper gunsmithing to complete a modification to improve the gun for a particular use. Reminds me of the 7mm BAR.