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Joined: 19 Nov 2014 Posts: 3

My Sweet Sixteen is becoming unsafe due to the safety spring being to light. Is there somewhere a u-tube or a book that shows disassembly and what should a new spring be. Perhaps I should take it to a gunsmith but I feel I should be able to fix it myself. Had the gun for over 50 years and don't want to retire it yet.

Member Joined: 08 Jul 2013 Posts: 325

The Auto-5 safety was changed to a cross bolt type in 1951, and slightly modified in 1960. Assuming you've got the latest type, parts are available from Midwest Gun Works. They also have a free Field Service Manual to download. It states the problem is a either a burr on the trigger plate, a worn safety, or a weak trigger spring. I'd guess it's the spring.

The safety, detent ball, and trigger spring are all easy to replace. Just use a magnet to keep the ball from flying off to parts unknown.

http://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/ctgy/browning-auto-5

Art's Gun Shop has posted videos on YouTube:
https://m.youtube.com/user/ArtIsaacson

Joined: 19 Nov 2014 Posts: 3

Checked out the website and the youtube. Good stuff. Thank you very much for the input

Hello hertrich
Please to have you on board and making your first post
Please let us know as to your progress
WELCOME
Mike

Member Joined: 08 Jul 2013 Posts: 325

Hetrich:

I forgot to mention, you need very thin screwdrivers to take your Auto-5 apart. This set is available from MGW:

http://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/prod/gunsmithing-screwdrivers/HG-5

I have never had an A5 with a "too tight" safety. The modern rear safety seem smother than the front safety. Some are a lot tighter than others. I did have a model 37 that was too tight. It was bound up with crud and surface rust. A good cleaning, steel wool and light lube may free it up.

Another addition to rudolph31's post is make sure you clean out the screw slot before you try and remove it. a small X-acto blade is what I use. Its amazing how much dirt can get into those thin slots.

Member Joined: 08 Jul 2013 Posts: 325

Coulda swore I heard him say tight. Ive never had an A5 that was too light. Some are darker than others ....

Joined: 19 Nov 2014 Posts: 3

I was scared off by the warnings to only use a gunsmith for repairs. I took the gun to a local gunsmith. he said that the safety felt OK to him. He could not make it much tighter. I will have to be more careful when hunting with it.

Member Joined: 08 Jul 2013 Posts: 325

I was a little intimidated by the prospect of disassembling my first Auto-5. So I took a lot of pictures and labeled each piece as I followed the directions. It turned out to be no big deal; the big difference is that the Auto-5 uses screws instead of pins to hold things together.

I haven't had much luck with "gunsmiths". Actually, I haven't had any luck, so I do it myself when I can. And replacing parts is right up my alley. The MGW site warns that all parts need to be fitted, but I've found that the vast majority just drop in. Especially when most of the parts that need replacing are springs and screws.

If you're uncomfortable with the safety on your shotgun, there's no reason to take the word of someone who probably hasn't read the manual that it can't be fixed. I'd order the trigger spring and a couple of detent balls (in case you lose one) and fix it. You don't even need to disassemble it very far. Just remove the butt stock and trigger plate. Here's a link that might help:

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=261840&sid=e9bb0d136650bb774cff80fea346e4cd

Morningstar--Thanks for the laugh!