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I have been looking to add a Sweet Sixteen to my A5 Light Twelve for some time now and have determined that the Sweet Sixteen is out of my price range. While shopping for the Sweet Sixteen I have come across a very nice standard A5 Belgian, 1961, that I am seriously considering. The gun is a 7 out of 10, no issues and no modification gun. This gun will not see a tremendous amount of use as I enjoy my Citori's for most shooting I do. My question is; how does the standard A5 stack up against the Sweet Sixteen and will I be sorry in the long run that I didn't hold out for a Sweet Sixteen? The price on the standard A5 is $575.
Thanks

Member Joined: 09 Jun 2005 Posts: 885 Location: Wisconsin

I think that there is only 6 07 0z. different between my 1932 Standard 16 and my Sweet from 62 with the 28 VR barrel.

what I like about the Sweet Sixteen is the name. The first time I saw one a friend was showing it to me. when he called it that I thought he was making it up. But there it was right in front of me cut in steel. It has a lot of connections for me. Mostly it is something you got to love.

Member Joined: 07 Jan 2013 Posts: 398 Location: Virginia

There is nothing wrong with a standard A5 16ga for $575, but I picked up a decent Sweet 16 for $650 plus shipping on Gunbroker last winter. Made in 1951, 26" IC barrel.

Many sellers want more than that for a Sweet, but I think there are still some good deals out there. As byrdog said, the name is what sold me - I saw my first one in 1967 and I never forgot how pretty it looked to me as a young man. It was way out of my price range then, but I always wanted one!

Member Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Posts: 3438 Location: Illinois

It sounds much better to say"I have a sweet 16"---Hold out save your pennies and keep looking.

Member Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 1257 Location: Nebraska

If you don't have it in mind that the gun must say Sweet on it, a standard gun should suit just fine. If the standard you are considering is choked as you wish, along with being sound and functioning properly, it sounds like a good deal that I think would make you happy. If possible, see if you can shoot it first.

If you're not going to shoot it much anyhow, what's the good of being able to say "I have a Sweet Sixteen.....at home" ? Smile

For several years I used a standard 16 then last year bought an unmarked lightweight 16. The standard gun had a lot of choke in its Full barrel, useful for some shooting and not so useful for other, and I traded it while keeping the Modified-choked lightweight. The only thing I wish my gun had was speed loading. A 1961 gun would have that.

Kirk

Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 196 Location: South Dakota

According the chart that I have posted below there is a 9 oz. difference between the Standard and the Sweet.

Member Joined: 19 Jan 2008 Posts: 680 Location: MAINE

I'd save for the ''SWEET'' .

Joined: 24 Dec 2009 Posts: 196 Location: South Dakota

Member Joined: 30 Nov 2011 Posts: 1696 Location: Minnesota

If money is a concern, consider the Savage 720 or the Rem 11, both A5 designs. My 26 inch plain barrel 720 weighs 7 lbs 4oz, virtually the same as the chart shows for a standard weight browning.

Joined: 19 Apr 2008 Posts: 477

In the same area are the early Rem 11-48's. Basically an A5 action but much cheaper. Usually in the $250-$300 range. I shot mine in SD last week and its a keeper.

Member Joined: 08 Jul 2013 Posts: 325

Art's Gun Shop has a selection of Auto-5s. Here is a good deal on a Sweet Sixteen.

http://artsgunshop.com/site_map_Gunroom_Shotguns_Detail.php?recordID=717

Thanks to all for the great advice. I have decided to stick with my original plan which is: Light Twelve, Sweet Sixteen, Light Twenty. In my opinion, these 3 are Holy Grail, no excuse Brownings and at the end of the day...why not wait until the right deal comes along for Holy Grail! If anyone knows of or has a Sweet Sixteen or Light Twenty that is reasonable...please pass along the information.
Marvin

Member Joined: 24 May 2008 Posts: 56 Location: N. Idaho

Good call Swift. For me it was worth the extra dollars for the Sweet Sixteen. Pay once, cry once.

Member Joined: 24 May 2008 Posts: 56 Location: N. Idaho

Here you go

http://www.armslist.com/posts/2334818/myrtle-beach-south-carolina-shotguns-for-sale--browning-sweet-sixteen-16ga-shotgun