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Newtonian_Guy
PostPosted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 11:10 am  Reply with quote



Joined: 23 Dec 2018
Posts: 55
Location: The Great Rustbelt, otherwise known as Northeastern Ohio

OK guys,.....What is so good about the Sweet Sixteen.

I have only used an 1100 in autos, and it messed with me with the action cycling.

Is the Belgian Browning better in its cycling? Does it kick more? Is it picky in shell usage? How hard to get parts and work on?

Will it fit most people?

I might have a chance to get a 1930s Sweet Sixteen in VERY good condition for $1500.

I know that they are investment guns now, but I shoot all of my weapons; not put them on a shelf to look at. Examples: Colt Ace early model, S&W model 41.

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df
PostPosted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 11:15 am  Reply with quote



Joined: 01 Oct 2007
Posts: 962
Location: Minnesota

I owned one of the newer Japan made SW16s. It was very reliable. You have to make adjustments of the friction rings for light vs heavy loads. The cycling of the SW16 is different and for me took some getting use to. I’m not an expert, but $1500 seems high.
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David Spear
PostPosted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 11:26 am  Reply with quote



Joined: 04 Apr 2018
Posts: 40
Location: ESKY

I don’t believe browning made the Sweet Sixteen that early. Be careful and don’t over pay
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David Spear
PostPosted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 11:40 am  Reply with quote



Joined: 04 Apr 2018
Posts: 40
Location: ESKY

I don’t believe browning made the Sweet Sixteen that early. Be careful and don’t over pay
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tramroad28
PostPosted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 12:08 pm  Reply with quote



Joined: 20 Jul 2011
Posts: 625
Location: Ohio..where ruffed grouse were

Newtonian_Guy wrote:
OK guys,.....What is so good about the Sweet Sixteen....

Is the Belgian Browning better in its cycling? Does it kick more? Is it picky in shell usage? How hard to get parts and work on?

Will it fit most people?

I might have a chance to get a 1930s Sweet Sixteen in VERY good condition for $1500.

I know that they are investment guns now, but I shoot all of my weapons; not put them on a shelf to look at. Examples: Colt Ace early model, S&W model 41.


1) That's in the eyes and mind.

2) Not really, can be.
3) Not really, it can.
4) Not really, can be.
5) Not difficult.....would be difficult for me.

6) Most shotguns do.

7) Hmmm....find a good Vet.

Eight) I would not call the commonly encountered Sweet 16 Auto 5s investment guns" but, some might.
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skeettx
PostPosted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 1:21 pm  Reply with quote
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Joined: 15 Apr 2007
Posts: 9455
Location: Amarillo, Texas

Smile
Tell me more about your ACE
I have and shoot one that is early
and before the floating chamber mod.


Plus I have an A-5 16 early gun and it
shoots great.

Mike

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Newtonian_Guy
PostPosted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 3:01 pm  Reply with quote



Joined: 23 Dec 2018
Posts: 55
Location: The Great Rustbelt, otherwise known as Northeastern Ohio

OK,.........

Mine is a younger vintage.

[img][URL=https://www.jpgbox.com/page/58798_600x400/] [/URL][/img]





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[img][/img]




[URL=https://www.jpgbox.com/page/58796_600x400/] [/URL]
[img][/img]

Was my Dad's pistol. He never shot it. Kept it for monetary value. Much like the S&W model 41.

Have taken it out to the range, and is surprisingly accurate. Feels good in the hand; much like a 1911, which it is except for bore. Have been told that I can buy a National Match upper and have a Colt National Match 1911 in 45 ACP?!?

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RGuill96971
PostPosted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 3:09 pm  Reply with quote



Joined: 21 Mar 2019
Posts: 519
Location: Texas

Way early for sweet sixteen. These 16’s do get more pricey, but 1500 is a very far stretch, even for a sweet sixteen. Unless it’s very rare like first year model 16, which it’s not, then wait for another that is priced about half of that. Last sweet sixteen I seen was 700 in good condition. Long recoil guns are different. If you grew up on one as I did, then there is nothing sweeter, however, if this is your first then chances are you won’t like the way it shoots. I would try to borrow one and see if you like it. If you do like the long recoil a5 it won’t be the last one you buy.
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Newtonian_Guy
PostPosted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 3:22 pm  Reply with quote



Joined: 23 Dec 2018
Posts: 55
Location: The Great Rustbelt, otherwise known as Northeastern Ohio

Thanks for your input. Have not shot long impulse autos. Was looking because of the many posts here and the glowing responses of the posters. Also the possible resale of a 30s Belgian Browning.

Guess I need to get my feet back on the ground.

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Zavasta M75 16 Bore
Ithaca NID 16 Bore
Fox Sterlingworth 16 Bore
Franchi Falconet O/U 12 Bore
2 Antonio Zoli Field Grade 12 Bore
Ithaca Model 100 12 Bore
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double vision
PostPosted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 4:19 pm  Reply with quote
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Take a look at a Remington Model 11. They are usually half the price of a Browning SW16, and they are a wonderful piece of Americana. Mine is a first year 16 and it shoots as well or better as any gun in my safe.

[URL=https://imageshack.com/i/poZWBr4Yj] [/URL]
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skeettx
PostPosted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 4:26 pm  Reply with quote
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Joined: 15 Apr 2007
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Location: Amarillo, Texas

Nice fun shooting Ace, what fun, what fun

And in Ohio, I feel sure there are some of our folks there, that
would meet you at a range and let you shoot their long recoil action for comparison.
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Newtonian_Guy
PostPosted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 8:08 pm  Reply with quote



Joined: 23 Dec 2018
Posts: 55
Location: The Great Rustbelt, otherwise known as Northeastern Ohio

That would be fun to try. At least get a feel for the beastie. I'm normally not an auto guy, but so many people here sing the praises of the Browning Beast that I thought I might try one.

_________________
To err is human; to forgive is not SAC policy.

Zavasta M75 16 Bore
Ithaca NID 16 Bore
Fox Sterlingworth 16 Bore
Franchi Falconet O/U 12 Bore
2 Antonio Zoli Field Grade 12 Bore
Ithaca Model 100 12 Bore
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wahoo
PostPosted: Wed Jan 08, 2020 1:13 pm  Reply with quote



Joined: 22 Jan 2015
Posts: 345

Hey OP, I’ll throw my hat into this conversation and start out by saying I’m a recent convert to the Belgium SW16 lover’s club. I’m no expert, but did a lot of research last year on the Belgium made pre-Japan Auto 5’s. Here are a few key points I picked up:

1. Not all Browning A5s in 16ga. are Sweet 16’s. There’s a “Standard” 16ga version which is about a quarter pound heavier than the SW16.
2. Standard 16ga A5s and SW16 A5s both use an action which is shorter than the 12ga model. Unlike the A5 clones built by FN and Remington, which use the same 12ga sized action on their 16ga model.
3. The SW16 type special components on some versions of A5s began in the 30’s, but were not marked Sweet 16 on the action. That official designation came in the late 40’s.
4. A5s prior to about 1948, and which had the same configuration as the “official” sweet 16’s that came along later, are often called stealth SW16’s since they are not engraved as such on the action. These can usually be had for the same as a standard (heavier) 16ga A5 since most folks don’t recognize them for what they really are. Those models with “Sweet Sixteen” engraved on the action, generally sale higher than the standards and stealth versions for same condition.
5. Watch out with the pre-WWII models! Most going back to early 1900s were shorter chambering in 2 9/16" rather than 2 3/4”. Many have been modified to accept 2 3/4” shells though.
6. Art’s Gunshop is a good resource for Browning A5 info.
7. There are physical differences easily seen btwn a standard 16ga A5 and a SW16 configured 16ga A5, beyond the engraving of Sweet Sixteen on the rcvr. Pics explain best, but every SW16 configured model will have weight reduction holes in the barrel ring, and milled out scallopes on the bottom inside of receiver. A hollow is bored out in the butt stock too.
8. I picked up a 1947 steath SW16. Why it’s called sweet became obvious to me the first time I shot it! Recoil is neglageable, balance is spot on, fit and finish are artistic.

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1929 Thomas Bland 16ga SxS 28"
1947 Browning A5 16ga 28"
1948 BRNO 16ga SxS 27.5"
1949 Stevens 530 16ga SxS 28"
1950 Stevens 311A 12ga SxS 30"
1952 BRNO 12ga SxS 28.25"
1963 Superposed O/U 12ga 27"
1968 V Bernardelli SxS 12ga 28"
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fn16ga
PostPosted: Wed Jan 08, 2020 3:23 pm  Reply with quote
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Joined: 09 Jan 2013
Posts: 2165
Location: Florida

Yes they actually started making the Sweet Sixteen in 1936 thur 1939 and production started again in 1948 after the war . The earlier guns from 1936 till the middle of 1948 where unmarked ( not engraved with SWEET SIXTEEN ) . Prewar guns where 2 9/16" chambers and post war 1948 guns are 2 3/4" chambers.

Edited : they all where built with gold triggers.

Unmarked guns are rarer and sometimes bring a premium price depending on condition. That is if the seller knows what they have.


Last edited by fn16ga on Thu Jan 09, 2020 9:17 am; edited 2 times in total
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16gaDavis
PostPosted: Thu Jan 09, 2020 8:57 am  Reply with quote



Joined: 24 Jun 2013
Posts: 2062
Location: canandaigua - western n.y. (formerly deerhunter)

Or , get a 48 sportsman and sit it next to your 1100 , they'll get along great !! 1100 looks with an A5 action !! Less money .

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