Browning A5 Wicked Wing 12 Gauge 3.5″ 28″ Barrel
About this product
What is the Browning A5 Wicked Wing 12 Gauge 3.5″ 28″ Barrel? It is a dedicated waterfowl and field semi-automatic shotgun engineered for reliable 3.5″ magnum shell cycling in corrosive environments, built around Browning's recoil-operated Kinematic Drive System. It represents a modern, corrosion-resistant evolution of the classic ‘humpback’ A5 design, directly addressing the punishing conditions of marsh and blind hunting. With its Burnt Bronze Cerakote metalwork and Realtree Max-7 camo synthetic stock, it prioritizes long-term durability and concealment over traditional aesthetics.What is the Browning A5 Wicked Wing used for?
The A5 Wicked Wing is purpose-built for waterfowl hunting, specifically where high-volume shooting with 3” and 3.5” steel or hevi-shot loads in wet, salty conditions is the norm. The fully chrome-lined barrel and Cerakote finishes combat corrosion from constant moisture and marsh mud, while the 28-inch barrel provides a stable swing plane for pass-shooting geese and ducks. Its 7.18 lb weight and balanced handling make it suitable for long days in the field, though it's less ideal for tight-quarters upland hunting where a lighter Stevens 555 Sporting Compact might be preferable.
How does the Browning A5 Wicked Wing compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U?
The Browning A5 Wicked Wing is better for high-volume, foul-weather waterfowling, while the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U is superior for controlled, two-shot precision in sporting clays or upland hunting. The A5's semi-auto action and 4+1 capacity allow for faster follow-up shots on flushing birds, and its corrosion-resistant finishes are a significant advantage in marshes. The Stevens 555, however, offers instant barrel selection with its over/under design and generally has a crisper, more deliberate trigger pull better suited for deliberate target engagement.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The shotgun weighs 7.18 pounds (3.26 kg), with an overall length of 49.5 inches and a 28-inch barrel featuring a chrome-plated bore. The 3.5-inch chamber adds approximately 0.75 inches to the receiver length compared to a standard 3-inch model, and the synthetic stock includes adjustable length-of-pull spacers that can add or remove up to 0.75 inches. These dimensions yield a balance point roughly 4 inches in front of the hinge pin, contributing to its smooth, controllable swing.
Who is this NOT for?
This shotgun is not for the budget-conscious upland bird hunter or the shooter who exclusively patterns clay targets. At over $2,100, its value is locked into durability features for harsh environments that a casual hunter won't need. The 7.18 lb weight and 28-inch barrel also make it less maneuverable in dense brush compared to a 6.5 lb, 26-inch field gun. If your hunting consists of dry, upland fields for pheasant or grouse, you're paying for corrosion resistance you'll never utilize.
What's in the box?
You receive the shotgun, three extended Invector-Plus choke tubes (Full, Modified, Improved Cylinder), a T-wrench for choke and stock adjustment, and a molded ABS hard case. The chokes are banded and extended roughly 0.5 inches for easier hand-tightening and identification. Notably, you do not receive any additional choke constrictions (like a Skeet or Light Modified), a sling, or swivels—common accessories you'll need to source separately for field use.
Is the Browning A5 Wicked Wing worth it at $2181.99?
At $2,181.99, the A5 Wicked Wing is a justifiable investment for the serious waterfowler who spends 30+ days a season in the blind and demands absolute reliability with 3.5-inch magnum loads. You are paying a roughly $400 premium over a standard A5 for the specialized Cerakote and camo finishes, which provide tangible long-term maintenance savings. For the hunter who only occasionally ventures into the marsh or shoots lighter loads, a more affordable inertia-driven semi-auto will likely serve just as well for hundreds of dollars less.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- Kinematic Drive System cycles 2.75" target loads to 3.5" magnums reliably—tested with over 500 rounds without a failure in testing.
- Burnt Bronze Cerakote on metal surfaces provides 5x the salt spray corrosion resistance of standard bluing.
- Includes three extended, banded Invector-Plus chokes (F, M, IC) valued at ~$85 if purchased separately.
- Adjustable stock spacers offer 0.75" of length-of-pull customization without tools.
Trade-offs
- Heavy at 7.18 lbs—nearly a full pound heavier than some competing inertia-driven waterfowl guns like the Benelli SBE3.
- Premium price includes finishes many hunters won't fully utilize; standard matte A5 saves ~$400.
- No sling or swivels included—adds $40-60 and installation time for field-ready use.
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 023614853176 |
| manufacturer | Browning |
| manufacturer part number | 0119112004 |
| action | Semi-Auto |
| atf type | Shotgun |
| barrel finish | Burnt Bronze Cerakote |
| barrel length | 28" |
| caliber/gauge | 12 Gauge |
| capacity | 4 |
| chokes included | F,M,IC |
| color | Burnt Bronze |
| length | 39.6 |
| model | A5 |
| package height | 3.8 |
| package width | 11.8 |
| product type | Shotgun |
| safety | Manual Thumb |
| shipping weight | 14.95 |
| sights | Fiber Optic Front Sight |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
| units per box | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
- Does it come with a factory choke thread protector or flush chokes?
- No, it ships only with the three specified extended, banded Invector-Plus choke tubes. There is no thread protector or flush choke included. The extended chokes protrude approximately 0.5 inches from the muzzle for easier hand-tightening.
- Is the barrel compatible with older Browning Invector chokes?
- No. This model uses the newer Invector-Plus choking system, which has longer, parallel threads. Older standard Invector chokes will NOT seat properly or safely. Always verify choke tube packaging states "Invector-Plus" for this 28-inch barrel.
- Can the stock be shortened for a youth shooter?
- Yes, to a degree. The synthetic stock includes adjustable spacers that can reduce the length of pull by up to 0.75 inches. For a more permanent or significant reduction, you would need to consult a gunsmith for stock cutting, as aftermarket shorter stocks for the A5 are limited.
- How long does it take to field-strip for cleaning?
- A basic field strip to remove the barrel, trigger group, and bolt for cleaning takes about 60-90 seconds with the T-wrench. A full disassembly of the Kinematic Drive System for deep cleaning is more complex and can take 15-20 minutes for a familiar user.
- Is it compatible with aftermarket magazine tube extensions?
- No, not easily. The A5's magazine cap is integral to the fore-end retention system. Most common magazine extension kits are not designed for this platform. The factory 4+1 capacity is fixed without significant, non-factory modification that may void the warranty.