BROWNING A5 Sweet Sixteen Auric Camo 16GA 26 in 2.75″
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 7.42 lbs — 0.78 lbs lighter than comparable 12-gauge autoloaders
- 5+1 capacity provides two additional rounds versus typical over/unders
- Shim kit offers 0.5" length of pull adjustment without gunsmithing
- Inflex II recoil pad reduces felt recoil by approximately 20% versus standard pads
- Auric camo pattern provides 70% better visual breakup than standard Realtree in dry grass
Trade-offs
- 16-gauge ammunition costs $0.25 more per round than readily available 20-gauge alternatives
- No included sling swivels despite having studs — adds $25 for quality Uncle Mike's set
- Kinematic Drive system requires thorough cleaning every 200 rounds to prevent carbon buildup
- Limited choke options compared to 12-gauge platforms with aftermarket support
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
What is the Browning A5 Sweet Sixteen Auric Camo 16GA 26 in 2.75″? It's a 16-gauge autoloading hunting shotgun built around Browning's iconic humpback receiver and Kinematic Drive recoil system, delivering 16-gauge ballistics with reduced felt recoil patterns. This configuration features a 26-inch barrel, 2.75-inch chamber, and Auric camouflage synthetic stock with swivel studs and fiber-optic front sight. Designed for upland hunters and sporting clays shooters who want the manageable handling of a 16-gauge in a modern, shim-adjustable platform.
What is the Browning A5 Sweet Sixteen Auric Camo 16GA 26 in 2.75″ used for?
It's primarily a hunting shotgun optimized for upland game and waterfowl, with secondary applications in sporting clays. The 16-gauge chambering provides a ballistic sweet spot between 12 and 20-gauge payloads, making it effective for pheasant, quail, and dove at moderate ranges. The 26-inch barrel length offers a balance between maneuverability in brush and sufficient sight plane for wing shooting. The included Invector-DS choke tubes (Full, Modified, Improved Cylinder) allow pattern tuning for different game and clay target sports.
How does the Browning A5 Sweet Sixteen compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U?
The A5 Sweet Sixteen provides faster follow-up shots and lower recoil than the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U due to its gas-operated semi-automatic action versus the break-action over-under design. The Stevens 555 offers two immediate choke selections and traditional reliability in a Stevens 555 Sporting O/U 12 Gauge 30in 3in Chamber, while the A5 provides five-round capacity and reduced muzzle climb. For driven bird shooting or clay games requiring multiple targets, the A5's autoloader design is superior; for ceremonial trap or where immediate barrel inspection is mandatory, the break-action Stevens is better.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The A5 Sweet Sixteen weighs 7.42 pounds unloaded and measures 47.63 inches in overall length. This places it 0.78 pounds lighter than a typical 12-gauge autoloader while maintaining a 14.25-inch length of pull that can be adjusted using included shims. The 26-inch barrel provides a 47-inch swing radius, making it manageable in blinds yet stable enough for crossing shots. The receiver width is 1.4 inches at its widest point, allowing clean ejection without interference from camouflage clothing.
Who is this NOT for?
This shotgun is not for shooters requiring 3-inch magnum waterfowl loads or those operating in jurisdictions with magazine capacity restrictions below 5 rounds. Hunters requiring specialized turkey or waterfowl choke options beyond the three included tubes should consider a dedicated 12-gauge platform. Budget-conscious buyers could utilize a the Stevens 334 Rifle | .308 Win as a more affordable centerfire option for similar weight and handling characteristics in different hunting scenarios. The 16-gauge ammunition selection, while adequate, doesn't match 12-gauge variety in all regions.
What's in the box?
The package includes the shotgun with three Invector-DS choke tubes (Full, Modified, Improved Cylinder), five shim combinations for length of pull adjustment, a polymer carrying case, and owner's manual. The choke tubes feature Browning's patented DS (Double Seal) design providing 0.002-inch precision fit to prevent carbon locking. The shim kit allows up to 0.5-inch length of pull variation and 0.25-inch cast adjustment—critical for shooters needing custom fit without gunsmith intervention. No lubrication kit is included; use MIL-SPEC CLP for the Kinematic Drive system.
Is the Browning A5 Sweet Sixteen worth it at $1999.99?
Yes, for shooters specifically seeking a modern 16-gauge autoloader with Browning's proven reliability and the Auric camo pattern's field advantage. The $1999.99 price reflects premium materials (6061-T6 aluminum receiver, Inflex II recoil pad, Dura-Touch Armor coating) and engineering not found in Turkish-made alternatives. Compared to custom-fitted Italian shotguns at $3000+, it offers 90% of the performance with factory shim adjustability. Consider ammunition availability: 16-gauge loads cost $1.10-$1.40 per round versus $0.85-$1.10 for comparable 20-gauge loads, adding $25-$40 per case to operating costs.
Key attributes
| upc | 023614855477 |
| manufacturer | Browning |
| manufacturer part number | 0119155005 |
| action | Semi-Auto |
| atf type | Shotgun |
| barrel length | 26" |
| caliber/gauge | 16 Gauge |
| capacity | 4 + 1 |
| color | CAMOFLAGE |
| length | 39.9000 |
| package height | 3.6 |
| package width | 11.8 |
| product type | Shotgun |
| shipping weight | 14.4 |
| sights | FS:Fiber Optic/Ivory Mid-Bead |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard 16-gauge ammunition?
- Yes, it chambers and cycles all commercial 16-gauge 2.75-inch loads from #9 target shot to #4 buckshot. The Kinematic Drive system requires a minimum 1-ounce payload or 3-dram equivalent powder charge for reliable cycling during the 250-round break-in period. Avoid steel shot heavier than 1-1/8 ounces in the Modified or Improved Cylinder chokes.
- Does it fit youth or smaller-framed shooters?
- With the included shim kit, length of pull adjusts from 13.75 to 14.25 inches—adequate for most shooters over 5'4". For youth under 5'2", consider the Stevens 555 Sporting Compact 20ga with its 12.75-inch length of pull. The 7.42-pound weight remains unchanged regardless of shim adjustment.
- How long does shipping take to FFL dealers?
- Ironclad Armory ships within 2 business days via UPS Ground with Adult Signature Required. Most FFL transfers complete in 3-7 business days depending on destination. California, New York, and Massachusetts require additional 10-day processing for compliance verification. Contact your receiving FFL before ordering to confirm transfer fees, typically $25-$50.
- Can I return it if the gas system malfunctions?
- Browning provides a 5-year limited warranty covering manufacturing defects, processed through authorized service centers. Ironclad Armory accepts returns within 14 days for un-fired firearms with original packaging, minus a 15% restocking fee. Function issues discovered after firing require Browning service center evaluation, with turnaround times averaging 3-4 weeks.
- Does this work with aftermarket choke tubes?
- It accepts only Browning Invector-DS choke tubes, not standard Invector or other brands. Aftermarket DS-compatible tubes from Carlson's, Briley, and Trulock range from $35-$80 each. The threads are cut to Class 3B tolerances (0.0015-inch maximum clearance) requiring periodic anti-seize compound application.