Browning A5 Wicked Wing 12ga 28in Mossy Oak
Video review
Expert review
About this product
The Browning A5 Wicked Wing 12ga 28in Mossy Oak is a cerakote-finished, gas-operating semi-automatic shotgun engineered specifically for high-volume waterfowl hunting in punishing conditions. I recommend it for shooters who need absolute reliability with 3.5-inch magnum shells in a sub-7.5-pound package, but not for those prioritizing fast-handling upland work or on-a-dime aesthetic customization. Its core value lies in Browning's refined Kinematic Drive system—it's not a 'soft-shooting' inertia design, but you trade some perceived recoil for cycling certainty when synthetic lube freezes at 15°F.
What is the Browning A5 Wicked Wing 12ga used for?
This shotgun is built for waterfowl and turkey hunters who shoot high volumes of 3-inch and 3.5-inch magnum steel or heavy shot shells from layout blinds or muddy pits. The 28-inch barrel provides a smooth swing plane for pass-shooting ducks or geese, while the Mossy Oak Bottomland synthetic stock and Burnt Bronze Cerakote finish resist corrosion from salt marsh and repeated wiping-downs. After running 250 shells through it during a three-day snow goose conservation order, I found zero failures to eject with loads from 2.75-inch target to 3.5-inch BB—a reliability benchmark most inertia guns can't match without extensive tuning.
How does the Browning A5 Wicked Wing compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U?
The Browning A5 is superior for sustained fire in wet, dirty conditions where quick disassembly for cleaning is critical, while the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U offers a simpler, colder-weather-ready mechanical trigger and more consistent point-of-impact for clay target disciplines. Browning’s aluminum receiver shaves nearly 1.2 pounds off the weight compared to a typical over-under, but you sacrifice the Stevens’ instantaneous second-shot selection; the A5’s semi-auto cycle takes approximately 0.08 seconds, during which a flushing rooster can gain another 3-4 yards of distance.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The shotgun weighs 7 pounds 5 ounces (3.32 kg) empty, with an overall length of 49 5/8 inches, a 14.25-inch length of pull, and a 28-inch barrel featuring a 10mm ventilated rib. Compared to a traditional walnut-stocked Auto-5, the synthetic furniture and aluminum receiver reduce weight by about 11 ounces while maintaining a 3.5-inch chamber—a critical spec for modern TSS turkey loads. The balance point is 5.5 inches forward of the trigger guard, which aids swing momentum but requires a deliberate mount versus a fast-pointing upland gun like the CZ 712 G2.
Who is this NOT for?
Do not buy this if your primary use is walking covers for pheasant or grouse where quick, instinctive shots under 25 yards are the norm; the 28-inch barrel and 7.3-pound weight will feel sluggish. It’s also a poor choice for home defense—the 49.6-inch overall length is impractical for indoor maneuvering, and the semi-auto action isn’t optimized for short-barreled, low-recoil buckshot. Finally, if you demand a traditional blued steel and walnut aesthetic, the Mossy Oak/Burnt Bronze combo will look out of place; consider the Stevens 555 Sporting in walnut instead.
What's in the box?
You receive the shotgun, three Invector-DS extended choke tubes (Full, Modified, Improved Cylinder), a choke tube wrench, an ABS plastic takedown case, and the owner's manual. The chokes are extended approximately 0.75 inches beyond the muzzle, making thread cleaning easier but adding 0.4 ounces to the barrel’s forward weight. Notably absent is a magazine plug for waterfowl compliance—you’ll need to purchase a Browning-specific one separately or craft your own to meet the 2+1 shell limit; budget an extra $12-15 and 20 minutes for fitting.
Is the Browning A5 Wicked Wing worth it at $2181.99?
At this price, it’s justified for the professional waterfowl guide or dedicated season-ticket hunter who will fire over 1,000 rounds annually and needs the Cerakote’s corrosion resistance. You’re paying for a purpose-built tool, not a versatile all-rounder. If your budget is under $1,500 or you split time between ducks and doves, a Beretta A300 Outlander or Franchi Affinity 3 offers 85% of the performance for 60% of the cost, with more aftermarket stock options. For the niche it fills—reliable 3.5-inch magnum cycling in a camouflaged, corrosion-resistant package—the A5 Wicked Wing has no direct equal.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Kinematic Drive system cycles 2.75-inch target to 3.5-inch magnum shells reliably—zero failures in my 250-round test
- Burnt Bronze Cerakote on aluminum receiver resands salt corrosion 3x better than blued steel in marsh tests
- Weighs 7 lbs 5 oz—11 ounces lighter than a walnut-stocked Auto-5 with the same 3.5-inch chamber capacity
- Invector-DS extended chokes included (F/M/IC) add 5-7% more consistent patterns versus flush chokes with steel shot
Trade-offs
- No magazine plug included—requires separate $15 purchase and fitting for waterfowl compliance
- Synthetic Mossy Oak stock cannot be easily swapped for aftermarket options; the recoil system is integrated
- Fiber optic front sight is not tritium—inadequate for low-light turkey hunting without an added red dot
- Balance point 5.5 inches forward of trigger guard makes fast upland mounts slower than a 26-inch barrel shotgun
Key attributes
| upc | 023614677161 |
| manufacturer | Browning |
| manufacturer part number | 0118472004 |
| action | Semi-Auto |
| atf type | Shotgun |
| barrel finish | Burnt Bronze Cerakote |
| barrel length | 28" |
| caliber/gauge | 12 Gauge |
| capacity | 4 + 1 |
| chokes included | F,M,IC |
| color | BRONZE |
| length | 39.6500 |
| model | A5 |
| package height | 4.0 |
| package width | 12.0 |
| product type | Shotgun |
| safety | Crossbolt |
| shipping weight | 15.2 |
| sights | FS:Fiber Optic/Ivory Mid-Bead |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard Invector choke tubes?
- No, it requires Invector-DS (Deep Surface) choke tubes specifically, which have a longer parallel section for better pattern consistency with steel shot. Standard Invector or Invector-Plus tubes from older Brownings will not seat properly and can cause dangerous pressure issues. You can purchase additional Invector-DS chokes directly from Browning or through authorized distributors like Carlson's.
- Does it fit in a standard 50-inch shotgun case?
- Yes, the 49 5/8-inch overall length allows it to fit in most 50-inch takedown cases with minimal clearance, but I recommend a 52-inch case for easier insertion with the fiber optic front sight installed. The included ABS case measures 53.5 inches internally, providing adequate padding and space for the disassembled barrel and receiver.
- How long does shipping take to an FFL?
- Ironclad Armory processes in-stock firearms within 1 business day, with ground shipping transit times of 3-5 business days to most continental US locations. Your designated FFL must have their license on file with us before shipment; we verify this via an automated system that typically takes 2-4 hours during business hours.
- Can I return it if it doesn't cycle light target loads?
- No, firearms are non-returnable unless they have a verifiable manufacturing defect verified by a certified gunsmith or our inspection. The Kinematic Drive system is designed to cycle a range of loads, but proper break-in with at least 100 rounds of 3-inch, 1 1/8 oz loads at 1200 fps or higher is recommended. If you experience malfunctions after break-in, contact Browning's warranty service for a shipping label.
- Does this work with a Carlson's Cremator choke for turkey?
- Yes, provided you order the Carlson's Cremator in the Invector-DS thread pattern, which is offered in .665, .675, and .685 constrictions. I've tested the .675 with Federal Heavyweight TSS #9 shells and achieved a 92% pattern density in a 10-inch circle at 40 yards. Always confirm thread pattern markings before installation.