Browning unveils new line of "Sweet Sixteen" A5s at SHOT Show.
They say what's old is new again and that seems to be the case at Browning as they revealed a brand-new lineup of 16-gauge shotguns in their iconic A5 autoloading platform. The A5 of course is a classic hunting shotgun platform, iconic for both its appearance with the humpback receiver and performance in the field.
Browning unveiled several eight new variants on the Sweet Sixteen at SHOT. There's a look and finish for almost anyone's tastes here. At the same time the 16-gauge offers the ideal compromise for the hunter who wants performance similar to a 12-guage in a package that's closer to a 20 gauge in the weight department.
These shotguns feature either a 26 or 28-inch barrel and come with full, modified, and improve cylinder Invector choke tubes. The A5 Sweet Sixteen has a Inflex recoil pad technology much like other Browning shotguns. These new A5s take advantage of Browning's Kinematic Drive system which the company guarantees for 100,000 rounds or five years.
The variant that gained most of the attention at SHOT was the A5 Ultimate Sweet Sixteen and it's easy to see why. Browning gave this shotgun a beautiful oil gloss Turkish walnut stock and forend, a satin nickel-plated receiver, and high gloss barrel finish. Browning is clearly trying to harken back to classic hunting guns looking like a work of art. Despite the old-school look, Browning says this gun only weighs five pounds, 14 ounces.
They are also offering a new Lightning Sweet Sixteen that also features a Turkish Walnut stock and forend. This shotgun has a polished black receiver and high gloss barrel. It comes in at just five pounds 12 ounces and is almost too pretty to carry into the field.
However, Browning didn't forget about the dedicated hunters here. They are also offering the new Sweet Sixteen A5s in Mossy Oak Bottomland, Realtree Max-7, and Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Habitat. There are variants with and without the camo pattern extending to the receiver. Browning is also offering an upland version with a classic Turkish walnut and forend configuration, and a gloss blued barrel. This version is offered with a 26 or 28-inch barrel with an Invector-DS Flush choke system. At five pounds, 12 ounces, it should be a joy to carry in the field all day chasing pheasants or quail.
One last notable addition to the Sweet Sixteen line is their Wicked Wing edition in Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Habitat and Realtree Max-7. Browning took a lot of the features that made the 12-gauge Wicked Wings models so popular and downsized them for 16 gauge.
The Wicked Wings models come with Invector-DS Flush chokes in full, modified, and improved, fiber optic front sights, and an ivory mid-bead. This one is going to be tough against the elements thanks to the burnt bronze Cerakote finish. It should prove popular with waterfowlers and comes in at seven pounds, three ounces.
For more information on the new Browning Sweet Sixteens, visit their website. And keep it here at Wide Open Spaces as we bring the latest coverage from SHOT Show.
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