browning A500

Question
I have a Browning A500 12 gauge shotgun I bought at a D.U. auction...It has never been fired and has a hard plastic case with the D.U. markings on it and the gun is engraved with it also. Has the 3 chokes...# 89DU001416. Can you tell me the history and worth of the gun...Thanks Alan

Answer
Alan,

If you have read any of my previous "DU Gun" answers you may already have some idea of my response.

If not, Lets first cover the "value" of any DU gun (actually it doesn't even need to be DU, it could be Pheasants Forever, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation, etc. etc.)

Many people automatically assume that because it is a limited edition conservation gun, that it is worth hundreds more. Sometimes (not often enough) this will actually be the case however, in my experience it is more the exception than the rule.

Unless you happen to locate a DU gun collector or a huge fan of the Browning A500 or both, the value of the gun is merely whatever that make and model would be worth without the "DU" equation. This is not always the case, I've seen some DU dinner guns sell for several thousand dollars but that was at DU events where the "right" customers happened to be.

I recall when we had the gun in question at our DU banquets and there was a lot of interest in them at the time and some of the prices that we received reflected that.

DU had the Browning A500 (R= recoil operated and G= gas operated) as a specially engraved dinner gun in 1989/1990. The A500G is a self adjusting gas operated semi-auto 12ga. shotgun. It was available in 26", 28", or 30" vent ribbed barrels. The gun has a 3" chamber and can fire either the 2 3/4" or 3" shells without adjustment. The A500R is the same shotgun except that it operates on a short recoil design.

The A-500 (not necessarily DU or other "limited" version) in good condition would have an approximate retail value of $400. IF (there is that word!) you had an interested collector it may add several hundred $$ to that figure. With the right buyer, gun unfired with original box and paper-work, you could be looking at an average of $750 retail for the gun. The trick is locating one of those special buyers.

I hope this helps and thank you for the question Alan.

Sid Lark