I am thinking of a new autoloading shotgun. I have narrowed it down possibly to the Benelli M2 and the Browning A5, due to the best fit for me. I have never owned a A5 but have heard about jamming with the older gas system, but the new one is apparently fitted with a inertia type system, similar to the Benelli?

My father has a Benelli SBE so I have shot that a number of times. The M2 is similar but doesn't use the 3 1/2 inch shells. Other than that, any opinions out there from anyone who has shot one or the other (or both)??

Old A-5 system wasn't gas. It was recoil and if friction rings are set properly, mine rarely (as in NEVER) jammed.
Unsure about the new A-5. They are different animals.
The 3" M2 super 90 is an awesome shotgun. It eats and spits anything from 2 3/4" skeet loads to 3" turkey loads without a hiccup.

Both shotguns are inertia driven, which is a recoil system patented by Benelli. The patents have expired and Browning is offering a very similar system in the new A5.

Both are nice shotguns and your decision will probably come down to preference instead of technical merits.

Great, thanks for the information. I will try to find a gun shop that has them both so I can try them out side by side.

The local Cabelas here had both of these shotguns in stock, although in both in the full camo configurations. Both guns fit me personally quite well. The raised rib of the Benelli and the humpback design of the Browning serve to bring the gun up to my eye when mounting the gun. The Browning was a bit heavier than the Benelli. The M2 is about $200 cheaper. So, price may end up be the biggest determining factor.

Ewww.

Blue and wood all the way, black a waaay distant 2nd place, and I'd throw rocks before buying a camo shotgun.

The Benelli Montefeltro is slightly cheaper than the M2 and every bit the shotgun.

Will the Montefeltro take 3 inch shells? I don't need 3 1/2 but 3 inch would be nice.

Yep, 3-inch max for the Montefeltro. The Montefeltro also uses a low rib, which is a lot different than the M2 and A5 you've been looking at. Some guys have trouble adjusting to a low rib. Overall I prefer the Montefeltro. I don't hunt waterfowl and the Montefeltro handles more like an upland gun to me.

The benelli has shims for the stock so you can chage the drop of the stock.

So if you shot a bit low, you can adjust it and bright the pattern higher.

Yep, and so does the new A5.

If your intended purpose is waterfowl and/or clays, I'd pick the heavier gun.

It will be a general purpose gun. I will use it for upland/waterfowl and the occasional blue rock/sporting clays. I admittedly do not hunt birds as much as big game/rifle hunting and I have a Ithaca Mag 10 and O/U 10 ga. for the waterfowl and turkey hunting if I want to. I also use the 10 gauges for calling coyotes sometimes.

I've used a 12 gauge Montefeltro for years. I've fed it everything from 7/8 ounce target loads to 3" steel shot magnums. Feeds and ejects everything without a hitch.

IMHO the Benelli is the gold standard.

Finally found a M2 synthetic for $1125.00, is that about what you see them going for?

I have a Benelli M1 and an M2 both in 12 gauge. I am on the look out always for a real nice A5. I love both guns A5 has a bit more character but they are both superb semi's. Good Luck

I shot the A5 in Argentina with Browning on a High Volume hunt; not really the type of shooting it was designed for but we went to test its limits.

It performed very well. I have the original Auto-5 as well handed down from my Grandfather. I used it a lot during my kid days from quail, doves to Waterfowl. It was great

The new A5 is great and brought back the memories of the Auto-5 for me. I love the humpback sighting plane

It has been improved so much with the new choke system that seals out gas, bolt locking, adjustability of the stock, and recoil pad. It's also guarantied for 100,000 rounds, easy to break down and clean.

Perfect for a general use hunting shotgun

I ended up going with a synthetic M2 as it seemed to fit a bit better and was cheaper to boot. Have not actually shot it yet.

I own a Belgian Light 12. It's spring-friction ring operated. It ain't never jammed. And it shoots where it's pointed.

Yes and I have the Benelli due to weight