browning, 425 V 525

Help Support :

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Jim Wheeler

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 11, 2014
Messages
904
 I now have my certificate,so need a gun! I had a 425gts for 12 years, with almost no trouble, but I am wary of buying s/hand, so  I feel a 525 will be ok.  sporting use, 30 in barrels.

the questions I have are, do browning make all their stocks the same, since 325, 425,525,, all look similar? stock length of 375mm, comb ,36mm, heel, 56mm. no variation on this?

also, any drawbacks to the 525?

 reason I ask is I would like to support a local dealer, but he will have to get a 525 specially, and I might not like it.(which is a bit unfair on him)

I can go to a number of gunshops,, but as I said,,,,

so the crux of all this ,is will the fit of a standard 525 be the same as the older 425? advice appreciated.

 
 I now have my certificate,so need a gun! I had a 425gts for 12 years, with almost no trouble, but I am wary of buying s/hand, so  I feel a 525 will be ok.  sporting use, 30 in barrels.

the questions I have are, do browning make all their stocks the same, since 325, 425,525,, all look similar? stock length of 375mm, comb ,36mm, heel, 56mm. no variation on this?

also, any drawbacks to the 525?

 reason I ask is I would like to support a local dealer, but he will have to get a 525 specially, and I might not like it.(which is a bit unfair on him)

I can go to a number of gunshops,, but as I said,,,,

so the crux of all this ,is will the fit of a standard 525 be the same as the older 425? advice appreciated.
The fit isn't important because the first thing you should do is get it properly fitted to you by taking it to a good specialist gun fitter. The feel of the gun, the weight, the balance, if you like the look of it, barrel length etc are the things that are more important factors when deciding on which gun to buy as they are things that you cant change easily or cheaply, or at all.

 
thanks for that.

in fact I do the 'fitting' myself, which is why I specifically asked if its a 'standard' with browning?,, the pitch and length are easy to change,

comb and cast are my concern,,, I really don't want to have those changed, even by an expert. I have owned a browning for years, I have shot countless other makes,,,,

so I feel I want what  I want,,,,,if you understand my position?

at my level these days, I cannot justify a custom Perazzi  ,,not enough time,, ability, or cash!

 
thanks for that.

in fact I do the 'fitting' myself, which is why I specifically asked if its a 'standard' with browning?,, the pitch and length are easy to change,

comb and cast are my concern,,, I really don't want to have those changed, even by an expert. I have owned a browning for years, I have shot countless other makes,,,,

so I feel I want what  I want,,,,,if you understand my position?

at my level these days, I cannot justify a custom Perazzi  ,,not enough time,, ability, or cash!
If you want to do the fitting yourself why not just get an adjustable butt plate. I have one on my gun due to requiring a monte carlo effect stock. This will allow you to alter cast and drop without too much expense. An adjustable comb is about £120 and i have one of these too and i swear by it. Combine both of these two and you have a completely adjustable stock. :)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/170570010943?hlpht=true&ops=true&viphx=1&lpid=95&device=c&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=95

 
Last edited by a moderator:
I now have my certificate,so need a gun! I had a 425gts for 12 years, with almost no trouble, but I am wary of buying s/hand, so I feel a 525 will be ok. sporting use, 30 in barrels.

the questions I have are, do browning make all their stocks the same, since 325, 425,525,, all look similar? stock length of 375mm, comb ,36mm, heel, 56mm. no variation on this?

also, any drawbacks to the 525?

reason I ask is I would like to support a local dealer, but he will have to get a 525 specially, and I might not like it.(which is a bit unfair on him)

I can go to a number of gunshops,, but as I said,,,,

so the crux of all this ,is will the fit of a standard 525 be the same as the older 425? advice appreciated.
I would think you would be fine, I have used quite a few Mirokus and Brownings of all ages and they have all fit me exactly the same whether 25 years old or brand new. I bought a new 525 last year and it is just the same as my brothers 25 year old 7000 and my 10 year old Mk60.

 
I'm not too sure about the stock dimensions, but the newer (about 2011 onwards) 525's have lighter barrels, longer forcing cones and Invector + Chokes. According to Michael Yardley the Grade 1 is one of the best guns (for the money) you can buy.  

A quick check on guntrader seems to suggest the older 425 guns are almost the same price as newer 525's.

If you want to try a 525, my advice would be to pop along to pretty much any shoot. Just about every other gun there will be a 525. 

 
thankyou  finners and johnny! what I was looking for is a confirmation that a 525 is physically similar to earlier models. i'll do my own mods,,,, I hate monticarlos and' adjust this, move that' stocks. plain and simple is just that.

I shoot gun down for all that I shoot, different for OT, DT, etc. but not my scene!

will go past haywards next week.

 
Can't pass an opinion on the dimension similarities, but I bought a 525, 28" barrels new from a local gunsmith and I am very happy with it...does all I want and will always be a better gun than I am shooter !!

Incidentally, the gunsmith specially ordered two in for me to take my pick, one had nicer wood than the other. :hunter:

 
thankyou  finners and johnny! what I was looking for is a confirmation that a 525 is physically similar to earlier models. i'll do my own mods,,,, I hate monticarlos and' adjust this, move that' stocks. plain and simple is just that.

I shoot gun down for all that I shoot, different for OT, DT, etc. but not my scene!

will go past haywards next week.
They are great for doing your own setup or fine tuning but when you have it set correctly/to you liking, tighten everything up and throw away the tool for changing it! :) Then you have the best of both worlds! But if you don't like the look of it then it's never going to be for you.

 
Why not buy a 425? Cracking gun available with the invector or invector+ tubes. Wood being a natural material always have some variation.

 
mike , that's about right, the aesthetics  are not so important to me, clean lines give less to worry about, I am more concerned for reliability than looks!

as for a 425, no problem with one of those, I just assumed that they are not available anymore,, and the 525 is a replacement or improved version. 

note that  I am not keen on s/hand, ,(,reliability again!)

and also,,, a s/h 425 is about the same as a 525.which at cheapest, is 1250quid,,and up ? correct me if I'm wrong,, I am not up to speed on uk prices and availability yet!

 
mike , that's about right, the aesthetics  are not so important to me, clean lines give less to worry about, I am more concerned for reliability than looks!

as for a 425, no problem with one of those, I just assumed that they are not available anymore,, and the 525 is a replacement or improved version. 

note that  I am not keen on s/hand, ,(,reliability again!)

and also,,, a s/h 425 is about the same as a 525.which at cheapest, is 1250quid,,and up ? correct me if I'm wrong,, I am not up to speed on uk prices and availability yet!
A friend of mine has a 425 and its a good gun but i have a 525 with back bored barrel, multichoke and it's a dedicated sporter and i love it, well i will when i finish getting the balance right. :)

 
mike, my old gts was a 30in b/bored inv' plus. which I was happy wjth,, and why I want to stay with similar. i made minimal changes to heel / toe angle and stock length .

 I  wonder what the 725 is like,, haven't seen one!, Browning give the same stock dimensions as the rest of the b range.but the action is slimmer?

I can get a demo gun at a very good price,, anyone got an opinion on the 725?

 
The 725 has a lower profile action, in practice it's only a few mm lower. It has less embellishment ie a more modern look to it. The main difference is the trigger which has been changed to a mechanical operation ie it doesn't use the recoil to reset the 2nd pull. It's said to be a bit crisper but reliability has yet to be determined (even though it's based on an old design)

Cost wise new the 525 is as you have said about £1250 (MC sporter 2013 version with the longer forcing cones/longer chokes/back bored barrels etc) There's a 2014 version which is the same but has a better recoil pad fitted. They seem to be a little dearer and are starting to appear in some shops.  

The 725 is around £500 more, not entirely sure why to be honest.  

In truth, you 'aint going to go too far wrong with a 525. Just make sure it's the one with the longer cones etc. 

 
mike , that's about right, the aesthetics  are not so important to me, clean lines give less to worry about, I am more concerned for reliability than looks!

as for a 425, no problem with one of those, I just assumed that they are not available anymore,, and the 525 is a replacement or improved version. 

note that  I am not keen on s/hand, ,(,reliability again!)

and also,,, a s/h 425 is about the same as a 525.which at cheapest, is 1250quid,,and up ? correct me if I'm wrong,, I am not up to speed on uk prices and availability yet!

Reliability isnt an issue.... budget £100 for a new pin and spring fitted if worried..... used good condition 425 and 525 are under £900 depending on spec

http://www.guntrader.co.uk/Guns-For-Sale/Browning_Shotgun_425_For-Sale_140131171530001

http://www.guntrader.co.uk/Guns-For-Sale/Browning_Shotgun_B525-Grade-1_For-Sale_140210220634251

http://www.gunwatch.co.uk/guns/8811-Browning-425-grade-1-32-inch-m-c-for-sale This looks interesting

In truth, you 'aint going to go too far wrong with a 525. Just make sure it's the one with the longer cones etc.
Why? Do they really make a big difference?

 
Last edited by a moderator:
correct  Finners. I am not anti second hand,,, but have no idea what that gun's history is.(a bit like a s/hand anything). I prefer a new browning to a second hand one, or even a mx8 ,etc.  (maybe a Boss, :biggrin:  , ) 

this is not a 'starter' gun,,, been shooting for donkeys' years!   thanks for the input you okes,,,I will hopefully be telling you what I end up with, on Tuesday!

 
I don't get the "history" bit got to be honest if its worn out, damaged etc don't buy it, there isn't much to go wrong in 525, bottom pin and striker as long as its clean, not pitted and tight there is nothing to worry about really. But hey it's your money and the economy appreciates you spending it.

 
Back
Top