Paul,
I just saw your post today. I to am a hugh A-5 fan. You definetly made the right choice and in 20-25 years you will see what I mean.The old saying that aBrowning is built to last a life time is BULL!!!!!!!. I will tell you why. I still have my granddads made around the turn of the century and my dads which was made in the 1930s and mine (made in Japan by the way) made in 1986 the first 2 out lived there owners and I'm sure mine will see many a day in the field long after I'm gone. I still use the old ones every year. I also have to say my grandpa and dad were very poor in the old days money wasn't somthing you wasted so they could only have one gun and it had better last, so the A-5 humpback is what they got. I have shot deer with all 3 guns and the feeling I get while carring the old guns just knowing there history is unbelivable. As far as parts and service all I can say is as populor as these guns were they will be parts around for ever. I know you know what I mean when I say you can feel the quility in the gun just holding it and sholdering it. And why do you think so many companys coppied it. I have many shot guns but the Browning A-5s are my work horses and some day will be my kids work horses too. Good luck Mike