MNGunTalk.com

The new overall free length for a 12 gauge Light (not magnum) Browning A 5 recoil spring is 9-1/4 inches.

The Grandson's A 5 recoil spring measures 8-3/4 inches.

What overall length should the recoil spring be replaced?

New ones are in the $15 range. Thanks for any experience you have.

When the gun starts being unreliable. I have a few that have been in the family for a long time, and just replace when they start ejecting irregularly or the cases look funny.

I’ve never bothered measuring a spring on mine. That being said, if there have been over a couple thousand rounds through it, it’s probably due.

It certainly can’t hurt to replace it sooner than absolutely necessary.