My dad is in the market for a 16 gauge. I don't know much about them other than a little history of the Browning Sweet Sixteen. He's open to getting a semi, pump, or whatever. Can anyone help educate me on what's still being produced in that gauge (I realize not too much) or what might be a good one floating around. Maybe there were some 870's in 16 at one point?

They make the new a5 in a 16

1100, 1158, A5, etc were made.

What kind of budget does he have?

Not sure to be honest. I would guess $1000 or less. He’s never owned a shotgun that I know of so more of an entry level gun. He did say he’d rather have wood vs synthetic though.

I've got an old side by side stevens 311 16 that I love. You can find them all day for about 400.

Browning bps. A really good pump shotgun that can be had new for about 600 -700 bucks.

I saw a Remington sportsman 16ga (remmy A5, 3-shot) at Bham pistol and oawn for around $400....that’s a good deal on one of the better old 16s, if you can’t find a sweet.

Ithaca is still building the model 37 pump. You call them and you can select the grade of wood you want on it. They are all steel and the fit and finish is excellent on the ones I've seen. They build a very beautiful old school shotgun...They are a little pricey though. I think they start around $1,000.00

Here's a couple possibilities. Don't be afraid to offer less.
http://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-fo...un_id=100928376

http://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-fo...un_id=100887743

750 for a pump gun. Lordy.

My brother has an 870 wingmaster 16 from the 1970’s, if he would sell it I’d give him 750 for it. I wish the 16 would make a comeback.

Yea, and milk is $3.50 a gallon now.

PM to you on a Browning Sweet Sixteen with plain IC barrel and a Remington Model 870 Wingmaster with plain IC and plain Full barrels, both early to mid-1950s vintage.

if interested in older options, you can find deals. I have bought 3x 16s in the last 6 months for nearly a song.

1-Ranger (Stevens 311) SxS. $200 ~1938ish. Not beautiful and not shot it yet, but should be very functional. IC/M and will shoot skeet and ducks (bismuth loads) with it.

2-3 - bought as a pair $550 shipped. ~50ish Ithaca Mdl 37 very open IC. 1926 Winchester Mdl 12 with poly choke. Had a broken stock ($40 repair) and only shoots 2 1/2" ($110 case RSTs). But history 101!

$800 for 3. Cabelas has 2 3/4" shells for ~$6/box. Bismuth non-toxic waterfowl loads for same price as 12 ga.

There are some cool old 16s out there. If you want a Browning A5 can find them for ~$500-$600. and if you cant tell, I REALLY like the older guns.