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Posted: 4/15/2017 12:15:15 PM EDT
What are some things to look out for when buying used.
I want to make a SBS, so I really do not want to cut up a beautiful Belgium made shotgun, but other then shooting one I know nothing about the platform. Any gotchas, or links for some knowledge? Thanks! |
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Buy replacement bbl, chop that? View Quote I do not own an A5 either, so is there a specific model/year I should look out for that lends itself best to SBS? I have seen some gorgeous ones in the pic threads in here, and another thread in here pushed me over the edge so to speak to go on the hunt for a donor LOL What year/model of an Auto-5 would an A5 professional seek out to be specifically turned into a short barrel shotgun? Thanks |
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Might seem like a dumb question, but have you shot an A5 before? It's recoil operated (not gas) so it's a different beast. ETA: just reread the OP and it looks like you have shot one before.
I used to shoot a 12g A5 dove hunting and hated it (it was my pop's). I got an 1100 and life was much better. Just wondering if you have a specific reason for an A5 or just want an auto loader. |
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Safety inside the front of the trigger guard makes it an "old one".
Cross bolt safety in the trigger guard makes it a "new" one (I think sometime in the 50's). They have to be set up right with the friction rings for the power of the ammo you're shooting. Set the friction rings up wrong or put some lube on the magazine tube and it'll kick you harder than if set up correctly. Keep the hand nut that tightens/holds the barrel in place good and tight or you could end up with a cracked handguard on the rear of it. Awesome guns. I wish I'd run across one of the old ones 40 years ago instead of a couple years back. I'd have done a lot of grouse/turkey hunting with it. If you want to treat it rough, Ramline makes a synthetic stock/forend for Auto 5's. If you find you need/want to replace springs, friction rings, etc. Midwest Gun Works I got screws, springs, friction rings, etc. from these folks. If you want to tear into the receiver to inspect/clean/replace parts you'll need special thin bladed screw drivers. I ordered mine from Brownells. Thin bladed screwdriver tips and handle There's a tricky spot or two inside the receiver, so go slow and pay attention so you can get it back together. Might even be a youtube guide video for it, but I never looked. Good luck with it. Oh, I don't think mine kicks that bad. Certainly not as bad as my M37 Ithaca or M97 Winchester (nothing that heavy should kick that hard). |
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Might seem like a dumb question, but have you shot an A5 before? It's recoil operated (not gas) so it's a different beast. ETA: just reread the OP and it looks like you have shot one before. I used to shoot a 12g A5 dove hunting and hated it (it was my pop's). I got an 1100 and life was much better. Just wondering if you have a specific reason for an A5 or just want an auto loader. View Quote The first shotgun I ever shot was a .410 bolt action, and that would be a neat, but not very cool SBS; I think a Taurus Judge holds more rounds.... The first "real" shotgun I ever fired as a youngster was an A5. It was also my first semi auto. It bruised me up pretty good after a few boxes of shells I have seen a lot of SB Benelli's in the picture threads, but there is something about a shorty A5 style that calls to me. I hope I am not making a bad decision... |
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Might seem like a dumb question, but have you shot an A5 before? It's recoil operated (not gas) so it's a different beast. ETA: just reread the OP and it looks like you have shot one before. I used to shoot a 12g A5 dove hunting and hated it (it was my pop's). I got an 1100 and life was much better. Just wondering if you have a specific reason for an A5 or just want an auto loader. View Quote |
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Perfect, thanks for typing that out. I would like to find a rough one to cut down. I really don't want to hurt a survivor. Is there a difference in the Belgium/Japanese manufacturer etc or does it matter? View Quote I got mine for $295 and it was graded "poor condition". I got it home, removed the wood, took some 0000 steel wool and 3n1 oil to it and the darn thing was mostly blue (not brown) under the light brown coating of surface rust and it only one pit in the finish. By the numbers it appears to have been made in 1934 (same year my dad was born). Funny story about mine - when I bought it I took it to the range and shot a box of cheap/low powered ammo through it and it worked fine. When I got around to tearing it apart to inspect and replace springs I found the magazine spring had, at some point, broken on a previous owner. They appeared to have taken a couple pairs of pliers and bent/twisted the broken ends around each other like a tie on bread bag. The darn thing had worked like this for years. I didn't find it till I took the spring out. Now it has a new spring and extended mag. tube on it. Did you know the old ones were pretty much hand fitted together? The four big screws in the sides (on mine anyway) have the last four digits of the serial number stamped into the screw head. The screws that hold the butt stock on have the serial number stamped into the screw between the head and the threads. The spring operating spring, that pushes the bolt forward to chamber the next round, has a wooden spring guide inside it. Wood!! Mine was so oil soaked it was black and I thought it was some kind of plastic or bakelite stuff till I cleaned the old oil/grease/powder out/off it. Then I realized it was a wooden rod. I don't know what kind of wood they used but it's tough. |
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Wonderful guns. I got into trap shooting a few years ago and was using my dad's old Mossy 500 for a long time, but then got into skeet and sporting clays. I was starting to look for a dedicated clay gun when I read a book about the history of Browning and instantly became enamored with the idea of an A-5. I searched high and low at gun shows, LGS, pawn shops, and online till I found the perfect one. It's an 80's Japanese steel magnum with a 30" barrel threaded for invector chokes. I paid $650 and feel like I got a steal, I routinely see worse ones at gun shows going for $800+.
One thing to consider is what kind of loads you want to shoot out of it. This is one thing I didn't realize at the time, but the "Light 12" version are aluminum receivers and only made to shoot 2-3/4" shells. The Magnum 12s are a steel receiver and rated for 3" magnum loads. You can shoot 2-3/4" shells but you need the correct spring (thinner wire) and friction pieces off of a Light 12 to do it. |
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One thing to consider is what kind of loads you want to shoot out of it. This is one thing I didn't realize at the time, but the "Light 12" version are aluminum receivers and only made to shoot 2-3/4" shells. The Magnum 12s are a steel receiver and rated for 3" magnum loads. You can shoot 2-3/4" shells but you need the correct spring (thinner wire) and friction pieces off of a Light 12 to do it. View Quote |
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Wonderful guns. I got into trap shooting a few years ago and was using my dad's old Mossy 500 for a long time, but then got into skeet and sporting clays. I was starting to look for a dedicated clay gun when I read a book about the history of Browning and instantly became enamored with the idea of an A-5. I searched high and low at gun shows, LGS, pawn shops, and online till I found the perfect one. It's an 80's Japanese steel magnum with a 30" barrel threaded for invector chokes. I paid $650 and feel like I got a steal, I routinely see worse ones at gun shows going for $800+. One thing to consider is what kind of loads you want to shoot out of it. This is one thing I didn't realize at the time, but the "Light 12" version are aluminum receivers and only made to shoot 2-3/4" shells. The Magnum 12s are a steel receiver and rated for 3" magnum loads. You can shoot 2-3/4" shells but you need the correct spring (thinner wire) and friction pieces off of a Light 12 to do it. View Quote My Light Twelve with magnet on receiver.... Steel sight hood used to show it's a magnet. Attached File |
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Negative.....I just bought a 1957 FN-made Light Twelve and the receiver is steel.....It's the Ultra Light/Super Light that had the alum. receivers as well as the Savage clone. My Light Twelve with magnet on receiver.... Steel sight hood used to show it's a magnet. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/88145/DSCN6271--2--189946.JPG View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Wonderful guns. I got into trap shooting a few years ago and was using my dad's old Mossy 500 for a long time, but then got into skeet and sporting clays. I was starting to look for a dedicated clay gun when I read a book about the history of Browning and instantly became enamored with the idea of an A-5. I searched high and low at gun shows, LGS, pawn shops, and online till I found the perfect one. It's an 80's Japanese steel magnum with a 30" barrel threaded for invector chokes. I paid $650 and feel like I got a steal, I routinely see worse ones at gun shows going for $800+. One thing to consider is what kind of loads you want to shoot out of it. This is one thing I didn't realize at the time, but the "Light 12" version are aluminum receivers and only made to shoot 2-3/4" shells. The Magnum 12s are a steel receiver and rated for 3" magnum loads. You can shoot 2-3/4" shells but you need the correct spring (thinner wire) and friction pieces off of a Light 12 to do it. My Light Twelve with magnet on receiver.... Steel sight hood used to show it's a magnet. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/88145/DSCN6271--2--189946.JPG |
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You can shoot 2-3/4" shells but you need the correct spring (thinner wire) and friction pieces off of a Light 12 to do it. View Quote |
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If are specifically wanting to SBS it, look for the Remington model 11 also. Usually cheaper and less fancy than the Brownings.
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If are specifically wanting to SBS it, look for the Remington model 11 also. Usually cheaper and less fancy than the Brownings. View Quote Don't think it had been taken apart in decades, but with Youtube and memories from taking apart my Model 8, it wasn't terrible at all. Apart, cleaned, and back together in about an hour. FWIW the same show had a Savage 720 with a Poly choke for $400, and then a Charles Daly (Japanese built copy) for $350. The A'5's I saw where all north of $600. Keep an eye out on less traveled tables. Gentleman I bought mine from was at the far end of the show with only a handful of items for sale, seemed happy to have someone stop by. Good luck, I bought mine due to the same thought process you are experiencing now |
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Well dang it, just when I get some good candidates lined up, more information, and plans are forced to change....
Maybe I will just do two of them? A pretty wood and blued A5 and a synthetic and park'd 11? You guys are bad for me |
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If you haven't already, go dig through the Shotgun section over at Simpsons LTD. They have various A5's and copies all over the pricing scale, find a few you like
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Well dang it, just when I get some good candidates lined up, more information, and plans are forced to change.... Maybe I will just do two of them? A pretty wood and blued A5 and a synthetic and park'd 11? You guys are bad for me View Quote The 11s are easy to find and they chop nice. Most military and law enforcement shotguns were usually remingtons and not brownings. You are not losing anything not using a browning. |
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I checked out Simpsons, a little more $$ then local, but they do have some neat stuff on there!
And thanks for the tip on the synthetic stock. I had just ASSumed they were the same stocks. After further review I want to find a slightly newer version with the easier to load two piece shell carrier. I am going to hit up the LGS and see what kinda deals I can make. Hopefully they are a little hungry post election and will work with me on some old tired iron. Then I need to order some ink to complete some fingerprint cards. Watch this space.... |
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No, sharing info is good! Everyone should have a SBS A5, so we should make a sticky/FAQ
And it looks like I am striking out everywhere local. What is the story on these new A5s? Are they some inertia drive setup? Because brand new A5s are the only thing on the shelf around here. Time to hit up the online/gun broker sites. To be continued... |
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New A5s are short recoil, IIRC. Original A5s were long recoil as John Moses Browning (PBUH) himself designed.
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http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c107/455SD/Mobile%20Uploads/b7957eeb-fbe6-4c2e-94fa-2d1d2b979a3a_zps9ac0c233.jpg While not as practical as the 12ga, 16ga Remingtons can be picked up cheap and the smaller frames handle great. Supposedly Clyde Barrow favored the 16ga. View Quote |
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http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c107/455SD/Mobile%20Uploads/b7957eeb-fbe6-4c2e-94fa-2d1d2b979a3a_zps9ac0c233.jpg While not as practical as the 12ga, 16ga Remingtons can be picked up cheap and the smaller frames handle great. Supposedly Clyde Barrow favored the 16ga. View Quote |
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http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c107/455SD/Mobile%20Uploads/b7957eeb-fbe6-4c2e-94fa-2d1d2b979a3a_zps9ac0c233.jpg While not as practical as the 12ga, 16ga Remingtons can be picked up cheap and the smaller frames handle great. Supposedly Clyde Barrow favored the 16ga. View Quote |
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@Makarov
Thanks for the good information! What an exhausting search. Gun broker was a solid "meh"- some of the shipping fees, like $80, it's not an overnight pistol- and payment methods are head scratchers, only a cashiers check? I even put up a want ad. One fellow replied he had an 11 for $300; and it actually looked serviceable in the picture. After I replied showing interest, the price went up to $350.... yeah, no thanks I finally just broke down and ordered one in. At least it is a true Browning, slightly newer model with the cross bolt safety, hopefully a 2 piece carrier, and it has been beat with the ugly stick/already modified so I can chop it up, re-stock it, and refinish it without feeling the least bit guilty about getting bad voodoo from the gun spirits. Attached File |
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Before dropping the money make sure the forend isn't cracked. They crack easily when someone shoots them with the friction rings set up for the wrong load. If the seller will let you pull the forend off and look for wear on the inside bottom, indicating being hit by the moving parts. While it's off make sure the friction rings are there. For a magnum that's 2 bronze and 3 steel rings. For any other model that's one bronze and one steel. Not a deal breaker if a magnum with uncracked forend is missing the magnum setup-the parts are $25 total on midway.
Beyond that find the gauge and condition you want. My area, you'd be looking at $350-$400 for a rough one and $750+ for a truly nice one. |
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Perfect, thanks for typing that out. I would like to find a rough one to cut down. I really don't want to hurt a survivor. Is there a difference in the Belgium/Japanese manufacturer etc or does it matter? View Quote |
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Japanese will be better for your project. The Belgian are more collectible, and there are those who believe anyone modifying one of them should have their ass removed. Japanese guns are made as good, they just say Japan on them instead of Belgium. View Quote Thanks for the input. I could not find any cheap Japanese models. Closest one was 2 hours away and $600. |
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I got the one in the picture a few posts above. Let's just say, I was not the first to modify it so I will not be the first one in line for the ass removal; I'm just going to make it a whole lot cooler (well, after an 8 to 12 month wait for a stamp...) Thanks for the input. I could not find any cheap Japanese models. Closest one was 2 hours away and $600. View Quote I just got a lead on a Savage version for $150, I really want it for a SBS donor but there's a catch. The barrel has been cut for choke tubes. I hate the idea of cutting the barrel when it already has chokes, but for the price... |
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Yeah, that is a bummer on the barrel already threaded for chokes.
Did you see the Savage that @bfmcleaky did? Its just a few threads down in this forum. His thread was the inspiration for me to start my project. Just wish the tax stamps did not take so long. |
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Yeah, that is a bummer on the barrel already threaded for chokes. Did you see the Savage that @bfmcleaky did? Its just a few threads down in this forum. His thread was the inspiration for me to start my project. Just wish the tax stamps did not take so long. View Quote I already have an Auto-5 that I got in trade from another member but it's beautiful condition(90%+) and cut for chokes so it's one of my nice weather bird guns. |
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Bought a factory 21" bbl FN once for next to nothing. Stock was buggered. Turned out the trigger plate was set up for a straight stock and bubba put a standard stock on it. Priced out original straight buttstocks. More than I paid, much more. Got rid of the bbl and forearm for more than I paid for the whole rig. Coolest thing about FN was that everything was serial numbered, even the screw. Old school craftsmanship.Sarco had NIW receivers recently for something like $40.
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Something to keep in mind with the very early A5's is they might not have a standard 2 3/4" chamber. A friend of mine has one(I think he said it goes back to 1905) with a 2 9/16" chamber. This might also be a part of why so many old ones have cracked forends. More pressure/recoil than intended from firing too-long ammo, barrel comes back harder than normal...Sure, setting up the friction rings wrong does it, but wrong ammo 50+ years after the gun was made, shot by someone who didn't know 2 3/4 isn't the shortest round that was used would be an easy mistake.
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Shotgun arrived today, much as pictured.
Bummer is only one piece lifter, so no speed load until the proper parts are fitted... but it is not like I have the ATF wait time to get that done.... The one F-U-C-K-E-D U-P thing was the engraving by Simpson's on the shotgun itself. It already had a serial number and manufacturer... Yup, tatoo'd that SOB along the receiver. Why? It's like a used car sticker on a trunk lid. If I was not planning on re-finishing it, I would be PISSED! LOL Never ordering from them again, that is for sure. If this had been a rare or fine finish weapon- I would probably driven it back personally |
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Why? It's like a used car sticker on a trunk lid. If I was not planning on re-finishing it, I would be PISSED! LOL Never ordering from them again, that is for sure. If this had been a rare or fine finish weapon- I would probably driven it back personally View Quote As for the two piece lifter, it's a cool feature, but not one I use a whole lot. That might change when pheasant season opens and I actually start using the gun. |
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My Simpson ltd shotgun also has function problems. My listed as 'mechanically fine' shotgun holds only 2 rounds. I ASS-UMED things were okay, but when I decided to take it out and mess with it, I learned it would only hold 2 shells. No worries, it is the plug, right? So later, I take the nut off, and the magazine spring ejects; no magazine spring retainer.
And the missing capacity is not because of a plug. Some asshole bubba decided to peen the magazine tube with a punch all over so the follower only travels deep enough for a few shells. It would have been nice to know about this permanent modification before I purchased. Now I have to replace the mag tube. I will not do business with that company again. |
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My Simpson ltd shotgun also has function problems. My listed as 'mechanically fine' shotgun holds only 2 rounds. I ASS-UMED things were okay, but when I decided to take it out and mess with it, I learned it would only hold 2 shells. No worries, it is the plug, right? So later, I take the nut off, and the magazine spring ejects; no magazine spring retainer. And the missing capacity is not because of a plug. Some asshole bubba decided to peen the magazine tube with a punch all over so the follower only travels deep enough for a few shells. It would have been nice to know about this permanent modification before I purchased. Now I have to replace the mag tube. I will not do business with that company again. View Quote |
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Have you contacted Simpson?
I've bought from them several times without issue, so I can't speak to how their customer service is when it comes to resolving problems, but I'd be surprised if they weren't willing to make it right by you -- they're one of the more reputable retailers I've dealt with. |
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Ouch-would it be feasible to use a dent remover on this tube like they do with the 870 Express to make it accept magazine extensions? not sure if one will reach that far down the tube but if it will, it might be cheaper than a new tube-and will very likely be easier to find than a magazine tube for a discontinued shotgun. View Quote I thought about just cutting it short, and tig welding a un-molested section back on, kinda creating a short hand guard variation like the one that Tromix built, but, unfortunately, I lack the Tony/Tromix wizard skills to make a radically altered shotgun function , and I found a new tube already and will thread that one on. thanks for the suggestion tho. |
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Have you contacted Simpson? I've bought from them several times without issue, so I can't speak to how their customer service is when it comes to resolving problems, but I'd be surprised if they weren't willing to make it right by you -- they're one of the more reputable retailers I've dealt with. View Quote Thanks for the suggestion. I will think on it. |
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That is a good idea, and would probably work if it was not Bubba-ized. These are not normal dimples. They beat on it bad enough that they took a mill bastard file to the outside of the magazine tube to scrape it round again when they were done with their "work". The dimples are not even-spaced or even circumferential. I thought about just cutting it short, and tig welding a un-molested section back on, kinda creating a short hand guard variation like the one that Tromix built, but, unfortunately, I lack the Tony/Tromix wizard skills to make a radically altered shotgun function , and I found a new tube already and will thread that one on. thanks for the suggestion tho. View Quote And you're right about Tony-he's definitely got some serious skills. A few builds that I'd like to know what he was thinking, but what the hell-he was able to get them to work. He's got the time to do it, why not? |
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That's too bad on the mods-I want to say it sounds like someone was a big duck hunter when the 3 round limit became law and figured a permanent mod would take away the worry of forgetting to put the plug in. The things people come up with sometimes! And you're right about Tony-he's definitely got some serious skills. A few builds that I'd like to know what he was thinking, but what the hell-he was able to get them to work. He's got the time to do it, why not? View Quote Judging by the missing magazine spring retainer, they just decided to take matters into their own hands after launching the plug into the nether. So instead of whittling a new plug from a stick, they did the bubba job. Appears it happened after a 6 pack with a hammer, punch, and some sort of course file.. or maybe they just ran it across a suitable rock See pics... Attached File Attached File Someone mentioned in another thread it could be saved... but I am just going to replace it and chalk it up to lesson learned. |
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To be honest, I was not expecting much for what I paid. And I was not going to say anything. But did you see the other Simpson shotgun thread? Maybe they should look these things over a little better- before they tatoo them with their engraver maybe? Figured I should speak up after reading that... Thanks for the suggestion. I will think on it. View Quote I really think it'd be worth giving them a shout -- they have a pretty solid reputation in the used/collectible firearms world. |
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These are not normal dimples. They beat on it bad enough that they took a mill bastard file to the outside of the magazine tube to scrape it round again when they were done with their "work". The dimples are not even-spaced or even circumferential. View Quote It probably could be saved, but a replacement isn't that difficult to come by, either. |
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