What is information on savage model 720 semi-auto shotgun?

Answer 1

The Savage Model 720 shotgun was a pre-WWII authorized copy of John Browning's Auto 5 semi-automatic shotgun. It is virtually identical to the A-5 but lacks the magazine cutoff and has a locking shell carrier. (The bolt release button must be depressed to allow shells to be loaded into the magazine.) They came in 12 gauge only with various barrel lengths and chock offerings. Some were made with 20" cylinder bore barrels for riot guns. During WWII the US Army Air Forces bought a large number of these guns which were used by bomber crew gunners for practice (shooting clay targets from moving platforms) and by security forces in the riot version. There is some evidence that they were also available to bomber crews for recreation. 720's show up occassionally that have the US parkings and proof markings on them while others do not. Because of their age and their influx to the civilian market following the war some of these guns have various after-market modifications, especially the Poly Choke. Magazine capacity is four and with one in the chamber this gun will hold five 2 3/4" 12 gauge shells. A plug in the magazine will reduce total capacity to 3 to comply with various state and Federal regulations.