We are pleased that you have chosen a Browning A-500G shotgun. It is certainly a gun you can be proud to own. It represents the state-of-the-art in modern gun design and manufacturing. The processes of design, testing and manufacturing were all assisted by advanced computer systems. The result is superior dependability, greater easeof-operation, smoother handling and more reliable overall function. With a reasonable amount of care, your A-500G shotgun should give you many years of dependable, enjoyable service. Please feel free to write us immediately if you have any observations regarding its performance and operation. Thank You. Route One Morgan, Utah 84050 Distributed in Canada by Browning Printed in Portugal Canada Sports Ltd./Ltee, St-Laurent, Quebec H4S 1 W6 Browning A-5OOG Gas Operated Semi-Automatic Shotgun NEW GUN OWNERS RECORD KEEP THIS RECORD FOR FUTURE REFERENCE Browning Model Serial Number Gauge / Caliber Purchase Price Purchased From Date of Purchase You Are Firearms Responsible Safety for 1. ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE OF YOUR SHOTGUN POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION, 2 As a gun owner, you accept a set of demanding responsibilities. How seriously you take these responsibilities can be the difference between life and death. There is no excuse for careless or abusive handling of any firearm. At all times handle your shotgun and any other firearm with intense respect for its power and potential danger. PLEASE READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE CAUTIONS, PROPER HANDLING PROCEDURES AND INSTRUCTIONS OUTLINED IN THIS BOOKLET BEFORE USING YOUR NEW FIREARM. 2. even though you are certain the shotgun is unloaded. Never point any firearm at anything you do not intend to shoot. Be extremely alert and aware of all persons and property within the range of your ammunition. NEVER RELY TOTALLY ON YOUR SHOTGUN'S MECHANICAL "SAFETY" DEVICE. The word "safety" describes a gun's trigger block mechanism, sear block mechanism, hammer block mechanism or firing pin block mechanism. These mechanical devices are designed to place your gun in a Safer status. No guarantee can be made that the gun will not fire even if the "safety" is in the "on safe" position. The A-500G has a cross bolt LIKE ANY MECHANICAL DEVICE, A "SAFETY" CAN SOMETIMES FAIL; IT CAN BE JARRED OR INADVERTENTLY MANIPULATED INTO AN UNSAFE CONDITION. "safety" which blocks the gun's trigger. See "Operation of the Safety" on page 14 for instructions on operation of this gun's safety. shotgun with the respect due a loaded, ready-to-fire firearm. 3. WHENEVER YOU HANDLE A FIREARM, OR HAND lT TO SOMEONE, ALWAYS OPEN THE ACTION IMMEDIATELY, VISUALLY CHECK YOUR SHOTGUN'S CHAMBER, FEED MECHANISM AND MAGAZINE. Mechanical "safeties" merely aid safe gun handling and are no excuse for pointing your shotgun's muzzle in an unsafe direction. While it is a good idea to "test" your shotgun's mechanical "safeties" periodically for proper function, Make certain that they do not inadvertently contain any ammunition. Always keep the chamber empty and the "safety" in the "on safe" position unless shooting is imminent. NEVER TEST THE "SAFETY" WHILE YOUR SHOTGUN IS LOADED OR POINTED IN AN UNSAFE DIRECTION. 4. DO NOT TRANSPORT YOUR SHOTGUN LOADED, WHETHER IN A SCABBARD, GUN CASE, OR OTHER CONTAINER. 5. HUNTING FROM ELEVATED SURFACES SUCH AS TREE STANDS IS DANGEROUS, Safe gun handling does not stop with your gun's mechanical "safety" devices -- it starts there. Always treat this and may increase the risk of handling a firearm. The following rules should 3 4 always be observed by you and those you hunt with: Always make certain that the stand being used is safe and stable. Always make certain that your firearm is unloaded when it is being taken up and down from the stand. Always make certain that your firearm is not dropped from the stand, or dropped while it is being taken up or down from the stand. Remember, a loaded firearm may discharge when dropped, even with the safety in the "on safe" position. 6. BEWARE OF BARREL OBSTRUCTIONS, BEFORE CHECKING FOR A BARREL OBSTRUCTION, BE CERTAIN NO LIVE ROUND IS IN THE CHAMBER AND THAT THE MAGAZINE AND FEED MECHANISMS ARE COMPLETELY EMPTY. PLACE THE "SAFETY" IN THE "ON SAFE" POSITION for the safety of both your gun and yourself. Mud, snow, and an infinite variety of other objects may inadvertently lodge in a barrel bore. It takes only one small obstruction to cause dangerously increased pressures that can ruin (swell or rupture) the finest shotgun barrels. See page 23 for instructions on unloading). After assuring yourself that the shotgun is completely empty, again, open the breechblock, locking it to the rear, and look through the barrel to be sure it is clear of any obstruction. If an obstruction is seen, no matter how small it may be, clean the bore with a cleaning rod and patch as described in "Cleaning and Maintenance Suggestions" on page 44. Before the first firing, clean the bore with a cleaning rod and patch, and wipe away any anti-rust compounds in the action/ chamber areas. 7. ALWAYS UNLOAD YOUR SHOTGUN WHEN NOT lN USE. REFER TO PAGE 20 OF THIS INSTRUCTION BOOKLET EXPLAINING THE UNLOADING OF YOUR SHOTGUN. As a safety precaution, it is preferable to disassemble your gun for storage. Store your gun and ammunition separately -- well beyond the reach of children. Take all safeguards to ensure your shotgun does not become available to untrained, inexperienced or unwelcome hands. The barrel and action of this shotgun have been made with substantial safety margins over the pressures developed by established American commercial loads. Nevertheless, Browning assumes no liability for incidents which occur through the use of cartridges of nonstandard dimensions which develop USE THE PROPER AMMUNITION. pressures in excess of commercially available ammunition which has been loaded in accordance with standards established by the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute (SAAMI). BE ALERT TO THE SIGNS OF AMMUNITlON MALFUNCTION. If you detect an off sound or light recoil when a shell is fired, Open the action and remove all shells from the magazine, chamber and action areas. With the action open, glance down the barrel to make sure that a wad or other obstruction does not remain in the barrel. Completely clear the barrel before loading and firing again. Failure to follow these instructions can cause extensive damage to your gun and possible serious injury to yourself and others. DO NOT LOAD ANOTHER SHELL INTO THE CHAMBER. 8. 5 9. Store all shells of different gauges in completely separate and well-marked containers. Do not store shells of mixed gauges in a common container or in your pockets. EXAMINE EVERY SHELL YOU PUT IN YOUR GUN. DO NOT PUT A 20 GAUGE SHELL IN A 12 GAUGE GUN. 10. CAUTION: DO NOT USE 3 1/2" SHOTGUN SHELLS IN ANY SHOTGUN OR BARREL WlTH A 2 3/4" OR 3" CHAMBER. DO NOT USE 3" SHELLS lN SHOTGUN CHAMBERED FOR 2 3/4" SHELLS. THE SIZE OF THE CHAMBER lS lNSCRlBED, ALONG WITH GAUGE AND CHOKE DESIGNATIONS, ON THE SIDE OF THE BARREL. 6 The most certain way to bulge or rupture a barrel is to drop a 20 gauge shell into a 12 gauge chamber. The 20 gauge shell, unfortunately, will not fall completely through the barrel; its rim is caught by the front of a 12 gauge chamber. Your gun will misfire (with the chamber appearing to be empty). It is then possible to load a 12 gauge shell behind the 20 gauge shell. If the 12 gauge shell is then fired, the result will be a so-called "12-20 burst" which can cause extensive damage to your gun and possible serious injury to you and others. Your A-500 is chambered for factory 2 3/4" and 3" shells only. 11. DO NOT SNAP THE FIRING PIN ON AN EMPTY CHAMBER- THE CHAMBER MAY NOT BE EMPTY! Treat every gun with the respect due a loaded gun, even though you are certain the gun is unloaded. 12. KEEP YOUR FINGERS A WAY FROM THE TRIGGER WHILE UNLOADING, LOADING, UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO SHOOT. 13. BESURE OF YOUR TARGET AND BACKSTOP. Particularly, be sure during low light periods. Know the range of your ammunition. Never shoot at water or hard objects. 14. ALWAYS UNLOAD YOUR SHOTGUN'S CHAMBER BEFORE CROSSING A FENCE, CLlMBlNG A TREE, JUMPING A DlTCH OR NEGOTlATlNG OTHER OBSTACLES. muffs) to guard against such damage. Wear shooting glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles. Also, wear eye protection when disassembling and cleaning your shotgun to prevent the possibility of springs, spring-tensioned parts, solvents or other agents from contacting your eyes. 16. DROPPING A LOADED GUN CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE Refer to page 23 of this instruction book for instructions on the unloading of your shotgun. Never place your shotgun on or against a fence, tree, car, or other similar object. WEAR EYE AND EAR PROTECTION WHEN SHOOTING. even with the "safety" in the "on safe" position. Be extremely careful while hunting or during any shooting activity, to avoid dropping any firearm. 15. 17. IF YOUR SHOTGUN FAILS TO FIRE, KEEP THE MUZZLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. Unprotected, repeated exposure to gunfire can cause hearing damage. Wear ear protectors (shooting ear plugs or Hold this position for a minimum of 30 seconds. Carefully open the action and remove the cartridge. If the primer is indented, the cartridge should be 7 disposed of in a way that cannot cause harm. If the primer is not indented, your firearm should be examined by a qualified gunsmith and the cause of the malfunction should be corrected before further use. 18. BE DEFENSIVE AND ON GUARD AGAINST UNSAFE GUN HANDLING AROUND YOU AND OTHERS. disassembly, cleaning and reassembly. Keep ammunition away from the cleaning location. Never test the mechanical function of any firearm with live ammunition. 20. EDUCATE AND SUPERVISE FIREARMS SAFETY TO ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY- ESPECIALLY TO CHILDREN AND NONSHOOTERS. 8 Don't be timid when it comes to gun safety. If you observe other shooters violating any of these safety precautions, politely suggest safer handling practices. Closely supervise newcomers to the shooting sports. Encourage enrollment in hunting/shooting safety courses. 19. BE CERTAIN YOUR SHOTGUN IS UNLOADED BEFORE CLEANING. Because so many gun accidents occur when a firearm is being cleaned, special and extreme care should be taken to be sure your gun is unloaded before 21. NEVER DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR TAKE ANY TYPE OF DRUGS BEFORE OR DURING SHOOTING. Your vision and judgment could be dangerously impaired, making your gun handling unsafe to you and to others. 22. READ AND HEED ALL WARNINGS IN THIS INSTRUCTION BOOK AND ON AMMUNITION BOXES. It is your responsibility to secure the most up-to-date information on the safe handling procedures for your Browning gun. Browning cannot assume any responsibility when unsafe or improper arms and ammunition combinations are used. PERIODIC MAINTENANCE-AVOID UNAUTHORIZED SERVICING. Center or by Browning's service facility in Arnold, Missouri. Browning cannot assume any responsibility for injuries suffered or caused by unauthorized servicing, alterations or modifications of Browning firearms. IT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS TO ALTER THE TRIGGER, SAFETY OR OTHER FIRING MECHANISM PARTS OF THIS OR ANY OTHER FIREARM. 23. Your shotgun is a mechanical device which will not last forever, and as such, is subject to wear and requires periodic inspection, adjustment, and service. Browning firearms should be serviced by a Browning Recommended Service BE CAREFUL! 9 10 Nomenclature General Operating Procedures In conventional gun terminology, the position and movement of gun parts are described as they occur with the gun horizontal and in normal firing position; i.e., the muzzle is forward or front; butt stock is rearward or rear; trigger is downward or underneath; the rib is upward or on top. For general parts nomenclature refer to Figure 1-A. See Figure 1-B for names of all parts and assemblies covered in disassembly and cleaning procedures. The Browning A-5OOG shotgun is a gasoperated, semi-automatic shotgun. It is capable of shooting five shots (with the magazine plug removed) in rapid succession with each pull of the trigger. The rotary bolt locks into the barrel with four lugs. Upon firing, high pressure gas from the barrel passes through two ports in the barrel, through the barrel ring guide and into the gas cylinder. The high pressure gases force the gas piston rearward, applying pressure to the sleeve bar assembly. The special gas FIGURE 1-A FIGURE 1-B 11 12 A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. J. K. Barrel Extension Guides Barrel Ring Guide/Gas Cylinder Front Action Springs Bolt Release Button (Carrier Latch Button) Breechblock Assembly Carrier Forearm Sleeve Bar Assembly Magazine Tube Magazine Cap Magazine Spring Retainer L. M. N. O. P. Q. R. S. T. U. Magazine Follower Magazine Spring Operating Handle Return Spring Rotary Bolt Head Three Shot Adapter Trigger Group Trigger Guard Retaining Nu ...