Browning A-500G Owner's Manual
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 Canada Sports Ltd./Ltee, St-Laurent, Quebec H4S 1 W6
Printed in Portugal
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 Responsible for
Firearms Safety
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 IN
STRUCTIONS OUTLINED IN THIS
BOOKLET BEFORE USING YOUR
NEW FIREARM.
-
1.
ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE OF YOUR
SHOTGUN POINTED IN A SAFE
DIRECTION,
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.
2. 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
2
“safety” which blocks the gun’s trigger.
See “Operation of the Safety” on page 14
for instructions on operation of this gun’s
safety.
LIKE ANY MECHANICAL DEVICE, A
“SAFETY” CAN SOMETIMES FAIL; IT
CAN BE JARRED OR INADVERTENTLY
MANIPULATED INTO AN UNSAFE
CONDITION.
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” periodi-
cally for proper function,
NEVER TEST THE “SAFETY” WHILE
YOUR SHOTGUN IS LOADED OR
POINTED IN AN UNSAFE DIRECTION.
Safe gun handling does not stop with
your gun’s mechanical “safety” devices
— it starts there. Always treat this
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.
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.
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,
and may increase the risk of handling a
firearm. The following rules should
3
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,
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.
4
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
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.
8. USE THE PROPER AMMUNITION.
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
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,
DO NOT LOAD ANOTHER SHELL INTO
THE CHAMBER.
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.
5
9. DO NOT PUT A 20 GAUGE SHELL IN A
12 GAUGE GUN.
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.
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.
10. CAUTION: DO NOT USE 3 1/2" SHOT-
6
GUN 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.
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.
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.
15. WEAR EYE AND EAR PROTECTION
WHEN SHOOTING.
Unprotected, repeated exposure to
gunfire can cause hearing damage. Wear
ear protectors (shooting ear plugs or
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
even with the “safety” in the “on safe”
position. Be extremely careful while
hunting or during any shooting activity,
to avoid dropping any firearm.
17. IF YOUR SHOTGUN FAILS TO FIRE,
KEEP THE MUZZLE POINTED IN A
SAFE DIRECTION.
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.
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.
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
8
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.
Closely supervise newcomers to the
shooting sports. Encourage enrollment in
hunting/shooting safety courses.
21. NEVER DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVER-
AGES 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.
23. PERIODIC MAINTENANCE-AVOID
UNAUTHORIZED SERVICING.
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
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.
BE CAREFUL!
9
Nomenclature
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.
FIGURE 1-A
10
General Operating 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-B
11
A. Barrel Extension Guides
B. Barrel Ring Guide/Gas Cylinder
C. Front Action Springs
D. Bolt Release Button (Carrier Latch Button)
E. Breechblock Assembly
F. Carrier
G. Forearm
H. Sleeve Bar Assembly
I. Magazine Tube
J. Magazine Cap
K. Magazine Spring Retainer
pressure regulation valve releases excess gas
pressure that is not necessary for operating
the action. This keeps bolt speed more
consistent and allows you to shoot all
factory 2 3/4" and 3"' loads interchangeably, without adjustment. As the
piston moves the sleeve reward, the action
bar -which extends from the sleeve —
pushes the breechblock rearward, operating
the action. As the breechblock moves
rearward, it turns and unlocks the 4-lug
rotary bolt, recocks the hammer, and ejects
the fired shell.
L. Magazine Follower
M. Magazine Spring
N. Operating Handle
O. Return Spring
P. Rotary Bolt Head
Q. Three Shot Adapter
R. Trigger Group
S. Trigger Guard Retaining Nut
T. Trigger Guard Retaining Screw
U. Gas Piston
After full rearward travel, the breech-block
returns forward, picking up a new shell
from the magazine and chambering it
automatically. After the last shell has been
fired, the breechblock locks to the rear,
instead of returning forward. This facilitates
speedy, convenient reloading.
NOTE: The A-500G is delivered with the
magazine adaptor in the magazine which
limits the gun to three shots, in accordance with federal migratory bird laws. If
you do not want your gun to be so lim-
12
ited, merely take out the three shot
adapter as explained on page 34 under
“Three Shot Adapter.”
Initial Cleaning
Various exposed metal parts of your new A-
500 have been coated at the factory with a
rust preventative compound. Before
assembling your A-500G, clean the anti-rust
compound from the inside of the barrel,
receiver and the action/ chamber areas.
Browning Oil is ideal for removing this
compound and for giving your new gun its
first lubrication. However, any quality gun
oil may be used. Use a cleaning rod and
patch as explained under “Cleaning and
Maintenance Suggestions” on page 44.
Serial Number
The serial number of your A-500G shotgun
is found on the left side of the receiver, at
the lower rear, near the grip portion of the
buttstock.
Ammunition
The A-500G has a 3-inch chamber and is
designed to shoot and function with all 12
gauge factory loads: 3-inch Magnum, 2 3/4”
Magnum, 2 3/4” High Velocity loads, 2 3/4”
Field and 2 3/4” Target loads. It is especially
suited to shooting factory steel shot loads.
Loads can be intermixed, in any order.
Browning can assume no responsibility for
incidents which occur through the use of
cartridges of nonstandard dimension or
those developing pressures in excess of
standards established by the Sporting Arms
and Ammunition Manufacturer’s Institute
(SAAMI).
13
FIGURE 2
Operation of the “Safety”
The cross bolt “safety” prevents the trigger
from being pulled when in the “on safe”
position. The safety is located conveniently
at the rear of the trigger guard (See Figure
2). In the “off safe” or “fire” position a
conspicuous red warning band is visible on
the safety button on the left side of the
trigger guard. To place the gun “ON
SAFE,”
press the “safety” button to the right. To
move the “safety” to the
FIRE position,
press the “safety” to the left.
The safety is reversible and can be reversed
from right- to left-handed by a competent
gunsmith. When installed, the left-handed
“safety” will have the “safety” button’s red
warning band on the
RIGHT side of the
trigger guard.
DO NOT DEPENDON THE RED COLOR
ALONE TO INDICATE YOUR GUN’S SAFETY
STATUS.
Time, exposure to the elements, as well as
the abrasive action of cleaning agents can
erase it.
14
As previously explained, never rely on your
shotgun’s mechanical “safety” devices as the
sole provision for safety.
NEVER POINT YOUR SHOTGUN AT ANYTHING YOU DO NOT INTEND TO SHOOT.
Always treat your shotgun, even when
unloaded, with the respect due any loaded,
ready-to-fire firearm.
Assembly of Barrel and Gas
System Components
CHECK YOUR GUN CAREFULLY TO BE
ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT THE
CHAMBER, FEED MECHANISM AND
MAGAZINE CONTAIN NO SHELLS.
The A-500G is delivered, in the box, with
the barrel removed and the forearm-with
the gas piston, sleeve bar assembly and
return spring inside-assembled on the
magazine tube. Perform the following steps
to assemble your A-500G and make it ready
for shooting.
1. Take the receiver in hand. First, lock the
breechblock rearward by pulling the operating handle fully to the rear. Then remove the forearm from the magazine
tube by unscrewing the magazine cap
and sliding the forearm forward, off of
the magazine tube.
DO NOT SQUEEZE HARD ON THE OPEN
REAR END OF THE FOREARM. TOO
MUCH PRESSURE COULD CAUSE THE
WOOD TO SPLIT.
15
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