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 ease-
of-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 INSTRUCTIONS OUTLINED IN THIS BOOKLET BEFORE USING YOUR NEW FIREARM.

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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

“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” periodically 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 HANDLEA 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, GUNCASE, 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

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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.

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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. ALWAYSUNLOAD 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 12GAUGE 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.

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10. CAUTION: DO NOT USE 3 1/2" SHOT-

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 CHAMBERTHE 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 FINGERSA WAYFROM 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

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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

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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 FAMILYESPECIALLY TO CHILDREN AND NONSHOOTERS.

Closely supervise newcomers to the shooting sports. Encourage enrollment in hunting/shooting safety courses.

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.

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, SAFETYOR OTHER FIRING MECHANISM PARTS OF THIS OR ANY OTHER FIREARM.

BE CAREFUL!

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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.

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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-A

FIGURE 1-B

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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 inter-

changeably,		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.

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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-

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

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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 rightto 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’SSAFETY

STATUS.

Time, exposure to the elements, as well as the abrasive action of cleaning agents can erase it.

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.

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