Browning A500 SEMI-AUTOMATIC SHOTGUN User Manual

New Gun Owner’s Record

(KEEP THIS RECORD FOR FUTURE REFERENCE)

Browning Model

Serial Number

Gauge

Purchase Price

Purchased From

Date of Purchase

Please fill out and mail the Market Survey Card at the back of this booklet.

We are pleased that you have chosen a

Browning A-500 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-500 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.

Also, please take a moment to complete and mail in the brief attached marketing survey card found on our back cover. It helps us considerably in our constant effort to provide you with better service.

NOTE: All current production A-500 shotguns have an improved trigger group assembly. You can confirm this by the letter “H” stamped on the trigger guard. (See Figure 10 on page 37 of this manual.)

If your trigger guard does not have the letter “H” stamped on it then please contact our Browning Service Department toll free at 1-800-322-4626 for information on how to get the improved trigger assembly installed on your A-500.

Thank You.

Route #1 Morgan, Utah 84050

Distributed in Canada by Browning Canada Sports Ltd./Ltee, St-Laurent, Quebec H4S 1SO

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. Mistakes made with guns are final and cannot be paid for with money or regret.

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.

ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE OF YOUR SHOTGUN POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION

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.

even though you are certain

NEVER TRUST 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-500 has a cross bolt “safety” which blocks the gun’s trigger. See “Operation of the Safety” on page 15 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,

“SAFETY” WHILE YOUR SHOTGUN IS LOADED OR POINTED IN AN UNSAFE DIRECTION.

NEVER TEST THE

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.

WHENEVER YOU HANDLE A FIREARM, OR HAND IT TO SOMEONE, ALWAYS OPEN THE ACTION IMMEDIATELY,

VISUALLY CHECK YOUR SHOTGUN’S CHAMBER, FEED MECHANISM AND MAGAZINE to be 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.

DO NOT TRANSPORT YOUR SHOTGUN LOADED, WHETHER IN A SCABBARD GUN CASE, OR OTHER CONTAINER.

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.

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 28 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 54.

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.

ALWAYS UNLOAD YOUR SHOTGUN WHEN NOT IN USE. REFER TO PAGE 28 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.

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 SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute).

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.

EVERY SHELL YOU PUT IN YOUR GUN.

EXAMINE

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.

DO NOT USE 3” SHOTGUN SHELLS IN A BARREL WITH A 2 3/4” CHAMBER.

THE SIZE OF THE CHAMBER IS INSCRIBED, ALONG WITH CHOKE DESIGNATIONS, ON THE SIDE OF THE BARREL.

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.

KEEP YOUR FINGERS AWAY FROM THE

TRIGGER WHILE UNLOADING,

BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND BACKSTOP,

or until you are ready to shoot.

particularly during low light periods. Know the range of your ammunition. Never shoot at water or hard objects.

ALWAYS UNLOAD YOUR SHOTGUN’S CHAMBER BEFORE CROSSING A FENCE, CLIMBING A TREE, JUMPING A DITCH OR NEGOTIATING OTHER OBSTACLES. Refer to page 28 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.

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.

DROPPING A WADED 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.

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 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.

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.

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 disassembly, cleaning and reassembly. Keep ammunition away from the cleaning location. Never test the mechanical function of any firearm with live ammunition.

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.

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.

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.

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.

CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS TO ALTER THE TRIGGER, SAFETY OR OTHER FIRING MECHANISM PARTS OF THIS OR ANY OTHER FIREARM.

BE CAREFUL!

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.

A. Barrel Extension Guides B. Barrel Ring Guide C. Front Action Springs D. Bolt Release Button

(Carrier Latch Button)

E. Breechblock Assembly E Carrier G. Forearm R. Trigger Group

H. Forearm Buffer Rings

I. Magazine Tube

J. Magazine Cap

K. Magazine Spring Retainer L. Magazine Follower M. Magazine Spring N. Operating Handle O. Recoil Spring P. Rotary Bolt Head Q. Three Shot Adapter

S. Trigger Guard Retaining Nut T. Trigger Guard Retaining Screw

General Operating Procedures

The Browning A-500 shotgun is a short recoil-

operated, 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, recoil causes the barrel to travel rearward. Energy differences between loads are absorbed by an internal breechblock spring. A special buffer surrounding the magazine tube stops the rearward motion of the barrel after about 1/2”. Inertia from the barrel causes the breechblock to continue rearward, turning and unlocking the 4-lug rotary bolt, recocking the hammer, and ejecting the fired shell.

After full rearward travel, the breechblock 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-500 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 limited, merely take out the three shot adapter as explained on page 42 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-500, 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 54.

Serial Number

The serial number of your A-500 shotgun is found on the left side of the receiver, at the lower rear, near the grip portion of the buttstock.

Ammunition

The A-500 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. However, Browning can assume no responsibility for incidents which occur through the use of cartridges of nonstandard dimension or those developing

pressures in excess of SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturer’s Institute) established standards.

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.

An optional left-handed “safety” can be installed

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 DEPEND ON THE RED COLOR

ALONE TO INDICATE YOUR GUN’S SAFETY

STATUS.

well as the abrasive action of cleaning agents can erase it.

As previously explained on page 2, never rely

on your shotgun’s mechanical “safety” devices as the sole provision for safety.

YOUR SHOTGUN AT ANYTHING YOU DO NOT

INTEND TO SHOOT.

even when unloaded, with the respect due any loaded, ready-to-fire firearm.

Time, exposure to the elements, as

NEVER POINT

Always treat your shotgun,

Assembly Procedures — Barrel to

Receiver

The A-500 is delivered, in the box, with the barrel removed and the forearm (with recoil spring and forearm buffer inside) attached to the magazine tube. There are two ways to install the barrel on the receiver: As a barrel/forearm assembly, and part by part.

ASSEMBLY AS A BARREL ASSEMBLY — This

is the easiest way to install your barrel on the receiver. If your A-500’s forearm assembly is already removed go to step 2.

Take the receiver in hand and first, lock the breechblock rearward by pulling the operating handle fully to the rear. Then, remove the forearm, recoil spring and forearm buffer from the magazine tube by unscrewing the magazine cap and sliding the parts forward, off of the magazine tube.

OPEN REAR END OF THE FOREARM.

TOO MUCH PRESSURE COULD CAUSE THE WOOD TO SPLIT.

Install the forearm on the barrel by sliding it over the barrel ring and seating it fully rearward .

With the barrel pointing down, insert the recoil spring in the opening at the rear of the forearm and let it slide forward fully in the forearm cavity.

Insert the forearm buffer into the same cavity in the forearm and let it slide fully forward (See Figure 3).

NOTE: The recoil spring must always be

installed at the muzzle end of the magazine

tube. The forearm buffer must be toward the receiver. However, both the spring and the buffer, individually, can be installed in either direction.

With the gun in a horizontal position, install the entire barrel/forearm assembly onto the receiver by sliding the forearm (with buffer and spring inside) over the magazine tube (See Figure 4). Position the gun vertically (barrel up), then slide the barrel/forearm assembly fully rearward, making sure that the barrel extension rails are fully seated in the receiver tracks. The barrel extension may hang up slightly where the extension contacts the face of

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