Browning BAR RIFLE User Manual

QUALITY SINCE 1878

BAR RIFLE

OWNER’S MANUAL

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING
A BROWNING BAR RIFLE

The BAR Mark II Safari incorporates the very finest in

materials and craftsmanship. From the receiver and stock, to

the working mechanism — you can see and feel traditional

Browning Belgian craftsmanship. The BAR Mark II has been

designed with innovative features that result in improved

performance and operating convenience. With just

reasonable care, this gun should provide you with many years

of pleasure and dependable service. Please feel free to write us

immediately if you have any observations regarding its

performance and operation.

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 rifle 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.

1

ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE OF YOUR RIFLE POINTED IN A
SAFE DIRECTION,

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 RIFLE’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. See “Operation of
the Safety” on pages 8-9 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 rifle’s muzzle in an unsafe direction.

While it is a good idea to “test” your rifle’s mechanical “safeties” peri­odically for proper function,

NEVER TEST IT WHILE YOUR RIFLE IS LOADED OR POINTED IN AN
UNSAFE DIRECTION!

2

even though you are certain the rifle is unloaded.

Safe gun handling does not stop with your gun’s mechanical “safety”
devices — it starts there. Always treat this rifle with the respect due a
loaded, ready-to-fire firearm.

3

WHENEVER YOU HANDLE A FIREARM, OR HAND IT TO SOMEONE,
ALWAYS OPEN THE ACTION IMMEDIATELY,VISUALLY CHECK YOUR
RIFLE’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 RIFLE 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 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 rifle barrels.

BEFORE CHECKING FOR A BARREL OBSTRUCTION, BE CERTAIN NO LIVE
ROUND IS IN THE CHAMBER AND THAT THE MAGAZINE IS REMOVED
AND FEED MECHANISMS ARE COMPLETELY EMPTY. PLACE THE “SAFETY”
IN THE “ON SAFE” POSITION.

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

3

with a cleaning rod and patch as described in “Cleaning and Mainte­nance Suggestions” on pages15 and 16. 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 RIFLE WHEN NOT IN USE. REFER TO PAGES 12
AND 13 OF THIS INSTRUCTION BOOKLET EXPLAINING THE UNLOADING
OF YOUR RIFLE.

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 rifle does not
become available to untrained, inexperienced or unwelcomed hands.

8

USE THE PROPER AMMUNITION.

The barrel and action of this rifle
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).

HORNADAY LIGHT MAGNUM AMMUNITION SHOULD NOT BE USED IN A
SEMI-AUTOMATIC RIFLE SUCH AS THE BAR. IT MAY DAMAGE THE
FIREARM. BE ALERT TO THE SIGNS OF AMMUNITION MALFUNCTION.

If you detect an off sound or light recoil when a cartridge is fired,

NOT LOAD ANOTHER CARTRIDGE INTO THE CHAMBER.

9

DO NOT SNAP THE FIRING PIN ON AN EMPTY CHAMBER — THE CHAM­BER MAY NOT BE EMPTY!

Treat every gun with the respect due a load-

ed gun, even though you are certain the gun is unloaded.

10

KEEP YOUR FINGERS AWAY FROM THE TRIGGER WHILE UNLOADING,
AND LOADING, UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO SHOOT.

11

BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND BACKSTOP.

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

DO

4

12

ALWAYS UNLOAD YOUR RIFLE’S CHAMBER BEFORE CROSSING A FENCE,
CLIMBING A TREE, JUMPING A DITCH OR NEGOTIATING OTHER OBSTA­CLES.

Refer to pages 12 and 13 of this instruction book for instruc­tions on the unloading of your rifle. Never place your loaded rifle on
or against a fence, tree, car, or other similar object.

13

WEAR EYE AND EAR PROTECTION WHEN SHOOTING.

Unpr otected,
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.
Allow proper distance (eye relief) between the scope and your eye
when firing a scoped rifle or shotgun. Always keep a safe distance
between the muzzle of your firearm and any persons nearby, as muz­zle blast, debris and ejecting shells could inflict serious injury. 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.

14

DROPPING OR JARRING 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.

15

IF YOUR RIFLE 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.

16

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.

17

BE CERTAIN YOUR RIFLE 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

5

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

18

TEACH AND SUPERVISE FIREARMS SAFETY TO ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR
FAMILY — ESPECIALLY TO CHLDREN AND NONSHOOTERS.

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

19

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.

20

READ AND HEED ALL WARNINGS

in this instruction book, on ammu­nition boxes and with all accessories that you install on your firearm.
It is your responsibility to secure the most up-to-date information on
the safe handling procedures of your Browning gun. Browning as­sumes no liability for incidents which occur when unsafe or improper
gun accessories or ammunition combinations are used.

21

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE — AVOID UNAUTHORIZED SERVICING.

rifle 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.

22

BROWNING RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE ON FIREARMS
THAT HAVE BEEN ALTERED, ADDED TO OR SUBSTANTIALLY CHANGED.

Removal of metal from barrel(s), or modifications of the firing mech­anism and/or operating parts may lead to Browning’s refusal of ser­vice on such firearms. Browning will charge the owner for parts and
labor to return the firearm to original Browning specifications.

Your

6

DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, ALTER THE TRIGGER, SAFETY OR
PARTS OF THE FIRING MECHANISM OF THIS OR ANY OTHER FIREARM.
FAILURE TO OBEY THIS WARNING MAY RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH TO
YOURSELF OR OTHERS.

23 Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas, cleaning firearms, or

handling ammunition may result in exposure to lead and other sub­stances known to cause birth defects, reproductive harm and other
serious physical injury.
Wash hands thoroughly after exposure.

HAVE ADEQUATE VENTILATION AT ALL TIMES.

BE CAREFUL!

7

FIGURE 1

Butt

Stock

Bolt Release Lever

Safety

Trigger

Magazine
Latch

Forearm

Detachable Magazine
and Floorplate

Barrel

Muzzle

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 in front; the butt­stock is rearward or to the rear; the trigger is downward or under­neath; the sights are upward or on top.

GENERAL OPERATING PROCEDURE

The Browning BAR Mark II Safari and BAR Mark II Lightweight are
gas operated, semi-automatic repeating rifles. The Mark II Safari has a
steel blued receiver while the Lightweight has an alloy receiver with a
shorter 20" barrel. (24" on magnums.) Both function identically. With
cartridges in the magazine and the chamber and the safety in the OFF
SAFE or FIRE position, the rifle will fire a single round with each suc­cessive pull of the trigger until the magazine and chamber are empty.
When the last round has been fired, the bolt will be held in its rear­ward, or open position. This facilitates speedy, convenient loading.
Prior to reloading, place the safety in the “on safe”position (see “load­ing the rifle,” pages 8-9). Always maintain proper control of the muz­zle. To close the bolt, simply depress the bolt release lever or pull the
operating handle backward and release it. (Magazine must be loaded.)
During this operation, exercise care that your fingers do not enter the
ejection port in the receiver.

OPERATION OF THE SAFETY

CAUTION: THE “SAFETY” SHOULD BE KEPT IN ITS “ON SAFE” POSITION AT
ALL TIMES EXCEPT WHEN ACTUALLY FIRING THE RIFLE.

type safety is conveniently located on the trigger guard just rearward

8

The trigger-block

of the trigger. (See
Figure 2) This is an
ideal location for

FIGURE 2

Safety

Breech bolt
(closed)

Operating handle

manipulation of the
large safety head with
the index finger of
either hand. With the
safety pushed
completely to the
right, the rifle is ON
SAFE and rearward

Magazine
Latch

Magazine
floorplate
unit (open)

movement of the trigger is completely blocked.

With safety pushed completely to the left the rifle is OFF SAFE and
ready to fire. In this FIRE or OFF SAFE position a band of RED is
visible on the safety where it projects beyond the left face of the
trigger guard. CAUTION: If your rifle was purchased used, the safety
may have been reversed for a left-handed shooter. Please take time to
inspect your rifle’s safety for the positioning mentioned above, and
become familiar with its operation and position in the ON and OFF
SAFE mode.

Whenever a cartridge is chambered, the rifle should be ON SAFE until
it is ready to be fired.

NOTE: If a left-handed safety is needed, the safety can be reversed by a
competent gunsmith or send it to our Arnold, Missouri Service Facility.

LOADING THE RIFLE

CAUTION: Keep your fingers clear of the ejection port at all times
when the bolt is locked open. The bolt will close with considerable
force, if you should depress the bolt release lever or pull the operating
handle backward.

The Browning semi-automatic high power rifle utilizes a unique
detachable box magazine. The capacity of the magazine is four rounds
(three rounds for magnum calibers). Another cartridge may be carried
in the chamber, providing a total rifle capacity of five rounds
(four rounds for magnum calibers).

9

To ready the rifle for

FIGURE 3

loading, first ensure
that the safety is in
the ON SAFE posi­tion.

Next, hold the rifle in
a natural position
with the barrel safely
pointing at the
ground. Holding the

Pull rearward on magazine latch

rifle at the forearm,
pull rearward on the magazine latch with the index finger of the op­posite hand, allowing the hinged floorplate-magazine unit to swing
downward. The magazine is now ready to be loaded. (See Figure 3.)

If it is desired to load a round into the chamber prior to loading the
magazine, the following steps should be taken. First, be sure the safety
is in the ON SAFE position. Hold the gun on its side with the barrel
pointing safely downward with either hand at the rear of the forearm,
as described earlier. With the rifle held in this position the ejection
port in the receiver should be facing up. Next, with the magazine
floorplate open and the bolt locked open, insert one round into the
ejection port, allowing it to drop completely into the chamber. Then,
close the bolt by depressing the bolt release lever. The bolt should be
allowed to slam closed from its open position. If the bolt is not
allowed to close in this manner, there is the possibility that it will not
close completely, in which event the rifle will not fire.

It is safer to hunt with an empty chamber until in the presence of
game. In this situation, quietness in chambering a cartridge is some­times of prime importance. To accomplish this, cycle the action slowly
and quietly by pulling the operating handle to its full rearward posi­tion and releasing it while keeping the operating handle controlled.
You may want to first practice this with an empty chamber.

10

It is both convenient and fast to load the magazine while it is attached
to the floorplate in the open position. However, some may prefer to
load the magazine after detaching it from the floorplate. Both meth­ods will be described.

LOADING THE MAGAZINE WITH MAGAZINE
ATTACHED TO FLOORPLATE

Always be sure the gun is ON SAFE, and the muzzle is pointed in a
safe direction, since there may be occasions when you will want to
load or replenish the magazine while a round is chambered. Hold the
rifle in a safe barrel down position, using either hand on the forearm
and pull rearward on the magazine latch to allow the magazine
floorplate to swing downward. Each cartridge should then be carefully
inserted into the magazine against the pressure of the spring loaded
follower, until it is retained by the metal lips of the magazine body.
Care should be exercised in positioning each cartridge so that its base
is to the rear of the

FIGURE 4

magazine. If the
nose of a cartridge
protrudes beyond
the end of the mag­azine, it could cause
feeding problems or
interfere with the
closing of the maga­zine floorplate.
(See Figure 4.)

Carefully insert each
cartridge into the magazine

LOADING THE MAGAZINE WITH MAGAZINE
DETACHED FROM FLOORPLATE

Once again, place the rifle ON SAFE and be sure the muzzle is pointed
in a safe direction. With the magazine-floorplate unit open, the
magazine may be detached by merely pulling it away from the hinged
floorplate. To do so, grasp the sides of the magazine toward its rear
with the thumb and middle finger of either hand. Then, pull the

11

magazine away from

FIGURE 5

the floorplate while at
the same time bear­ing against the
projecting rear of the
floorplate with the
index finger.
(See Figure 5.)

The rifle may be sup­ported in its barrel

Detach the magazine
from the floorplate.

down position during
this procedure with the opposite hand at the forearm. Once the maga­zine is detached it may be loaded with cartridges as described earlier.
To re-attach, insert the small tab on the front face of the magazine
into the matching groove in the forward end of the floorplate. Then
snap the rear of the magazine firmly into place. Extra magazines may
be carried loaded for rapid replacement of an empty magazine, using
this same procedure.

After loading the magazine, attach it to the floorplate. Swing the
magazine floorplate into place until retained by the magazine latch. If
a round has not already been placed into the chamber, a round may be
chambered by depressing the bolt release lever and allowing the bolt
to slam closed.

Once a round has been chambered, the magazine-floorplate unit may
again be opened at any time desired for refilling to capacity.

UNLOADING THE RIFLE

With the rifle ON SAFE and pointed in a safe downward direction
release the magazine-floorplate to its open position. Grasp the bolt
operating handle and move it to the rear, thereby extracting and
ejecting any live round in the chamber. The magazine may then be
detached and either kept loaded or the cartridges may be stripped
from it with the thumb of either hand. As is always good safety prac­tice, visually inspect the chamber to be absolutely sure a round is not
still present. Once this is determined the bolt may be allowed to close.

12

To unload the magazine merely push forward on the base of each
round until it clears the retaining lips. The last step is to close the
floorplate either without the magazine or with an empty magazine in
place.

TRIGGER

The trigger mechanism has been adjusted at the factory to provide a
short crisp pull, yet one consistent with safety. The trigger is a single
stage design with the weight of pull holding closely to 4 pounds. It is
recommended that no attempt be made to change the weight of pull
of the trigger.

REMOVING THE TRIGGER GROUP

This procedure should rarely, if ever, need to be performed. However,
if the receiver area of your BAR should become excessively dirty it
may be helpful to remove the trigger group and expose the inner
cavity of the receiver for cleaning.

DO NOT ALTER OR ATTEMPT TO DISASSEMBLE ANY PART OF THE TRIGGER
GROUP OR REMOVE OR DISASSEMBLE THE BREECH BOLT MECHANISM.

If any service of the trigger group becomes necessary, take your BAR
Mark II to a recommended Browning Service Center or send it to our
service center in Arnold, Missouri.

DISASSEMBLY

1 First, make certain the gun is totally unloaded and the safety is ON

SAFE.

2 Release the breechblock to its forward position by depressing the bolt

release lever. Swing open the magazine.

3 Push in the two trigger guard pins from either the right or left side of

the receiver. Use a drive punch or similar object, using caution not to
scratch the gun’s receiver. (See Figure 6.) Push the trigger guard pins
clear through the receiver.

4 Grasp the trigger guard and pull the trigger assembly out of the

receiver. (See Figure 7.)

13

5 Perform any clean-

ing of the parts
and receiver cavity
as necessary.

DO NOT DISASSEMBLE
THE TRIGGER GROUP
BEYOND THIS POINT.

FIGURE 6

TRIGGER
GROUP
REASSEMBLY

1 Before reinstalling

FIGURE 7

Push trigger guard pins
entirely through receiver.

the trigger group,
make sure that the
breech bolt is fully
forward and en­gaged in the locked
position.

2. Visually check the
safety on the trigger
guard to make cer­tain it is still in the

FIGURE 8

Remove trigger assembly.

ON SAFE position.

3 Insert the trigger

group back into
the receiver, lining
up the holes in the
trigger assembly
with the holes on
each side of the
receiver.

Re-insert trigger guard pins.

4 Re-insert the trigger guard pins from either side of the receiver and

gently tap them into place again using caution not to scratch the
receiver. (See Figure 8.)

14

CLEANING SUGGESTIONS

The correct procedure for cleaning your rifle is as follows:

1

BE CERTAIN THE RIFLE IS UNLOADED AND THE SAFETY IS IN THE ON
SAFE POSITION.

chamber by pulling the operating handle to the rear. Unload the mag­azine by pushing forward on the base of each round until it clears the
retaining lips.

2

PULL THE BOLT FULLY REARWARD WITH THE OPERATING HANDLE.

will be held in this open position if the magazine is installed. If the
magazine is missing, open the bolt and manually push the bolt
release lever up to lock the action open.

3

USING A RIFLE CLEANING ROD WITH TIP AND PATCH LARGE ENOUGH
FOR SNUG FIT IN BORE,

zle end and run back and forth several times. Caution should be exer­cised to ensure that the cleaning rod or handle does not strike the
crown of the muzzle, as damage to this area can adversely affect the
accuracy of the rifle.

4

INSPECT THE CHAMBER AND BORE FOR POWDER FOULING.

amount of powder residue can be expected and is not serious. It can
usually be removed by repeating step number 3, using a patch satu­rated with nitro-solvent. If or when fouling should become heavy, it
can be removed with a brass bore brush. Dip the brush in nitro-sol­vent and scrub the chamber and bore until the fouling is removed. To
prevent brass bristles from breaking off, the brush should be pushed
completely through the bore before being withdrawn. Your BAR will
operate smoothly and reliably with a clean bore and chamber.

5

AFTER FOULING HAS BEEN REMOVED, THE BORE SHOULD BE WIPED
DRY.

Then pass a slightly oiled patch through it for preservation. A

fine, light gun oil like Browning Oil is recommended.

6

THE INTERIOR OF THE RECEIVER AND THE BOLT SHOULD PERIODICALLY
BE WIPED OFF WITH A CLEAN RAG.

group removed, see “Removing the Trigger Group”on pages 13 and
14, and with the magazine floorplate open and the bolt in its open
position.

Again, to unload your rifle, eject any live round in the

insert rod and patch in barrel from the muz-

A normal

This is best done with the trigger

It

15

Any dried oil in these areas and on the magazine follower should be
removed. Follow this cleaning by applying a very light film of oil on
the affected parts. Do not pour large quantities of oil into the action.
An excess of oil will run into the wood and cause it to soften or warp.

7

WIPE ALL EXPOSED METAL SURFACES WITH AN OILED CLOTH, MAKING
SURE TO WIPE GUN CLEAN OF ALL FINGER MARKS.

Finger marks
should be removed because they provide a place where moisture can
accumulate. Ordinary good judgment will, of course, indicate that the
metal of the gun should receive a light film of oil any time the gun
has been exposed to adverse weather or handling.

8

THE WOOD SURFACES OF YOUR BAR CAN ALSO BE WIPED LIGHTLY
WITH BROWNING OIL,

or you can apply a quality wood or furniture
polish to the stock and forearm. Using one of these methods (not
both), will enhance the beauty and durability of your BAR.

9

CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS:

To ensure proper functioning of your BAR
it should be periodically inspected and cleaned. Any time when slug­gish or incomplete operation of the action is experienced while using
commercial ammunition, the action should be cleaned. The following
procedure should be followed:

DISASSEMBLY

NEVER ATTEMPT TO TAKE YOUR BAR APART FURTHER THAN EXPLAINED IN
THIS MANUAL.

This is a specialized, finely fitted mechanism. You may permanently
mar it by attempting to disassemble the inner mechanism assemblies.
If further disassembly for service or cleaning is required, take your
gun to a Browning recommended Service Center or a competent gun­smith, or send it to our Arnold, Missouri Service Facility as explained
under “Service or Repair” on the back cover.

BE CERTAIN THE RIFLE IS UNLOADED.

1

With the rifle in the ON SAFE position and pointed in a safe down­ward direction, release the magazine floorplate to its open position.
Grasp the bolt operating handle and move it smartly to the rear,

16

thereby extracting and ejecting any live round in the chamber. Re­move all rounds from the magazine and remove it from the floor­plate. Always visually inspect the chamber to make sure there are no
rounds present. (See page 12 for instructions on removing and
unloading the magazine.)

2 Remove forearm: Loosen and remove the forearm swivel eyelet with a

small wrench by turning in a counterclockwise direction. Care should
be taken to prevent scratching the forearm. Grasp the forward end of
the forearm and pull away from the barrel carefully until firm resis­tance is felt. Then slide the forearm forward and off. (The forearm
must be pulled away from the barrel so that the forearm will clear the
bottom of the gas cylinder as the forearm is moved forward.) Note:
The forearm cannot be removed unless the bolt is locked open. In
order to lock the bolt open, pull the bolt back and manually engage
the bolt release

FIGURE 9

lever by pushing it
up. The bolt will
lock.

3Remove action

bars: Close the bolt
gently by depress­ing the bolt release
lever and easing
the cocking handle
forward. To remove
the left action bar

Pull action bar forward and out.

FIGURE 10

pull the forward
end away from its
slot on the inertia
piece. Then lower
and pull the action
bar forward and
out of the receiver.
(See Figure 9.)
Remove the right

Remove bolt release lever spring.

17

action bar by first

FIGURE 11

releasing the bolt
release lever spring
from the bolt release
lever and removing
the spring from the
receiver. (See Figure

10.) Remove the bolt
release lever pin and
pull the bolt release
lever forward and
out of the receiver.

Remove bolt release
lever pin.

FIGURE 12

(See Figure 11.) You
can then pull the
forward end of the
action bar away
from the inertia
piece and lower and
pull the action bar
out of the receiver.

4 Remove gas cylinder

screw cap from the

Remove gas cylinder screw cap.

FIGURE 13

forward end of the
gas cylinder: Turn
in a counter-clock­wise direction. (See
Figure 12.) Use an
11/16" wrench for
this step.

5 Remove the gas pis-

ton: The inertia

Remove gas piston.

block should be
pulled back toward the receiver until rear face of the gas piston can be
pushed forward out of the gas cylinder with a small soft drive punch.
(See Figure 13.)

18

NOTE: An extremely dirty gas cylinder and gas piston may require
forcefully moving the gas piston forward with a hammer and soft
drive punch. Extreme care must be used to avoid scoring parts. If the
gas piston will not move with moderate force, place a couple of drops
of nitro-solvent around the gas piston, wait about 15 minutes, and
then try to push the piston out with the drive punch. If the piston
still will not move, apply more nitro-solvent on the piston and allow
it to set overnight before attempting to remove it.

6 Remove the inertia block, action spring, and action spring guide:

Tightly grip by hand the rear portion of the action and action spring
guide and pull forward toward gas cylinder until the action spring
guide is clear of its
recess in the receiv-

FIGURE 14

er. The rear end of
the action spring
guide can then be
moved to one side
of the receiver and
then rearward to
remove the action
spring, action
spring guide, and

Lift out bolt
release lever pin.

inertia block. (See Figure 14.)

The gas cylinder can now be examined for accumulations of residue.
Residues in the gas cylinder and on the gas piston should be thor­oughly removed with a good quality powder solvent or bore cleaner.
If residues are heavy, they can be removed by scrubbing the gas
cylinder with a 20 gauge shotgun bronze wire bore brush and a good
solvent.

NOTE: the gas cylinder screw located on the gas cylinder is set at the
factory.

DO NOT CHANGE THE SETTING ON THE GAS CYLINDER SCREW.

Any changes to the gas cylinder screw may adversely affect the
accuracy and operation of your rifle.

19

The gas piston, gas cylinder, and other parts covered by the forearm
should be wiped with a very lightly oiled cloth after cleaning. The gas
cylinder interior and the gas piston

SHOULD NOT BE OILED

REASSEMBLY

1 Replace the action

spring, action
spring guide, and
inertia block:
Grasp the action
spring, action
spring guide, and
inertia block and
push the action
spring and guide
forward until it fits
into the gas cylin­der. (See Figure 15.)
Position the other
end of the action
spring guide into
the recess in the
receiver. (See
Figure 16.)

2 Insert the gas piston

into the front of the
gas cylinder: Make
sure the end of the
gas piston with the
hole goes in first.
(See Figure 17.)
Push the gas piston
rearward so the
end of the action
spring guide fits

20

FIGURE 15

Replace action spring, action spring guide
and inertia back into recess in receiver.

FIGURE 16

Position end of action spring guide
into recess in receiver.

FIGURE 17

Insert gas piston into front of gas cylinder.

beyond this.

into the hole in the

FIGURE 18

gas piston. To be
sure that the gas
piston is properly
aligned in the gas
cylinder, the gas pis­ton should be able
to be pushed par­tially out of the rear
end of the gas cylin­der when the iner­tia block is pulled
away from the gas

Replace action bars.

FIGURE 19

Replace bolt release spring.

cylinder.

3 Screw on and

tighten the gas
cylinder screw cap
on the front of the
gas cylinder.

4 Replace the action

bars: Place the bolt
in its forward position. It is helpful to release the magazine floorplate
to the open position so you can check alignment of the action bars
on the bolt. Place the projecting section of each action bar carefully in
its corresponding slot in the bolt before the action bar is fit onto the
inertia piece. (See Figure 18.) The action bars are interchangeable. It
may be necessary to pull the inertia piece slightly rearward to engage
the action bars.

5 Replace the bolt release spring and bolt release lever and pin: Close

the magazine floorplate and keep the bolt in its forward position. Re­place the bolt release spring. (See Figure 19.) Replace the bolt release
lever. Line the hole in the bolt release lever with the hole in the receiv­er and insert the bolt release pin. Lock the bolt release spring onto the
bolt release lever.

21

6 With the bolt

FIGURE 20

locked in the open
position, slide the
forearm all the way
down until it fits
onto the receiver.
When fitting the
forearm onto the
receiver, grasp the
forward end of the
forearm and pull it
away from the bar-

Fit forearm over gas piston
and onto receiver.

FIGURE 21

rel. (See Figure 20.)
Be very careful in
reassembly of the
forearm, since it
can be broken if
forced into posi­tion incorrectly.

ADJUSTING
THE SIGHT

The BAR is available with or without open sights. Always unload your
rifle before making any alignment to the sights. Remember, always move
your rear sight in the same direction you want the point of the bullet
impact to move. If you want the point of bullet impact to move to the
left, move the rear sight setting to the left. If you want to raise the point
of impact, raise your rear sight setting.

1 If horizontal or windage correction is desired, loosen or tighten the

screw on the side of the rear sight notch to the desired setting.
(See Figure 21.) Each calibration mark represents
inch movement of the point of impact at 100 yards.

2 If vertical correction is desired, loosen or tighten the vertical adjust-

ment screw located in front of the rear sight notch. Again, calibration
marks on the sight represent approximately 1/4 inch at 100 yards.

22

approximately 1/4

NOTES

23

NOTES

24

SERVICE OR REPAIR

If your firearm should require service or repairs, we suggest you
first contact a local recommended Browning Firearms Service
Center. Contact your Browning sporting goods dealer or call our
Service Department for the address of the Service Center nearest
you. Otherwise, you may send your firearm directly to our own
Service Department. For technical questions about your firearm or
service call our Service Department.

Browning Service Department
3005 Arnold Tenbrook Road
Arnold, Missouri 63010-9406
Phone [phone]

Canadian Customers call or write:

Browning Canada Sports Ltd./Ltee,
5617 Chemin St-François
St-Laurent, Quebec H4S 1W6
Phone: [phone]

When returning your firearm for servicing, you must do the
following:

1. Be sure it is completely unloaded.

2. Package it securely in a cardboard container.

3. Enclose a letter with your firearm that clearly describes the
trouble experienced and the repairs desired.

4. If convenient, send a copy of the letter to us separately.

5. Never return ammunition with your firearm. It is against postal
and most commerce regulations.

If you have any questions about this manual or about any other
Browning products, call or write our Consumer Information
Department:

Browning Consumer Information
Morgan Utah 84050
Phone: [phone]

You Are Responsible For Firearms Safety

As a gun owner, you accept a set of demanding responsibilities. How seriously you take these
responsibilities can mean the difference between life and death. Failure to follow any of these
instructions can cause extensive damage to your gun and/or possible serious injury or death to
yourself and others. There is no excuse for careless or abusive handling of any firearm. At all
times handle any 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 THE OWNER’S MANU AL BEFORE USING YOUR NEW
FIREARM.

1. ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE OF YOUR RIFLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION, even
though you are certain that the rifle 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 RIFLE'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. See "Operations of the Safety" for
instructions on operation of YOUR 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
rifle's muzzle in an unsafe direction.
While it is a good idea to "test" your rifle's mechanical "safeties" periodically for proper
function,

DIRECTION

NEVER TEST IT WHILE YOUR RIFLE IS LOADED OR POINTED IN AN UNSAFE

Safe gun handling does not stop with your gun's mechanical "safety devices -- it starts
there. Always treat your rifle with the respect due a loaded, ready-to-fire firearm.

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

3.

ACTION IMMEDIATELY, VISUALLY CHECK YOUR RIFLE'S CHAMBER, FEED MECHANISM
AND MAGAZINE.

Make certain they do not inadvertently contain any ammunition. Always keep the
chamber empty and "safety" in the "on safe" position unless shooting is imminent.

4.

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

HUNTING FROM ELEVATED SURFACES SUCH AS TREE STANDS IS DANGEROUS, and

5.
may increase the risk of handling a firearm. The following rules should 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 to 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 to 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 obstructions 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 rifle barrels.

BEFORE CHECKING FOR A BARREL OBSTRUCTION, BE CE RTAIN NO LIVE ROUND IS IN
THE CHAMBER AND THAT THE MAGAZINE IS REMOVED AND FEED MECHANISMS ARE
COMPLETELY EMPTY. PLACE THE "SAFETY" IN THE "ON SAFE" POSITION.

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." Before the first firing, clean the bore
with a cleaning rod and patch, and wipe away any anti-rust compound in the
action/chamber areas.

7.

ALWAYS UNLOAD YOUR RIFLE WHEN NOT IN USE. REFER TO "UNLOADING THE RIFLE"
FOR AN EXPLANATION OF HOW TO UNLOAD YOUR RIFLE PROPERLY.

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 rifle does not become available to untrained, inexperienced or unwelcome
hands.

8.

USE THE PROPER AMMUNITION.

The barrel and action of this rifle 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 with standards established by the Sporting Arms and Ammunitions
Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI).

BE ALERT TO THE SIGNS OF AMMUNITION MALFUNCTION.

If you detect an off sound or light recoil when a cartridge s fired, DO NOT LOAD

ANOTHER CARTRIDGE INTO THE CHAMBER.

Open the action and remove all cartridges
from the magazine, chamber and action areas. With the action open, glance down the
barrel to make sure that an obstruction does not remain in the barrel. If there is an
obstruction, 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.

MAKE SURE OF ADEQUATE VENTILATION IN THE AREA THAT YOU DISCHARGE A
FIREARM. WASH HANDS THOROUGHLY AFTER EXPOSURE TO AMMUNITION OR
CLEANING A FIREARM.

Lead exposure can be obtained from discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas,
cleaning firearms or handling ammunition. Lead is a substance that has been known to
cause birth defects, reproductive harm and other serious injury.

9.

DO NOT SNAP THE FIRING PIN ON AN EMPTY CHAMBER -- THE CHAMBER MAY N OT BE
EMPTY!

Treat every gun with the respect due a loaded gun, even though you are certain the gun is
unloaded.

10.

KEEP FINGERS AWAY FROM THE TRIGGER WHILE UNLOADING, LOADING, UNTIL YOU
ARE READY TO SHOOT.

11. BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND BACKSTOP.
Particularly during low light periods. Know the range of your ammunition. Never shoot
at water or hard object.

12.

ALWAYS UNLOAD YOUR RIFLE'S CHAMBER BEFORE CROSSING A FEN CE, CLIMBING A
TREE, JUMPING A DITCH OR NEGOTIATING OTHER OBSTACLES.

Refer to "Unloading The Rifle" for instructions on the unloading of your rifle. Never
place your loaded rifle on or against a fence, tree, car or other similar object.

13.

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. Allow proper distance (eye relief) between the
scope and your eye when firing a scoped rifle or shotgun. Always keep a safe distance
between the muzzle of your firearm and any persons nearby, as muzzle blast, debris and
ejecting shells could inflict serious injury. Also, wear eye protection when disassembling
and cleaning your shotgun to prevent the possibility of springs, spring-tensioned parts,
solvent or other agents from contacting your eyes.

14.

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.

15.

IF YOUR RIFLE 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.

16.

BE DEFENSIVE AND ON GUARD AGAINST UNSAFE GUN HANDLING AROUND YOU AN D
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.

17.

BE CERTAIN YOUR RIFLE 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.

18.

TEACH AND SUPERVISE FIREARMS SAFETY TO ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY -­ESPECIALLY TO CHILDREN AND NONSHOOTERS.

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

19.

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.

20. READ AND HEED ALL WARNINGS in this instruction book, on ammunition boxes and
with all accessories that you install on your firearm. It is your responsibility to secure the
most up-to-date information on the safe handling procedures of your Browning gun.
Browning assumes no liability for incidents which occur when unsafe or improper gun
accessories or ammunition combinations are used.

21.

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE -- AVOID UNAUTHORIZED SERVICING.

Your rifle 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.

22.

BROWNING RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE ON FIREARMS THAT HAVE
BEEN ALTERED, ADDED TO OR SUBSTANTIALLY CHANGE D.

Removal of metal from barrel(s), or modification of the firing mechanism and/or
operating parts may lead to Browning's refusal of service on such firearms. Browning
will charge the owner parts and labor to return the firearm to original Browning
specifications.

DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, ALTER THE TRIGGER, SAFETY OR PARTS OF
THE FIRING MECHANISM OF THIS OR ANY OTHER FIREARM. FAILURE TO OBEY THIS
WARNING MAY RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH TO YOURSELF OR OTHERS.

BE CAREFUL!

WWW.BROWNING.COM

BROWNING CANADA: Browning Canada Sports Ltd/Ltee,St-Laurent, Quebec, H4S 1W6

BROWNING US: Morgan, Utah 84050-9326

BROWNING INTL: Parc Industriel des Hauts-Sarts, B-4040 Herstal, Belgium

KP0004/98355