T H E B E S T T H E R E I S
GOLD AUTOLOADING
12 & 20 GA SHOTGUN
O W N E R ’ S M A N U A L
T H A N K Y O U F O R C H O O S I N G A B R O W N I N G G O L D A U T O L O A D I N G S H O T G U N .
The Gold shotgun represents a new generation of Browning gas-operated, autoloading shotguns. The Gold 12 and 20 gauge incorporate the best of traditional Browning craftsmanship and advanced technology. Every detail of the Gold shotgun has been engineered to provide you the best in handling and reliable operation. With a reasonable amount of care your Gold 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.
S E R V I C E O R R E P A I R
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, contact:
Browning Service Department
One Browning Place
Arnold, Missouri 63010-9406
Phone 1-800-322-4626
Canadian Customers call or write:
Browning Canada Sports Ltd./Ltee,
5617 Chemin St-François
St-Laurent, Quebec H4S 1W6
Phone: (514) 333-7261
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
One Browning Place
Morgan Utah 84050
Phone: (801) 876-2711
Y O U A R E R E S P O N S I B L E F O R
F I R E A R M S S A F E T Y
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. Failure to follow any of these instructions can cause extensive damage to your gun and/or possible serious injury or death to yourself or 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 THIS BOOKLET BEFORE USING YOUR NEW FIREARM.
1ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE OF YOUR SHOTGUN POINTED IN A
SAFE DIRECTION. Do this even though you are certain it 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.
2NEVER RELY TOTALLY ON YOUR SHOTGUN’S MECHANICAL “SAFETY” DEVICE.
Always assume that your gun can be fired at any time, even with all safety mechanisms engaged. The word “safety” describes a gun’s mechanical devices that 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” later in this manual 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 gun’s mechanical “safeties” periodically for proper function, NEVER TEST THEM WHILE YOUR FIREARM IS LOADED OR POINTED IN AN UNSAFE DIRECTION.
Safe gun handling does not stop with your gun’s mechanical “safety”
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devices, — it starts there. Always treat this shotgun with the respect due a loaded, ready-to-fire firearm.
NEVER TEST THE MECHANISM OF ANY FIREARM WHILE IT IS LOADED OR POINTED IN AN UNSAFE DIRECTION.
3WHENEVER YOU HANDLE ANY FIREARM, OR HAND IT TO SOMEONE, MAKE SURE IT IS COMPLETELY UNLOADED. Always open the action immediately, and visually check the chamber. Make certain that the chamber does not inadvertently contain any ammunition. Always keep the chamber empty and the safety in the “on safe” position unless shooting is imminent.
4DO NOT TRANSPORT ANY LOADED FIREARM. Keep all firearms unloaded during transport, whether stored in a holster, gun case, scabbard or other container.
5HUNTING FROM ELEVATED SURFACES SUCH AS TREESTANDS IS DANGEROUS.
Doing so may increase the risk of mishandling 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.
6BEWARE OF BARREL OBSTRUCTIONS. Do this 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 barrels.
BEFORE CHECKING FOR A BARREL OBSTRUCTION, BE CERTAIN YOUR FIREARM IS COMPLETELY UNLOADED. Make sure no live rounds are in the chamber(s). Place the safety in the “on safe” position.
After assuring yourself that the firearm is completely unloaded, again, open the breech or action and look through the barrel(s) to be sure it is clear of any obstruction. If an obstruction is seen, no matter
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how small it may be, clean the bore with a cleaning rod and patch as described later in this manual. 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.
7ALWAYS COMPLETELY UNLOAD ALL FIREARMS WHEN NOT IN USE. As a safety precaution, it is preferable to disassemble your gun for storage. Your responsibilities do not end when your firearm is unattended. Store your firearm and ammunition separately and well beyond the reach of children. Take all safeguards to ensure that any firearm does not become available to untrained, inexperienced or unwelcome hands.
8USE THE PROPER AMMUNITION. The barrel and action of all Browning firearms 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).
9BE ALERT TO THE SIGNS OF AMMUNITION 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 the shell from the chamber(s) as well as the action areas and magazine (when applicable). 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.
10MAKE SURE OF ADEQUATE VENTILATION IN THE AREA THAT YOU DISCHARGE A FIREARM. WASH HANDS THOROUGHLY AFTER EXPOSURE TO AMMUNITION OR AFTER 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.
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11 NEVER INSERT A SHELL OF THE INCORRECT GAUGE IN ANY SHOTGUN.
The gauge of your shotgun is marked on the side of the barrel. Store all shells of different gauges in completely separate and well-marked containers. Never store shells of mixed gauges in a common container or in your pockets.
EXAMINE EVERY SHELL YOU PUT IN YOUR GUN. NEVER PUT A 20 GAUGE SHELL IN A 12 GAUGE GUN. The most common way to bulge or rupture a shotgun 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 gun 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.
12 USE SHELLS OF THE CORRECT LENGTH. Do not use 3 1⁄2" shotgun shells in any shotgun or barrel with a 2 3⁄4" or 3" chamber. Do not use 3" shells in a shotgun chambered for 2 3⁄4" shells. Doing so can result in a buildup of dangerously high pressures that may damage your gun and possibly cause serious injury to yourself or others.
The size of the chamber is inscribed, along with gauge and choke designations on the side of the barrel.
13DO 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.
14KEEP YOUR FINGERS AWAY FROM THE TRIGGER WHILE LOADING AND UNLOADING UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO SHOOT.
15BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND BACKSTOP. Particularly during low light periods. Know the range of your ammunition. Never shoot at water or hard objects.
16ALWAYS UNLOAD THE CHAMBER AND MAGAZINE OF ANY FIREARM BEFORE CROSSING A FENCE, CLIMBING A TREE, JUMPING A DITCH OR NEGOTIATING OTHER OBSTACLES. Never lean or place any loaded
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firearm on or against a fence, tree, car or other similar object.
17 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. 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 any firearm to prevent the possibility of springs, spring-tensioned parts, solvents or other agents from contacting your eyes.
18 DROPPING OR JARRING A LOADED GUN CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE. This can occur even with the “safety” in the “on safe” position. Be extremely careful while hunting or during any shooting activity, to avoid dropping any firearm.
19 IF ANY FIREARM 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 shell or 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.
20 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.
21 BE CERTAIN ALL FIREARMS ARE 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.
22 TEACH AND SUPERVISE FIREARMS SAFETY TO ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY — ESPECIALLY TO CHILDREN AND NONSHOOTERS.
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Closely supervise newcomers to the shooting sports. Encourage enrollment in hunting/shooting safety courses.
23 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.
24PERFORM PERIODIC MAINTENANCE — AVOID UNAUTHORIZED SERVICING.
Your new firearm 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.
25BROWNING 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.
26READ 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.
DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, ALTER THE TRIGGER, SAFETY OR OTHER 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.
B E C A R E F U L !
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FIGURE 1
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Safety |
Operating Handle |
Rib |
Barrel |
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Butt |
Stock |
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Forearm |
Muzzle |
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Receiver |
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Magazine Cap |
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Trigger |
Carrier Release Button |
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N O M E N C L A T U R E
In conventional gun terminology, the position and movement of shotgun parts are described as they occur with the shotgun horizontal and in normal firing position; i.e. the muzzle is forward or front; the butt stock is rearward or rear; the trigger is downward or underneath; the sight is upward or on top. For general parts nomenclature,
refer to Figure 1. The Browning Gold shotgun is shown disassembled to the extent necessary in order to follow instructions contained in this book (Figure 1-A on the next page).
G E N E R A L O P E R A T I O N
The Browning Gold shotgun is a gas operated, autoloading shotgun. It is capable of shooting five shots (with the magazine plug removed using 2 3⁄4" loads) in rapid succession with each pull of the trigger. Upon firing, high pressure gas from behind the shot charge passes through two ports in the barrel, through the gas bracket and into the gas cylinder. High pressure gases force the gas piston
rearward, applying pressure to the piston rod. As the piston rod moves rearward, it pushes the bolt assembly rearward, operating the action. As the bolt assembly moves rearward, it recocks the hammer and ejects the fired shell. After full rearward travel, the bolt assembly returns forward, picking up a new shell from the magazine and chambering it automatically. After the last shell has been fired, the bolt assembly locks to the rear, instead of returning forward. This facilitates speedy reloading. The short-stroke of the gas piston along with the snug, gas sealing fit of the piston rod limits the amount of
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FIGURE 1-A
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Gas Bracket |
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Barrel Extension |
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Bolt Slide Link |
Bolt |
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Bolt Handle |
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Bolt Slide |
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Magazine Tube |
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Trigger Group |
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Trigger Pins |
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Sleeve Spring |
Gas Sleeve |
Gas Piston |
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Magazine Cap |
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Magazine Spring |
Forearm |
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Magazine |
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Magazine |
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Spring |
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Follower |
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Three Shot Adapter |
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Retainer |
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combustion gases blown out of the gas cylinder and into the receiver, keeping the inside of the receiver clean.
NOTE: THE GOLD SHOTGUN IS DELIVERED WITH THE MAGAZINE ADAPTER 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 LIMITED, MERELY TAKE OUT THE THREE SHOT ADAPTER AS EXPLAINED ON PAGE 16 UNDER “THREE SHOT ADAPTER.”
I N I T I A L C L E A N I N G
Various exposed metal parts of your new gun have been coated at the factory with a rust preventative compound. Before assembling your shotgun, 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. Clean the barrel using a cleaning rod and patch as explained under “Cleaning and Maintenance Suggestions” on page 25.
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