Browning A-500 Manual

							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.  
IT
CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS TO ALTER 
TWE TRIGGER, SAFETY OR OTWER
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 
l-A. See Figure l-B for names of all parts
and assemblies covered in disassembly and 
cleaning procedures.
Ejection 
						

							A. Barrel Extension GuidesB.  Barrel Ring Guide
C. Front Action Springs
D. Bolt Release Button
(Carrier Latch Button)
E. Breechblock Assembly
F. Carrier
G Forearm 
H. Forearm Buffer Rings
I. Magazine Tube
J. Magazine Cap K. Magazine Spring Retainer 
L. Magazine Follower
M. Magazine Spring
N. Operating Handle 
0. Recoil Spring
P. Rotary Bolt Head
Q. Three Shot Adapter 
R. Trigger Group
S. Trigger Guard Retaining Nut
T. Trigger Guard Retaining Screw
General Operating Procedures
12
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
14nonstandard 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 frombeing 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.  
Time, exposure to the elements, as
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. 
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 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.
16 
						

							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
17 
						

							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 
						

							the rotary bolt. If it does, work the
breechblock rearward very slightly by pulling rearward on the operating handle
(several times if necessary), until the barrel
slips into position.
Install the magazine cap. Make absolutely 
sure that the magazine cap is tightened fully, and that there is no play present in 
the forearm. Your A-500 is now assembled.
PART BY PART ASSEMBLY - If the forearm,
recoil spring and buffer have already been dis-
assembled (as after cleaning) proceed to step 2.
Disassemble the forearm assembly from 
the magazine tube. Take the receiver in
19