Browning Gold Fusion Shotgun Owners Manual

							QUALITY SINCE 1878
GOLD FUSION
SHOTGUNOWNER’S MANUAL
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							WE ARE PLEASED THAT YOU HAVE 
CHOSEN A BROWNING GOLD FUSION
AUTOLOADING SHOTGUN.The new Gold Fusion shotgun incorporates the very finest 
in materials, craftsmanship and technology. Its unique,
self-regulating gas system allows you to shoot all loads 
interchangeably (depending on chambering). With 
reasonable care, your Gold Fusion is designed to 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.
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							2YOU 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. 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. 1
ALWAYS 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.
2  
NEVER 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 work “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.
3
WHENEVER 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.
4
DO NOT TRANSPORT ANY LOADED FIREARM. 
Keep all firearms
unloaded during transport, whether stored in a holster, gun case,
scabbard or other container.
5
HUNTING FROM ELEVATED SURFACES SUCH AS TREESTANDS IS DANGEROUS. Doing so may increase the risk of handling a firearm. The following
rules should always be observed by you and those you hunt with:
Alwaysmake 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.
8
USE 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).
9
BE 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.
10
MAKE 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.
13
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.
14
KEEP YOUR FINGERS AWAY FROM THE TRIGGER WHILE LOADING AND
UNLOADING UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO SHOOT.
15
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.
16
ALWAYS 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.
17WEAR 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.
22TEACH 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.
23NEVER 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.
24
PERFORM 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.
BE CAREFUL!
7
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							NOMENCLATUREIn 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 Fusion shotgun is shown 
disassembled to the extent necessary in order to follow instructions
contained in this book (Figure 1-A on the next page).GENERAL OPERATIONThe Browning Gold Fusion 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 of8FIGURE 1ButtStock
TriggerReceiverForearmBarrel
Muzzle
Rib
Safety
Carrier Release Button
Magazine Cap
Operating Handle
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							combustion gases blown out of the gas cylinder and into the receiver,
keeping the inside of the receiver clean.FUSION ACCESSORIESYour Browning Gold Fusion Autoloader shotgun should come with
these accessories:
• Carrying case
• Five Invector-Plus choke tubes, to include Full, Improved Mod.,
Modified (installed in barrel), Improved Cylinder and Skeet.
• One Hi-Viz™ Sight Kit which includes a base, six fluorescent light
pipes and two opaque white sights.
• Three spacers to adjust drop-at-comb. The neutral spacer is installed.
• One container of Lube Shot oil is provided for the working 
mechanism. CAUTION:Never use oil intended for wood on the
working mechanism; never use  oil intended for metal parts and
mechanical mechanism on the wood.
9
FIGURE 1A
Magazine Cap Gas Bracket
Barrel Extension
ForearmSleeve Spring
Sleeve
Gas Piston
Magazine Tube
Magazine
Spring 
Retainer Magazine
FollowerMagazine Spring Trigger Group
Trigger PinsBolt
Bolt Slide LinkBolt Handle
Bolt Slide
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