Browning Gold Fusion Shotgun Owners Manual

							The Gold Fusion 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 17
under “Three  Shot Adapter.”INITIAL CLEANINGVarious 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 29.SERIAL NUMBERThe serial number of your Gold Fusion shotgun is found on the lower
left side of the receiver—just above the trigger guard.AMMUNITIONThe Gold Fusion Autoloading  12 and 20 gauge shotguns shoot all 
factory lead and steel 12 or 20 gauge 2 3/4 and 3 loads.
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 SAFETYThe cross bolt safety prevents the trigger from being pulled when in
the “on safe” position. The safety is located at the rear of the trigger
guard (Figure 2). In the “off safe” position, a red warning band is 
visible on the safety button on the left side of the trigger guard.
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							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
(Figure 2-A).
The safety is reversible and can be reversed from right- to left-handed
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.NOTE: DO NOT DEPEND ON THE RED COLOR ALONE TO INDICATE YOUR
GUN’S SAFETY STATUS, AS TIME, EXPOSURE TO THE ELEMENTS, AND THE
ABRASIVE ACTION OF CLEANING AGENTS CAN ERASE IT.HOW TO ASSEMBLE THE BARREL TO 
THE RECEIVERThe Gold Fusion shotgun is delivered in the box, with the barrel
removed and the forearm still attached to the magazine tube. It is
important to follow the exact sequence for assembly in steps 1 and 
2, in order to properly assemble your Fusion shotgun.
Always place the safety in the “on safe” position before assembly 
procedures and check your gun carefully to be certain that the 
chamber, feed mechanism and magazine contain no shells.
1 Take the receiver in hand. First, lock the bolt rearward by pulling 
the operating handle fully to the rear. Remove the forearm from the 
magazine tube by unscrewing the magazine cap and sliding the 
forearm forward, off the magazine tube.
Do not squeeze hard on the open rear end of the forearm. Too much
pressure could cause the wood to split.
11
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2-A
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							2 Components of the gas system—the sleeve, sleeve spring and gas 
piston will remain in place and do not need to be removed, except for
cleaning. If the components of the gas system have been removed,
reinstall them as explained below. Otherwise, proceed to step 5.
3 Slide the sleeve onto the magazine tube with the piston rod end first.
Check the piston rod to make sure it is aligned with the slot on the right
side (ejection port side) of the receiver. Make sure the sleeve spring is
properly positioned in the sleeve (Figure 3).
4 Slide the gas piston into the gas
bracket (Figure 3-A).
5 With the gun in the vertical 
position, line the gas bracket 
and gas piston over the magazine
tube (Figure 3-B). Slide the 
gas bracket and gas piston over
the magazine tube. The barrel 
extension should slip solidly 
down into the receiver. Make
sure the piston rod moves freely 
in its slot in the receiver.
6 Replace the forearm by sliding it onto the magazine tube and over 
the gas bracket so it seats securely. Install the magazine cap. Make
12
FIGURE 3-BLine the gas bracket and gas piston over the
magazine tube.
FIGURE 3Slide the sleeve onto the magazine tube with
the piston rod end first.
FIGURE 3-ASlide the gas piston into the gas bracket.
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							sure the magazine cap is fully tightened down. Open and close 
the action several times and retighten the magazine cap. This will
ensure a proper seal.
DISASSEMBLY OF THE BARREL FROM THE
RECEIVERBEFORE STARTING DISASSEMBLY PROCEDURES, VISUALLY INSPECT 
THE CHAMBER, FEED MECHANISM AND MAGAZINE TO BE ABSOLUTELY 
CERTAIN THE SHOTGUN IS COMPLETELY UNLOADED. POINT THE BARREL 
IN A SAFE DIRECTION.1 Unscrew the magazine cap and remove it.
2 Remove the forearm by sliding it forward off the magazine tube.
3 For cleaning, remove the barrel, piston and piston sleeve by sliding
them forward off the magazine tube. See “Cleaning and Maintenance
Suggestions” on page 25 and 26 for cleaning procedures.
If you are disassembling for storage, return the piston and piston
sleeve onto the magazine tube as shown previously in Figure 3-B.
Reinstall the forearm over the magazine tube and screw on the 
magazine cap. You will then have two compact units: the barrel,
and the action with stock and forearm.CAUTION: AFTER THE BARREL HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM YOUR GUN,
LEAVE THE BOLT IN THE OPEN POSITION. DO NOT PRESS THE CARRIER
RELEASE BUTTON.If the bolt is released forward with the barrel removed, the cartridge
stop will hit the front of the receiver and cause damage.DISASSEMBLY OF THE TRIGGER GROUP AND
BOLT ASSEMBLYThe trigger group or bolt can be removed if the action becomes 
excessively dirty or wet. If this occurs, disassemble the action for a
complete cleaning as explained below. Your Gold Fusion shotgun is
designed to allow full disassembly of the trigger group and bolt
assembly in the field, without any tools. Detailed cleaning procedures
are outlined under “Cleaning and Maintenance” on page 29. Full 
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							disassembly involves removal of
the bolt assembly and the trigger
group. Any disassembly beyond 
this should only be performed by 
a competent gunsmith.ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION
WHEN PERFORMING ANY MAINTE-
NANCE OR DISASSEMBLY.REMOVING THE
TRIGGER GROUP1 First, make certain the gun is 
totally unloaded and the “safety”
is “on safe.” CHECK THE MAGAZINE, FEED MECHANISM 
AND CHAMBER TO BE SURE THEY DO NOT CONTAIN 
ANY SHELLS.
2 While holding the bolt handle, release the bolt to its forward position
by depressing the carrier release button. Again use caution when
releasing the bolt assembly to its forward position. If you allow the
bolt assembly to slam closed with the barrel removed, you can 
damage the receiver.
14
FIGURE 4-APush the trigger guard pins through the other
side of the receiver.FIGURE 4-BGrasp the trigger guard and pull it up and out of
the receiver.
FIGURE 4Use a drive punch to push Inward on the 
trigger guard pins.
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							3 Use a drive punch or similar object to push inward on the trigger
guard pins, using caution not to scratch the receiver (Figure 4).
Trigger guard pins may be removed from either side of the receiver.
Push the trigger guard pins clear through the other side of the 
receiver. It may be necessary to pull on the trigger pins to remove
them from the receiver (Figure 4-A).
4 Grasp the trigger guard and pull it up and out of the receiver(Figure
4-B).
5 Perform any cleaning of the parts and receiver cavity as necessary.DO NOT DISASSEMBLE THE TRIGGER GROUP BEYOND THIS POINT.REASSEMBLY1 Make sure the bolt is in the forward position.
2 Insert the trigger group back into the receiver. The holes in the trigger
group should line up with the holes on each side of the receiver.
3 Reinsert the trigger guard pins and gently tap them into place with 
a plastic or wooden mallet, again using caution not to scratch the
receiver.REMOVING THE BOLT ASSEMBLYTo remove the bolt assembly it is preferred to first remove the trigger
group, as explained previously.
1 With the gun inverted (trigger
guard up position), push down
on the cartridge stop while
pulling outward on the bolt 
handle (Figure 5). Remove the
bolt handle from the bolt.
2 While keeping the cartridge stop
depressed, slide the bolt and bolt
slide forward and out of the
receiver (Figure 5-A).
3 The bolt and bolt slide can be 
15
FIGURE 5Push down on the cartridge stop while pulling
outward on the bolt handle.
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							separated for cleaning (Figure 5-B). Perform any cleaning of the bolt
and receiver cavity as necessary.
DO NOT DISASSEMBLE THE BOLT ASSEMBLY BEYOND THIS POINT.REINSTALLING THE BOLT ASSEMBLY1 Reassemble the bolt and bolt slide.
2 Place the bolt assembly back in the receiver, bolt slide link end 
first (Figure 5-C). Line the rails on the bolt slide with the slots 
in the bottom of the receiver.
3 Guide the bolt slide link into its socket in the recoil spring follower
(Figure 5-D).
4 To replace the operating handle push down on the cartridge stop and
insert the bolt handle in its respective slot in the bolt. IMPORTANT:
It may be necessary to pull out on the bolt handle slightly until the
cartridge stop clicks back in place (Figure 5-E). Failure to follow these
instructions will result in the inability to load the magazine.
5 Open and close the action several times to make sure the bolt slide
link and recoil spring follower are properly engaged.
16
FIGURE 5-BThe bolt and bolt slide can be 
separated for cleaning.
FIGURE 5-ASlide the bolt and bolt slide 
forward and out of the receiver.
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							17
FIGURE 5-CPlace the bolt assembly
back in the receiver, bolt
slide link first.
FIGURE 5-DGuide the bolt slide link into 
its socket in the recoil spring 
follower.
FIGURE 5-EMake sure the bolt handle clicks
back into place.
THREE SHOT ADAPTER/MAGAZINE CAPACITYThe Gold Fusion shotgun is delivered with the magazine three shot
adapter (plug) installed in the magazine, limiting magazine capacity to
two shells in compliance with federal migratory bird regulations. If you
do not wish to be limited to three shots — when it is not required by law
— you can remove (or reinstall) the three shot adapter (plug) as follows:ALWAYS WEAR PROTECTIVE SAFETY GLASSES DURING THIS OPERATION.1 First, make certain the gun is totally unloaded and the “safety” is 
“on safe.” CHECK THE MAGAZINE, FEED MECHANISM AND 
CHAMBER TO BE SURE THEY DO NOT CONTAIN ANY SHELLS.
2 Unscrew the magazine cap and remove it.
3 The magazine three-shot adapter lays underneath the magazine
spring retainer located in the forward end of the magazine tube. To
remove the magazine spring retainer, depress the magazine spring
retainer tab, located in the window on the magazine tube while 
keeping your hand on the magazine spring retainer (Figure 6). Slowly
remove the magazine spring retainer as it is under pressure of the
magazine spring (Figure 6-A). Remove the magazine 3-shot adapter
(Figure 6-B).
4 Depress the magazine spring back into the magazine tube and 
replace the magazine spring retainer. Make sure the magazine 
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							spring retainer tab is locked in
place in its slot in the magazine
window.
5 Reinstall the magazine cap. If, at
some future time, you wish 
to limit your gun to three shots
again, unscrew the magazine 
cap and remove the magazine
spring retainer. Lightly press 
the three-shot adapter to force
the magazine spring rearward 
until the base of the three-shot adapter is level with the end of the
magazine tube. Replace the magazine spring retainer and magazine
cap.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLATION OF
SPACERS TO ADJUST DROP AT COMBThree spacers have been included with your Gold Fusion autoloading
shotgun which fit between the buttstock and receiver, to allow 
adjustment at comb and heel. Each is labeled/stamped for what 
each does. These spacers and respective stamps are defined as follows:
(Figure 7).
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FIGURE 6Depress the magazine spring retainer tab, and
ease out the retainer.
FIGURE 6-ARemove the magazine spring and plug.FIGURE 6-BRemove the magazine 3-shot adapter.
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							STAMP:1 Raises comb approximately 1/16, and heel approximately 1/8.
2 Neutral. This spacer is already installed on your Gold Fusion
shotgun.
3 Lowers the comb approximately 1/16, and heel 
approximately 1/8.TO INSTALL A SPACER:Use a cross-tip or “Phillips” screwdriver to remove the recoil pad 
at the end of the buttstock. Work the screwdriver tip into the two
access holes in the pad, top and bottom. Make certain the tip of
the screwdriver engages the head of the screw, then undo counter-
clockwise. Remove both screws, taking care not to scratch or mar 
the buttstock (figure 7-A).
Using a 3/4 socket, loosen the stock bolt inside the buttstock 
completely, and remove the bolt, stockbolt washer and plate.
(Figure 7-B). Note for reassembly, that the washer and plate 
are beveled, and mate with each other.
Completely remove the buttstock from the receiver. Remove the 
existing, neutral spacer and install the one you have selected in the
proper manner as explained here:
19
FIGURE 7Spacers.
FIGURE 7-ARemove both screws from the recoil pad.
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