Browning Auto-5 won't cycle

[9mm+]

I recently inherited a Browning Auto 5 12-gauge from my deceased father-in-law and took it to the range to test fire it. The bolt seemed relatively smooth and lubricated and the shotgun was reasonably clean, but none of the 2-3/4 #8's would cycle the bolt. Manual extraction worked fine and the shells fed into the chamber okay, but none of the fired shells were able to cycle the bolt on their own. I noticed that the magazine was plugged for only two shells.

I will field-strip the shotgun tonight and clean and lubricate it again. This may ultimately fix the problem, but I suspect that there may be an issue with the spring. If that is the case, I will take it to a local gunsmith, but if any of you experienced A5 users out there have some pointers on the problem, then I would appreciate it. I have absolutely no experience with the A5 -- all of my shotgun experience has been limited to Remy 870's and Mossberg 500's.

Thanks in advance!

 

[rcmodel]

The issue is, you have the friction rings set up for heavy / magnum loads, and you are shooting light trap loads.

See page 12 of the owners manual for correct adjustment.
http://media.browning.com/pdf/om/auto5_light_om_s.pdf

rc

 

[9mm+]

Bingo, thanks. My father-in-law didn't have a manual, of course, so I will look at the right adjustments in the weblink you sent. Many thanks!!

 

[rcmodel]

Print out the owners manual from the PDF link.

There is a lot of other good useful info about the gun there too.

rc

 

[9mm+]

Roger that, thanks. My kids depleted the printer ink at home, but I will print this out as soon as I get some more printer cartridges. I did skim through the manual online and agree that there is some great info in there. Again, many thanks -- much appreciated!

 

[Rager]

rcmodel,

Thanks for the link to the manual. I was just fumbling through the Browning site looking for it.

I have a slight issue. I was shown my ladyfriend's late husband's Browning. I'm not familiar with the shotgun but it appears to match everything A5. I racked the slide before I went further -as I looked it over- and I cannot seem to find anywhere to release the slide back to closed. We were rushed going to an event so I returned it to it's case.

Hence my need for the manual.

 

[natman]

rcmodel,

Thanks for the link to the manual. I was just fumbling through the Browning site looking for it.

I have a slight issue. I was shown my ladyfriend's late husband's Browning. I'm not familiar with the shotgun but it appears to match everything A5. I racked the slide before I went further -as I looked it over- and I cannot seem to find anywhere to release the slide back to closed. We were rushed going to an event so I returned it to it's case.

Hence my need for the manual.

There should be a button on the RH side of the receiver to release the bolt.

 

[Rager]

There should be a button on the RH side of the receiver to release the bolt.

It's not in my grasp right now. I didn't see one. It _may not_ be an Auto 5. There's a small, sort of, flush lever on the left side of the receiver. Forwards and backwards acting.
I'll see the piece today sometime.

 

[natman]

It's not in my grasp right now. I didn't see one. It _may not_ be an Auto 5. There's a small, sort of, flush lever on the left side of the receiver. Forwards and backwards acting.
I'll see the piece today sometime.

The lever on the LH side is a magazine cutoff.

 

[Rager]

zzz)

Wow, there's the button on the right side of the receiver that snaps the slide closed and ready to fire. Mmm.

I guess I didn't _think_ or see that that's exactly what that button does. It is a beautiful shotgun and I had an 'oh shiny' moment.

Thanks for the help.

 

[35Rem]

gotta be careful playing with things you don't know how to operate properly...

 

[rcmodel]

Look at the bright side though.

At least you didn't have your pinky finger in the ejection port when you pushed the button!

YEEEOOOOOOOWWWWWWW!!

rc

 

[Sauer Grapes]

I was always told not to let the bolt slam shut on an empty chamber with my A-5. Just hold the bolt handle and let it close slowly.

If your thinking of taking the bolt and mechanism out of the reciever for cleaning, please purchase the correct tools, {ie-screw drivers.} Browning kinda built them to keep us weekend warriors from messing with them.

They aren't like other autoloaders. Still one of my favorite shotguns though. The gun is pluged because states like mine, {Pa.} don't permit you to hunt with more than 3 shell capacity.

Enjoy the gun, they aren't gas, some people hate them, but a lot of us love them.

 

[Rager]

gotta be careful playing with things you don't know how to operate properly...

Evidently the same reason you sit to pee now.

 

[Rager]

rcmodel,

Actually I was in a rush and just didn't recognize the button. I guess I'm used to checkerboarded buttons made with a cutoff disk. hehe

 

[figment]

high comedy in this thread

 

[SKINRBACK]

Auto 5's are a very good gun. I like mine alot. Learn how the gun should be set up for the load's your using, and enjoy. Many used auto 5's are missing part's like the extra ring for mag loads. They can still be had new.