Author Topic: Browning 5 failing to eject (Read 714 times)

greer · « **on:** February 19, 2006, 03:56:03 PM »

I have an old 12 ga Model 5 in the shop that was bought new in the 60's and has recently started failing to eject in cold weather. The fellow mainly uses high brass ammo and said this problem either started or worsened after it was blued. He now has to position the friction ring in the light load position before it will function with the heavier loads. The mag. tube seems in pretty good condition, the chamber feels a little rough to me. I would appreaciate any advice on these old shotguns. Thanks. greer

popplecop · « **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2006, 08:28:57 AM »

First of all don't shoot it with heavy loads with the rings in the light load position. He'll beat it to death. Mine functions fine with light loads with the rings in the heavy load position. When mine gets sluggish, it means a complete cleaning. I mean tearing it down to the basic groups. They are a royal pain to put back together. I'd take it back to where he had it blued and let that gunsmith look at it.

popplecop · « **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2006, 08:34:49 AM »

I just reread your post, I goofed it looks like. Did you blue it? If so it would have been cleaned. I would look at the chamber and if thats bright, I'd check the recoil spring in the stock. Could something be retarding it's action? It is amazing the amount of crud that get in to those places with normal usage.

greer · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2006, 02:55:31 PM »

I wish it would be something involving the recoil spring, that makes more sense. He wants me to go ahead and replace the mag. tube and friction ring but I'm not sure if that's even the problem. I didn't blue the shotgun ,although like you said, it should have been clean after it was blued. I'll check it out before I order any parts. I've had a rash of model 5's and Rem. 11's lately with various problems, one with the mag. tube broken flush off in the reciever. Beings the gun only malfunctions in cold weather this could be a humdinger problem to figure out. Thanks alot for your advice. Any other suggestions welcome. greer

greer · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2006, 02:58:13 PM »

I wish it would be something involving the recoil spring, that makes more sense. He wants me to go ahead and replace the mag. tube and friction ring but I'm not sure if that's even the problem. I didn't blue the shotgun ,although like you said, it should have been clean after it was blued. I'll check it out before I order any parts. I've had a rash of model 5's and Rem. 11's lately with various problems, one with the mag. tube broken flush off in the reciever. Beings the gun only malfunctions in cold weather this could be a humdinger problem to figure out. Thanks alot for your advice. Any other suggestions welcome. greer

texagun · « **Reply #5 on:** February 21, 2006, 09:06:13 AM »

Make sure the chamber is slick and smooth. If not, buff it smooth with some 0000 steel wool on a drill shank in an electric drill. The friction rings also need to be well-lubricated on the magazine tube for correct functioning. You can download a manual on Browning's web site for complete instructions.

greer · « **Reply #6 on:** February 21, 2006, 10:43:10 AM »

Texagun,
The fellow mentioned that he has tried a few different lubes on the tube and it only made it worse. I'll polish the chamber and see what happens. I may have to put the gun in the freezer to see if it's going to function in cold weather after I do anything. Is there a lube that is commonly used on the mag. tubes? Thanks. greer

corbanzo · « **Reply #7 on:** February 23, 2006, 05:14:49 PM »

A lot of lubes when used over large areas like tubes can create a sort of suction, which makes it move worse. Try to totally dry it of all oil or grease, then try a dry lubricant like graphite. I had a rough chamber problem with a rifle, and 0000 steel wool like texagun said solved it quick.

greer · « **Reply #8 on:** February 24, 2006, 04:24:34 PM »

Thanks for the replies. Today I polished the chamber, took the stock off and checked the recoil spring, and polished the mag tube and put some Break Free lube on it. I put it on the heavy setting and shot a few rounds of Fed. Game loads through it and it threw the hulls about 10 feet. I'll stick the gun in the truck some cold night and try it in the morning . Thanks again. greer

popplecop · « **Reply #9 on:** February 25, 2006, 03:47:36 PM »

It don't get cold in Kentucky, should have it up here, 0 tonight. Just kidding, hope you got the problem solved. But I wasn't kidding about 0 tonight.

greer · « **Reply #10 on:** February 26, 2006, 01:40:28 AM »

I put the gun in the truck last night , it got down to 25 degrees or so, and the shotgun became a very consistent single shot. Very puzzzling. That mag tube was prety slick. The owner says all this started after blueing and still wants me to replace the tube but there's no bluing left on the tube after I polished it with 400 grit paper and oil. A new friction ring would just make it a little tighter I would think and a new tube may be less slick than this one. Fow the book I was reading ( Patrick Sweeny's Gunsmithing Shotguns) the Model 5's should almost always function with light loads even on the light setting and 25 degrees isn't that cold as popplecop knows. I'll keep you informed. Thanks for all the help. greer

steveus · « **Reply #11 on:** February 26, 2006, 04:07:21 AM »

Give Brownell's a call. Their tech reps can be mighty helpful. 25degrees should be nothing for that A-5 to operate in! Steveus