You Are Responsible For Firearms Safety. As a gun owner, you accept a set of demanding responsibilities. How seriously you take these responsibilities can mean 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 and 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. READ AND UNDERSTAND all of THE CAUTIONS AND PROPER HANDLING PROCEDURES OUTLINED IN THIS BOOKLET BEFORE USING YOUR NEW FIREARM. 1. ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE OF ANY FIREARM POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. Do this even though you are certain the firearm 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 the safety mechanism engaged. The word "safety" describes a gun's trigger block mechanism, sear block mechanism, hammer block mechanism or firing pin block mechanism. These mechanical devices 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" in your owners manual for instructions on operation of your gun's "safety."
3. 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 shotgun'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" devices -- it starts there. Always treat this shotgun with the respect a loaded, ready-to-fire firearm. NEVER TEST THE
MECHANISM OF ANY FIREARM WHILE IT IS LOADED OR POINTED IN AN UNSAFE DIRECTION. 4. WHENEVER YOU HANDLE A FIREARM, OR HAND IT TO SOMEONE MAKE SURE IT IS COMPLETELY UNLOADED.
Always open the action immediately and visually check the chamber magazine. Make certain 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.
5. DO NOT TRANSPORT ANY FIREARM LOADED. KEEP ALL FIREARMS UNLOADED DURING TRANSPORT, WHETHER IN A SCABBARD, GUN CASE, OR OTHER CONTAINER. 6. HUNTING FROM ELEVATED SURFACES SUCH AS TREE STANDS 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: Always make 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.
BEWARE OF BARREL OBSTRUCTION.
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 shotgun barrel.
BEFORE CHECKING FOR A BARREL OBSTRUCTION, BE CERTAIN YOUR FIREARM IS FULLY UNLOADED.
Make sure no live rounds are in the chamber. Place the safety in the "on safe" position, open the breech or action and look through the barrel to be sure it is clear of any obstruction. If an obstruction is seen, no matter how small it may be, clean the bore with a cleaning rod and patch as instructed for your particular firearm. 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.
8. ALWAYS 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 gun and ammunition separately -- well beyond the reach of children. Take all safeguards to ensure your firearm does not become available to untrained, inexperienced or unwelcome hands.
9. 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 with standards established by the Sporting Arms and Ammunitions Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI).

BE ALERT TO THE SIGNS OF AMMUNITION MALFUNCTION.
If you detect an off sound or light recoil when ammunition is fired, DO NOT LOAD MORE AMMUNITION INTO THE CHAMBER. Open the action and remove all ammunition from the chamber. With the action open, glance down the barrel to make sure that a wad or other obstruction does not remain in the barrel. If there is an obstruction, 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 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. 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 12 gauge shell 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.
USE SHELLS OF CORRECT LENGTH.
The size of the chamber is inscribed, along with gauge and choke designations, on the side of the barrel. Do not use 31/2" shotgun shells in a shotgun or barrel with a 2 3/4" chamber or 3" chamber. Do not use 3" shells in a shotgun chambered for a 2 3/4" shells. Doing so can result in a build-up of dangerously high pressures that may damage your gun and possibly cause serious injury to yourself or others. 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 your loaded shotgun on or against a fence, tree, car or other similar object. 17. WEAR EYE AND EAR PROTECTION WHEN SHOOTING. Unprotected, repeated exposure to gunfire can cause hearing damage. Wear ear protectors (shooting earplugs 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 all firearms to prevent the possibility of springs, springtensioned parts, solvents or other agents from contacting your eyes.
18. DROPPING 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. If the primer is indented, the shell 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. Dont 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 YOUR SHOTGUN IS UNLOADED BEFORE CLEANING.
Because so many 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.
22. SUPERVISE AND TEACH FIREARMS SAFETY TO ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY -ESPECIALLY TO CHILDREN AND NONSHOOTERS.
Closely supervise newcomers to the shooting sports. Encourage enrollment in hunting/shooting safety courses.
23. NEVER 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 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. 25. READ AND HEED ALL WARNINGS in these instructions, on ammunition boxes and with all accessories that you install on your firearm. It is your responsibility to secure the most upto-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. 26. Browning reserves the right to refuse service on firearms that have been altered, added to or substantially changed. Removal of metal from barrel(s), or modification of the firing mechanism and/or operating parts may lead to Brownings refusal of service on such firearms. Browning will charge the owner for parts and labor to return the firearm to original Browning specifications.
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!