Browning Bar Rifle Owners Manual

							QUALITY SINCE 1878
BAR RIFLEOWNER’S MANUAL
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							THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING 
A BROWNING BAR RIFLEThe BAR Mark II Safari incorporates the very finest in 
materials and craftsmanship. From the receiver and stock, to
the working mechanism — you can see and feel traditional
Browning Belgian craftsmanship. The BAR Mark II has been
designed with innovative features that result in improved
performance and operating convenience. With just 
reasonable care, this gun should 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.
There is no excuse for careless or abusive handling of any firearm. At
all times handle your rifle and any other 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 RIFLE POINTED IN A 
SAFE DIRECTION,
even though you are certain the rifle 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 RIFLE’S MECHANICAL “SAFETY” DEVICE.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” on pages 8-9 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 rifle’s muzzle in an unsafe direction.
While it is a good idea to “test” your rifle’s mechanical “safeties” peri-
odically for proper function,NEVER TEST IT WHILE YOUR RIFLE IS LOADED OR POINTED IN AN
UNSAFE DIRECTION! 
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							Safe gun handling does not stop with your gun’s mechanical “safety”
devices — it starts there. Always treat this rifle with the respect due a
loaded, ready-to-fire firearm.
3WHENEVER YOU HANDLE A FIREARM, OR HAND IT TO SOMEONE,
ALWAYS OPEN THE ACTION IMMEDIATELY,VISUALLY CHECK YOUR
RIFLE’S CHAMBER, FEED MECHANISM AND MAGAZINE.Make certain that they do not inadvertently contain any ammunition.
Always keep the chamber empty and the “safety” in the “on safe”
position unless shooting is imminent.
4DO NOT TRANSPORT YOUR RIFLE LOADED, WHETHER IN A SCABBARD,
GUN CASE, OR OTHER CONTAINER.
5
HUNTING FROM ELEVATED SURFACES SUCH AS TREE STANDS IS DAN-
GEROUS,
and may increase the risk of handling a firearm. The follow-
ing 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.
6
BEWARE OF BARREL OBSTRUCTIONS,
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 obstruc-
tion to cause dangerously increased pressures that can ruin (swell or
rupture) the finest rifle barrels.
BEFORE CHECKING FOR A BARREL OBSTRUCTION, BE CERTAIN NO LIVE
ROUND IS IN THE CHAMBER AND THAT THE MAGAZINE IS REMOVED
AND FEED MECHANISMS ARE COMPLETELY EMPTY. PLACE THE “SAFETY”
IN THE “ON SAFE” POSITION. 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
3
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							with a cleaning rod and patch as described in “Cleaning and Mainte-
nance Suggestions” on pages15 and 16. 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 UNLOAD YOUR RIFLE WHEN NOT IN USE. REFER TO PAGES 12
AND 13 OF THIS INSTRUCTION BOOKLET EXPLAINING THE UNLOADING
OF YOUR RIFLE.As a safety precaution, it is preferable to disassemble your gun for
storage. Store your gun and ammunition separately—well beyond the
reach of children. Take all safeguards to ensure your rifle does not 
become available to untrained, inexperienced or unwelcomed hands.
8USE THE PROPER AMMUNITION.
The barrel and action of this rifle
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).
HORNADAY LIGHT MAGNUM AMMUNITION SHOULD NOT BE USED IN A
SEMI-AUTOMATIC RIFLE SUCH AS THE BAR. IT MAY DAMAGE THE
FIREARM. BE ALERT TO THE SIGNS OF AMMUNITION MALFUNCTION. If you detect an off sound or light recoil when a cartridge is fired,
DO
NOT LOAD ANOTHER CARTRIDGE INTO THE CHAMBER. 
9
DO NOT SNAP THE FIRING PIN ON AN EMPTY CHAMBER — THE CHAM-
BER MAY NOT BE EMPTY! 
Treat every gun with the respect due a load-
ed gun, even though you are certain the gun is unloaded.
10
KEEP YOUR FINGERS AWAY FROM THE TRIGGER WHILE UNLOADING,
AND LOADING, UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO SHOOT.
11
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.
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							12
ALWAYS UNLOAD YOUR RIFLE’S CHAMBER BEFORE CROSSING A FENCE,
CLIMBING A TREE, JUMPING A DITCH OR NEGOTIATING OTHER OBSTA-
CLES.
Refer to pages 12 and 13 of this instruction book for instruc-
tions on the unloading of your rifle. Never place your loaded rifle on
or against a fence, tree, car, or other similar object.
13
WEAR 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 dam-
age. Wear shooting glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles.
Allow proper distance (eye relief ) between the scope and your eye
when firing a scoped rifle or shotgun. Always keep a safe distance
between the muzzle of your firearm and any persons nearby, as muz-
zle blast, debris and ejecting shells could inflict serious injury. Also,
wear eye protection when disassembling and cleaning your shotgun
to prevent the possibility of springs, spring-tensioned parts, solvents
or other agents from contacting your eyes.
14
DROPPING OR JARRING A LOADED GUN CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENTAL
DISCHARGE
even with the “safety” in the “on safe” position. Be
extremely careful while hunting or during any shooting activity, to
avoid dropping any firearm.
15
IF YOUR RIFLE 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 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.
16
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 pre-
cautions, politely suggest safer handling practices.
17
BE CERTAIN YOUR RIFLE IS 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
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							before disassembly, cleaning and reassembly. Keep ammunition away
from the cleaning location. Never test the mechanical function of any
firearm with live ammunition.
18TEACH AND SUPERVISE FIREARMS SAFETY TO ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR
FAMILY — ESPECIALLY TO CHLDREN AND NONSHOOTERS.
Closely
supervise newcomers to the shooting sports. Encourage enrollment in
hunting/shooting safety courses.
19
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.
20
READ AND HEED ALL WARNINGS
in this instruction book, on ammu-
nition 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 as-
sumes no liability for incidents which occur when unsafe or improper
gun accessories or ammunition combinations are used.
21
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE — AVOID UNAUTHORIZED SERVICING.
Your
rifle 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.
22
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 modifications of the firing mech-
anism and/or operating parts may lead to Browning’s refusal of ser-
vice on such firearms. Browning will charge the owner for parts and
labor to return the firearm to original Browning specifications.
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							DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, ALTER THE TRIGGER, SAFETY OR
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.
23 Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas, cleaning firearms, or
handling ammunition may result in exposure to lead and other sub-
stances known to cause birth defects, reproductive harm and other
serious physical injury.
HAVE ADEQUATE VENTILATION AT ALL TIMES.
Wash hands thoroughly after exposure.
BE CAREFUL!
7
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							NOMENCLATUREIn conventional gun terminology the position and movement of gun
parts are described as they occur with the gun horizontal and in nor-
mal firing position; i.e., the muzzle is forward or in front; the butt-
stock is rearward or to the rear; the trigger is downward or under-
neath; the sights are upward or on top.GENERAL OPERATING PROCEDUREThe Browning BAR Mark II Safari and BAR Mark II Lightweight are
gas operated, semi-automatic repeating rifles. The Mark II Safari has a
steel blued receiver while the Lightweight has an alloy receiver with a
shorter 20 barrel. (24 on magnums.) Both function identically. With
cartridges in the magazine and the chamber and the safety in the OFF
SAFE or FIRE position, the rifle will fire a single round with each suc-
cessive pull of the trigger until the magazine and chamber are empty.
When the last round has been fired, the bolt will be held in its rear-
ward, or open position. This facilitates speedy, convenient loading.
Prior to reloading, place the safety in the “on safe” position (see “load-
ing the rifle,” pages 8-9). Always maintain proper control of the muz-
zle. To close the bolt, simply depress the bolt release lever or pull the
operating handle backward and release it. (Magazine must be loaded.)
During this operation, exercise care that your fingers do not enter the
ejection port in the receiver.OPERATION OF THE SAFETYCAUTION: THE “SAFETY” SHOULD BE KEPT IN ITS “ON SAFE” POSITION AT
ALL TIMES EXCEPT WHEN ACTUALLY FIRING THE RIFLE.
The trigger-block
type safety is conveniently located on the trigger guard just rearward
8FIGURE 1
ButtBolt Release Lever
StockSafety
TriggerMagazine
LatchDetachable Magazine
and FloorplateForearmBarrel
Muzzle
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							of the trigger. (See
Figure 2) This is an
ideal location for 
manipulation of the
large safety head with
the index finger of
either hand. With the
safety pushed 
completely to the
right, the rifle is ON
SAFE and rearward
movement of the trigger is completely blocked.
With safety pushed completely to the left the rifle is OFF SAFE and
ready to fire. In this FIRE or OFF SAFE position a band of RED is 
visible on the safety where it projects beyond the left face of the 
trigger guard. CAUTION: If your rifle was purchased used, the safety
may have been reversed for a left-handed shooter. Please take time to
inspect your rifle’s safety for the positioning mentioned above, and
become familiar with its operation and position in the ON and OFF
SAFE mode.
Whenever a cartridge is chambered, the rifle should be ON SAFE until
it is ready to be fired.
NOTE: If aleft-handed safetyis needed, the safety can be reversed by a
competent gunsmith or send it to our Arnold, Missouri Service Facility.LOADING THE RIFLECAUTION: Keep your fingers clear of the ejection port at all times
when the bolt is locked open. The bolt will close with considerable
force, if you should depress the bolt release lever or pull the operating
handle backward.
The Browning semi-automatic high power rifle utilizes a unique
detachable box magazine. The capacity of the magazine is four rounds
(three rounds for magnum calibers). Another cartridge may be carried
in the chamber, providing a total rifle capacity of five rounds 
(four rounds for magnum calibers).
9
FIGURE 2
Safety
Magazine
LatchOperating handle Breech bolt
(closed)
Magazine
floorplate
unit (open)
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