Browning Bar Rifle Owners Manual

							The gas piston, gas cylinder, and other parts covered by the forearm
should be wiped with a very lightly oiled cloth after cleaning. The gas
cylinder interior and the gas piston 
SHOULD NOT BE OILED
beyond this.
REASSEMBLY1 Replace the action
spring, action
spring guide, and
inertia block:
Grasp the action
spring, action
spring guide, and
inertia block and
push the action
spring and guide
forward until it fits
into the gas cylin-
der. (See Figure 15.)Position the other
end of the action
spring guide into
the recess in the
receiver. (See
Figure 16.)
2 Insert the gas piston
into the front of the
gas cylinder: Make
sure the end of the
gas piston with the
hole goes in first.
(See Figure 17.)
Push the gas piston
rearward so the
end of the action
spring guide fits
20
FIGURE 15
Replace action spring, action spring guide
and inertia back into recess in receiver.FIGURE 17
Insert gas piston into front of gas cylinder.FIGURE 16
Position end of action spring guide
into recess in receiver.
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							into the hole in the
gas piston. To be
sure that the gas
piston is properly
aligned in the gas
cylinder, the gas pis-
ton should be able
to be pushed par-
tially out of the rear
end of the gas cylin-
der when the iner-
tia block is pulled
away from the gas
cylinder.
3 Screw on and
tighten the gas
cylinder screw cap
on the front of the
gas cylinder.
4 Replace the action
bars: Place the bolt
in its forward position. It is helpful to release the magazine floorplate
to the open position so you can check alignment of the action bars
on the bolt. Place the projecting section of each action bar carefully in
its corresponding slot in the bolt before the action bar is fit onto the
inertia piece. (See Figure 18.) The action bars are interchangeable. It
may be necessary to pull the inertia piece slightly rearward to engage
the action bars.
5 Replace the bolt release spring and bolt release lever and pin: Close
the magazine floorplate and keep the bolt in its forward position. Re-
place the bolt release spring. (See Figure 19.) Replace the bolt release
lever. Line the hole in the bolt release lever with the hole in the receiv-
er and insert the bolt release pin. Lock the bolt release spring onto the
bolt release lever.
21
FIGURE 19FIGURE 18
Replace bolt release spring. Replace action bars.
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							6 With the bolt
locked in the open
position, slide the
forearm all the way
down until it fits
onto the receiver.
When fitting the
forearm onto the
receiver, grasp the
forward end of the
forearm and pull it
away from the bar-
rel. (See Figure 20.)
Be very careful in
reassembly of the
forearm, since it
can be broken if
forced into posi-
tion incorrectly.ADJUSTING
THE SIGHTThe BAR is available with or without open sights. Always unload your
rifle before making any alignment to the sights. Remember, always move
your rear sight in the same direction you want the point of the bullet 
impact to move. If you want the point of bullet impact to move to the
left, move the rear sight setting to the left. If you want to raise the point
of impact, raise your rear sight setting.1 If horizontal or windage correction is desired, loosen or tighten the
screw on the side of the rear sight notch to the desired setting.
(See Figure 21.) Each calibration mark represents 
approximately 1/4
inch movement of the point of impact at 100 yards.
2 If vertical correction is desired, loosen or tighten the vertical adjust-
ment screw located in front of the rear sight notch. Again, calibration
marks on the sight represent approximately 1/4 inch at 100 yards.
22
Fit forearm over gas piston 
and onto receiver. FIGURE 20FIGURE 21
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							NOTES
23
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							NOTES
2498355/BAR OM  8/7/03  10:49 AM  Page 24 
						

							SERVICE OR REPAIR If your firearm should require service or repairs, we suggest you
first contact a local recommended Browning Firearms Service
Center. Contact your Browning sporting goods dealer or call our
Service Department for the address of the Service Center nearest
you. Otherwise, you may send your firearm directly to our own
Service Department. For technical questions about your firearm or
service call our Service Department.
Browning Service Department
3005 Arnold Tenbrook Road
Arnold, Missouri 63010-9406
Phone 1-800-322-4626
Canadian Customers call or write:
Browning Canada Sports Ltd./Ltee,
5617 Chemin St-François
St-Laurent, Quebec H4S 1W6
Phone: (514) 333-7261
When returning your firearm for servicing, you must do the 
following:
1. Be sure it is completely unloaded.
2. Package it securely in a cardboard container.
3. Enclose a letter with your firearm that clearly describes the 
trouble experienced and the repairs desired.
4. If convenient, send a copy of the letter to us separately.
5. Never return ammunition with your firearm. It is against postal
and most commerce regulations.
If you have any questions about this manual or about any other
Browning products, call or write our Consumer Information
Department:
Browning Consumer Information
Morgan Utah 84050
Phone: (801) 876-2711
98355/BAR OM Cover  8/7/03  10:50 AM  Page 4 
						

							
You Are Responsible For Firearms Safety 
As a gun owner, you accept a set of demanding re sponsibilities. How seriously you take these 
responsibilities can mean the di fference between life and death. Fa ilure to follow any of these 
instructions can cause ex tensive damage to your gun and/or po ssible serious injury or death to 
yourself and others. There is no excuse for carele ss or abusive handling of any firearm. At all 
times handle any firearm with intense resp ect for its power and potential danger.  
PLEASE READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE CAUTIONS, PROPER HANDLING PROCEDURES 
AND INSTRUCTIONS OUTLINED IN THE OWNER’S MANUAL BEFORE USING YOUR NEW 
FIREARM. 
1. ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE OF YOUR RIFLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION, even 
though you are certain that 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 RIFLES MECHANICAL SAFETY DEVICE. The word 
safety describes a guns trigger block m echanism, sear block mechanism, hammer 
block mechanism or firing pin block mechanis m. 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  Operations of the Safety  for 
instructions on operation  of YOUR guns 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 ha ndling and are no excuse for pointing your 
rifles muzzle in an unsafe direction. 
While it is a good idea to test  your rifles mechanical safeties periodically for proper 
function, 
NEVER TEST IT WHILE YOUR RIFLE IS  LOADED OR POINTED IN AN UNSAFE 
DIRECTION 
Safe gun handling does not stop with your guns  mechanical safety devices -- it starts 
there. Always treat your rifl e with the respect due a load ed, ready-to-fire firearm. 
3. WHENEVER YOU HANDLE A FIREARM, OR HA ND IT TO SOMEONE, ALWAYS OPEN THE 
ACTION IMMEDIATELY, VISUALLY CHECK  YOUR RIFLES CHAMBER, FEED MECHANISM 
AND MAGAZINE.  
Make certain they do not in advertently contain any ammunition. Always keep the 
chamber empty and safety in the on  safe position unless shooting is imminent. 
4. DO NOT TRANSPORT YOUR RIFLE LOADED, WHETHER IN A SCABBARD, GUN CASE, OR 
OTHER CONTAINER.
 
5. HUNTING FROM ELEVATED SURFACES SUCH  AS TREE STANDS IS DANGEROUS, and 
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 firear m is unloaded when it is being 
taken up to 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 to 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 othe r obstructions may inadvertently lodge in a 
barrel bore. It takes only one small obstructi on 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 SAF ETY 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 w ith a cleaning rod and patch as described 
in  Cleaning and Maintenance Suggestions.  Before the first firing, clean the bore 
with a cleaning rod and patch, and wipe  away any anti-rust compound in the 
action/chamber areas. 
7. ALWAYS UNLOAD YOUR RIFLE WHEN NOT IN USE. REFER TO UNLOADING THE RIFLE 
FOR AN EXPLANATION OF HOW TO  UNLOAD YOUR RIFLE PROPERLY.
 
As a safety precaution, it is preferable to disassemble your gun for storage. Store your 
gun and ammunition separately -- well beyond th e reach of children. Take all safeguards 
to ensure your rifle does not become availa ble to untrained, inexperienced or unwelcome 
hands. 
8. USE THE PROPER AMMUNITION. 
The barrel and action of this rifle have been  made with substantial safety margins over 
the pressures developed by established Am erican commercial loads. Nevertheless, 
Browning assumes no liability for incidents wh ich occur through the use of cartridges of 
nonstandard dimensions which develop pressu res 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 a cartridge s fired, DO NOT LOAD 
ANOTHER CARTRIDGE INTO THE CHAMBER. 
Open the action and remove all cartridges 
from the magazine, chamber and action ar eas. With the action open, glance down the 
barrel to make sure that an  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 an d possible serious injury to 
yourself and others. 
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 discha rging 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. 
9. 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. 
10. KEEP FINGERS AWAY FROM THE TRIGGER  WHILE UNLOADING, 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 object. 
12. ALWAYS UNLOAD YOUR RIFLES CHAMBER BEFO RE CROSSING A FENCE, CLIMBING A 
TREE, JUMPING A DITCH OR NEGOTIATING OTHER OBSTACLES. 
Refer to  Unloading The Rifle  for instructions on the unloading of your rifle. Never 
place your loaded rifle on or against a fe nce, 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 agains t such damage. 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 rifl e or shotgun. Always keep a safe distance 
between the muzzle of your firearm and any pe rsons nearby, as muzzle blast, debris and 
ejecting shells could inflict  serious injury. Also, wear ey e protection when disassembling 
and cleaning your shotgun to pr event the possibility of springs, spring-tensioned parts, 
solvent or other agents from contacting your eyes. 
14. DROPPING A LOADED GUN CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE even with the 
safety in the on safe position. Be extr emely careful while hunting or during any 
shooting activity, to a void 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 i ndented, your firearm should be examined by a 
qualified gunsmith and the cause of the malf unction should be corrected before further 
use. 
16. 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. 
17. BE CERTAIN YOUR RIFLE IS UNLOADED BEFORE CLEANING. Because so many gun 
accidents occur when a firearm is being cl eaned, 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 mechanic al function of any 
firearm with live ammunition. 
18. TEACH AND SUPERVISE FIREARMS SAFETY TO ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY -- 
ESPECIALLY TO CHILDREN AND NONSHOOTERS. 
Closely supervise newcomers to the shooting sports. Encourage enrolling in 
hunting/shooting safety courses. 
19. NEVER DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR TA KE ANY TYPE OF DRUGS BEFORE OR 
DURING SHOOTING. 
Your vision and judgment could be danger ously impaired, making your gun handling 
unsafe to you and to others.  
						

							
20. READ AND HEED ALL WARNINGS in this instruction book, on ammunition boxes and 
with all accessories that you inst all 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 assumes 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 in spection, adjustment and servic e. Browning firearms should 
be serviced by a Browning Recommended Se rvice Center or by Brownings 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 REFU SE SERVICE ON FIREARMS THAT HAVE 
BEEN ALTERED, ADDED TO OR SUBSTANTIALLY CHANGED. 
Removal of metal from barrel(s), or modi fication of the firing mechanism and/or 
operating parts may lead to Brownings refu sal of service on such firearms. Browning 
will charge the owner parts and labor to return the firearm to original Browning 
specifications. 
DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, ALTE R THE TRIGGER, SAFETY OR PARTS OF 
THE FIRING MECHANISM OF THIS OR AN Y OTHER FIREARM. FAILURE TO OBEY THIS 
WARNING MAY RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH TO YOURSELF OR OTHERS.
  
BE CAREFUL!