Browning Bar Shorttrac/longtrac Rifle Owners Manual

							The Best There Is
®
BAR SHORTTRAC/
LONGTRAC RIFLE
OWNER’S MANUAL
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							THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING 
A BROWNING BAR SHORTTRAC 
OR LONGTRAC RIFLE
The BAR ShortTrac and LongTrac rifles incorporate the 
very finest in materials and craftsmanship. From the receiver
and stock, to the gas-operated action — you can see and 
feel traditional Browning Belgian craftsmanship. The BAR
ShortTrac and LongTrac rifles have been designed with
innovative features and unique styling that result in 
improved performance and operating convenience. With 
just reasonable care, your BAR ShortTrac or LongTrac 
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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							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, MO 63010-9406
Phone: (800) 322-4626
Canadian Customers call or write:
Browning Canada Sports Ltd./Ltee.
5583 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, the ammunition used and the repairs
desired. Also include your name and a phone number where you
can be reached.
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
One Browning Place
Morgan, UT 84050
Phone: (801) 876-2711
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							2
YOU 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 OWNER’S MANUAL
BEFORE USING YOUR NEW FIREARM. 
1ALWAYS 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 page 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”
periodically for proper function,
NEVER TEST THE “SAFETY” 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.
3
WHENEVER 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.
4
DO NOT TRANSPORT ANY LOADED FIREARM.Keep all firearms
unloaded during transport whether stored in a gun case, scabbard 
or other container.
5
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.
6
BEWARE OF BARREL OBSTRUCTIONS.For the safety of your gun,
yourself and others. 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
may damage your gun and cause injury to yourself and to others.
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. 
After assuring yourself that the rifle is
completely empty, again, open the 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
3
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							patch as described in “Cleaning and Maintenance Suggestions” on
page 21. 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.
7
ALWAYS UNLOAD YOUR RIFLE WHEN NOT IN USE. 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 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 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 CONTINUE TO FIRE OR LOAD ANOTHER CARTRIDGE
INTO THE CHAMBER. 
Immediately place the “safety” in the “on safe” position, open the
action and clear the chamber. Remove all cartridges from the
magazine. 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 and possible serious injury to yourself and others.
4
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							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.
9
NEVER INSERT A CARTRIDGE OF THE INCORRECT CALIBER IN 
ANY RIFLE.
The caliber of your rifle is marked on the barrel. Store 
all cartridges of different calibers in completely separate and 
well-marked containers. Never store cartridges of mixed calibers in 
a common container or in your pockets.
EXAMINE EVERY CARTRIDGE YOU PUT IN YOUR GUN. FAILURE TO
FOLLOW THIS WARNING MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY TO YOU 
AND TO OTHERS.
10DO 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.
11
KEEP YOUR FINGERS AWAY FROM THE TRIGGER WHILE UNLOADING,
AND LOADING, UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO SHOOT.
12BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND BACKSTOP.Particularly during low
light periods. Know the range of your ammunition. Never shoot at
water or hard objects.
13
ALWAYS UNLOAD YOUR RIFLE’S CHAMBER BEFORE CROSSING A 
FENCE, CLIMBING A TREE, JUMPING A DITCH OR NEGOTIATING 
OTHER OBSTACLES.
Never place your loaded rifle on or against a fence,
tree, car, or other similar object.
14
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
damage. Wear shooting glasses to protect your eyes from flying
particles. Allow proper distance (eye relief ) between the scope and
5
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							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 muzzle blast, debris and ejecting cartridges could inflict serious
injury. Also, wear eye protection when disassembling and cleaning
your firearm to prevent the possibility of springs, spring-tensioned
parts, solvents or other agents from contacting your eyes.
15
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.
16
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.
17
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
precautions, politely suggest safer handling practices.
18
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
before disassembly, cleaning and reassembly. Keep ammunition away
from the cleaning location. Never test the mechanical function of any
firearm with live ammunition.
19
SUPERVISE AND TEACH FIREARMS SAFETY TO ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR
FAMILY, ESPECIALLY TO CHILDREN AND NON-SHOOTERS.
Closely
supervise newcomers to the shooting sports. Encourage enrollment in
hunting/shooting safety courses.
6
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							20NEVER 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.
21
READ AND HEED ALL WARNINGSin this owner’s manual, on
ammunition 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.
We assume no liability for incidents which occur when unsafe or 
improper gun accessories or ammunition combinations are used.
22
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 our Service Facility in Arnold,
Missouri. We cannot assume any responsibility for injuries suffered 
or caused by unauthorized servicing, alterations or modifications of
Browning firearms.
23
WE RESERVE 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 mechanism
and/or operating parts may lead to our refusal of service on such
firearms. We 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 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!
7
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							NOMENCLATURE
In conventional gun terminology the position and movement of gun
parts are described as they occur with the gun horizontal and in 
normal firing position; i.e., the muzzle is forward or in front; the
buttstock is rearward or to the rear; the trigger is downward or
underneath; the barrel is upward or on top.
GENERAL OPERATION
The Browning BAR ShortTrac and LongTrac rifles are gas operated,
semi-automatic repeating rifles. 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
successive 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 rearward, or open position. This facilitates speedy, convenient
reloading (“Loading the Rifle,” page 9). Prior to reloading, place the
“safety” in the “on safe” position. Always maintain proper control of
the muzzle. To close the bolt, simply depress the bolt release lever or,
if the magazine floorplate is in the downward position, pull the
operating handle backward and release it. During this operation,
exercise care that your fingers do not enter the ejection port in the
receiver.
SERIAL NUMBER
The serial number of your BAR is found on the left-hand side 
of the receiver, just above the trigger. Record this number for 
future reference.
8
FIGURE 1
ButtBolt Release Lever
Stock“Safety”
TriggerMagazine
LatchDetachable Magazine
and FloorplateForearmBarrel
Muzzle
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