Browning Bar Shorttrac/longtrac Rifle Owners Manual

							OPERATION OF
THE “SAFETY”
CAUTION: 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
of the trigger (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 in the “on safe” position, 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 safe” and “off safe” mode.
Whenever a cartridge is chambered, the rifle should be in the “on  safe”
position until it is ready to be fired.
NOTE: If aleft-handed “safety”is needed, the “safety” can be reversed
by a qualified gunsmith or it can be sent to our Arnold, Missouri 
Service Facility.
LOADING THE RIFLE
CAUTION: 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 and release it when the magazine floorplate is in the
downward position.
9
FIGURE 2
“Safety”
Magazine
LatchOperating Handle Bolt
(closed)
Magazine
Floorplate
Unit (open)
03-052-BFA_BAR Shrt-LTrac_4  6/18/04  11:55 AM  Page 9 
						

							The Browning BAR utilizes
a unique detachable box
magazine. The capacity of
the magazine is four rounds
(three rounds for magnum
and WSM calibers). Another
cartridge may be carried in
the chamber, providing a
total rifle capacity of five
rounds (four rounds for 
magnum and WSM calibers).
To ready the rifle for loading, first ensure that the “safety” is in the 
“on safe” position.
Next, hold the rifle in a natural position with the barrel pointing in a
safe direction. Holding the rifle at the forearm, pull rearward on the
magazine latch with the index finger of the opposite hand, allowing
the hinged floorplate-magazine unit to swing downward (Figure 3).
The magazine is now ready to be loaded.
It is both convenient and fast to load the magazine while it is attached
to the floorplate in the open position. However, you may prefer to
load the magazine after detaching it from the floorplate. Both
methods will be described.
LOADING THE MAGAZINE WITH MAGAZINE ATTACHED 
TO FLOORPLATE
Always be sure the gun is in the “on safe” position and the muzzle is
pointed in a safe direction, since there may be occasions when you will
want to load or replenish the magazine while a round is chambered.
Hold the rifle in a safe position. Using either hand on the forearm, pull
rearward on the magazine latch to allow the magazine floorplate to
swing downward. Each cartridge should then be carefully inserted into
the magazine against the pressure of the spring loaded follower, until it
is retained by the metal lips of the magazine body (Figure 4).
10
FIGURE 3
Pull rearward on magazine latch.
03-052-BFA_BAR Shrt-LTrac_4  6/18/04  11:55 AM  Page 10 
						

							Care should be exercised in
positioning each cartridge so
that its base is to the rear of
the magazine. If the nose of
a cartridge protrudes beyond
the end of the magazine, it
could cause feeding
problems or interfere 
with the closing of the
magazine floorplate.
LOADING THE MAGAZINE WITH MAGAZINE DETACHED 
FROM FLOORPLATE
Place the rifle in the “on  safe” position and  be  sure the muzzle is pointed
in a safe direction. With the magazine-floorplate unit open, the 
magazine may be detached by merely pulling it away from the hinged
floorplate. To do so, grasp the sides of the magazine toward its rear with
the thumb and middle finger of either hand. Then, pull the magazine
away from the floorplate while at the same time bearing against the
projecting rear of the floorplate with the index finger (Figure 5).
The rifle may be supported during this procedure with the opposite
hand at the forearm. Once the magazine is detached it may be loaded
with cartridges as described earlier. To re-attach, insert the small tab
on the front face of the magazine into the matching groove in the
forward end of the floorplate. Then snap the rear of the magazine
firmly into place. Extra
magazines may be carried
loaded for rapid
replacement of an empty
magazine, using this 
same procedure.
After loading the magazine,
attach it to the floorplate.
Swing the magazine
11
FIGURE 4
Carefully insert each 
cartridge into the magazine.
FIGURE 5
Detach the magazine
from the floorplate.
03-052-BFA_BAR Shrt-LTrac_4  6/18/04  11:55 AM  Page 11 
						

							floorplate into place until retained by the magazine latch. If a round has
already been placed into the chamber with the action open, a round may
be chambered by depressing the bolt release lever and allowing the bolt
to slam closed. If the action is closed, a round may be loaded into the
chamber by pulling the operating handle rearward and releasing it.
Once a round has been chambered, the magazine floorplate unit may
again be opened at any time desired for refilling to capacity.
LOADING A CARTRIDGE INTO THE CHAMBER
If it is desired to load a round into the chamber prior to loading the
magazine, the following steps should be taken. First, be sure the 
“safety” is in the “on safe” position. Hold the gun on its side with the
barrel pointing in a safe direction with either hand at the rear of the
forearm, as described earlier. With the rifle held in this position the
ejection port in the receiver should be facing up. Next, with the
magazine floorplate open and the bolt locked open, insert one round
into the ejection port, allowing it to drop completely into the
chamber. Then, close the bolt by depressing the bolt release lever. The
bolt should be allowed to slam closed from its open position. If the
bolt is not allowed to close in this manner, there is the possibility that
it will not close completely, in which event the rifle will not fire.
It is safer to hunt with an empty chamber until in the presence of game.
In this situation, quietness in chambering a cartridge is sometimes of
prime importance. To accomplish this, cycle the action slowly and quietly
by pulling the operating handle to its full rearward position and releasing
it while keeping the operating handle controlled, making sure the bolt
closes completely. To verify
the bolt is closed completely,
make sure the operating
handle is in front of the red
bolt forward indicator dot
located on the receiver near
the ejection port (Figure 6).
You may want to first practice
this with an empty chamber.
12
FIGURE 6
03-052-BFA_BAR Shrt-LTrac_4  6/18/04  11:55 AM  Page 12 
						

							FIRING THE RIFLE
1 Insert a cartridge into the chamber (as explained previously) by
loading a cartridge from the magazine or directly to the chamber.
2 With a round in the chamber, you need only to move the “safety” to
the “off safe” position to make the rifle ready for firing.
DO NOT MOVE
THE “SAFETY” TO THE “OFF SAFE” POSITION UNLESS SHOOTING IS IMMINENT.
3 Pull the trigger.
4 After a round has fired, the bolt automatically moves rearward,
ejects the empty cartridge, then returns forward loading a fresh
round from the magazine. Because fired cases are ejected to the
right side, bystanders should not stand to the right of the shooter.
5 This operation is repeated each time you pull the trigger until 
the last round from the magazine has been fired.
IF SHOOTING 
IS NO LONGER IMMINENT, IMMEDIATELY PLACE THE “SAFETY” IN 
THE “ON SAFE” POSITION.
See “Unloading the Rifle” below for 
more information.
6 After the last round has been fired, the bolt will remain rearward.
If you wish to continue shooting, you can reload the magazine in either
of the two ways described previously. After reloading the magazine, if
shooting is imminent, you can chamber a cartridge and resume firing.
If your rifle is to be put away and stored, do not reload the magazine.
The chamber and magazine must remain empty.
UNLOADING THE RIFLE
With the rifle in the “on safe” position and pointed in a safe direction,
release the magazine-floorplate to its open position. Grasp the bolt 
operating handle and move it to the rear, thereby extracting and 
ejecting any live round in the chamber and lock the action open by
lifting up on the bolt release lever. The magazine may then be detached
and either kept loaded or the cartridges may be stripped from it with
the thumb of either hand. As is always good safety practice, visually
inspect the chamber to be absolutely certain a round is not still
13
03-052-BFA_BAR Shrt-LTrac_4  6/18/04  11:55 AM  Page 13 
						

							present. Once this is determined the bolt may be allowed to close by
depressing the bolt release lever.
To unload the magazine merely push forward on the base of each
round until it clears the retaining lips. The last step is to close the
floorplate either without the magazine or with an empty magazine 
in place.
TRIGGER
The trigger mechanism has been adjusted at the factory to provide a
short, crisp pull consistent with safety. The trigger is a single stage 
design with the weight of pull holding closely to 4 pounds. It is
recommended that no attempt be made to change the weight of pull
of the trigger.
REMOVING THE TRIGGER GROUP
If the receiver area of your BAR should become excessively 
dirty it may be helpful to
periodically remove the
trigger group and expose the
inner cavity of the receiver
for cleaning.
DO NOT ALTER OR ATTEMPT TO
DISASSEMBLE ANY PART OF
THE TRIGGER GROUP OR
REMOVE OR DISASSEMBLE THE
BREECH BOLT MECHANISM.
If any service of the trigger
group becomes necessary,
take your BAR to a 
recommended Browning
Service Center or send it 
to our Service Center in
Arnold, Missouri.
14
FIGURE 8
Remove trigger assembly.
FIGURE 7
Push trigger guard
pins entirely
through receiver.
03-052-BFA_BAR Shrt-LTrac_4  6/18/04  11:55 AM  Page 14 
						

							1BE CERTAIN THE RIFLE IS UNLOADED AND THE “SAFETY” IS IN THE “ON
SAFE” POSITION.
Again, to unload your rifle, eject any live round in
the chamber by pulling the operating handle to the rear. Unload the
magazine by pushing forward on the base of each round until it
clears the retaining lips.
2 Release the bolt to its forward position by depressing the bolt 
release lever. Swing open the magazine.
3 Push in the two trigger guard pins from either the right or left side of
the receiver. Use a drive punch or similar object, using caution not to
scratch the gun’s receiver (Figure 7). Push the trigger guard pins clear
through the receiver.
4 Grasp the trigger guard and pull the trigger assembly out of the
receiver (Figure 8).
5 Perform any cleaning of the parts and receiver cavity as necessary.
DO NOT DISASSEMBLE THE TRIGGER GROUP BEYOND THIS POINT.
TRIGGER GROUP REINSTALLATION
1 Before reinstalling the trigger group, make sure that the bolt is fully
forward and engaged in the locked position.
2 Visually check the “safety” on the trigger guard to make certain it is
still in the “on safe” position.
3 Insert the trigger group back into the receiver, lining up the holes
in the trigger assembly with the holes on each side of the receiver.
4 Re-insert the trigger
guard pins from either
side of the receiver and
gently tap them into 
place again using caution
not to scratch the 
receiver (Figure 9).
15
FIGURE 9
Re-insert
trigger guard
pins.
03-052-BFA_BAR Shrt-LTrac_4  6/18/04  11:55 AM  Page 15 
						

							INSTALLATION OF SPACERS TO ADJUST 
DROP AT COMB AND CAST ON/OFF
Six spacers have been included with your BAR ShortTrac or LongTrac
rifle. These spacers fit between the buttstock and receiver, allowing
adjustments to the drop at comb, heel and cast on/off. Each spacer is
labeled/stamped for what each does. One of these six spacers, the
neutral spacer (No. 2), is already installed on your rifle.
DROP AT COMB AND HEEL: 
Adjusting the drop at the comb allows you to align your eye perfectly
with a scope. The drop measurement of the comb is determined by
measuring the distance between the axis of the bore and the forward
most point of the comb. The drop at heel is determined by measuring
the distance between the axis of the bore and the top end of the
buttstock or recoil pad. Spacers labeled 1, 2, and 3 adjust drop at
comb and heel. They do not give any cast on/off adjustment. The
stock remains straight. These spacers with their respective stamps are
identified here:
1Raises the comb approximately 
1⁄16, and heel approximately 1⁄8.
2Neutral. This spacer is already installed on your BAR rifle. It sets
drop at comb at 
5⁄8, and heel at 11⁄8.
3Lowers the comb approximately 
1⁄16, and heel approximately 1⁄8.
CAST ON AND CAST OFF:
Adjusting cast on and cast off allows you to achieve a perfect fit from
the stock to your face. This is a most crucial adjustment, as it
determines how correctly and consistently your eye will line up with a
scope. Some right-hand shooters like the stock to bend away (cast off )
from the face, while many left-handed shooters prefer a bend to the
left (cast on). A rifle correctly adjusted for cast on and cast off will
have you looking directly into the scope. You will notice that the two
opposing edges of spacers marked 1R 1L, 2R 2L, and 3R 3L differ in
thickness. In addition to adjusting the cast on/off to the right or left
16
03-052-BFA_BAR Shrt-LTrac_4  6/18/04  11:55 AM  Page 16 
						

							approximately 1⁄8 per spacer, spacers marked 1R 1L, 2R 2L, and 3R 3L,
will also adjust the drop at comb and heel the same amount as spacers
1, 2, and 3. Cast on/off spacers, with their respective stamps are
further clarified here:
1RLThis spacer raises the comb approximately 1⁄16 and the heel
approximately 1⁄8 and will also adjust the cast on or off
approximately 1⁄8. For right-handed shooters, install this spacer with
the R facing out, toward the end of the buttstock, so its thicker side is
on the left side of the receiver. This casts the stock slightly to the
right, away from the face of a right-handed shooter. Turn the spacer
around so the L is facing out and it will cast the stock to the left.
2RLThis spacer adds 
1⁄8 cast to the stock and the same amount of
drop (11⁄2) to the comb as spacer No. 2 (neutral spacer).
3RLThis spacer adds 
1⁄8 of cast to the stock and lowers the comb
approximately 1⁄16 and heel approximately 1⁄8.
TO INSTALL A SPACER
The BAR ShortTrac and LongTrac rifles come with six adjustable
spacers to customize the fit of your rifle. These spacers are located
between the buttstock and the receiver. Each spacer is approximately
1⁄16 thick. You can utilize any number of spacers, or no spacers at all,
to customize your BAR ShortTrac or LongTrac rifle. To adjust the
number of spacers, first remove the recoil pad using a cross tip or
Phillips screwdriver. Work the screwdriver tip into the two access holes
in the pad, on the top and bottom. A light touch of petroleum jelly
can be used to help locate
the screw heads through the
pad and will prevent tearing
of the pad. Make certain the
tip of the screwdriver
securely engages the head of
the screw, then turn
counterclockwise. Remove
both screws, taking care not
17
FIGURE 10
Remove the recoil pad.
03-052-BFA_BAR Shrt-LTrac_4  6/18/04  11:55 AM  Page 17 
						

							to scratch or mar the
buttstock, and remove the
recoil pad (Figure 10). Using
a long shaft flathead
screwdriver, loosen the stock
bolt completely by turning
in a counterclockwise
direction, and remove the
stock bolt (Figure 11).
Completely remove the
buttstock from the receiver.
At this point you may add
or remove the desired
number of spacers. When
adding spacers, make sure
the rounded end of the
spacers is installed towards
the top of the rifle (Figure
12). When finished, fit the
buttstock flush against the spacers or receiver and tighten in the stock
bolt. Re-attach the recoil pad with the two screws, making sure not to
scratch or mar the finish of the stock.
DISASSEMBLY
NEVER ATTEMPT TO TAKE YOUR BAR APART FURTHER THAN EXPLAINED IN
THIS OWNER’S MANUAL. 
This rifle is a specialized, finely fitted mechanism. You may permanently
mar it by attempting to disassemble the inner mechanism assemblies.
Be sure to use eye protection whenever disassembling and reassembling
your BAR due to the spring-tension parts. If further disassembly for
service or cleaning is required, take your gun to a Browning 
recommended Service Center or a competent gunsmith, or send it to
our Arnold, Missouri service facility as explained under “Service or
Repair” on the inside back cover.
18
FIGURE 11
Loosen the stock bolt.
FIGURE 12
Install with the
rounded end toward
the top.
03-052-BFA_BAR Shrt-LTrac_4  6/18/04  11:55 AM  Page 18