Problem with a Browning A5.

sarge_3ad

I'm having a problem figuring out this Browning A5 20ga. I've replaced the action spring, recoil spring, and the mag tube spring, and I'm still having a feeding problem. I can get it to function, but when the gun gets down to the last round or two, it will cease to function correctly.

Sometimes it's just takes a finger to push up the carrier to get the round to chamber, other times it takes a small screwdriver to finish pulling the round out of the mag tube, and one time, I had a round that failed to come out of the mag tube all together.

I have disassembled this gun to clean it, minus taking apart the trigger assy., bolt catch, mag cut off. and I couldn't see anything that would cause it to malfunction. Does anyone know what I maybe overlooking? And yes, the friction rings are in the correct position.

Thanks for your help. Sarge

GuvamintCheese

Sounds like a feeding problem not a friction ring problem. I would check the spring inside the magazine tube to make sure it hasnt broke or lost its recoil. Then I would check for obtructions in front of the follower.

nord

While you're at it check the forstock. Look for cracks and excess wear at the magazine screwcap end.

I assume that if you plug the magazine at three rounds there is no problem. This mostly eliminates any real mechanical or timing problem and points toward a weak mag spring or a slight dimple in the mag tube just forward of the receiver.

MIKE WISKEY

just to add to what nord said, the magazine tube is easyly replaceable.

asphalt cowboy

Unless I am mistaken, the screw for the mag cutoff spring also serves as a set screw for the mag tube.

The screw may be protruding into the mag and hanging up the cartridges or follower. That or the hole in the mag tube may be burred/distorted.

sarge_3ad

I've went ahead and reinspected the mag tube. Like I said, I just replaced the mag spring, and then I thoroughly inspected the mag tube and found no dents or dings, or the anything else to follower could hang up on. The follower slid through the mag tube very freely. The forearm is free of any cracks from the nut to the barrel support.

select-fire

Your replaceable mag spring is faulty. If she will fire 3 rounds correctly and then fault.. the tension is incorrect to load. Purchase another one or stretch the spring considerably and try it. Or Try high power loads in it with the low power setting for 5 rounds. Yeah yeah yeah it could bust the forearm but hey columbus took a chance. If she works on the low setting for high brass your spring is defineatly shot.

asphalt cowboy

Sarge, is this a gun you've had for years and functioned fine untill recently? Or is a recent acquisition that is acting up from the *-go?

Don't stretch the mag spring and don't reverse the friction set-up. There's no need in risking damage to good parts. If it is norrowed down to spring tension then by all means stretch it, but only as a stop gap until a good one can be had from Browning.

You say you didn't remove the cartridge and bolt stop for cleaning.
There may be crud caked up in there affecting the timing.
If you can't get them removed you could get them clean enough with brake cleaner and an air compressor to determine if that is causing this problem. You will need to remove the wood set though as brake cleaner will ruin the finish.

sarge_3ad

I'm working on this for a fella and so, I completely disassembled the whole gun again. This time I removed the cartridge stop, and serviced it, and have ordered a new Dog for the carrier. This gun also had a saddle mount scope base on it, and so I ordered replacement screws for the trigger guard. The screws that mounted the saddle mount were undersized and I figured maybe this let the trigger assy move enough to prevent it from functioning correctly.

asphalt cowboy

I take it the saddle mount used machine screws w/nuts. And yes, if the carrier dog is the least bit out of alignment it will throw the timing off.