Browning Auto-5

1. Point the muzzle in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger.
2. Engage the safety.
3. Pull the bolt handle rearward to eject any chambered shell and lock the bolt open.
   Removed at this step: Chambered shell, if present
4. Cycle the action repeatedly, catching each shell as it ejects, until no more shells feed from the magazine tube.
5. With the action open, inspect the chamber and look up the magazine tube with a light.
   WarningThe chamber AND the tube. A shell hung up in the tube is easy to miss.
6. Physically confirm the chamber is empty and remove all live ammunition from the work area.

The friction ring arrangement is the part to get right.

1. Complete the Clear and Make Safe procedure.
2. Unscrew the magazine cap from the end of the magazine tube.
   Removed at this step: Magazine cap
3. Withdraw the forend forward off the magazine tube.
   Removed at this step: Forend
4. Note the exact arrangement and orientation of the friction ring, friction piece, and barrel return spring on the magazine tube before removing them.
   WarningPhotograph or sketch the arrangement. Getting it back wrong is how Auto-5s get damaged.
   Removed at this step: Friction ring Friction piece Barrel return spring
5. Pull the barrel forward off the magazine tube and out of the receiver.
   Removed at this step: Barrel
6. Pull the bolt handle out and withdraw the bolt assembly from the receiver.
   Removed at this step: Bolt handle Bolt assembly
7. Stop here. The recoil spring in the buttstock requires a dedicated tool.
   WarningDo not attempt buttstock recoil spring service without the correct tool.

First step of taking the receiver groups out: the stock comes off the action spring tube, then the trigger plate group is unpinned and unscrewed. TM 9-285 assigns this to the using arm (troop level): par. 1c says disassembly and assembly 'will be undertaken only under the supervision of an officer or the chief mechanic', and the field-inspection paragraph limits using troops to the removal and replacement of groups described here. Anything further (adjustment, stoning, trigger work, headspace) goes to ordnance personnel. Source gun is the Remington Model 11 (licensed Browning Auto-5). TM 9-285

Applies to: Remington Model 11 (licensed Auto-5); check against the Browning

Follows TM 9-285 War Department Technical Manual: Shotguns, All Types — Section VIII, Remington Shotgun, 12-Gage, M11 and Sportsman — War Department, par. 56 a (2)-(3), p. 183 archive.org [4]

1. Remove the barrel and fore end, then hold the operating handle, press the carrier latch button and ease the breech bolt forward.
   WarningDo not press the carrier latch button and let the breech bolt spring forward after the barrel is removed; ease it forward against the action spring.
2. Remove the tang screw locking screw.
   Removed at this step: Tang screw locking screw
3. Remove the tang screw from the underside of the trigger plate tang (the rear screw in the tang).
   Removed at this step: Tang screw
4. Pull the butt stock to the rear off the receiver and the action spring tube.
   TipIf the stock is hard to withdraw, remove the trigger plate pin, press the carrier latch button to release the carrier, and press the forward end of the trigger plate upward slightly into the receiver.
   Removed at this step: Butt stock
5. Remove the trigger plate pin locking screw from the lower left side of the receiver, near the center.
   Removed at this step: Trigger plate pin locking screw
6. With a pin drift, drive the trigger plate pin out from right to left.
   Removed at this step: Trigger plate pin
7. Remove the trigger plate screw from the lower rear corner of the left side of the receiver.
   Removed at this step: Trigger plate screw
8. Pull the trigger plate group downward out of the receiver.
   Removed at this step: Trigger plate group

The carrier spring is unhooked and the carrier is lifted out after its two pivot screws are removed. TM 9-285 assigns this to the using arm (troop level): par. 1c says disassembly and assembly 'will be undertaken only under the supervision of an officer or the chief mechanic', and the field-inspection paragraph limits using troops to the removal and replacement of groups described here. Anything further (adjustment, stoning, trigger work, headspace) goes to ordnance personnel. Source gun is the Remington Model 11 (licensed Browning Auto-5). TM 9-285 allows this to using troops only under the s

Applies to: Remington Model 11 (licensed Auto-5); check against the Browning

Follows TM 9-285 War Department Technical Manual: Shotguns, All Types — Section VIII, Remington Shotgun, 12-Gage, M11 and Sportsman — War Department, par. 56 a (4), p. 183 archive.org [4]

1. Press the forward end of the carrier spring from under its retaining stud and remove the spring from its pivot stud.
   WarningBe careful the spring does not fly out when you disengage its forward end.
   Removed at this step: Carrier spring
2. Remove the carrier screw locking screws from the right and left sides of the receiver.
   Removed at this step: Carrier screw locking screws (2)
3. Remove the carrier screws, the largest screws in the sides of the receiver just to the rear of center.
   Removed at this step: Carrier screws (2)
4. Lift out the carrier.
   Removed at this step: Carrier

With stock, trigger plate and carrier out, the action (recoil) spring in the tube behind the receiver is released by drifting out the cross pin through its wooden plug. The manual does this with a pin drift and finger pressure. TM 9-285 assigns this to the using arm (troop level): par. 1c says disassembly and assembly 'will be undertaken only under the supervision of an officer or the chief mechanic', and the field-inspection paragraph limits using troops to the removal and replacement of groups described here. Anything further (adjustment, stoning, trigger work, headspace) goes to ordnance pe

Applies to: Remington Model 11 (licensed Auto-5); check against the Browning

Follows TM 9-285 War Department Technical Manual: Shotguns, All Types — Section VIII, Remington Shotgun, 12-Gage, M11 and Sportsman — War Department, par. 56 a (5), p. 183 archive.org [4]

1. Press in the wooden plug at the rear end of the action spring tube.
2. With a pin drift, push out the cross pin.
   Removed at this step: Plug cross pin
3. Holding the plug with a finger against the force of the spring, withdraw the drift slowly and ease the plug and spring to the rear out of the tube.
   WarningThe spring is under compression; let it out slowly.
4. When the spring is fully expanded, pull the plug, spring and spring follower to the rear out of the tube.
   Removed at this step: Action spring plug Action spring Action spring follower

The locking block latch pin is drifted out through a hole in the left receiver wall, then the bolt and link go out the front of the receiver while the operating slide drops free. TM 9-285 assigns this to the using arm (troop level): par. 1c says disassembly and assembly 'will be undertaken only under the supervision of an officer or the chief mechanic', and the field-inspection paragraph limits using troops to the removal and replacement of groups described here. Anything further (adjustment, stoning, trigger work, headspace) goes to ordnance personnel. Source gun is the Remington Model 11 (li

Applies to: Remington Model 11 (licensed Auto-5); check against the Browning

Follows TM 9-285 War Department Technical Manual: Shotguns, All Types — Section VIII, Remington Shotgun, 12-Gage, M11 and Sportsman — War Department, par. 56 a (6), pp. 183-184 archive.org [4]

1. Move the recoil spring, friction piece and friction ring forward on the magazine tube.
2. Move the breech bolt until the locking block latch pin lines up with the hole in the left side of the receiver to the rear of the shell stop.
3. With a straight pin drift, push the pin clear through the breech bolt and receiver from right to left.
   Removed at this step: Locking block latch pin
4. Withdraw the drift slowly while holding the locking block latch down against the force of its spring.
5. When the drift is out, ease the latch upward and remove the latch and its spring.
   Removed at this step: Locking block latch Locking block latch spring
6. Swing the rear end of the link downward to clear the operating slide.
7. Move the breech bolt forward out of the receiver with the link attached; the operating slide slides out of the bolt as its handle strikes the forward edge of the ejection opening.
   Removed at this step: Breech bolt with link Operating slide

Bolt and link go in from the front, the operating slide is fed in through the ejection opening, then the locking block latch is pinned. TM 9-285 assigns this to the using arm (troop level): par. 1c says disassembly and assembly 'will be undertaken only under the supervision of an officer or the chief mechanic', and the field-inspection paragraph limits using troops to the removal and replacement of groups described here. Anything further (adjustment, stoning, trigger work, headspace) goes to ordnance personnel. Source gun is the Remington Model 11 (licensed Browning Auto-5). TM 9-285 allows th

Applies to: Remington Model 11 (licensed Auto-5); check against the Browning

Follows TM 9-285 War Department Technical Manual: Shotguns, All Types — Section VIII, Remington Shotgun, 12-Gage, M11 and Sportsman — War Department, par. 57 a (1), p. 184 archive.org [4]

1. Clean, lightly oil and lubricate the parts before replacing them.
2. With the recoil spring, friction piece and ring moved forward on the magazine tube, slide the link and breech bolt, link first, into the forward end of the receiver so the guides on the lower face of the bolt mate with the guideways in the receiver.
3. Move the bolt rearward until half of it has entered the receiver.
4. Holding the operating slide by its handle, slip its rear end into the receiver behind the bolt through the ejection opening.
5. Hold the slide parallel to the bolt and move the bolt rearward, mating the guides on the slide with the guideways in the right side of the bolt, until the slide is seated in the bolt.
   TipThe link must point downward for the slide to mate.
6. Slide the recoil spring, friction piece and friction ring rearward on the magazine tube in their proper order and position, and replace the fore end to hold them.
7. Slide the breech bolt rearward until the locking block latch pin holes in bolt and receiver line up, and insert the latch pin through the left side of the receiver and the left wall of the bolt to hold it.
8. Replace the latch spring in its seat in the bolt and place the latch on top of it, long flat end to the rear and drilled lug down.
9. Press the latch down on its spring, line up its hole with those in receiver and bolt, and push the pin through latch and bolt until it is flush with both sides of the bolt.
10. Move the bolt to check that the pin does not interfere with the receiver.

Carrier goes in dog up and to the rear under the spring retaining stud; the carrier spring is hooked back under the stud last. TM 9-285 assigns this to the using arm (troop level): par. 1c says disassembly and assembly 'will be undertaken only under the supervision of an officer or the chief mechanic', and the field-inspection paragraph limits using troops to the removal and replacement of groups described here. Anything further (adjustment, stoning, trigger work, headspace) goes to ordnance personnel. Source gun is the Remington Model 11 (licensed Browning Auto-5). TM 9-285 allows this to usi

Applies to: Remington Model 11 (licensed Auto-5); check against the Browning

Follows TM 9-285 War Department Technical Manual: Shotguns, All Types — Section VIII, Remington Shotgun, 12-Gage, M11 and Sportsman — War Department, par. 57 a (2), pp. 184-185 archive.org [4]

1. With the receiver bottom side up, move the breech bolt forward and push the link toward the top of the receiver.
2. With the carrier dog up and to the rear, slide the carrier beneath the spring retaining stud into the receiver and line up its screw holes with those in the receiver.
3. Replace the carrier screws, catching the threads of both before tightening either.
   WarningBe careful not to cross-thread them.
4. Turn the screws until the cuts in their heads line up with the countersinks for the locking screws, and replace the locking screws.
5. Slide the carrier spring onto the pivot stud in the left rear of the receiver so that its short leaf rests on the rear of the carrier.
6. Press down the long leaf of the spring and slip it under the retaining stud head just forward of the pivot stud, holding the spring so it does not slip off the pivot stud.

The follower must seat on the rear nose of the link before the plug is pinned. TM 9-285 assigns this to the using arm (troop level): par. 1c says disassembly and assembly 'will be undertaken only under the supervision of an officer or the chief mechanic', and the field-inspection paragraph limits using troops to the removal and replacement of groups described here. Anything further (adjustment, stoning, trigger work, headspace) goes to ordnance personnel. Source gun is the Remington Model 11 (licensed Browning Auto-5). TM 9-285 allows this to using troops only under the supervision of an offic

Applies to: Remington Model 11 (licensed Auto-5); check against the Browning

Follows TM 9-285 War Department Technical Manual: Shotguns, All Types — Section VIII, Remington Shotgun, 12-Gage, M11 and Sportsman — War Department, par. 57 a (3), p. 185 archive.org [4]

1. With the breech bolt forward, insert the action spring, follower first, into the rear end of the action spring tube.
2. Push it through the tube and mate the rear nose of the link with the indent in the follower.
3. Press the spring into the tube until the head of the wooden plug is flush with the end of the tube.
4. Turn the plug until its pin hole lines up with the hole in the tube and insert the plug pin.
   TipA pin drift may be used to hold the plug while inserting the pin.
5. Still holding the plug, push the pin through until it is flush with the tube.

Trigger plate goes in with bolt forward and hammer cocked; pin, locking screw and screw, then the stock and tang screw. TM 9-285 assigns this to the using arm (troop level): par. 1c says disassembly and assembly 'will be undertaken only under the supervision of an officer or the chief mechanic', and the field-inspection paragraph limits using troops to the removal and replacement of groups described here. Anything further (adjustment, stoning, trigger work, headspace) goes to ordnance personnel. Source gun is the Remington Model 11 (licensed Browning Auto-5). TM 9-285 allows this to using troo

Applies to: Remington Model 11 (licensed Auto-5); check against the Browning

Follows TM 9-285 War Department Technical Manual: Shotguns, All Types — Section VIII, Remington Shotgun, 12-Gage, M11 and Sportsman — War Department, par. 57 a (4)-(5), p. 185 archive.org [4]

1. With the breech bolt forward and the hammer cocked, press the trigger plate group, tang to the rear, horizontally upward into the rear underside of the receiver and adjust it until the pin and screw holes in plate and receiver line up.
   TipIf the plate does not seat easily, retract the operating slide slightly to let the safety sear enter the slot in the link.
2. Insert the trigger plate pin from the left side and push it through until its head is flush with the face of the receiver.
3. With a screwdriver in the slotted head of the pin, turn the pin until the cut in its head lines up with the locking screw countersink in the receiver, then replace the locking screw.
4. Insert the trigger plate screw from the left side of the receiver, catch the threads and turn it down tightly.
5. Push the butt stock on over the action spring tube until it fits snugly and evenly against the rear face of the receiver and the tang screw holes in trigger plate tang and stock line up.
   WarningDo not strike the butt on a hard surface.
   TipThe stock may be seated by striking the butt smartly with the heel of the hand.
6. Replace the tang screw and screw it in tightly until the cut in its head lines up with the locking screw countersink in the tang, then replace the locking screw.
   TipIf the stock is hard to replace, remove the trigger plate pin and put it back after the stock is on.

1. Insert the bolt assembly into the receiver and install the bolt handle.
2. Set the barrel into the receiver with its extension seated.
3. Install the barrel return spring, friction piece, and friction ring on the magazine tube in the arrangement correct for the loads you will fire.
   WarningLight loads and heavy loads use different arrangements. Consult the manual — this is not a detail to guess at.
4. Install the forend.
5. Thread the magazine cap on and hand-tighten firmly.
6. Cycle the action several times and perform the function check.

These are reproduced from government technical manuals, which are not subject to copyright. Manufacturer manual diagrams are not reproduced here — the entry links to the manual instead.