Browning A5 Shotgun Owners Manual - Page 5

10 Be alert to the signs of ammunition malfunction. if you detect an off sound or l i g ht reco i l when a shell i s f i red , do not load another shell i nto the cham b er . If your firearm fails to fire, keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction for a minimum of 30 seconds. Rotate the ejection area of the firearm away from you, carefully open the action and remove the shell from the chamber. If the primer is indented, the defective shell 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 corrected before further use. Glance down the barrel to make sure that no obstructions remain in the barrel. Completely clear the barrel before loading and firing again. Failure to follow these instructions can cause extensive damage to your firearm and possible serious injury to yourself and others. 11 never insert a shell of the incorrect gauge into any firearm. The gauge of your firearm is marked on the barrel. Store all shells of different gauges in completely separate and well-marked containers. Never store shells of mixed gauges in a common container or in your pockets. See pages 16-17 for more information on the correct ammunition for your firearm. 12 examine every shell you put in your firearm. We assume no responsibility for the use of unsafe or improper firearm and ammunition combinations or damage or injury caused by damaged ammunition. It is your responsibility to read and heed all warnings in this owner's manual and on ammunition boxes. See pages 16-17 for more information on the correct ammunition for your firearm. 13 USE ONLY SAAMI APPROVED AMMUNITION. The barrel and action of this firearm have been made with substantial safety margins beyond the pressures developed by established American commercial loads. Nevertheless, we can assume no liability for incidents which occur through the use of 6 shells of nonstandard dimensions or 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). 14 Make sure of adequate ventilation in the area that you discharge a firearm. Lead exposure can occur from d i schar g i n g f i rearms i n poorly v ent i lated areas , clean i n g firearms or handling ammunition. Lead is a substance that has been known to cause birth defects, reproductive harm and other serious injury. Wash hands thoroughly after exposure to ammunition or after cleaning a firearm. 15 do not snap the firing pin on an empty chamber; the cham b er may not b e empty ! Treat every firearm with the respect due a loaded firearm, even though you are certain the firearm is unloaded. 16 KEEP YOUR Fingers AWAY FROM THE TRIGGER WHILE LOADING and unloading UNTIL shooting is imminent. 17 BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND BACKSTOP, particularly during low light periods. Know the range of your ammunition. Never shoot at water or hard objects. 18 ALWAYS UNLOAD your firearm's CHAMBER BEFORE CROSSING A FENCE, CLIMBING A TREE, JUMPING A DITCH OR NEGOTIATING OTHER OBSTACLES. Never place your firearm on or against a fence, tree, car or other similar object. 19 BE DEFENSIVE AND ON GUARD AGAINST UNSAFE GUN HANDLING AROUND YOU AND OTHERS. Don't be timid when it comes to firearms safety. If you observe other shooters violating any of these safety precautions, politely suggest safer handling practices. 7