My guess would be that your friction rings are not adjusted properly. If you are shooting light loads and the rings are adjusted to absorb the recoil of heavier loads, the blowback-operated action will not cycle completley. The converse of this situation is shooting heavy loads with the rings set for light loads, resulting in abusive force on your action which can (and so many times has) led to a cracked forearm.
Here are some instructions for proper adjustment direct from the Browning site. Please visit their site and order a manual or download a PDF version from their site. Don't worry about making the adjustment, it's easy - even I can do it!
Friction Ring Adjustment for Auto-5 Light 12 and 20 Gauge Models
SETTINGS FOR SHOOTING 2 3/4-INCH MAGNUM, STEEL SHOT, AND HIGH VELOCITY LOADS.
THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS ARE ONLY FOR 2 3/4-INCH 12, SWEET 16 AND 20 GAUGE MODELS, NOT FOR THE 3" MAGNUM 12 GAUGE OR 3" MAGNUM 20 GAUGE SEMIAUTOMATIC SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS ARE PROVIDED FOR THOSE MODELS IN A SEPARATE MANUAL.
A great deal of attention has gone into the design of the recoil absorbing mechanism to minimize the recoil of the magnum loads as much as possible. It is a mechanism specially arranged for those loads. As shown, it consists of a bronze friction piece and one coned friction ring (See Figure 9).
With the butt of the stock down and the magazine tube pointing up, one friction ring is placed on top of the spring with the beveled surface UP.
The bronze friction piece is then slipped over the magazine tube with its beveled surface up. THE GUN SHOULD NEVER BE FIRED WITHOUT THE BRONZE FRICTION PIECE IN PLACE.
If the correct position of the recoil components is not maintained you will get unnecessary recoil which will severely pound the mechanism of your gun.
NOTE: If steel shot loads will not function with the heavy load setting, then set friction ring adjustment for light load settings.
Friction Ring Settings for Light Loads
The single difference from the arrangement give for heavy loads is a change in the position of the friction ring. For light loads this friction ring is taken off and placed at the extreme rear end of the magazine tube, between the rear end of the recoil spring and the receiver with the beveled edge turned toward the receiver. (See Figure 10.)
NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES REMOVE THE BRONZE FRICTION PIECE FROM ITS POSITION REARWARD OF THE BARREL GUIDE RING.
If the gun is fired with either the friction ring or the recoil spring in direct contact with the barrel guide ring, the rear surface of the barrel guide will be deformed. Removal of the bronze friction piece permits an excess of recoil. You will be getting unnecessary recoil, thereby pounding the mechanism of your gun severely
You will note, however, that the mechanism must receive a certain amount of force if it is to operate automatically. The addition of any sort of weight to the barrel will have somewhat the same effect. When such factors as these are introduced, care must be given to suitable adjustment of the friction ring setting. It is desirable to utilize the setting for heavy loads as long as the mechanism functions properly. When resistance to recoil is too great to permit proper ejection, the light load setting should be used.
Friction Ring Adjustment for Auto-5 Magnum 12 and 20 Gauge Models
Settings for Shooting 3-Inch Magnums
THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS ARE ONLY FOR 3-INCH 12 AND 20 GAUGE MODELS, NOT FOR THE 2 3/4" LIGHT 12 GAUGE OR 2 3/4" LIGHT 20 GAUGE SEMIAUTOMATIC SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS ARE PROVIDED FOR THOSE MODELS IN A SEPARATE MANUAL.
A great deal of attention has gone into the design of the recoil absorbing mechanism to minimize the recoil of the magnum loads as much as possible. It is a mechanism specially arranged for those loads. As shown, it consists of bronze friction pieces and coned friction ring (See Figure 9).
With the butt of the stock down and the magazine tube pointing up, one friction ring is placed on top of the spring with the beveled surface UP on top of which a friction brake is placed.
The second friction ring is placed on top of it with the beveled suface DOWN.
The third ring is then placed back to back, that is, with its beveled surface UP. The second friction brake is placed on top of it. This is the correct position for all 3-inch magnum loads.
The three friction rings and the two friction brakes are identical to each other and may be placed in any position for ring or brake within the prescribed arrangement.
If the correct position of the recoil components is not maintained you will get unnecessary recoil which will severely pound the mechanism of your gun.
Settings For Shooting 2 3/4" High Velocity and Steel Shot Loads
This gun has been designed specially for the 3-inch Magnum loads. However, 2 3/4" magnum loads or 2 3/4" high velocity loads may be used if the recoil mechanism is adjusted as follows:
Remove the top friction brake and the top two friction rings as shown in Figure 10. This is also the correct setting for all steel shot loads. The top friction rings and brake should be removed entirely and not simply placed under the recoil spring.
Be sure that the removed parts are placed in a safe place where they will not be lost. You will undoubtedly want to later adjust your gun to 3-inch magnum loads.
NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES REMOVE THE BRONZE FRICTION PIECE FROM ITS POSITION REARWARD OF THE BARREL GUIDE RING. If the gun is fired with either the friction ring or the recoil spring in direct contact with the barrel guide ring, the rear surface of the barrel guide ring will be deformed. Removal of the bronze friction piece permits an excess of recoil. You will be getting unnecessary recoil, thereby pounding the mechanism of your gun severely. You will note, however, that the mechanism must receive a certain amount of force if it is to operate automatically. The addition of any sort of weight to a barrel will have somewhat the same effect. When such factors as these are introduced, care must be given to suitable adjustment of the friction ring setting. It is desirable to utilize the setting for heavy loads as long as the mechanism functions properly. When resistance to recoil is too great to permit proper ejection, the light load setting should be used.
