Unfortunately, that is not an unusual problem with the Browning Citori type lockup. I have a 525 Sporting Clays that does the same thing occasionally. It seems to do it less frequently over time, but it still occurs occasionally.

I believe it has to do with the mating angles of the locking surfaces on the tapered locking bolt and the recesses in the rear of the barrels that the bolt locks into. I'm not aware of any quick fix. You might send it back to Browning, but that's no guarantee that it would come back fixed, IMO.

 

Take a Q-tip and put some anti seize in the groove of the locking lug. Grease is OK, but anti is better and last longer.

 

I think it has to do with the improper hardness of the locking surfaces...tends to give a sticky feeling when pulling them apart... they should be hard enough to slide like glass against each other...with the bolt being just a little softer than its seat ....if to much difference or parts being just to soft you get that sticky feeling ; Browning usually does not have a problem with outright soft parts ....so just keep it well greased....you don't want it to start galling...

 

Thanks for the replies fellas. I will try some anti seize in the groove area of the barrels and see what happens over time. Whats strange is how infrequent it happens. I would assume if the mating surfaces were bad it should happen at every opening. Also from what I read if I need to sent the gun out for repair I would skip Browning and go with one of the gunsmiths that are authorized to do warranty work for them.

 

Read about this issue in a piece by Doug Braker.
http://dougsgunsmithshop.com/index.cfm/pageid/5

http://dougsgunsmithshop.com/index.cfm/pageid/1

You can contact him and ask about the cause of the stickiness. In most cases it is due to improper mating of the locking block to the groove in the barrel block.

 

I'd send it to Browning or Art's if it keeps happening.

I use RIG +P or regular RIGs grease on mine.

 

Doug seems like a great gunsmith and I will definitely contact him if the gun needs work. I wonder if he does Browning warranty work. Thanks for posting those links.

 

I'd send it to Browning or Art's if it keeps happening.

I use RIG +P or regular RIGs grease on mine.

Thanks. At least I now know of some good Gunsmiths I can use if the time comes.

 

Look for debris around the action. A few pieces of unburned powder or dirt can cause this...

 

If I keep the groove and the locking lug well greased it doesn't stick. It did it more frequently when it was new (app. 10K rounds through it now).

 

If I keep the groove and the locking lug well greased it doesn't stick. It did it more frequently when it was new (app. 10K rounds through it now).

So did you have the same type of issue that I am having? Sticking randomly here and there? Thanks

 

Yep, it would stick and really require a lot of force to move it. Hasn't done it now for quite awhile but it was a regular occurrence for the first year or so. Still locks up tight with the lever well to the right but doesn't stick anymore (I still keep a lot of grease on the lug).

 

Good to know and I appreciate the info. I used some anti seize and it has been 100% so far. Shoot a round of sporting clays yesterday without a single sticking lever. Even opening and closing it at home is much better. I will give it plenty of time and shots and let it break in more. Thanks again.