Browning Maxus Shotgun Reviews

Browning Maxus
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJmwYBImLqc[/youtube]

http://www.browning.com/library/infonew ... asp?id=188

Review of L.P. Brezny Article on the Maxus

"My conclusion is this gun is here to stay!"

Outdoor writer L.P. Brezny recently put the new Browning Maxus through its paces in the December, 2008 issue of Shotgun Sports.

The Browning PR dept. from Morgan, Utah planned a Snow Goose hunt in South Dakota during the latter part of March, 2008, and since Brezny lived in the area, he plucked an invitation to evaluate the Browning Maxus. It was a typical field test for the new gun, hoping to shuck several cases of ammo through the gas action. Browning’s Scott Grange brought along two Maxus prototypes, and each was going to hit the obstacle course running.

Brezny’s first reaction to the new gun was encouraging – "As the new gun was pulled from its soft case by Scott, I immediately observed a much slimmer and lighter-looking field gun. When Scott passed the gun to me, I was clearly aware of a faster-pointing, slim shotgun in my hands, all accomplished at much less carry weight (about 7.5 pounds)."

A customer’s first reaction to a new gun is very important. It can mean the difference in how successful a new product is.

Brezny proceeded to point out some slick features of the new Maxus: "The safety was mounted on the right side and was much like the older Browning Gold. It also retained the magazine cut-off lever on the left side of the receiver that allows the hunter/shooter to drop the loaded round in the chamber while retaining shotshell in the magazine — a very nice feature when combination duck-and goose hunting, to be sure."



"At no time did I experience any sort of failure to function."
Brezny took apart the Maxus gas system and noted, "The whole gas component is more of a complete unit built of the same material throughout. The Maxus tended to eat just about anything in terms of varied ammunition. At no time did I experience any sort of failure to function, nor did I see the second of the two prototypes, which was fed a diet of strictly Winchester fodder, come up with a dry chamber."

Just prior to his hunt, Brezny had attended an event at which one of the exhibitors mentioned to him, "No gun can work well with any and all shotshell lengths without adjustments in the gas system." Brezny has one word for him now... "Wrong!"

As to how the Maxus shoulders and points, Brezny noticed, " The Maxus maintains a 'dead-on' sighting line that places the payload right on target at 40 yards. While the barrel tends to drop away slightly from the receiver, the vent rib takes up the difference and, from the receiver to the muzzle, the line of sight is flat — not high or low as some earlier products tended to be."

Brezny wrote about the receiver, saying, "In the receiver department, we got to see the breakdown of the spring-free bolt system, which was, in effect, only about three pieces of steel — very simple and trouble-free. That speaks volumes for the gun design overall. Maxus is as simple as field dirt and very easy to maintain afield or back at headquarters."

As to the unique "no magazine cap", Brezny said, " Another interesting feature on the Maxus prototype was the system used to remove the forend quickly. It incorporated a latch that was a good deal like those used on the forends of double guns — just pull down on the long, thin latch and the forend drops away. This fast-access system is great when a shooter wants to run some solvent through the gas system or give the gun a quick once-over after day in the field."

Brezny didn't have a chance to pattern the gun, but mentioned, "The choke system employed on the Maxus was the standard Browning Invector-Plus™. This system has given very solid performance, and there is no reason to change something that is not broken...based on the pair of test guns shooting a copious number of targets and digesting a varied array of non-toxic loads, the Maxus should be greatly feared by any and all game targets."

During Brezny's hunt, there were no failures with the gun after three days of hard shooting, going through seven cases of ammo. He said, "The Maxus will digest all three 12-gauge shell lengths — 3.5", 3" and short 2.75" all worked through the action with ease and required no switching of gas rings or other fooling around under the shotgun's hood."

Summing up his overall experience with the Maxus, Brezny said, "I can say for a fact the new gun works well in the field and takes a liking to a broad range of waterfowl ammo. To my way of thinking, the Maxus will become a winner in the marketplace among gas-operated shotguns."

http://www.browning.com/library/infonew ... asp?id=180

Review of Nick Sisley article on Maxus.

Nick Sisley, well-known outdoor writer of many years with Sporting Clays magazine says of the new Browning autoloader Maxus shotgun, "The Browning Maxus should be available now at your Browning dealer, or in the very near future. There should also be Maxus info at www.browning.com by the time you read this. This one is well worth checking out."

Many Maxus articles are now appearing in the popular outdoor magazines, and you can review them here on the web. Also, there are lots of links to what makes the Maxus so popular. You can study each new feature in depth right here. These unique features on the Maxus are innovative, and make the gun lighter, easier to dismantle and clean, more reliable with a wide array of shells, easier to shoulder and swing and much more enjoyable to shoot than what you may have been used to in an autoloader.

Sisley mentioned in the beginning of his article, that "all autoloading shotguns are pretty much the same, and if you've fired one, you've pretty well know how it goes. But the new Maxus has so many slick features, that it bears a close study."

Sisley touches on each feature of the new Maxus in depth. Read his article in the March, 2009 issue of Sporting Clays magazine. Let's summarize what he says on each innovative feature of the Maxus shotgun.

New Power Drive Gas System: "The Power Drive system features larger exhaust ports that permit quicker dumping of excess gases from higher-powered shells. Further, Browning has found a way to seal crud and residue from getting into the action, so the gun stays cleaner longer—and a clean semi-auto action contributes to functional reliability. The first ten prototypes that came out of Belgium (where the parts are manufactured) were used at R&R, and Browning would not let any of us writers bring home the guns for further testing since they were taking them all to its annual sales meeting, but they all performed very well on both pheasants and clay targets."

Inflex® Technology Recoil Pad: "Browning claims that the material used for this pad is softer than any other manufacturer uses on any autoloader. But there's more technology to this pad. It is designed to not recoil into the shooter's face but instead away via directional deflection."

Vector Pro, back-boring and lengthened forcing cone: Browning was one of the first to over-bore its barrels, and its back-boring is engineered into every Browning barrel these days. Vectro Pro is now a part of that back-boring, which combines an over-bored barrel (most Browning 12-ga. bores I've measured are .739" to .742") with a 2 1/2" long forcing cone that's just forward of the chamber area. Browning was reluctant to come around to longer forcing cones, but now it combines that 2 1/2" cone with one of the widest internal bores in the business. I am certain that both longer cones and over-boring can improve patterns. Both factors simply deform fewer pellets, with more pellets staying within the pattern."

Invector-Plus™ Choke System: "The Maxus comes with Invector-Plus™ screw chokes, plus Browning claims that its barrels and screw-ins can take the punishment of steel shot better than the competition."

Lightning Trigger System: "The Maxus also features a new trigger system. Dubbed the Lightning Trigger System, Browning claims it now has the fastest trigger time in the autoloading world, at .0052 second. I found the pulls on all the guns I tried in South Dakota to be plenty light enough for me, and they broke crisply. The trigger assembly is easy to pull out for maintenance. The bolt is innovative in that the link extension drops right into place as you replace it and the bolt into the receiver. With other bolts, a lot of 'feeling around' must be done to fit the link into place."

Turnkey Magazine Plug and Speed Lock Forearm: You can use a door or car key to simply turn and push down on the retaining cap at the front of the tube to add or remove a magazine plug. Browning actually calls this feature the Turnkey Magazine Plug. We all tried this, and removal or insertion of the magazine plug could be accomplished in seconds. To make the plug change or even barrel removal even quicker, as well as removal of the forearm, there's a totally new Speed Lock Forearm. Traditionally, fore-ends attach via spinning a screw-on magazine cap. Maxus technology does away with that type of system. You put the fore-end over the magazine tube in the traditional manner, but to lock that fore-end in place, just press down the exposed lever at the front of the fore-end. This effectively "cams" the fore-end into place, and it's tight. To take off the fore-end, there's no spinning the screw-on cap. Just pull up the lever, and the fore-end is ready to pull off."

Speed Loading and Unloading: "The gun has a speed-load system; push a shell up into the magazine and let it go, and a spring feeds the shell directly into the chamber. Unloading the magazine is easy; just depress a latch inside the receiver, and the shells come out into your hand one at a time."

Magazine Cut-Off: "There's also a magazine cut-off a la the old Browning Auto-5. Flip the cut-off switch, open the chamber to change the round or whatever else you want to do, and the shells in the magazine stay put. Without a magazine cut-off, if you open the action, the shell in the magazine pops out onto the carrier.

Optimal dimensions: "This is a pretty light smoothbore. While a 7-lb. shotgun for sporting clays isn't for everyone, such a light gun will be welcomed by many— like octogenarians, youngsters, and even some women."

These are the features you want to become familiar with. They make the Maxus the most incredible, dependable autoloader on the market. Perhaps you too will see what a sweet handling, light carrying shotgun this is, and how fun it is to shoot.

http://www.gunmart.net/gun_review/brown ... semi-auto/

Browning Maxus semi-auto

Just back from Burkina Faso where he has been shooting the latest Browning shotgun Pete Moore gives us his views on their new Maxus semi-auto
“Francolin, Francolin!” My tracker cried as we pushed through the heavy African bush, bringing the Browning Maxus up to my shoulder I saw the small brown, partridge-like shape flitting through the trees. The first round was a miss but I nailed him with the second. Not bad for me a noted dummy with a shotgun, but what was I doing in Burkina Faso shooting a smoothbore?
Browning has just launched a new semi-auto, which is Fusion-like in some respects. There’s little doubt that they have really got the most out of that design – Fusion, Fusion Evolve etc and not forgetting the SX3, which is near the same gun but with the Winchester badge on the side.
Evolved Evolve
The cynical might consider the new Maxus as an evolved Fusion Evolve, but it is a lot more. There have been some major and notable re-designs both inside and out plus a bit of retro as it borrows features from the classic, Browning (bang & clang) A5 auto!
Having been well received in the US it was our turn to experience the gun first hand. Till Cussmann (Events Manager) at Browning International in Belgium invited the major European magazine editors to come and try the gun for ourselves. Which coincided nicely with the fact I am starting to get into shotgunning, so the chance to go to Africa with three days of intensive hunting was an opportunity too good to miss.
The event was hosted by Nahouri Safaris at a place called Elephant Camp hunting lodge in Burkina Faso, I’d heard of the country but had to look it up in the atlas. Simplistically it’s just over halfway up and slightly left of centre. The trip was more an adventure, as this is the true Africa! A Russian colleague of mine described it thus; ‘Namibia is Germany, but Burkina is real Africa’. I have to agree, with everything happening at its own pace and unique way.
We were bussed around in a fleet of aging 4x4s that included an open topped, original Range Rover; Jeremy Clarkson would have loved it… Despite their age and minor breakdowns they took us over some serious gnarly ground that would have had many an off road enthusiasts worried.
Convoy…
We flew into Ouagadougou air port at 21.00 and the temperature was around 30º C. Arrivals and baggage reclaim was shall we say African; the carousal broke down three times and it was a free for all for the luggage. A bit worrying given we had 10 boxes of guns and lot of ammo too. However, we got sorted thanks to the arrival of the Nahouri Safaris’ PH and his crew, then it was convoy time. Given it was night and we would be travelling up country we got an armed escort of gendarmes with AK47s, which was both worrying and comforting. Like I said this is real Africa, the journey time was down as 2 ½ hours, we left at 23.00 and got to Elephant Camp at 02.30, to be told we would be up at 0.500 and ready to hunt…
This consisted of mornings pushing through the bush acting as our own beaters in terms of flushing game. We were each allocated a ‘tracker’ who would identify species and pick up. In the afternoon we had the choice of doing this again or shooting doves as they flew into water. I found the former hard work; especially in temperatures of 40º C once the sun got up. The latter was very exciting as the birds come in fast and furious and I reckon I leaned more about shotgunning than I ever had. Also this sort of quick reaction shooting really allowed me to test and appreciate what the Maxus offered…
Though no bird hunter, I have none the less used a lot of different semi-autos in intensive Practical Shotgun (PSG) shooting, so feel reasonably qualified to give an objective view on the Maxus. In some ways the quick reactions and loading/operating skills required are similar!
Spoilt four choice
The Maxus comes in four options; Composite (all black with synthetic stock), Hunter lightly engraved silver action with wood stock), Premium (as Hunter but with better wood and gold inlays) and the Camo Duck Blind (as Composite but in Mossy Oak Duck Blind camo finish).
The furniture is reminiscent of the Browning Cynergy over & under or X-BOLT rifle as the forend angles away from the barrel slightly, though the pistol grip is reasonably upright. At the back is a thick, Inflex recoil pad and this feature combined with long forcing cones makes what is quite a light gun smooth to shoot and also very recoil friendly. We were using the new Winchester Super Speed 2, 36-gram, #6 loads with a pressure-formed case. I fired around 200-rounds in the three days with no bruising or ill effects… We are told that felt recoil reduction is around 18%.
The receiver is hi-strength alloy with the Hunter and Premium models being nickel-plated, all models have scope mounting cut-outs. The rear curves down as opposed to the stepped look of the Fusion. Both synthetic guns offer shims to adjust the butt angle and also inserts for increasing the length of pull; the wooden ones don’t. Also 3 ½” chambers as opposed to 3” on the Hunter and Premium models. Most noticeable is the fact the Maxus does not have a magazine end cap, as the forend finishes in an uncluttered angled tip with a hidden/fold-down QD sling stud, with a second, fixed one under the butt.
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The forend locks to the magazine tube by an Anson and Deeley type, pull-down, latch underneath, like an over & under. This is a clean looking design, however it means the maximum capacity is 4+1 only. On that point the guns can be limited to 2 +1 with a dedicated restrictor for countries that demand it. This new layout also makes the Maxus a doddle to strip with no faffing about having to position the barrel/piston etc.
It’s what’s inside that counts
The Maxus shows a redesigned, Fusion-like operating mech, which as before is self-adjusting. Unlike a conventional gas/piston drive it uses a free, short stroke tappet/tube. This strikes the bolt carrier to knock it open, there are no connecting rods to cause drag so dwell time is reduced.
Called the Power Drive Gas System it shows a new piston design that’s more reliable, regardless of heavy or light loads. There’s also a larger exhaust port that dumps gases faster on heavy loads. A new enclosed, O-ring seal keeps residue out of the action for cleaner operation. The piston has a 20% longer travel making it potentially more reliable with light loads.
Further the rising lug bolt has been modified, with the most noticeable aspect being the omission of the firing pin spring. Retraction is now done by the carrier, so again saving a bit of weight and with slightly less inertia to overcome, perhaps aiding the cyclic rate.
A new trigger mech (Lightning Trigger System) has also been added. This offers a crisp pull of around 5lbs with minimal travel. Lock time averages .0052 seconds and it’s rated 24% faster than the nearest opposition.
Barrels are steel proofed in a choice of 26 or 28” and back bored for less pellet deformation. They also have long forcing cones that helps reduce recoil. The tube shows a flat rib and replaceable, hi-vis, coloured front beads, with a small pack included. A set of three InvectorPlus chokes is standard issue and the chamber extension shows a sprung ejector, which gives a consistent throw.
Combining all these elements together – long forcing cones, Inflex recoil pad, improved operating system, new trigger etc., makes for a significantly improved and advanced shotgun. In the US the Maxus seems to be winning fans over both the Benelli and Beretta semis; which is no mean feat…
Exterior considerations
Controls are simple with a cross-bolt safety at the rear of the trigger guard and a bolt release button below the ejection port. Adding to this are a magazine cut-off lever (front left of the receiver), which allows the feed to be interrupted so a different shell can be chambered. Same as the A5 Browning, likewise the speed feed facility. With an open bolt the first round is pushed into the magazine in the normal manner, where it’s immediately fed and chambered. So no mucking around dropping the shell into the action then punching the bolt release. I found this useful as you can keep the gun upright and scan for targets and reload without needing to look down or press buttons. It also has a speed unload that allows you to dump the magazine contents.
The Maxus proved 100% reliable apart from one occasion when I was moving through heavy cover and unknown to me the magazine cut-off had been pushed ON by a branch. I fired at a bird and the gun stopped, thinking it was empty I went to reload only to find the mag full and the bolt open. It took me a few moments to realise what had happened, but I consider that an extreme case.
Pleasing too is the trigger guard, which compared to other makes is large with plenty of finger access. However, the safety catch is quite long and when set to FIRE (right to left) a fair bit sticks out to the right. I am used to a flush fit in this area and occasionally as I swung onto a bird I could feel it sticking out against my trigger finger. This gives the impression that it might be ON; especially in the heat of the moment…
Apart from that no complaints. For me the Maxus proved itself on the doves as the shooting was fast and furious. Light to start and stop and easy to keep full, I soon got my head around it. Most noticeable was gun control. If for example I missed with the first shot (not unusual) the gun was back on target for the second in an instant, which usually hit.
More by luck than judgement I actually got a triple, with three doves coming in over my right shoulder I lined up and shot and swung across and to my amazement I dropped them all. By this time I was in the zone and just as in PSG shooting you are literally at one with the gun and everything appears to be very slow, yet is actually fast and totally instinctive…
In total I got two guinea fowl, three francolin, 36-doves and something that looked like a big pheasant. OK I’d be the first to admit that it took a lot more than 42-rounds to do so, but there’s only one way to shoot and that’s to pull the trigger and learn by your mistakes. Walked up hunting requires you to carry the gun at the high port all the time and unless you are used to it; it puts massive strain on your supporting arm and shoulder muscles as I discovered. As a deer hunter I’m more used to the rifle slung or at the low port for the final part of the stalk!
Apart from having a great time and a very different hunting experience, I was most impressed with the Maxus. They should be in the UK by end of March this year and I will get a grown up shotgunner to test one. But from my novices’ view point I reckon Browning has made a decidedly better mouse trap…
I’d like to thank Till Cussmann and the Browning crew for putting on such a great event. Plus all the guys at Nahouri Safaris for showing us a brilliant time, I have to say the trackers were great and some of the nicest keepers I have ever met…

http://www.fieldandstream.com/articles/ ... rs-boomers

New Lightweight Shotguns: The Browning Maxus

Thanks to that huge number of babies born after World War II, the average American hunter is now 49 years old, according to a 2008 survey by Responsive Management of Harrisonburg, Va. In the future, baby boomers may clamor for offroad walkers, but for now, they want their shotguns to weigh less.

“The feedback we get from our reps and our consumers is that people want lighter guns,” says Browning’s Scott Grange. “It’s old guys like me who are asking for them. I don’t hear my son complaining that his gun weighs too much.”

Grange made those comments to me in South Dakota last September, where I had a chance to shoot Browning’s new autoloader, the Maxus. For a 31⁄2-inch gun, the Maxus is a wand at 6 pounds 15 ounces. Later in the fall I hunted with another feather-weight, Lanber’s new Grey Stone o/u. These two join some other notable lightweights of recent vintage: Browning’s Citori and Cynergy Feathers, Benelli’s wondrous UltraLight, Franchi’s Renaissance, and Beretta’s Ultralight. The Maxus and Grey Stone should fit right in to the new Light Brigade.

Browning Maxus
To weigh little and to shoot softly: These are the contradictory goals that the Maxus, which replaces the Gold as Browning’s flagship auto, tries to reconcile. For the most part, it succeeds. An alloy receiver and a slimmed-down steel magazine tube keep the weight below 7 pounds. The gas system, a redesign of the Gold’s, kicks as gently as its predecessor. Lengthened forcing cones and an overbored barrel reduce recoil somewhat. The Inflex recoil pad is designed to compress in such a way that it pulls the comb of the stock down and away from your face.

In South Dakota, I shot lots of heavy 13⁄8-ounce pheasant loads and high-velocity 11⁄8-ounce target loads out of a Maxus. I can’t say I didn’t feel the recoil, but the Maxus is as soft-kicking as a light auto can be.

The forearm attaches with a latch like those found on o/u’s, making disassembly very fast and doing away with the magazine cap. The Turn Key magazine plug goes in and out in seconds, with the aid of any vehicle key. The trigger is crisp and locktime is fast. If I were looking for one gun for everything, I’d definitely consider a Maxus; if I were buying a gun specifically to shoot 31⁄2-inch waterfowl loads, I would choose something heavier.

The first versions will be 12 gauge in 3- and 31⁄2-inch chamberings with 26- or 28-inch barrels, in black or a Mossy Oak Duck Blind finish. List prices range from $1,199 to $1,499 (800-333‑3288; -browning.com).

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2008 ... s-shotgun/

New Browning Maxus Shotgun

Earlier this month Browning announced, to much fanfare, a new 12 gauge autoloader shotgun called the “Browning Maxus” at the annual sales meeting. Browning have really hyped this shotgun and have called it “The Most Reliable Autoloading Shotgun the World Has Ever Known.”.


The Browning Maxus Stalker model


The Browning Maxus Mossy Oak Duck Blind model

Browning claim the shotgun generates 18% less felt recoil, 44% less muzzle jump, 19% faster bolt speed and 24% faster locktime. The shotgun has a variety of improvements that make this performance increase possible:

* A new gas system called the “Power Drive Gas System” which is cleaner and more reliable with light loads.

* A new trigger called the “Lightning Trigger System” which has an average lock time of .0052 seconds.

* A new recoil pad called the “Inflex Technology Recoil Pad” which claims to decrease muzzle rise (I recently bought a grind-to-fit Limbsaver recoil pad recently that claimed the same thing).

It also has some nice magazine improvements. A feed system called “Speed Load Plus” allows the first shell inserted into the magazine to go directly into the chamber without cycling the action! Don’t ask me how this works but I look forward to examining the magazine system when it makes its way into the gun shops.

Browning have also introduced an improved magazine plug that can be inserted and removed in seconds using a car key.

The shotgun will be offered in two models (see above photos) and each model will be available in either a 3″ chamber or 3 1/2″ chamber and a 26″ barrel or 28″ barrel. Depending on the configuration the price will range from $1,199 – $1,499. It will be available sometime next year (2009).

http://www.browning.com/library/infonew ... asp?id=227

Browning Maxus Earns an "A" in a Recent Gun Tests Magazine Review.

Gun Tests magazine is a focused little publication that works hard at what it does. And one thing that sets it apart from many others is that they don't accept advertising. You, the subscribers, pay for it all. And because of this they are known for their less bias, sometimes very critical and often tough gun reviews. They grade guns with the same kind of grades given in school and they recommend guns as to whether you should buy them or not. That makes their December 2009 review all the more interesting.

In their own words,

"The Maxus deserves and easily gets an "A." It is the most versatile shotgun Browning has ever made, and in many ways is the best shotgun the company has ever made."

The mere mention of the Maxus being "the best shotgun" ever made by Browning gets our attention. It is always a remarkable experience to have every gun we make compared to those produced by the our founder: the gun designing genius John M. Browning. We always work hard to live up to his legacy. And when it comes to two categories -- autoloaders and over/unders -- the weight of his genius is especially enormous. With the Maxus we set out to create the best, most reliable, most functional autoloader ever. And since its introduction at the SHOT Show in 2009 the experts have been weighing in. And the reports are excellent. But our best reward is your success in the field. So we hope this review will further help you in making your decision about which autoloader you will be buying and hunting with this year.

To read the full Gun Tests story you will need to borrow your friends December copy or subscribe yourself. But we would like to "review the review" offering a few of the best quotes from this comprehensive article.

Although the article itself compares the Maxus to another popular autoloader, the review comparisons are not nearly as important as the way the Browning Maxus distinguishes itself as being in a class all it's own. Here are a few brief examples from the article:

Recoil. ". . . the Maxus was the softest-shooting 12 gauge of its weight that we have ever tested."
Adjustable length of pull. "We note that the Maxus has adjustable length of pull, with the appropriate buttstock spacers included right in the box -- not an optional accessory, but already supplied.
"3 1/2" Chamber. "Rather than an afterthought, the Maxus was designed from the start to be a 3 1/2" gun . . . "
Gas system. "The Maxus gas system stayed remarkable clean . . . gas fouling is restricted to the front of the magazine tube -- while the rest of the tube and the action remained almost residue-free."
The look. " We liked the big, bold, strong look of the Maxus receiver . . . "
Speed Load. "The Browning 'Speed Load' feature that we have always loved is back, this time as 'Speed Load Plus.' The "Plus" part is speed unloading as well . . . "
Trigger. ". . . no initial creep and an extremely crisp break."
Weight. "This Maxus delivered on its promise of being a lightweight gun, weighing in at 6.9 pounds, exactly as cataloged."
Load Versatility. "Straight out of the box it handled a variety of loads at it minimum power range with no problem.
Forearm: "The Maxus forearm is slim, trim, and pops on the barrel with a latch more like you'd find on an over / under forearm." "It is slim, trim . . . lightning quick to remove and faster yet to replace."

http://www.shootingtimes.com/longgun_re ... s_2009202/

Maxus!
Browning's newest autoloader, the Maxus, promises to deliver more speed and less recoil. It just might be the fastest, most comfortable-shooting 7-pound shotgun you’ve ever fired.
By Layne Simpson

If you have been putting off buying a Browning Gold shotgun, you'd best act quickly; its replacement may be sitting on the shelf of your favorite gunshop at this very moment. But then, since the designers of the new Maxus claim the level of perceived recoil is considerably less than for the Gold, your procrastinating may have worked to your advantage.

Browning's new Maxus is a gas-operated autoloader with a few features that are a bit outside of the norm. One is quite noticeable at first glance, the others are hidden away inside.

Taking the more obvious first, its forearm is not held in place by the ever-familiar screw-on magazine cap. Instead, a latch described as the Speed Lock located at the front end of the forearm holds it in place. And it's quick to remove or replace, too. Simply push on the release button while lifting the lever, and the forearm is free to be pushed forward and off the magazine tube. The front of the latch also accepts an Uncle Mike's quick-detach carrying sling swivel. Disadvantage? The fit of the forearm on the gun I hunted with was a bit loose, and on several occasions, I found myself--due to several decades of habit formed while shooting other autoloaders--attempting to tighten a magazine cap that was not there.

The Maxus is quick and easy to take down and reassemble. The fire-control system is easily removed for cleaning by pushing out two pins in the receiver.
Browning Maxus:
Model: Maxus
Purpose: Hunting
Manufacturer: Browning Firearms
1 Browning Place
Morgan, UT 84050
801.876.2711
Action type: Autoloader
Operation: Gas
Gauge: 12
Magazine: Five rounds (2 with plug installed)
Reciever material: Aluminum
Barrel length: 26, 28 inches
Chamber length: 3, 3 1/2 inches
Bore length: 0.742 inch
Barrel rib: .25-inch-wide ventilation
Sights: Metal bead at muzzle
Chokes: Invector-plus, IC, Mod, Full
Metal finish: Nonreflective blue, Mossy Oak Duck Blind camo
Safety: Transverse (reversible for lefty)
Trigger: Single-stage with 5.2 milliseconds locktime
Stock: Over-molded synthetic
Recoil Pad: Inflex Technology
Stock finish: Black, Mossy Oak Duck Blind camo
Drop at heel: 2 inches (shim-adjustable)
Drop at comb: 1.75 inches (shim adjustable)
Length of pull: 14.25 inches (shim adjustable)
Weight, empty: 6 lbs, 15 oz.
Overall length: 49.25 inches (28-inch barrel)
MSRP: $1,199- $1,499
Many years ago, I spent days afield with a Browning Auto-5, and one of the features I really liked about it was its magazine cut-off; this is a feature brought back in the new Maxus. In addition to allowing the hunter to quickly switch loads in the chamber, it is an excellent way to make the gun safe by unloading the chamber during a fence crossing without having to empty the magazine. Another useful feature, and one patented by Browning, is the Turnkey magazine plug that reduces capacity to three rounds with one in the chamber. With the forearm removed, the plug is easily removed or installed by simply inserting the ignition or door key from your hunting vehicle into the end of the plug and giving it a twist.

I also like the Speed Load Plus system. With the bolt locked back, the first shell pushed into the magazine is immediately gobbled up and fed directly into the chamber as the bolt moves forward. At that point, the bolt is free to travel forward to its locked position. And the gun is about as quick to unload. Simply reach inside the loading port with a finger, push against the side of the feed latch, and a shell pops out into your hand. Continue on until all shells are removed from the magazine, retract the bolt to empty the chamber, and you have an empty gun.

The new Power Drive gas-handling system is also something to take note of. Due to the relatively long stroke of the gas piston, the gun will function with a variety of ammunition power levels, ranging from the heaviest field loads to 11/8-ounce target loads. Regardless of the power level of the ammo being used, a wide automatic adjustment range for the size of exhaust port dumps the correct amount of gas. Just as important, a rubber seal inside the piston does a good job of preventing propellant fouling from migrating back into the receiver. The gun I tested digested about 150 rounds of ammunition in the field and at the clay target range, and the inside of its action stayed quite clean.

http://www.randywakeman.com/PreviewBrowningMaxus.htm

Preview:The Browning Maxus Semi-Auto Shotgun

There has been a lot of attention surrounding Browning's new semi-auto gas gun; deservedly so. The Browning Gold / Silver line of repeaters has been extraordinarily successful for the Browning brand, certainly the most successful gas-operated shotguns in their history, and their most popular semi-auto's since the Auto-Five. I've has universally excellent luck with Browning Gold's, and the basic action sounds like it will be around for a long, long while. I'm happy for that, to be sure.

Shotgunners can be a somewhat fickle lot; we long for the "new" as we simultaneously lament the traditional styling, and our sometimes hopeful (if not mythical) view of what craftsmanship used to be. We say we 'need' 3-1/2 in. chambered 12 gauges, then we carp a bit when those same 12 gauges don't cycle 20 gauge (or even 28 gauge) payloads. No wonder gunmakers seem to have a rough time deciding what we really want: we don't seem to know ourselves one hundred percent of the time.

I had the opportunity to run half of a case of AA's through a Browning Maxus 3-1/2 inch chambered model in Orlando, and I was favorably impressed. I found the gun to be light, well-balanced, and responsive . . . as well as soft-shooting. Despite shooting target loads (on a gun that was shot very, very hard all day) there was no hint of any cycling issues.

Whenever a pre-production firearm is given a quick once-over, it is bound to be someone inaccurate compared to the finished, general production run article. So, I can make only a few general comments. The Maxus answers a lot of questions, whether people really asked them or not.

For starters, the Maxus retains the speed loading and magazine cut-off associated with Browning since the two-piece shell carrier was added to the A-5. The Maxus has "Speed Load Plus," which means speed unloading as well that reminds me how quick the B2000 was/is to unload. While it is hard to say if the Inflex recoil pad completely lives up to the hype, it has been favorably received on the Cynergy, and it does a fine job on a recently tested X-bolt .270 Winchester. In any case, it is a far better pad than the vinyl crucifix generic vented pads too often found.

Some folks have found the Browning Golds to feel a "bit heavy up front." This is certainly not the case with the Maxus, that has the slimmest forearm that I recall ever being on a Browning gas auto. Rather than a forearm cap, the forearm latch is similar to O/U treatments meaning it is effortless and quick to remove. Golds have always been very, very easy to maintain-- the Maxus appears to be faster and easier yet to give the magazine tube and gas system a quick clean after heavy shooting.

As a pre-production shotgun, the forearm on the gun I was shooting seemed slightly loose-- something I was assured will not be the case with regular production. The trigger was crisp and clean, if not especially light. I'd expect production models to fall within the current Browning trigger specification of five pounds plus for their field autoloading shotguns.

It's not hard to see where Browning is targeting the Maxus: the Maxus is actually a bit lighter than the comparably harsh-shooting Benelli Super Black Eagle II, a modified blow-back repeater both loved and hated. The Benelli is also notoriously harsh on the wallet as well. The Maxus is noticeable quicker than the comparably ponderous Beretta Xtrema II and easier to clean as well. Better-handling than both Italian offerings, dramatically more affordable than the Benelli and far more at home serving dual-duty for upland use than the Xtrema II . . . it looks like Browning is going to be a real headache for the Beretta Holdings group with this model. Clearly softer shooting than a SBE, my impression is that it is a bit softer and smoother than the heavier Xtrema II as well. The Maxus is easier and faster to load and unload than both of them to boot.

It is of course premature to conclude that the Maxus has obsoleted both the Benelli SBE II and the Beretta Xtrema II in one fell swoop, but this appears to be a very good possibility. Expect a full review of the production Browning Maxus as soon as it becomes available later this year.

http://www.sportinggun.co.uk/guns/45439 ... eview.html


Browning Maxus semi-auto shotgun review

The trigger system has reduced the delay between trigger pull and the firing pin striking the primer by nearly 50%.

By Simon Everett

Monday, 10 May 2010

Browning Maxus semi-auto shotgun review: Semi-auto technology is coming on in leaps and bounds!

Browning Maxus semi-auto shotgun review
John Moses Browning stormed the world back in 1900 with a ground-breaking shotgun called the Auto 5, a recoil operated semi-auto that went on to sell millions worldwide.

Since then the company he created has designed, built and launched numerous other best semi-autos that have also become best-sellers in their own right.

And I reckon he would be well pleased with Browning’s latest baby, the Maxus - a shotgun featuring an all-new action, gas feed system and loading sequence.

It’s a sweet shooting, low recoil, lightweight gun that sports a faster lock time than any previous model.


What's more it's really easy to re-load and features three separate safety systems within the mechanism.

LOOK… SPRING-FREE!
The new design features a free-sliding firing pin that’s activated purely by the hammer and doesn’t require a spring to make things work.

Browning claim that fewer moving parts make the system safer and simpler and, because the pin remains retracted throughout the loading cycle, the possibility of a misfire due to a non-fully retracted firing pin is eliminated.

The gas management has also been improved: the Maxus now has much larger ports on the gas ram and a longer piston with better sealing properties which means the system needs much less gas to complete the cycle.


In tests I proved to myself that it works faultlessly on everything from light 24g loads right up to the mighty 61g cartridges used for turkeys and geese in America.

Having a lightweight gun capable of firing 2.1/4 ounces is a recipe for a sore shoulder so the designers have pitted their wits to beat the laws of physics.

With this gun felt recoil has been reduced to the point where the 61g load generates no more kick than a normal wildfowling load through my game gun.

Recoil reduction is impressive: shooting 34g loads at driven duck was like using a lightweight game load.

TAKING STOCK
The lightweight of the Maxus makes it easy to keep in contact with fast moving birds and the new flat rib creates an ideal line of sight.

You can easily adjust the stock’s length and drop by fitting different spacers between the back of the action and the head of the stock.


Furthermore the pad has been carefully designed with internal baffles to reduce not just the recoil but to direct it in such a way that muzzle flip is dampened at the same time.

As pigeon shooters know already, one benefit of using a semi-auto is the ease and speed it can be loaded and unloaded within the confines of a net hide.

The Maxus is now even quicker in this department thanks to a new Speed Loading system that lets you load the first cartridge straight into the breech with the firing pin, slide and trigger all locked back for added safety.

And the system allows for a different load to be put into the breech for an unexpected shot.

For instance, imagine you are out on the marsh shooting duck and a skein of geese approaches.


With this new Speed Loading system only the breech cartridge is emptied which can then be replaced immediately with a big load for the geese.

Gamekeepers will love it for those times they happen upon a fox.

Keep a big cartridge ready in a pocket for such an occasion, pull back the bolt and stuff the cartridge in. You are ready to go.

LASTING IMPRESSIONS
I was impressed with the ease of use of the new Maxus and its comfort aspects. Without a doubt its lightweight and minimal recoil will appeal to those who find recoil uncomfortable.

The gun is more reliable, safer and easier to live with than the previous generation of semi-automatic shotguns and has pleasing lines in either wetland camouflage, plain black composite or traditional wooden stock in two grades.


Progress has definitely been made and it has changed my otherwise discriminatory feelings towards this type of gun to the point where I would happily use one for pigeon shooting or wildfowling.

Clay shooters will love it.

NEW TRIGGER SYSTEM
The completely new trigger system has reduced the delay between trigger pull and the firing pin striking the primer by nearly 50% - the fastest lock time of any semi-automatic shotgun says Browning at just 5.2 millisecs.

The crisp, light trigger pull is instinctive and the trigger itself is nicely shaped to the finger but large enough to be easily used while wearing gloves, something that will be music to the ears of foreshore wildfowlers.

http://www.gunmart.net/gun_review/brown ... composite/

Browning Maxus Composite
By: Don Brunt
Don Brunt revisits Browning’s premier autoloader shotgun and finds that to pass it by would be a mistake…
Go into any gunshop and the chances are that there will be a pile of semi-auto shotguns on the rack. 30-year old Remington 1100’s sit alongside Hatsan Escorts, Beretta’s old and new sandwich the new (ish) kid on the block, Benelli, and others from the likes of Fabarm, Guerini and Franchi add yet more choice into the mix.
For many years one semi-auto was viewed very much as another regardless of manufacturer. Most people that bought one used it for pigeons and/or wildfowling; consequently looks were not that much of an issue which considering how some older guns look might not be a bad thing.
One shot advantage?
Handling was also not always at the top of the agenda, if you wanted a really sweet shooting gun you bought an over and under or a side by side. Plus the fact that an auto didn’t handle so well was compensated for by that extra shot, or in the days prior to Hungerford the extra three.
However we do - as they say - live in more enlightened times, and the big manufacturers have realised that churning out the same old thing just isn’t cutting the mustard in the sales figures. With new entrants such as Hatsan producing cheap workaday guns that do the job well, albeit without any particular degree of finesse, the majors have had to bring their offerings up to the cutting edge of design and performance! Consequently in the last few years we have seen the launch of the Winchester SX3, Beretta A400 Xplor, the Benelli Vinci and our test gun the Browning Maxus.
All of the aforementioned guns are technological marvels. Benelli’s new incarnation of their inertia system is genius even though the aesthetics of the gun itself might not be to everyone’s taste, but what then does the Maxus bring to the party?
Gas Guzzler
Browning has preferred to concentrate on honing the traditional gas-operated system rather than go down the inertia route favoured by the likes of Benelli and has built what it calls the Power Drive Gas System.
This features larger ports to allow the excess gases produced by the really high performance loads to be vented away quickly, thus making the whole cycling process much smoother. It manages to do this without coating the internals with muck and dirt thanks to the Browning engineers having paid attention to getting the seals to do their job properly. Take a look at the spring on an old style semi-auto after just a handful of shots and chances are it will be covered in powder residue and other detritus but not so with the Maxus. There is no mainspring in the conventional sense, or connecting rods either, instead a free floating tube/tappet comes back when fired striking the bolt carrier backwards and so cycling the action.
Fire!
The Maxus also sports the Lightning Trigger which Browning claims gives a lock time of just .0052 of a second, though in all honesty if you can tell the difference between that .0052 and say .0070 you are a better man than I.
Trigger pulls from the removable trigger group were very good on the whole by semi-auto standards, being crisp, consistent and breaking around the 4 ½ lb mark. The safety is of the usual cross- bolt format though this control is quite chunky and, as with others that tested it, I found that it can be a little confusing if you are more used to a flush-fit design when in the fire position. On more than one occasion I had to double check that it was indeed off, though owners would soon become used to it no doubt.
Related articles
Barrelling along….
The Maxus barrel on the test gun was 28” which equates to a 30” over and under when looking at total overall length. It is fitted with an attractive vented rib that offers a good sighting plane, at the end of which is a replaceable high visibility bead (spares are included). The tube follows Browning’s long established practice of back boring combined with 2 ½” long forcing cones. Something they were reluctant initially to adopt though the results are now plain to see. These two features working in harmony to reduce recoil and minimize pellet deformation meaning better patterns from the business end. The choke side of things is handled by their Invector-Plus system, three tubes being included as standard. The Maxus is also steel shot proofed as a matter of course.
Clunk Click….
A quick look at the Maxus and you would be forgiven for thinking something is missing, until that is you take a look at the forend release catch. Unlike the round magazine end caps of every other auto on the market this operates via a pull down lock up lever much like that on the bottom of an over and under forend. It makes for a much smoother looking design and although it feels fiddly and a little strange the first time you do it, after a couple of times it becomes second nature. Browning calls it a Speed Lock and it’s easy to see why; it takes just a couple of seconds to remove it compared with trying to spin off the end cap which invariably ends up on the floor in the mud.
The Maxus also has a speed loading function, resurrected from the original, 1900 Auto 5 Browning. Simply push a cartridge into the magazine and let it go and the gun does the rest for you, loading and chambering the round. Similarly unloading it is trouble free, just press the latch inside the receiver and the shells come out one by one. Magazine cut off switches are another feature that identify the later generation semi-auto’s and this is no exception, flip the easy-to-use switch located on the left side of the action and you can quickly chamber a different round without having to unload the lot.
Fit for purpose
The test gun is the composite model (black synthetic) following the current vogue for semi-auto’s and it certainly felt comfortable enough between the hands. The close radius grip means the trigger is comfortably within reach and the moulded grips feel positive. Though the test was done in dry weather I could not imagine it proving difficult to keep hold of the Maxus in even the wettest of conditions. The composite material had a quality feel about it with none of the cheap hollow sounding characteristics of some other plastic stocks. Dimensions are pretty standard with a length of pull of 14 ¼” and a drop at comb of 1 ¾” and at heel of 2”. Shims and spacers are included with the gun so it should be easily adjusted to suit just about anyone. Call me a traditionalist but I personally prefer the wood stocked versions, however the fit and finish on this composite are as good as any I have seen.
Range Time
Shooting impressions of the Maxus were very good, starting with a round of skeet on Wylye Valley Shooting Ground’s newly installed range. Being light (at a shade under 7lbs) the gun moves well and doubles from the centre peg 4 posed no problem, the gun being able to change direction quickly without becoming unduly unstable. Similarly the super fast birds from station 8 were easily dealt with though experience in the past has found that guns which perform well here sometimes struggle when dealing with long crossing targets out over 45 yards or more.
However trying some of the more challenging Sporting targets showed that the gun performs well here too. As with all auto’s you do need to drive the gun a little more as it doesn’t have the front end weight of an over and under to keep the swing going and keep it stable but on the whole the experience was very pleasant and I would have total confidence in it as a clay buster. Patterns seemed to hold up well, half choke and Gamebore Black Gold 8’s being plenty enough to dispatch anything Wylye had to offer.
Recoil was acceptable thanks to the back boring and to the Inflex recoil pad which is designed to divert the punch away from the shooter through a clever directional design of the baffles. Cartridge choice is something that Maxus users won’t have to fret over either, operation proving consistent whether fed a diet of 20-gram light loads or 42-gram heavy hitters.
Verdict: A super-efficient interpretation of the gas driven semi auto, it manages to combine clever design features along with robust engineering principles. Whether its clays, pigeons or tackling wildfowl on the foreshore it is unlikely that you will find the sweet handling Maxus wanting.
We Reckon!
• A versatile gun that may be the last semi auto you ever need to buy
• Fast handling but steady when it needs to be
• High tech design without being overly radical

http://www.propickupmag.com/browning-ma ... g-shotgun/

Browning Maxus Sporting Shotgun

Mar | 8 | 11 by: Bruce Smith
Browning Adds Two Sporting Models to Maxus Shotgun Line

Sport shooters like a shotgun with some degree of engraving on the receiver, because the shotguns are on display at sporting shoots, and participants like to show them off. Standing out on the gun rack is the new Browning Maxus Sporting.
This new model is sure to catch the eye, with its laser engraving of game birds transforming into clay birds. Quail are on the right side, and a mallard duck on the left.
But the new gun is not just for show. On the inside, the Maxus Sporting is gas-operated with a 3″ chamber, so here is a gun you can take to the field as well. The Power Drive Gas System reduces recoil and cycles a wide array of loads. It’s available in a 28″ or 30″ barrel length. The high grade walnut stock and forearm are generously checkered, finished with a deep, high gloss. The stock is adjustable and one 1/4″ stock spacer is included. For picking up either clay or live birds quickly, the HiViz Tri-Comp fiber-optic front sight with mid-bead ivory sight does a great job, gathering light on the most overcast days.
Shoulder one at your local dealer, and start a day at the range showing off and hitting more targets with the new Browning Maxus Sporting.

http://www.guns.com/reviews/browning-maxus.html

Browning Maxus

Description
The Browning Maxus is a semi-automatic hunting shotgun chambered in 12 gauge. The Maxus won the NRA’s “American Hunter” Golden Bullseye Award 2010 for Shotgun of the Year because of its reliable action and cycling. It uses Browning’s Power Drive Gas System where the shotgun has larger exhaust ports to expel gases faster from heavy loads, which reduces recoil. It also gives the gas-driven piston a longer drive, which provides betters chambering on lighter loads. The Maxus is made from a lightweight aluminum alloy that puts each sub-model around 7 pounds. It has a lengthened forcing cone and has three adjustable chokes, so shooters can adjust a desirable shot pattern for short or long distances. And, it uses an Inflex Technology recoil pad that reduces recoil and adds comfort. Browning recommends the Maxus for hunting, leisure and sport shooting.

Editor Review
Ace Luciano
John Browning revolutionized the shotgun world 105 years ago with the invention of the first semi-automatic shotgun, the Browning Auto 5, and the company that still bears his name is still revolutionizing the industry a century later. Call the 2000’s the “decade of the Autoloader” because more advances have come down the pike in this decade than any other, and the Browning Maxus leads the way handily.

Speed and reliability are the buzzwords for today’s autoloaders and the engineers at Browning have done an excellent job of both. This gun looks fast, starting with a sleeker, thinner profile than any other gas autoloader. Looking at the fore-end, you will immediately notice the absence of a screw-on end cap. Replacing what is truly an antiquated method of holding guns together is an over-under style fore-end lever. The simplicity of this system is to be admired as it allows the fast removal of the fore-end: no more over-tightening and having to use a pair of pliers and a rag to take your fore-end off or under-tightening and dealing with a rattling gun.

Reaching into the box, the Maxus practically leaped out into my hands. This gun is light. Really light. Yet it still points and follows through like a dream. This is a distinct advantage for a gun that, for many, will be used as their all-purpose shotgun. Rest assured you will have no problem toting this gun in the blind, the boat, or along miles of field.

The Maxus action, called the “Power-drive gas system,” is essentially a re-vamping of the action shared by the Browning Gold and Winchester SuperX-2. There are a lot of “technical” differences and reasons for the improved performance (larger gas ports, longer stroke travel, etc.), but the two things almost every shooter will appreciate are these: it is simple and it works. There are three pieces to the action. That’s it.

How is it on the shoulder? Browning added an advanced soft-rubber recoil pad with what they refer to as “inflex technology” to the rear of the Maxus. This pad, combined with the new action translates to one of the softest-recoiling guns on the market, easily handling the hardest-kicking 3.5” shells down to light, 1-ounce skeet loads. I had no trouble in the range or the field even when purposely mixing loads.

The gun’s available in several models specified for waterfowl, field, and sporting use. Any one of these is sure to please anyone who purchases it.

http://allaboutshooting.com/article_inf ... les_id=274

Browning Maxus Shotgun

Since the introduction of the Auto-5 more than a century ago, Browning has been at the forefront of semi-auto shotgun design. For 2009 Browning continues this long tradition with the introduction of the all new Maxus™ autoloading shotgun. Several innovative technologies combine to make the Maxus deliver up to 18% less felt recoil for greater comfort, 44% less muzzle jump for more accurate follow-up shots, plus 19% faster bolt speed and 24% faster locktime than the nearest competitor.

Power Drive Gas System. The new Power Drive Gas System on the Maxus features a new gas piston design that has larger exhaust ports to dump gases faster on heavy loads. An all new patented, enclosed seal design keeps residue out of the action for cleaner operation. The piston has a 20% longer stroke travel to be even more reliable with light loads.

Inflex recoil pad technology further reduces felt recoil.
Inflex Technology Recoil Pad. Browning’s new Inflex Technology recoil pad is the softest pad on any autoloader. More than a mass of recoil absorbing material, it has been engineered with directional deflection to pull the comb down and away from the face of the shooter with every shot for even greater comfort and faster follow-up shooting.

Fastest locktime of any autoloader.
Lightning Trigger System. The new Lightning Trigger System featured on the Maxus is designed to offer a smooth, crisp feel with minimal travel. With locktimes averaging .0052 seconds, the Lightning Trigger is 24% faster than the nearest competing autoloader, making every pull perfect. It is also easy to remove for cleaning.

Vector Pro Lengthened Forcing Cone. Vector Pro features extended forcing cones that are over 2” longer than other systems. The taper is much more gradual than the 5º industry specification for even less shot deformation resulting in more uniform and consistent patterns. The Vector Pro geometry completely eliminates any step or double taper between the chamber and bore.

The Speed Lock Forearm sets a new standard for ease of use (and for great looks).
Speed Lock Forearm. With the new Maxus, Browning engineers have eliminated the traditional bulky screw-on magazine cap and replaced it with the patent-pending Speed Lock Forearm. This secure forearm attachment system makes taking down the Maxus for cleaning or storage faster and easier than ever before, and makes attaching or removing a sling a snap. By simply lifting a lever, the forearm is easily removed.

Speed Load Plus. Browning’s new patent-pending feeding system sends the first shell loaded into the magazine directly into the chamber. Now, unloading is just as easy with the Maxus. The speed unload feature makes emptying the magazine fast and easy, without having to cycle and chamber every shell with the bolt handle.

Turnkey Magazine Plug. The Maxus features the patent-pending Turnkey Magazine Plug that makes removing the plug simple by using any vehicle or house key. Combined with the Speed Lock System, the magazine plug can be removed from the Maxus in mere seconds.

Initially the new Browning Maxus will be offered in 12 gauge in 3” and 3 ½” models. The receiver is made of strong, lightweight aluminum alloy. The barrels have a lightweight profile design with flat ventilated rib. The composite stock has a close radius pistol grip with in-molded textured gripping and Browning’s proven Dura-Touch® Armor Coating for a sure hold and sleek feel in all climate conditions. Average weight on the new Maxus is 6 lbs. 14 oz. The Browning Maxus comes equipped with a magazine cut-off to allow the shooter to easily unload the chamber to change loads without cycling a shell from the magazine.

http://www.americanrifleman.org/Article ... 947&cid=12

A Step Apart – The Browning Maxus
Browning overhauled the Gold design to give the Maxus a look all its own.
By Aaron Carter, AR Managing Editor

Since Mossberg’s 1988 introduction of the Model 835 Ulti-Mag, the first 31/2-inch-chambered 12-gauge shotgun, many customers have demanded that new models handle that lengthiest of 12-gauge options. In an effort to make sales, companies complied with the request.

The problem is, unlike pump-action shotguns, such as the Ulti-Mag, Browning BPS or Remington Model 870 Express Super Mag, which pose few design problems for handling 23/4, 3 and 31/2-inch shotshells interchangeably, the same cannot be said for semi-automatics. Operating on propellant gases or kinetic energy rather than human strength, reliable functioning through widely varying intensity levels in loads spanning the 12-gauge spectrum creates a difficult engineering challenge, especially with low-power 23/4-inch shells. For most 31/2-inch-chambered semi-automatics, the lightest loads that function reliably typically contain 11⁄8 ounces of shot. Browning’s flagship autoloader, the Gold, is no different. What about the overwhelming 1-ounce options? Such was a key motive for Browning making the new Maxus, which Browning liaisons report as meaning “the maximum,” “the ultimate,” “nothing exceeds it,” “superior,” and “the best.”

But, the company didn’t stop there. It completely overhauled the Gold design, and in doing so gave the Maxus a laundry list of worthwhile features—not to mention a look all its own. As such, the Maxus is, in terms of reliability, appearance and performance, a step apart from its brethren, as well as the competition.

Short-Stroke—Basic Operation
Like Browning’s Gold shotgun, which debuted in 1994, the Maxus uses a gas-operated, short-stroke piston system, albeit with several notable upgrades.

Immediately after the wad’s gas seal passes the dual ports, which are located side-by-side in the bottom of the barrel, high-pressure propellant gases flow through the ports and the gas bracket and push the piston rearward, forcing the piston sleeve and operating rod—the latter of which is located on the left side, as opposed to the right side on the Gold—backward. Energy from the operating rod is transferred to the bolt carrier, which, moving rearward, forces the lug—at the back of the bolt—to disengage from its seat in the barrel extension.

As the bolt carrier retracts, the bolt’s cross pin and an angled cutout in the carrier force the bolt’s “hook”—on the bottom, rear—to drop into a corresponding recess in the carrier. The hook comes to rest against a separate, spring-loaded—no doubt to reduce wear—piece of steel possessing an identical angle, which forces the bolt and bolt carrier to move rearward in unison. As the bolt assembly retracts, the extractor, previously at rest in a large, rounded cutout in the barrel, extracts the hull. The hull continues moving rearward with the bolt assembly until contacting the spring-loaded ejector in the barrel extension’s left side, opposite the extractor, at which point the hull is ejected through the ejection port. During this process, the hammer is cocked.

During rearward movement of the bolt assembly, the link, located on the rear of the bolt carrier, compresses the recoil spring in the buttstock. After reaching its full rearward travel, the recoil spring rebounds, forcing the bolt assembly forward, where it chambers an awaiting shotshell and completes lockup. A short coil spring around the magazine tube serves as a return spring for the piston assembly.


I was not the first person to hunt with the Maxus I carried in South Dakota last fall. In fact, the gun I sho—one of the first 20 Maxus guns in existence—had already cycled thou- sands of rounds in factory torture tests, Argentine dove shoots and Midwestern snow goose hunts. In the three days I took my turn with it, I shot it at lots of pheasants and even more clay targets before reluctantly giving it back. The Maxus impressed me with its soft recoil, sure handling and light weight. Brown- ing engineers took their time with the Maxus, developing it over nearly five years. My first impression is that they got the gun right.

Browning’s Maxus Afield & On The Range

Unlike its predecessor, the Gold, which started as a 3" gun and was stretched to chamber 31⁄2" ammunition, the Maxus was designed from the beginning to handle the extra stress of 31⁄2" shells. Inside, it’s a more robust gun than the Gold, but you would never know that to pick it up. The Maxus is lighter and slimmer than the Gold, especially in the front end. A lightened magazine tube and slimmed-down fore-end make it feel almost like a lively over-under—in fact, I think it’s livelier than a lot of 12-ga. over-unders. The light, lean Maxus fits perfectly into the venue Browning chose for introducing the gun to the press: R&R Pheasant Hunting (r-rpheasanthunting.com) near Sen- eca, S.D. For three days we walked long stretches of sorghum and corn, with pheasants popping up all around us in increasing numbers as we approached the blockers. At the advice of owner Sal Roseland, we shot Winchester Super Pheasant loads of 13⁄8 ozs. of No. 4 shot at 1300 f.p.s., a load that is stout in recoil in a lightweight gun, especially when you shoot it enough for a 10-bird limit (R&R has a preserve license). Through- out the hunt the Maxus was neither a strain on the arms or a pain in the shoulder. Despite its lightweight, it shot very softly and I made plenty of fast follow- up shots and a couple of doubles. In the afternoons, we took the guns to R&R’s 5-Stand sporting clays layout, where flat upon flat of 23⁄4-dram, 11⁄8-oz. loads awaited. If there’s a faster way to make empty hulls than by offering outdoor writers free ammunition, I don’t know what it is. Even so, after a lot of shooting, I finished the afternoon 5-Stand sessions feeling fresh and unbruised. My pre-production gun did


Active Valve, Updated

Traditionally, 12-ga., 31/2"-chambered semi- automatic shotguns have exhibited intermittent reliability when loaded with 23/4", 1-oz. loads; however, 11⁄8- and 11/4-oz. loads typically cycle without issue. As such, company literature often denotes one of the latter as the minimum recommended. Such is the case even with Browning’s own Gold and Silver shotguns. So, in creating, “The most reliable shotgun the world has ever known,” as Browning advertising proclaims, company engineers had to resolve a shortfall of previous semi-automatic shotgun designs—a difficult task, to be sure. To ensure the Maxus’ functionality with, as well as interchangeability between, light, 23/4", 1-oz. loads through the highest-payload 31/2", 21/4-oz. turkey options, and everything between, Browning revamped the Gold’s “Active Valve” system. To accomplish this, Browning created the Power Drive gas system, which features a “... new sealing system to encapsulate the maximum gas from the light loads.” In essence, the so-called “active ring system” suffer a couple of failures to feed with target loads, although Maxus designer Marc Lesenfants was on hand to trace the problem to an out-of-spec maga- zine latch spring. Aside from that minor problem, the guns gave us no trouble whatsoever. One evening we sat out for doves, although the unseasonably cool weather had pushed most of them south. Since my two-bird bag made me high gun for the entire group, it wasn’t exactly a hot barrel hunt, but the Maxus helped me make the most of the two chances I got. With its sure-pointing, light weight, soft recoil and Speed Load feature, the Maxus seems like a natural choice for the dove field. Since that hunt I’ve had the chance to shoot the Maxus at clay targets at home. I’ve been able to alternate shots with the Maxus and several other semi-automatics to test felt recoil. Pound for pound, it is as soft-shooting a semi-automatic as I’ve ever tried. The Inflex Technology recoil pad has angled ribs inside; you can see them when you remove the pad. When the pad com- presses under recoil, they ribs are sup- posed to direct the gun down and away from your face. Although I am skeptical of the claims made for high-tech recoil pads (they work, just not as well as manufacturers say they do) the Inflex pad does seem to keep the Maxus out of your face exactly as advertised. The Maxus has some unique features, with the fore-end latch being the one you notice immediately. It is sized to hold an Uncle Mike’s swivel, and the latch-clamp allows you to easily attach and detach a sling. The biggest plus to the magazine-capless design: If you have to disassemble the gun in the field, there’s no more worry about dropping and losing a magazine cap—and if you’ve ever had to take a balky gun apart while standing in knee-deep water as I have, you know what I’m talking about. The safety is easy to find and manipulate, and it reverses in moments for left-handed use. The Maxus has an enlarged trigger guard, too, that makes it easy to shoot with gloves on, although I have not yet hunted with the gun in cold weather. Overall, the Maxus is an impressive shotgun. It’s a fitting tribute to the genius of John Browning, as well. Browning invented the gas-operated firearm and the semi-automatic shot- gun, but he never made a gas-operated shotgun. You can only imagine that he would look at the Maxus and approve. is an elastomeric seal inside the piston that captures additional gasses from low-power loads necessary for operation. With most 23/4", 1-oz. loads, then, the majority of the gases are utilized. Although the active ring system aids functioning with light loads, had Browning’s engineers left the number, configuration, positioning and geometry of the exhaust ports unchanged, its use would have been impossible. Since heavily loaded shotshells produce a higher volume of propellant gases, most of which is unnecessary for proper functioning, the seal would have “encapsulated” too much gas. Like the Gold, Silver and their Winchester counterpart, the Super-X3 (SX3), the exhaust ports on the Maxus’ piston are on two planes; however, they are fewer in number, of different shape, and are substantially larger—optimized to expel gases faster. Excess gases are expelled from the exhaust ports through the fore-end, on either side of the barrel. Energy from the aluminum piston is imparted to the aircraft-grade aluminum piston sleeve and steel operating rod. To further enhance reliability, particularly with the light, 23/4", 1-oz. loads, the “stroke” has been lengthened 20 percent; however, the advantages of the short-stroke system have been maintained.

Filled To The Max

Like its Gold and Silver siblings, the Maxus’ 9"-long receiver is made from strong, yet lightweight, aircraft- grade aluminum alloy; however, the Maxus follows suit with the former’s non-semi-humpback profile. Instead of the Gold’s vertical receiver face, though, the Maxus’ receiver has a rearward-angling portion, the lines of which carry over to the ejection port—both of which make for a modernistic appearance. Below the ejection port, in embossed lettering, is the gun’s name. Directly in front of “Maxus” is the bolt-release button, and similarly located on the opposite side of the receiver is the magazine cut-off lever. Under most circumstances, the Maxus’ magazine cut-off is unnecessary; however, when the situation dictates changing the chambered shotshell in short order, it could prove invaluable. Essentially, it enables the user to remove a chambered shotshell without cycling another from the magazine. Unlike most semi-automatic shotguns, though, the Maxus’ magazine cut-off lever is easily accessed and activated. Pulling the lever rearward rocks the inner portion of the cutoff into position in front of the awaiting shell in the magazine tube, blocking it, while pushing the lever forward allows unimpeded firing. To quicken reloads, the Maxus features “Speed Load Plus,” which allows, from the bolt-open mode, the first shotshell inserted into the magazine to be automatically fed onto the elevator, and then chambered. The Maxus can also be loaded from the traditional modes: dropping a shotshell through the ejection port and depressing the bolt-release button, or, with the bolt closed, loading the magazine and then retracting and releasing the operating handle. Just as Speed Load Plus lessens loading time, pushing inward on the shell stop quickens unloading. Pushing out the Maxus’ two trigger guard pins allows for removal of the trigger group, the components of which are newly designed. Coined “Lightning Trigger System,” Browning reports an average lock- time of 5.20 milliseconds, or as the company’s literature touts, “...24 percent faster than the nearest competing autoloader... .” According to Marc Lesenfants, primary designer of the Maxus, this is achieved through an increase in leverage—approximately 40 percent—a strengthened hammer spring and a lighter, thinner hammer made of CK75 steel alloy. At odds with the new gun’s Mossy Oak Duck Blind camouflage and matte-black finish options, is the company’s signature gold-plated trigger shoe, a feature carried over from the Gold. The Maxus’ large, round cross-bolt-style safety, the face of which is checkered for enhanced purchase, differs from that of its Gold predecessor, which is triangular in shape. It is similarly located and equally easy to manipulate. The Maxus’ trigger guard is sized appropriately to facilitate a gloved finger. The shotgun is shipped with a magazine adapter (plug) installed, thereby restricting capacity to three shotshells—two in the tubular magazine and one in the chamber; however, the plug’s “TurnKey” design makes removal quick and easy. With the fore-end removed, a house or vehicle key or standard, flat- blade screwdriver, is inserted into the slot at the end of the magazine tube, then pushed inward and rotated one-quarter turn, which aligns the plug with the slot. This completed, angling the Maxus downward allows the adapter to slide out. Absent the plug, the 3"-chambered version holds four 23/4" or three 3" shotshells in the magazine, and the 31/2"-chambered Maxus adds the ability to accommodate three 31/2" shells. Nearing the end of the tubular magazine is a cutout to which the new “Speed Lock Forearm” is secured—it is tensioned by a coil spring inside the fore-end, which compresses against the gas bracket. Instead of the traditional magazine cap, such as found on most tubular magazine-fed semi-automatic and pump- action shotguns, the Maxus’ fore-end is secured via the “Speed Lock” lever, quickening removal for takedown. Depressing the release button forward of the Speed Lock lever enables the latter to be lifted, thereby freeing the fore-end for removal. Even with the Speed Lock Forearm removed, the Power Drive gas system remains steadfast. When secured, a hook on the front of Speed Lock lever serves as the quick-release front sling swivel point—without interfering with the fore- end’s aesthetically pleasing lines. The fore-end continues the receiver’s lead, providing rearward-sweeping angles contributing to the Maxus’ modernistic look. With this, the fore-end features the rugged, tactile Dura-Touch Armour Coating, along with molded-in textured surfaces, which enhance purchase. Like the Speed Lock Forearm, the Maxus’ buttstock is also made of a lightweight, yet strong composite material and features the sprayed-on and baked Dura- Touch coating. Unlike the Gold and Silver, the Maxus has a close-radius pistol grip, which Browning reports is “to maximize control”—a welcome addition on a 31/2"-chambered shotgun. Molded into the buttstock is the rear sling swivel stud. Capping the buttstock is the company’s soft, contoured Inflex Technology recoil pad, which is also used on some of the company’s Cynergy over-under shotguns. According to company literature, “Inflex Technology is engineered with directional deflection to pull the comb down and away from your face ... for even greater comfort and faster follow-up shooting.” Length of pull, drop and cast adjustments can be made by removing, adding or exchanging the included spacers and shims. The Maxus’ barrel—available in 26" and 28" lengths—is manufactured from rolled, tempered steel bars that are stress-relieved then, according to the company, are “precision drilled, reamed and honed to exacting specifications.” Topping the barrel is a flat, low-lying ventilated rib—the cutouts of which enhance the Maxus’ appearance—on the same plane as the receiver, with a simple white bead for sighting. Like those of the company’s other shotguns, the Maxus features what Browning has coined, “Total Barrel Dynamics,” which addresses the interrelationship between back-boring, forcing cone length and choke. A longtime promoter of back-boring, Browning pro claims that “0.742" Back-Bored Technology,” “... represents the ideal bore diameter.” The reason? “[It] reduces friction between the shot cup and the barrel to propel the shot pellets to a higher velocity for minimal shot deformation and maximum pattern uniformity,” touts Browning literature. One can only speculate that a bore diameter of 0.742" could allow gases to bypass the wad, especially in cold weather, as there is no “standard” wad design in terms of gas seal length/depth, width, subtlety and material. Browning engineers claim that’s not the case. The SAAMI-listed 12-ga. bore diameter is 0.725"+ 0.020", so the bore is within recommended tolerances. So, is 0.742" back-boring extreme? Not if one considers that Mossberg uses 0.775"—true 10-ga. diameter—back- boring in its 31/2"-chambered semi-automatic shotgun, the 935 Magnum. And, perhaps not surprisingly, Winchester uses 0.742" back-boring in its Super-X3. According to Browning, the 2.5"-long Vector Pro forcing cone “... reduces constriction from the forcing cone on the shot column, leading to significantly fewer deformed pellets and more uniform patterns with more pellets in the central part of the pattern.” No arguments there; lengthening forcing cones is standard practice to enhance patterns. The Vector Pro’s long, gradual 0.7-degree taper is made possible by back-boring the barrel to 0.742". Like the Vector Pro forcing cone, the Invector-Plus choke tube system for which the Maxus is threaded, also features a longer taper for improved performance. Browning also claims the design, “eliminates gases slipping between the choke tube and barrel that could damage the choke tube and the barrel.” The piston and piston sleeve with the operating rod can be disassembled to facilitate thorough cleaning.

Testing The Maxus

According to Browning, “Several innovative technologies combine to make the Maxus deliver up to 18 percent less felt recoil for greater shooting comfort, 44 percent less muzzle jump for more accurate follow-up shots, plus 19 percent faster bolt speed and 24 percent faster locktime than the nearest competitor.” Lacking the equipment necessary to quantify the aforementioned percentages, at least those not subjective in nature, I take the numbers at face value. What I can report, however, is how the Maxus handled, performed and felt during testing. To test reliability, I subjected the Maxus to rigorous range work, including function-testing, patterning and, to evaluate its handling characteristics, sporting clays. Opinions concerning the Maxus were formed throughout the testing phase. To check load versatility, at random I loaded the 31/2"-chambered Maxus with three 12-ga. shotshells that represented not only differences in manufacturer, but also length (two were identical, though), shot charge, propellant weight, shot size and velocity. The loads, Winchester 23/4", 1-oz. AA Super Sport Sporting Clays, Polywad 23/4", 11⁄8-oz. Spred-R, and 31/2", 21/4-oz. Premier Magnum Turkey, all functioned without issue, regardless of order. Most impressive, though, was the flawless functioning of the former. Not only did they cycle reliably, but did so immediately after 31/2" shotshells! Function-testing the Maxus made obvious, to both shooters and bystanders, the real reduction in muzzle flip. As for Browning’s reported 18-percent reduction in recoil, though, the difference was less apparent. Although the Power Drive Gas System, Inflex Technology recoil pad and, perhaps, Vector Pro forcing cone and 0.742" back- boring, serve to lessen felt recoil, the Maxus is by no means “... very pleasant to shoot, regardless of loads,” as Browning literature suggests. At 6 lbs., 15 ozs. (28"-barreled, 31/2"-chambered version), it can’t be—as dictated by physics. That said, although not “pleasant,” recoil from magnum loads, especially 31/2" shotshells, is tolerable. Relegating the Maxus to a Caldwell Lead Sled for consistency, the patterning paper revealed the benefits of Browning’s Total Barrel Dynamics. Using the supplied flush-fitting, Invector-Plus full choke tube and Federal 3" Black Cloud shotshells with 11/4ozs. of BB-size shot, at 40 yds. the Maxus performed as advertised, exhibiting “more uniform patterns with more pellets in the central part of the pattern.” Function-testing and patterning complete, it was time to evaluate the Maxus’ handling qualities at the sporting clays course. Immediately noticeable were the Maxus’ light weight and ergonomics, both of which enhanced handling and belie its true capability. In most cases, it represents a respectable weight savings over like-chambered models, imposing less user fatigue during extended carry and faster response. Regardless of target type or presentation, the Maxus shouldered fluidly and without snagging, then remained steadfast, thanks to the contoured, slightly tacky, Inflex Technology recoil pad. The flat, low-lying rib, on the same plane as the receiver, and light weight, sped instinctive “snap-shooting” on going-away targets, while the slightly barrel-heavy balance contributed to fluidity on incoming and crossing targets—the same two qualities that would make the Maxus equally useful for pursuing upland birds as waterfowl. Considering the course’s degree of difficulty, and being my first sporting clays session with the Maxus, breaking 29 out of 50 was a respect- able showing. Best of all, the Maxus fed the Rio target loads and my handloads, both of which contained 1 oz. of shot and a propellant charge equivalent to 3 dram, without issue. Best described as lively, trim and svelte, the Maxus looks and feels like anything but the typical 31/2"-cham-bered field gun; its fore-end, thin and textured at the top, palming-filling at the bottom; a minimalist buttstock with a tight, close-radius pistol grip with textured panels for controllability; and a petite receiver, measuring only slightly more than 11/2" across. In sum, it makes for a shotgun that’s not only aesthetically pleasing, but suit- able for a range of uses and users. With the Maxus, Browning has achieved a worthy goal. Not does it function with light, 23/4", 1-oz. 12 ga. loads, but all others up through 31/2", 21/4-oz. magnum shot- shells. Along with that, the Maxus offers a host of features that simplify operation and maintenance, as well as enhance handling, reliability and appeal. Come to think of it, what more could you ask for?

After weeks of trying to locate a Browning Maxus Sporting Carbon Fiber series and no success. instead i decided to go with the Browning Maxus Sporting (Walnut) 28"!!!! Should be hopefully in by wednesday or thursday. pics and reviews will come shortly after, i consider this weekend a successful one.

So today I was able to pick up my browning Maxus Sporting 28".

First Impressions:
Prior to buying the Browning Maxus Sporting I had never seen the gun in person nor see anyone shoot it at the range; so I really didn't know what to expect. The first thing I noticed was how well Browning organized the gun in the case; I know most people don't care about that but for me it's the little things that tell you about a company. With some of the previous guns I have bought I ended up having to buy a case and making all the compartments to hold chokes, etc... Additionally the Browning Maxus sporting engravings are awesome giving it a unique look to the gun that I love. The fact that it comes with five choke is a definite and really adds to the value of purchasing the Browning Maxus sporting. After assembling the gun, I was very pleased how everything on the Browning Maxus easily fit together and had a very firm feel to it.

In Action:
Right after I picked up the gun I took it to the range to shoot some trap. This was my first time out this season and the weather was not in our favor with the 20-30mph winds. The Browning Maxus sporting performed flawlessly, the first 25 in trap I went 15-25. I ended up with 44-75 for the day using Walmart Federal ammo and had a blast shooting the Maxus. My friend that came with me was using a Mossberg 930 autoloader and after 75 rounds his shoulder was killing him; I could have bee there all day long.

The Browning Maxus sporting gets a 5 out of 5 for me. The Maxus has made me love skeet and trap all over again. If your looking to get a Browning Shotgun, the Maxus is a great autoloader to add to the gun rack.

Below is a picture of the Browning Maxus Sporting broken down for cleaning. Every piece you see in the picture was taken apart with zero tools required. Prior to cleaning I had put about 150 rounds through it. The dirtiest part of the entire gun was the gas system. I know a lot of people's fears of the autoloader series shotguns are the fact of the maintenance involved, The Browning Maxus is very easy to break down which makes it convenient to clean all the vital parts of the gun. I will try to post up a video how to break it down this weekend.

Cleaning product used:
Sentry Solutions: TUF Cloth.
The TUF Cloth is awesome to use!!! It made it super easy to get all the residue and grime off of the Browning Maxus. You simply wipe the cloth on all the parts you want to clean; it has an oil free substance that stops rust, waterproofs, displaces moisture, and doesn't attract dirt or stain clothes. Sentry Solutions states that you can get over a 100 uses out of a single cloth; I will be sure to put it to the test and let everyone know the results.