Browning 625 poor quality control

[fecmech]

I recently purchased a new Browning 20 ga. 625 sporting from an out of state dealer. No problem with him, prompt shipment etc. BTW I've been using o/u's for about 40 years and do most of my own gun work. Opened the box and took out my new beauty and went to assemble it. First clue was the the catch that holds the forearm to the barrels was very difficult to unlatch from the barrels. Put the barrels on the gun and the latch will not close on the forearm, not just tight, it would break if you forced it. It is obvious at this point the forearm has never been installed on this gun (only the barrels)! Using some magic marker I find the slot ( in the forearm) for the barrel lug is slightly too small. My choice now is send it to Browning and wait a couple months or clearance the slot myself. I clearanced the slot myself and finally assembled the gun.
To my mind this is ridiculous, you manufacture a $3k shotgun and don't even assemble it before you box it and ship it. If they proofed it at all they sure did not put the forearm on to do it. Rant off, just needed to vent.

 

[Hotshot10]

Put the barrels on the gun and the latch will not close on the forearm, not just tight, it would break if you forced it.

My forearm catch was a little tight on my Ultra XS at first. I found out that as long as I make sure the forearm is pressed firmly to the barrels, it snaps into place. It's a little frustrating at first, but it got better for me after a while.

That's really been the only slight issue that I have had with mine. I love it otherwise.

If it's really bothering you, you could always give it to me.