Browning Maxus Grade 3

When Browning announce a new semi-auto the entire world takes notice and it didn’t take long for the Maxus in all its guises to quickly hit the number one spot, displacing sister semi-auto the Winchester SX3 as the European best seller.

Echoes of the Auto 5

To do that within such a short space of time there has to be something remarkable about it. The Grade 3 Maxus I’ve now had on long-term test for nine months is an elegant 12 bore gasser that richly deserves the praise that’s been heaped upon it. A combination of Browning’s latest designs with a decent helping of tradition, the Maxus’ acknowledgement of the great Auto 5 ensures that this new model has sufficient appeal to both established semi-auto enthusiast along with those looking for something new.

In the Box

Like all Browning semis the Maxus kit provides its new owner with everything they’re likely to require. Sling swivels, stock shims, a full set of flush – fit Invector chokes plus an extended ½ that adds two inches to the barrel, a trigger lock and a small case of alternative Hi-Viz bead inserts all accompany the Maxus in its plastic travelling case. The only other option is as to which of the four Maxus models they opt for. Apart from this, you’re up and running from the moment you open the case, the only remaining choice being to fit a scope to the top of the dovetailed alloy receiver.

Assembly Point

The Maxus goes together in the usual fashion of inserting the barrel extension into the receiver until it’s fully seated and by sliding the fore-end down over the mag tube. Its at this juncture you notice the first difference. What’s described as the ‘Speed Lock’ fore-end is more akin to that usually found on an over-under shotgun, in so much as the profile is more angular and the familiar mag cap has been replaced with a latch style locking mechanism. By pushing the unit firmly into place, the metal lever situated at the end of the fore-end is then pushed down into place, locking the fore-end and barrel to the rest of the gun.

Conversely, to remove, the small square button in front of the latch is depressed which then allows the lever to unlock the fore-end and barrel assembly. Very neat, very tidy and far quicker to manipulate when compared to the screw cap system, the downside is that the mechanism precludes the fitting of an extended magazine tube.

Like the stock, the fore-end woodwork is nicely grained with a semi-matte oil finish. A large panel of stippled chequering wraps around the lower section of the fore-end, whilst two large and small fillets of the same modernistic yet very effective stippling repeat on both sides of the semi-pistol grip. The stock itself which, like the rest of the Maxus is indicative of Browning’s new dimensional directive culminates with a soft, pliable and noticeably effective Inflex recoil pad.   

Metal to Metal

Dependant on the grade the alloy receiver’s finish is either camo, black or brushed satin. Similarly, the Grade 2 and 3 engravings both depict game birds, the 3 accentuating them with gold coloured inlays. Moving inside the receiver the now time proven two-piece, single-claw bolt takes care of the detonation process whilst the first of the Auto 5 cues comes into play. The Maxus can be loaded in the usual fashion by dropping the first shell into the ejection port and allowing the bolt to slide into battery by depressing the bolt release on the right-hand side of the action.

Alternatively, using the ‘Speed Load’ system by pushing the first round into the magazine, the mechanism automatically chambers the first round whilst cartridges two and three then enter the new lightweight magazine tube in the usual fashion. On the left side of the action the Auto 5 style magazine cut-off lever allows the shooter to discharge the round chambered or remove it by operating the bolt by hand, the next round that would normally cycle automatically remaining firmly in the magazine when the cut-off is pulled rearwards. Conversely, by turning the Maxus upside down and pushing down on the shell lifter with the left thumb, a gentle push on the small lever on what is now the left side of the inverted receiver allows the rounds in the magazine to feed smoothly back into the shooter’s other hand.

The only other control is the safety, the usual although in this case oversized cross-bolt arrangement situated to the rear of the enlarged trigger guard, just behind the non-adjustable trigger-blade. Moving forward, with the fore-end removed the ‘Power – Drive’ gas system is unusual in that the new larger gas valve is integral with the slide which in turn increases the cyclic travel by 20%. Whilst smoothing out the overall feel of the Maxus when the system is in motion, Browning claim it cuts down on residue build up, a claim that’s fully justified since even after five hundred rounds the entire mechanism remained remarkably clean.

Lastly the 30” back-bored, chrome lined, steel proofed barrel that in this instance utilised a 3” chamber. The gloss black tube is topped off with a 7mm vented rib that culminates in an oft criticised triangular Hi-Viz bead, moans and groans that don’t stand up to scrutiny. Leaving Browning’s Portuguese Viana factory with a green triangular bead fitted, you can, courtesy of the tube of supplied alternatives, change it for either bright red or solid white. Equally, if the triangular shape doesn’t suit, a full set of round ones are also provided.     

Taking Stock

Whilst some have tended to criticise the smaller dimensions of the synthetic stocks, wooden alternatives are full sized. It’s also worth pointing out that synthetic variants tend to be used by those wearing thicker clothing such as wildfowlers and gamekeepers, the bulkier outerwear at times adding a good half inch to the stock’s overall length. But like most wooden stocked semis the dimensions of the Grade 3 Maxus have been well thought out. Here are the exact measurements (at least for the wooden furniture); drop at comb and heel are an exact 1½” and 2 3/16” combined with a 14 3/8” length of pull and 7lbs 11oz weight of pull.

The reason these dimensions work well with the Maxus is that to a degree they’ll fit most average sized shooters. Combine these with the evenly, open radiused grip and the Inflex recoil pad and you arrive at a semi-auto that provides the user with a near perfect view along the rib, a gun that when correctly mounted is comfortable along with stock angles and a mechanism that significantly add to the ease of control and recovery for the next shot. What felt recoil there is, becomes directed horizontally and uniformly along the length of the gun, and is dissipated by the overall 7lbs 6oz weight, giving an extremely user friendly shotgun that will happily digest magnum loads whilst still remaining soft to shoot.

Mixed Lot

Used with a variety of loads under an eclectic number of environments, the Maxus has upheld its rapidly acquired reputation. After a few minutes with an Arrow Laser Shot - confirming that this Maxus is one of the more flat shooting single-barrelled semis - it was initially shot around Rishton SG and Yorkgate GC. Using a selection of 28g Express Supremes and World Cups with ½ choke, the Maxus was on the mark from the off. With the balance point situated directly beneath the chamber and even mass distribution, the gun pivots squarely between both hands. This means the Maxus is both easy to move even on diametrically opposed targets whilst smooth at all times resulting in a shotgun that retains its refinement, whilst the new ‘Lightening Trigger’ that’s claimed to be 24% faster than the rest is still quicker than you’ll ever be.

Moving onto pigeon, crows, squirrels and an unsuspecting ‘Charlie’, the Maxus continued to impress, all aspects of the gun quickly becoming familiar especially the magazine cut – off. Loaded up with 36g Express Supreme Game, the appearance of an unsuspecting fox was quickly dealt with by pulling the catch backwards, ejecting the game cartridge and replacing it with a 50g BB. Job done and ‘Charlie’ dispatched, the game load went back in without having to empty the magazine tube. Similarly, at the end of the evening, the magazine dump allowed the tube to be quickly emptied without having to manually keep cycling the action.

All in all, the Maxus proved its worth and adaptability under a variety of situations and conditions whilst living up to all the claims Browning have made. As an all rounder it’s my opinion that the Maxus is probably as near as you’ll get; a single-barrel that can turn its muzzle to whatever target you’re hunting without having to resort to gadgetry or abstract designs.   

Please Can I Have A Go?

Many of the shotguns I test attract attention, but rarely as much as the Maxus. Granted that in Grade 3 it looks the business, it’s a Browning and once they’ve tried it most people find it fits them and shoots extremely well. An additional edge for the Maxus is that it’s available in a variety of guises from the Duck Blind camo, the workaday Composite, the understated Grade 2 and the more ornate 3 plus the option of either 3” or 3½” chambering. Equally pricing, the Grade 3 weighing in at the time of writing at a reasonable £1,360 although the VAT increase may have altered this somewhat.

Add into the mix that unlike other single barrelled shotguns, the format and weight distribution of the Maxus instantly increases the model’s acceptance. Rarely if ever has a semi-auto felt or handled like an over-under shotgun but the Maxus manages it to a degree it nigh on blends the two together. Equally, as prices rise and general daily living costs increase, shooters will start to buck the established trends and traditions, the Maxus in all probability the first of a generation of semi – autos that’s literally all things to all shooters. 

PRICE: £1,360 srp