Ive got a browning A5 light with a bolt stuck in the open position i cannot for the life of me get the release button pushed releasing the bolt to the closed position? I can slide the bolt about 1/2” and thats it. (gun is unloaded) Anyone have this problem before? Or anyone with any ideas how to close the bolt? Plan is to bring it to a smith if its not an easy fix. thank you in advance

Have you tried taking the barrel off? Or pulling the magazine pusher/spring and plug?

Yeah took the barrel off didn't see anything out of the ordinary. didnt take the mag or plug out

A-5's have a latch on the left side of receiver that flips to the rear to lock bolt in place. flips forward to release bolt. You use your thumb to flip it. Try that. I hunted with an A-5 for a few years.

Can you get the trigger group out? is it isn't the flip switch I'd remove the barrel and pull the trigger group.

Can you get the trigger group out? is it isn't the flip switch I'd remove the barrel and pull the trigger group.

Keep all body parts out of the action when you finally stumble into what is holding the bolt open. That bolt slamming on you is worse than M1 Thumb.
I had one do what yours is doing and it was due to a broken catch which looked fine until I took it off. That was when I got bit.

If it is a nice A-5, don't work on it unless you have a good set of screwdrivers. I've worked on many of them and so many have buggered screw heads from guys using regular screwdrivers. If it wasn't the magazine cut off lever on the back side of the receiver, you might need a gunsmith.

If you are handy and have the right screwdrivers there are several youtube videos on the breakdown. This one is from Art's gun shop in Missouri. He has probably worked on more A-5s than anyone. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqJ9lk0OUiA

Good luck.

Pete