I have only owned 2 Brownings, a BPS shotgun, and a Buck mark pistol. The shotgun has been a really good gun, except that the tolerances are so tight that after shooting 3-4 boxes of shells the chamber has to be cleaned with a bronze brush or the action will stick when pumping out the spent shell, eventually jamming the gun.
The pistol has been starting to jam lately, I had trouble taking it apart for a good cleaning, was careful not to bend anything. Thinking of selling it, or just keep it as a shooter. I had 7 stove pipes the other day out of 150 rounds fired, not all that bad, but I would be reluctant to use it for hunting or home defense. I don't think the quality of steel is all that good either, it shows more wear than my Ruger Mk 3, they both have about the same amount of ammo through them.
I had read that the Gold shotguns were blowing up on some people about 10 years ago, and they did have a batch of bad rifle barrels about 20 years ago, otherwise that is the only other dirt I heard on them.
I am glad I read this post with the troubles people have had with Browning, I was looking at getting the X-bolt in .270, not a good idea at this time.