BPS as an all-around hunting/skeet gun?

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BoneDigger

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I am looking at one, used but in like-new condition, with a 28" barrel and invector chokes. It's a 3" chamber. He wants $350 for it. Is this an all-around good gun? If not, what problems would I face (aside from slightly more difficult to clean)?

Todd
 
Sounds like a reasonable deal to me. They work just fine. The tang mounted safety is handy too. And I don't find mine any more difficult to clean than my 1300, just a little different. With bottom loading and ejection, I found that I got less junk in the action when moving through brush, or shooting in the rain. It comes down to how well it fits you and feels right to you.
 
They are very good gund, but to be honest maybe a litle light for serious work and not the best model out there. And at $350 it might be a little overpriced. The used market on BPS models is low. I like them for their lefty friendly attributes and quick shooting. But having owned and still own one, I would still choose my Ithaca 37 for a light pump, then a wingmaster for heavy depending on the job.
 
I have a BPS hunter. Shoots everything well, dead solid reliable. I like that it does business from one hole on the bottom and also the safety is in the PERFECT location. After 7 years, hundreds of ducks, geese, doves, squirrels, rabbits, pheasant, clay piegons, even an unlucky coyote, it's not failed me once. Only reason there aren't more of them out there is that Remington, Mossberg, Winchester and Ithaca all made/make very good pump guns also and they cost less typically. $350 is a good price for a BPS in good shape.
 
I don't have one, but I love the action and tang safety. Very smooth pump and perfect for a lefty shooter like me. Some complain they're heavy, but I'm a duck and dove hunter so I don't care. I just know how slick the action is, sweet. :D I guess it wouldn't be the perfect flushing game gun or skeet or country doubles gun, but hey, you can get an O/U for that. Nothing wrong with owning more'n one gun. I have shot my buddies some on informal trap and done well with it. My pump is a Mossberg 500, poor man's BPS. :D But, the BPS is a slick, slick gun and higher quality IMHO. Just the Mossy works and I ain't got the scratch for a BPS. Between the 870 and the M500, I prefer the Mossberg just because of the tang safety and the lack of a loading gate/elevator in the way of reloading, but the BPS is definitely a cut above.
 
Hi there
I have a BPS Hunter model which I have used for 1 season and put about 500 rnds through on ducks and rabbits. It is a great gun - a bit heavy for lugging around but the weight is a positive as far as reducing recoil with 3" steel loads. Have not shot a lot of clays with this gun but imagine it would go OK. It is very well assembled as most Japan made guns are.
NZer
 
My brother recently bought a new in box Browning with synthetic stock for $350 at a gun show. He is well pleased with it, although both he and I would take a new Ithaca M37 rather than the BPS if all other things were equal. Ithacas just seem to have better finished internal parts, though I will be the first to admit that probably has little to do with reliability or durability, but it does make for a smoother shucking of the empties.

I would say you would be well served by that gun at that price.
 
axeman g: I'm curious as to what you mean when you stated that the BPS is a "little light for serious work..." Do you mean it doesn't weigh enough (I believe it's one of the heaviest pumps on the market) or do you mean it's not designed/constructed for "serious" work? If you mean the latter, I'd be interested in hearing your rationale for that position. I've never owned or used one but I'm in the market for a 12 ga. waterfowl/turkey gun that needs to stand up to some hard ("serious") use and I've been trying to decide between the BPS and the 870.
 
I've never owned or used one but I'm in the market for a 12 ga. waterfowl/turkey gun that needs to stand up to some hard ("serious") use and I've been trying to decide between the BPS and the 870.
Click to expand...

Not sure what he means, but for my money between those two, the BPS is a hands down no brainer. I mean, the 870 is a fine gun, but it's no Browning BPS. The BPS action is tried and true, used in the Ithaca for years.
 
MC, I must disagree. The modular construction of the 870 makes it easier to keep clean, and the durability is what others are compared to.

The BPS is a fine shotgun, but the 870 is the standard by which all are judged..
 
Well, I know which one I'd rather own and shoot. However, I don't spend that much on a pump.

Lets face facts, a BPS OR a 870 is going to outlast the average human with decent care and feeding. Heck, I haven't broken or worn out a Mossberg, yet. LOL When I buy a gun, I don't usually mull over how long it will last. :rolleyes: That's just not a real problem with modern quality firearms.
 
If I was buying a pump primarily to shoot clay target games I would buy a side ejecter. I find it MUCH more convienent to simply drop a shell into the ejection port and close the bolt than magazine feed every round.

I think the BPS is a very well made gun. Bottom feed / ejection has merits in the field / duck blind.

If my primary focus was hunting I'd own one.
 
clarification ... maybe a little light for serious work

Let me clarify my comment. I am not sure of the exact weight numbers, but in my opinion, and I own a version of each, the BPS SEEMS lighter, more felt recoil and the action does not (TO ME!) feel as substantial as an 870. I say the exact same thing about my Ithaca 37.

I like my BPS alot, I carry it bird hunting every once in awhile. But, I dont want to shoot 100+ 3" shells out of it, I will do that with an 870. Less felt recoil TO ME.

Sorry, thats the way I feel

All that being said.... I will still take a A5!:neener: :neener: :neener: :evil:
 
My BPS has the 3.5" chamber and that's mostly what it shoots at ducks and geese. No problem handling the hottest HV Magnum HeviShot loads at all. It does let you know it's there, but usually there's a heavy coat + sweater between it and my shoulder which helps. Even so, if the birds are plentiful, I've come home from 3 day hunting trips with a good case of "purple shoulder".

The reciever is a single piece of forged steel so to me it's as suited to "heavy duty" shooting as anything out there. A lightweight it's not in any sense. Probably weighs as much as two Benelli Nova's.

Also, the overall finish and metallurgy of a Japanese made BPS is superior to an 870 (at least the ones sold in recent years). That being said, my uncle has an older Wingmaster with the better finish and really beautiful checkered lumber on it. That particular 870 is as nice as any BPS.
 
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