I really like the Browning BPS and I've heard a lot of good things about the Ithaca 37, but which is a better bet when it comes to reliability and durability? Ithaca claims they have the straightest barrels. Has anyone had a BPS with a bent barrel? Also, I'm not real happy that the BPS is made in Japan. Dose that matter when it comes to the quality of the BPS? Oh I,m not a fan of the 870 and the Benelli Nova and Supernova don't fit me well.
BPS vs Ithaca 37.
- Thread starter gleaner26
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Hunterdad
Member
Both are great shotguns. It really depends on which one fits you better. I'd pick the 37 for that reason only.
bob9125
Member
I am the proud owner of both a 12 and 20 gauge BPS and I could not be more satisfied with the quality, fit and finish. The 12 gauge is a BPS Hunter model. The 20 gauge is a BPS Micro on which I have replaced the original stock with the Hunter model stock. The 20 gauge is just plain fun to shoot.
Cougfan2
Member
Can't say anything plus or minus about the BPS as I have never owned one, but I have both a 12 ga. Ithaca M37 and a 20 ga. and have put thousands or round thru each and they just keep getting better. They darn near shuck themselves.
That being said, I have heard that the BPS is a fine shotgun. Say what you will, but the Japanese know how to make a good long gun.
That being said, I have heard that the BPS is a fine shotgun. Say what you will, but the Japanese know how to make a good long gun.
JimKirk
Member
Had a BPS 20 GA youth model ... best shooting shotgun I ever owned ... like a fool... I traded it!
I love my Ithaca 37's. I have pretty much ever variety you can imagine, from a 1940's 16ga to a 1980's riot gun.
I've only had one BPS and it was a 10ga 3 1/2". It gave me some fits so I traded it to a gunsmith I knew. That being said, I would still buy another if I came across one I liked for the right price, I just prefer the Ithacas.
I've only had one BPS and it was a 10ga 3 1/2". It gave me some fits so I traded it to a gunsmith I knew. That being said, I would still buy another if I came across one I liked for the right price, I just prefer the Ithacas.
Rancho Relaxo
Member
I've got three BPS shotguns, no bent barrels. I've never heard of a bent barrel on any shotgun really. The Japanese know how to throw together a shotgun too, ever heard of SKB or Miroku?
Sav .250
Member
As stated, both are good. I`ve owned a "37" for the better part of 40+ years
and it`s been out in all kinds of weather over the years and not once have
I had a problem. Light as a feather. I have no reason for another
shotgun.
and it`s been out in all kinds of weather over the years and not once have
I had a problem. Light as a feather. I have no reason for another
shotgun.
Milkmaster
Member
I own both the BPS and a 37.
The 37 is lighter to carry through the woods and great when you are only gong to shoot a few times during a hunt. The light weight makes the recoil a little brisk and hard on the shoulder for some on a long day.
The BPS is heavier, and I would rather shoot it when more shots will be fired in a day. The heavier gun makes the recoil a lot easier on me after the day is done.
Both are excellent quality. The BPS has the nicest looking bluing of any guns I have.
The 37 is lighter to carry through the woods and great when you are only gong to shoot a few times during a hunt. The light weight makes the recoil a little brisk and hard on the shoulder for some on a long day.
The BPS is heavier, and I would rather shoot it when more shots will be fired in a day. The heavier gun makes the recoil a lot easier on me after the day is done.
Both are excellent quality. The BPS has the nicest looking bluing of any guns I have.
Virginian
Member
The BPS is heavier, built more robust, designed not to need the closer tolerances and hand fitting required in the Ithaca, and in my opinion much more durable as a result. A really great design if you like the features. The Ithaca handles great, but for anything other than Woodies in the close stuff it wouldn't be my choice for a duck gun, even if I liked bottom feed and eject, which I don't. I hate bottom feeding thru the magazine, but I had 3 BPSs and never a hint of a bobble. (and please spare me the tales of turning the gun over and moving the pump handle slightly forward to load straight to the chamber. Not hunting, not likely.) I shaved well over a pound off a 10 gauge BPS after doing a lot of study, and she never seemed to miss that metal.
I have seen a lot of Ithacas needing a gun doctor, but I have never seen a BPS that needed anything more than a good cleaning, which a lot of them don't get, because Browning recommends not taking them apart because they don't stake the feed latches in like Remington does, and they know the mechanically disinclined won't be able to get them back together.
A lot of people think the BPS feels like it has a longer reach to the fore end. If you measure it, it don't, but it felt like it to me too. But, I'm an engineer, not an ergonometrist.
A good friend has beat a BPS to death for 20 some years with nary a hint of an issue, but he does clean it after the mud baths.
I have seen a lot of Ithacas needing a gun doctor, but I have never seen a BPS that needed anything more than a good cleaning, which a lot of them don't get, because Browning recommends not taking them apart because they don't stake the feed latches in like Remington does, and they know the mechanically disinclined won't be able to get them back together.
A lot of people think the BPS feels like it has a longer reach to the fore end. If you measure it, it don't, but it felt like it to me too. But, I'm an engineer, not an ergonometrist.
A good friend has beat a BPS to death for 20 some years with nary a hint of an issue, but he does clean it after the mud baths.
Mark8252
Member
BPS
I have a BPS and believe it to be a fine shotgun. Downward ejection has its uses in a duck blind. I do not see any reason for Made in Japan to mean not buy a gun. Most shotguns are not made in the US. Actually most of the best ones are not made in the US. Thats just the way it is now.
I have a BPS and believe it to be a fine shotgun. Downward ejection has its uses in a duck blind. I do not see any reason for Made in Japan to mean not buy a gun. Most shotguns are not made in the US. Actually most of the best ones are not made in the US. Thats just the way it is now.
Turlington Tom
Member
I have three BPS, 20 ga. upland, 28 ga standard wood, and a 12 ga.stalker with synthetic stock which handles 3.5" shells. I carry the 20 with me in my pickup all the time and because it is short and handy I like to use it for dog training. I like the 3.5 inch BPS for waterfowl but the gun is very heavy. I started reloading 28 gauge for a grandson and his Browning Cynergy and decided to get the 28 ga. BPS last summer. Haven't carried the 28 for hunting pheasants, I feel it is not adequate for 40 yard shots and this time of the year the pheasants aren't giving me any opportunities.
oneounceload
member
Having owned the 37, buy the BPS. As to the quality of Japanese guns, they are some of the best made general guns there are
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