Browning BPS Magazine Capacity

[pra240]

Howdy!
I recently purchased a used browning bps 12 gauge with a 22” barrel from Cabela’s. It was marked $199.00 before taxes, I had $134 worth of points built up so I walked out paying about $80. A quick check on the serial number indicates it was made in 1983. It has some wear, a few small rust spots on the receiver and barrel, and a chip missing on the butt stock where it meets the receiver, but the action worked good and felt good to me. When testing it out at home it fired good but occasionally it didn’t feed the next shell from the magazine (the cut off was on ‘R’). I took it apart and cleaned it ( it was very dirty), put it back together, oiled it and took it back out. It works fine now.
Now, here is my question:
Someone had used a cut down pencil as a plug, I took it out and expected to load 4 shells (2 3/4 shells) in the magazine but the 4th shell lacks about 1/4” to fit. Any idea why this would be happening? I have not pulled the magazine apart, but looking down the end with a light I can’t see anything obvious. Thanks!

 

[Steve C]

The BPS should have a 4 shell magazine tube according to the information I could find if you are using standard star crimped shell. You could have something remaining in the mag tube like part of the pencil that was used as a plug.

If you are using a 2-3/4" roll crimped shell with a plastic or cardboard end cap like the S&B buckshot the shell is a bit longer and will take up enough space in the mag tube to drop the capacity by one. See the pictures below.

 

[mcb]

Take it apart and look. Did the spring retainer get pushed down into the magazine tube? This would limit capacity.

 

[pra240]

Howdy!
First off, thanks for the responses!
I included a few photos. One showing the shells I was using and another showing how much it lacks loading the 4th shell. I also included one showing the end of the magazine where the spring retainer can be seen. It looks to be as far up against the rolled edge that keeps it in place as it can go. I still can’t see anything in the magazine that might be in the way, but I have not taken the magazine off. Can I remove the magazine without disassembling the receiver. I’ll admit I had a heck off a time getting the trigger assembly back in.

 

[pra240]

Howdy!
I took the barrel off and loaded shells while watching the magazine spring compress. The spring compressed completely before the 4th shell could be loaded. Does anyone know if the spring should go into the follower any at all? Also I did a little looking and found that there a 2 12 gauge followers available, one is for pre98 models. Could a wrong follower be causing this problem?

 

[earlthegoat2]

I’m wondering if the magazine spring from a 3 1/2” model or the 10ga might be in there. Might be the follower I suppose. I’m not familiar with the differences between the two types

I would be at the point where I start cutting coils on that mag spring.

 

[jmr40]

Take the spring retainer completely off and try it. You shouldn't have to completely remove the magazine, just take the retainer off and give the inside of mag tube a good cleaning. Pretty much like cleaning a barrel, needs to be done occasionally anyway and since you have it apart now is a good time.

I'm not as familiar with the BPS as I am an 870, but the retainer does seem like it might be a fraction of an inch farther inside the mag tube than necessary. Removing it completely or pulling it out a bit might just be enough to get the last shell in.

 

[pra240]

Howdy!
Midwestgunworks has photos of the 2 types of followers.
https://www.midwestgunworks.com/browning-bps/magazine-follower.html