I have become a little intrigued with Browning’s BPS pump shotgun, and their are a couple listed as available in local shops. Haven’t seen them in person yet. Wondering what people’s experiences and views on them are for handling, durability, and overall use? How do they compare to to an older 870 Wingmaster? Thanks.
Browning BPS thoughts
- Thread starter 4570Tom
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mcb
Member
I have a Browning BPS Stalker I got in the early 1990s, 3.5-in 12 gauge, all black, synthetic stock, flat black finish on the metal. It has been a tank of a shotgun. It once bounced across a road when the tailgate of my old truck fell open as I pulled out of the farm drive onto the paved road. Case popped open and there bounced my shotgun. Other than a few minor scratches it was fine. It's been over twenty years since that happened. I took my first two deer with it, and all my turkey I have ever shot. I even ran it in 3-gun matches when I first started. No lifter gate made loading easy and fast. My only complaint is it is a bit heavy compared to other shotguns, but not horrible so. All the controls and bottom rejection are left friendly too. Dad had an old Wing Master and the BPS compares favorable to it in functional if not in asctetics. That said there are some beautiful BPS my stalker is not one.
Ohen Cepel
Member
I have an Upland BPS in 20 gauge, may be my favorite shotgun, surely my favorite pump. Light and handy. I like them.
Also nice that they are lefty friendly with the shells coming out the bottom.
If they have one you like at a good price I would do it.
Also nice that they are lefty friendly with the shells coming out the bottom.
If they have one you like at a good price I would do it.
Milkmaster
Member
Not a thing wrong with the BPS! Been around for years. Bottom eject. Good for left handed folks. Very smooth and dependable. Only drawback some have with it is the weight. It is a little heavier than other choices. For weight reasons I would not get the magnum version unless you absolutely need to shoot 3.5" shells. Just think about it as being a heavier version of the Ithaca 37. Here's mine. One of the nicest finished shotguns I own. Good luck!
earlthegoat2
Member
I’ve had a 20 ga since I was in my teens. I’m lefty and biased so the BPS is my favorite pump shotgun.
The BPS weight difference could be described like this. Mossberg 500s, Remington 870s, and BPS all have scaled receivers for their respective 12 and 20 ga guns. The BPS 20 ga feels like an 870 12 ga. Basically there is a weight difference but I would never notice it while hunting.
The BPS weight difference could be described like this. Mossberg 500s, Remington 870s, and BPS all have scaled receivers for their respective 12 and 20 ga guns. The BPS 20 ga feels like an 870 12 ga. Basically there is a weight difference but I would never notice it while hunting.
Armored farmer
Member
I have a couple of reasons why I prefer the 870 over the bps.
The 870 is quicker and easier to load or unload with its side loading/eject port. The bps is magazine fed for every shot. This means poking and shucking to chamber a round.
If you don't have your hand forward on the Fore stock, your hand can block the bottom eject port and jam your empty on the bps.
I'm not a fan of the top mounted safety. I've seen them get unknowingly knocked off safe in hunting situations.
Having said my piece, I must also state that IMHO......it's never a mistake to buy a Browning.
My quail hunting buddy carried a BPS. That's how I know about it.
The reason he had a BPS was because his 870 blew up a 'nannered the barrel into his thumb.
There you go....thats all i have to say about that.
Best wishes...choose wisely .
The 870 is quicker and easier to load or unload with its side loading/eject port. The bps is magazine fed for every shot. This means poking and shucking to chamber a round.
If you don't have your hand forward on the Fore stock, your hand can block the bottom eject port and jam your empty on the bps.
I'm not a fan of the top mounted safety. I've seen them get unknowingly knocked off safe in hunting situations.
Having said my piece, I must also state that IMHO......it's never a mistake to buy a Browning.
My quail hunting buddy carried a BPS. That's how I know about it.
The reason he had a BPS was because his 870 blew up a 'nannered the barrel into his thumb.
There you go....thats all i have to say about that.
Best wishes...choose wisely .
mcb
Member
I have a couple of reasons why I prefer the 870 over the bps.
The 870 is quicker and easier to load or unload with its side loading/eject port. The bps is magazine fed for every shot. This means poking and shucking to chamber a round.
If you don't have your hand forward on the Fore stock, your hand can block the bottom eject port and jam your empty on the bps.
I'm not a fan of the top mounted safety. I've seen them get unknowingly knocked off safe in hunting situations.
Having said my piece, I must also state that IMHO......it's never a mistake to buy a Browning.
My quail hunting buddy carried a BPS. That's how I know about it.
The reason he had a BPS was because his 870 blew up a 'nannered the barrel into his thumb.
There you go....thats all i have to say about that.
Best wishes...choose wisely .
I would argue with no lifter gate to fight with loading the magazine is faster on a BPS. Probably more about who practices more but I liked no lifter gate when shooting 3-gun with it. Unloading is not bad as there is a nub on the right gate that can be pressed to manually release shells from the magazine You only have to pump it once to clear the chamber. You can load direct to chamber but it's not nearly as easy as an 870 or similar configured pump guns.
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earlthegoat2
Member
A few out there say chamber loading the BPS is easy by racking the slide back fully and jamming a shell between the lifter fingers and then all that needs to be done is cycle the slide forward. Seems like it would work OK but in reality it is a pain and borderline undoable. At least on my 20.
I've had a couple. Not much negative to say. They are well made solid, dependable guns. But for several subtle reasons I just prefer the 870. They are a bit heavier, and I also don't like the safety location. Browning and Mossberg tout that as being ambidextrous, but safeties in that location are known to accidentality end up in the fire position, or even broken from normal handling.
But for a lot of uses the added weight is a plus. And some guys really like the safety location. If neither of those are a negative to you then you could do a lot worse.
But for a lot of uses the added weight is a plus. And some guys really like the safety location. If neither of those are a negative to you then you could do a lot worse.
Zendude
Member
The action on my old BPS was a little stiff compared to the old Mossbergs. That said the action on the BPS had a precise feel, with no looseness or binding. I did prefer the BPS overall to others. Never had an 870 to compare it to though.
mcb
Member
If you move the slide forward about 1/2 inch the fingers move up out of the way and you can go direct to the chamber. It's just sort of a pain to do quickly with it going to far, and if you got short fingers or large hands it's more awkward When I was shooting a trap league with mine (my trap gun was getting repaired) I put a mark on the receiver where to stop so I could more easily repeat the position. Do-able but not nearly as easy to do as a traditional pump gun.
Omaha-BeenGlockin
Member
Well made and finished nice.
Just a little on the heavy side.
Just a little on the heavy side.
Charlie98
Member
My LGS has a used BPS 12ga on the shelf... and I'm seriously tempted. The only thing stopping me is... I don't shoot a lot of shotgun anymore, so why bother? But... but... but... I've always wanted one.
SwampWolf
Member
On the pricy side but I think the BPS is the best made pump shotgun you can buy today. I like the tang-mounted safety location and the well-built and well-finished build. Other than being a bottom ejector and being a pump gun, the BPS has little in common with the Ithaca 37 in terms of the action design. Which direction the shells are ejected mean little to me but it does for some folks. I like the extra weight of the BPS for waterfowl and turkey hunting duties, but the much lighter Ithaca is hard to beat for upland bird hunting tasks-however, the price of new ones make the BPS seem economical.
Virginian
Member
Excellent design. Very rugged and long lasting. BUT, heavier than the competition, and they feel Bigger. I had 3 that never missed a beat, but I could never grow to love the bottom feeding.
rbernie
Contributing Member
Great synopsis - mirrors my feedback word for word. I have a couple kicking around for the southpaws, but that's their primary niche.
Milkmaster
Member
I like the bottom eject system a lot. The empties fall right at your feet and are easier to find for retrieval. My buddy and I used to hunt birds side by side. I was always on the left as we walked in on a point. He liked never having to worry about my hot hull flying down his collar. His old A5 ejected away from me. It was a good system for us.
FL-NC
Member
I have a ithaca 37 that I absolutely love on a dove field. Would love it more if I could shoot magnums and use oit for turkey.
Browning doesn't make the bps anymore so if you want one, go ahead . There's a big chunk of steel between your face and the chamber. They made the only 10 ga. pump I'm aware of,the bps 10 gauge.
edit : really I can't' tell if they're out of production or not , I thought I read on their website that browning had quit making them.They're good shotguns
edit : really I can't' tell if they're out of production or not , I thought I read on their website that browning had quit making them.They're good shotguns
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1KPerDay
Member
They are making them again. With an updated stock dimension. Less drop at heel
Frulk
Member
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2018
- Messages
- 1,596
I own 3 BPS Upland versions. 12 gauge X2 and one 20 gauge...shorter barrels and straight English stocks.
I like them...a lot. I only hunt grouse anymore and use the 20 gauge for that exclusively... That straight stock flies to the shoulder and is an absolute grouse hammer...when it barks birds rain from the sky...ok...that MIGHT be a bit of hyperbole.
Anyway...action is very smooth. Like that it drops the shells at your feet. Uses Invector choke system so they are easily attained and semi reasonable in cost and if I remember right swap between Mossbergs? A plus if you already have some chokes laying around.
Was cruising local website one day and the second 12 gauge I own popped up. Owner wanted $450. At that price I just couldn't resist as Upland versions are rare. I called him and we met about an hour later. Said after I called he got 4-5 calls and one guy offered him more money. Stand-up guy. Gun was/is spotless.
I like them...a lot. I only hunt grouse anymore and use the 20 gauge for that exclusively... That straight stock flies to the shoulder and is an absolute grouse hammer...when it barks birds rain from the sky...ok...that MIGHT be a bit of hyperbole.
Anyway...action is very smooth. Like that it drops the shells at your feet. Uses Invector choke system so they are easily attained and semi reasonable in cost and if I remember right swap between Mossbergs? A plus if you already have some chokes laying around.
Was cruising local website one day and the second 12 gauge I own popped up. Owner wanted $450. At that price I just couldn't resist as Upland versions are rare. I called him and we met about an hour later. Said after I called he got 4-5 calls and one guy offered him more money. Stand-up guy. Gun was/is spotless.
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Cowhide Cliff
Member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2015
- Messages
- 1,090
They are a tank, very well built guns and handle nice. Also real nice in the duck blind not ejecting shells at everyone else.
JimKirk
Member
Shot a BPS 20 gauge Youth model for many many years ... did some of my best shooting with it ... a reloaders dream as you don't have look for empty hulls ... really well made ...
I wish I had kept it ...
I wish I had kept it ...
Riomouse911
Member
Too bad it was sold when you went back, you will find one eventually.
To stoke the fire a bit more I have three; two I bought NIB are a 16 and 28 gauge with 28” barrels and matte finished walnut, and a used 20 ga with a 22” barrel and glossy wood.
All three look great, work flawlessly and feel just right when up to the shoulder.
I will say that it looks like all three sub-12 ga BPS I have use the same receiver size. Top to bottom 16, 20, 28.
Good luck with your search. I doubt you will be disappointed when you finally find one to buy.
Stay safe.