First Shotgun!

[ninemm]

Hey All,

Just purchased my first shotgun! It's a Browning BPS High Capacity. Loved how it handled when I was browsing shotguns at my local Gander Mtn. The price was pretty high there, but I found one online for about 40% less than they were asking (less than most 500/870s too). Should be arriving at my ffl early next week. I'll be using this for home defense mainly. The only alterations I'll be making is possibly the addition of a light and maybe a different front site. Otherwise my money will be spent on ammo and training. I'll be picking up some snap caps too for reloading drills etc and was wondering if these ones on Amazon would work well? http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-12GA-SHTGN-METAL-SNAP-CAPS/dp/B0029M2YWE/ref=pd_bxgy_sg_img_a

Here's the specs on the gun:
Manufacturer: Browning
Caliber/Gauge 12 Ga
Model: BPS Hi Capacity
Chamber: 3"
Weight: 7.8 lbs
Magazine Capacity: 5 + 1
Type of sights: Bead
Barrel Length: 20"

And a stock photo:

 

[bruzer]

Very nice and I like to hear someone say they are going to get training. I believe that proper training WILL prevent accidents and make you as prepared as possible.
Mike

 

[Fred Fuller]

The BPS is a good one, it should serve you well.

Take a look at the plain barrel model XS Big Dot tritium front sight that attaches over the original bead. http://www.xssights.com/store/shotgun.html It should be a DIY job that will save you $$$ over anything that requires gunsmithing. I have one on an 870 here and like it quite well.

Consider a good solid simple two-point sling to go on those swivel bases. You might not want it on the gun inside, but if you ever take it outside for long periods (or for a class) it will sure come in handy.

A good white light is definitely worth your while for a defensive shotgun IMHO. The newer LED lights hold up better under the pounding of shotgun recoil than incandescent bulbs ever did, and a purpose-built weapon light is better IMHO than a jury-rigged flashlight. I'd guess that a Streamlight 69906 will work with your BPS- one I have here goes on my BPS Upland 12 ga. just fine. See http://www.opticsplanet.net/streamlight-rem-870-tactical-mount-69906.html for a picture of the mount. And a Streamlight TLR-1 or even a TLR-3 will work well on the rail- and detach easily for daytime practice. Shotgun recoil is tough on the innards and batteries of even purpose built weapon lights - best not to beat them up unnecessarily.

Some snap caps don't do well for loading practice - they're too short to feed through the action properly. I don't know how well the A-Zooms will work in your shotgun. And running them through the action in many pumpgun designs tends to batter them pretty quickly, too - they get chewed on by the shell stops, extractor and ejector.

If you know someone who reloads, ask them to make up some dummy shells for you with 1 ounce shot loads over some inert substitute for powder with the fired primer left in place. Seal the crimp with a hot glue gun or the like. Mark the shell as a dummy with a permanent marker. This is likely the least costly approach, and are pretty much disposable if they get worn.

Or get some action proving dummies from Brownells - http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=31872/Product/ACTION_PROVING_DUMMIES

These might work too - http://www.stactionpro.com/12-gauge-action-trainer-p-8.html?zenid=9a64a7b0926245e4fedcb3bd0202f9f9

Dummies are for use indoors, where it isn't wise to be cycling live ammo. Best bet IMHO is to practice your 'for serious' loading on the flat range in live fire with birdshot. Learn to load the gun at the shoulder without looking, learn to 'feel' the shell and orient it properly before loading it. Remember- a shotgun shell will load almost as easily backwards as frontwards, but it will produce a major stoppage if you ever actually do that.

A good class will do more to get your defensive shotgun skills up to snuff faster than anything else, and will likely save you money in the long run. Learn to handle/shoot your new gun safely to start with, and then look for a good shotgun sensei. My favorite will always be Louis Awerbuck, and he's still traveling and teaching these days - see http://yfainc.com/schedule.html . But he's not getting any younger, the miles aren't getting any shorter and fuel isn't getting any cheaper... I don't know how long he and the other itinerant professional trainers can keep it up.

If you're anywhere close to these folks, look 'em up - http://www.westshoresportsmen.org/ . They provide range facilities to various traveling instructors from time to time, and I wish I was close enough to make Study Group a regular thing.

Congrats on the new addition, and Stay Safe,

lpl

 

[ninemm]

Wow Lee, thanks for all the info! I really appreciate it.

 

[ultradoc]

congrats on your new addition

 

[ninemm]

Received the shotgun on Tuesday, cleaned and put it together last night. I found it odd that the barrel just slides into the receiver with no connecting tabs etc. But I dont know a lot about shotguns. Overall I am very impressed with the fit and finish. Only problem is that there is a small (1/2") scratch through the finish on the top of the barrel. Only cosmetic but it does make me a little mad that I'm not the one to put the first scratch on my new gun. Pics will be coming this weekend!

 

[ninemm]

Just some quick pics I took over the weekend.

 

[Snelks36]

I just bought my first shotgun 2weeks ago. I hired a qualified trainer her in FL, he spent half a day with me, totally worthwhile. Later I bought a product from Brownell called Saf T Trainers. They caused jamming problems, had to visit gunsmith to correct. I plan to buy a few Snap Caps.