Using BPS for trap

[Dot_mdb]

I'm new to shotguns and new to trap. When shooting in a five man squad I want to be sure I handle the gun properly loading, ejecting etc. and I don't want to hold up the game.

Does this sound about right for a bottom loader where the shell has to be inserted first into the magazine?

1. Arrive at shooting position and insert shell into magazine and pull slide back and leave in rearward positon.

2. Rest muzzle on pad waiting for turn to fire.

3. When turn comes raise shotgun and push slide forward.

4. Yell pull and fire weapon and break target

5. Pull slide back and eject shell into right hand.

6. Place fired shell in bag and immediately load fresh shell into magazine starting over again as above with slide in rear position waiting for my turn to shoot.

I've had one informal lesson with the fellow who runs trap at my club. I also watched a group of trap shooters but none were shooting pumps. One was shooting an 1100 but he is able to pop shells directly into the ejection port.

BTW, the fellow with the 1100 had rigged up a small piece of piano wire in the ejection port so that the shells were caught in the port for easy retrieval.

I was also advised to keep the safety off at all times which makes sense since the action is always open except when shooting.

Bill

 

[HSMITH]

When I had my BPS Trap (they actually made one) once on station I would load one in the tube with the action closed and wait for my turn, when the guy to my left went BANG I racked the action (depess the bolt release) and mounted and shot. Open the action and catch the hull in your hand, put it in your bag and quietly close the action, put one in the tube and wait for the bang next to you. It gets pretty simple even though it is a PITA. It got to be part of my routine and I did not realize I was doing it.

So long as you are not moving from station to station you can have the action closed, just beware of the muzzle of course. I always kept the safety off unless the gun has an automatic safety.....

 

[Dot_mdb]

Thanks HSMITH. I like your suggestion. My only concern is that I would be the only shooter with a closed action and that could lead to criticism from the others. But your method is less likely to cause distraction to the others from slide racking. Seems like the BPS is not an ideal trap gun.

I don't know if this is from experience or not, but one thing I was warned about was that a gun going off while it is resting on the pad on the concrete is like a grenade exploding. Being the newest and least experienced in the group a don't want to make the others uncomfortable.

I guess it would be proper courtesy to discuss this with the others before shooting for the first time?

Bill

 

[HSMITH]

I would NEVER rest it on the pad with the action closed personally. I have always hung a pump gun in the crook of my arm while shooting, in fact I hang them all in the crook of my arm.

If your muzzle discipline is good the closed action will never be an issue, and the action will be open when moving to the other stations.

I think you have it covered!

 

[Dot_mdb]

Thank you HSMITH!

Bill

 

[Kimber Kid]

Dot, thank God for a new shooter that doesn't know everything and has the good sense to ask.

Many clubs have an "open or out" rule meaning the action is either open or the shooter gets kicked out. It a good safety rule that we can all live with.

Enjoy your BPS, I have mine, and shot many rounds of trap with it.

KK

 

[Dot_mdb]

I can enjoy the game equally well using either the closed or open action method. But I just hope the rules are the same for trap, skeet and 5 stand at my club.

Last night I spoke with the wife of a husband and wife team that teach a shotgun clinic at the club. While making an appointment for a lesson I asked about the open/closed action issue. She told me that the club has a lot of pump shotgun shooters but she was not sure what the rules are. She also told me that her husband used to shoot a BPS and she would discuss it with him.

I suspect that with bottom loaders in the minority the rule will likely be for open action. Once I get a ruling on it I will be a happy camper.

Bill