Browning BPS

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NoVAlooker

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Was doing some general research on shotguns for a friend and noticed a decided lack of discussion here on Browing shotguns in general and BPSs in particular. Any reason for this? Seems to be an inordinate amount of discussion revolving around Winchester, Mossberg, and Remington (especially the 870) While some of these are fine (I'd pass on the Mossberg) firearms, I don't understand their predominance on this board to the detriment of Browning.

Am I the only BPS owner out there? Is it because they don't come in a "tactical" swat team ready style with (worthless) pistol grips? Are they not "hollywood" enough? Are they too costly? Is there a quality concern with them? Does it have to do with the place of manufacture?

Any insight is much appreciated. I love my browning and have always considered Brownings to be exceptional firearms, however, this board seems to, if not dislike them, then to ignore them.
 
I had one back in 85. Loved it for the chokes and bottom ejection. Never had a problem with it. Traded it off for a Rem 1100 skeet - to good a deal to pass up.
 
I don't know enough about them to give an educated opinion,NoVA. My experience has been mostly with other shotguns, lots of them.

However, I never met a Browning design I didn't like, even the A-5s that don't hit for me.JMB must have invented the term, Overengineered. His stuff lasts well nigh forever.

I note a lack of complaints about them,too.

Try the BB over on Shooting Sportsman, they have had a few threads on the BPS.

IMO,if it works for you, it's a great shotgun.
 
I have quite a few browning BPS shotguns and love them all..i recently sold all my mossbergs and winchesters...I made the mistake of ever buying them...well I did trade them off for a beautiful NIB engraved 20guage..main problem with any browning other then the gold line of shotguns is they work right out of the box...gunsmiths hate brownings..the never see them in the shop..the biggest issue however is accy's...very very few make anything for a browning...ive never been a fan of any gun that does not have a top tang safety...its nice seeing it in front of your face....my only exception is the benelli...browning..sadly...is not what it use to be..compare a catalog 5 yrs ago with todays version...it will make you sick....again..there are browning owners on this board..its just a quiet corner of TFL and we keep mostly to ourselves..we know what we have and dont like to pass along the secret of how well they perform
 
I have a 3.5"mag BPS and it is OK but a tad heavy. I like the other BPSs esp the 20g even tho I don't own one.
I like my Dad's old auto 5s, the 1954 sweet 16 and the 1958 mag 20. I have killed a slew of pheasants with my 12g SXS (BSS) over the years but the 26" 20g SXS is an esp beautiful and sweet handling double.
I guess Browning shotguns are OK.
 
I have BPS 12 and 20 ga. I like both. I am right handed but shoot left handed. I like the tang safety and bottom ejection. I also like how the guns look and feel. I have used the 20 ga at skeet with good success. I think they are great guns. Probably one reason you don't see much about them here is the expense. The upfront cost is higher and barrels and choke tubes cost more. The 12 ga is heavy but the 20 ga is a dream. Its a very pretty gun, maybe someday a wife or GF will enjoy shooting it.
 
I'd say there is a lack of talk about them for 3 reasons.

1. They certainly aren't as common as 870's, 500's and 1300's. This is in my area anyway. A store will have a few versions of one of the big 3 shotguns and maybe one BPS.

2. The cost a bit more, so people opt for the less expensive shotgun. So there isn't as many owners out there talking about them. Of course there are more expensive models of 870's and so on, but your basic BPS costs more than your basic 870 or the like.

3. There really aren't that many after market products for the BPS, so it is left out on all those discussions. Same with the Home D/Self D.

Just my opinion though. It's not that BPS's aren't good shotguns, it's just that there isn't much to directly discuss about them.

Sincerely,
Adam
 
Not necessarily, Bam Bam. Recent events have steered lots of threads to the "Serious" side, but good sporting shotguns are also appreciated.

A note on the BPS in particular and pump guns in general...

Someone noted it's a bit heavy. The question then is,"For what?".

We've become (and I certainly suffer from this) used to the idea of a 12 gauge pump gun being an all around tool for doves to deer. This is only partly correct.

For the uplands, I'd want something weighing less than 7 lbs, with a shorter bbl than 28", balanced between the hands. For a specialized quail/grouse/ woodcock piece, make it 6 1/2 lbs and a bit muzzle light. And 2 3/4" shells are plenty for these pursuits in a 12 ga.

For a pure D waterfowler, make it 8 lbs to give it some inertia, and a bit muzzle heavy for the same reason. Stretch that chamber out to 3", and use a bbl of at least 28" and 30 is better if you can find one. That heavier weight will soak up some kick, and since few of us have to carry these up and down some hills going to a goose blind, it's not a drawback.

JMB certainly understood designing for the mission. His design that's now the Ithaca Model 37 is a superb upland gun, and the A-5 and its clones were the waterfowling standard for decades. For upland work, he gave us the Sweet 16 A-5, but that's outside our discussion here.And that Sweetie is still a bit heavy when you're 3 miles and four hills from the truck.

My SWEG is the BPS is a fine waterfowler, and probably fine for trap but not so good for SC or skeet. Upland work, maybe if you're built like an NFL lineman.
 
I s'pose I should elaborate on my "heavy" BPS.
It is an oddball config I picked up in a trade. 3.5" 12g with a 24" barrel marked "upland" (???) I've never weighed it but it carries heavy, tho balances evenly between the hands. It has a pleasant swing on waterfowl but more barrel would probably make it even better.
I've hunted upland birds with a fellow that uses a 20g BPS. Seems to be a good fit.
BamBam, Some of us actually have no interest in tactical hardware and a great deal of interest in sporting shotguns and wingshooting.
 
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