Opinions on the Browning BPS?

[TonyNorCal]

Anyone have an opinion on the Browning BPS?

(In the hunting configuration, matte black finish)

Someone near me is selling a lightly used (15 year old) one for $325.

Sound like a fair price?

How do these compare to the Remington 870s and Mossberg 500 series?

[caduckgunner]

The Browning BPS is a great hunting gun. You can get a new one for $100 more if you look around.

[-hanko]

Anyone have an opinion on the Browning BPS?

(In the hunting configuration, matte black finish)

Someone near me is selling a lightly used (15 year old) one for $325.

Sound like a fair price?

How do these compare to the Remington 870s and Mossberg 500 series?

Price is fine; not sure if a new one is worth the extra $100... if the one you're interested in is in good shape, get it.

I like the BPS better then either the Mossberg or 870 but that's only my opinion. I base it on a smoother action, better swing, eaiser loading, and bottom ejection; first 3 factors may vary from shooter to shooter. For the money, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

The 870 and 500 sell well not because they're necessarily better, but because a. they're cheap to buy & therefore make nice beater guns, and b. since they are cheap a lot of 'tactical' stuff is available for wanna-be commandos/cops/ninjas As pump guns go, both Browning and Ithaca are a cut above.

-hanko

[Vigilante]

I like the BPS better then either the Mossberg or 870 but that's only my opinion. I base it on a smoothe action, better swing, eaiser loading, and bottom ejection; first 4 factors may vary from shooter to shooter. For the money, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

I agree completely. They are great guns and I wouldn't trade it for any other pump. I have been hunting with my 20 gauge BPS for 11 years now and the only problem I have ever had is that the gun does not like Federal 3" shells (they sometimes get stuck in the chamber after being fired). A guy that I hunt with has had the same problem with his 12 gauge BPS using Federal 3" mags. I say go for it, the price isn't bad and you wont be disappointed.

BTW does it have engraving on the receiver or is it plain?

[Blacktail 8541]

I have had two of the newer BPS shotguns and had nothing but trouble with them. Sent them back to the factory twice for repair. THey both would lock up after a little shooting and required a difficult disasembly to get back into action.

[wildcard]

If it's in the right configuration for your application.. get it. I just got a new one and it's a great shotgun. Everything functions smooth. I ran 150 rounds through it for its first time out against some clays without any problems.

[mdhpper]

I have had two of the newer BPS shotguns and had nothing but trouble with them. Sent them back to the factory twice for repair. THey both would lock up after a little shooting and required a difficult disasembly to get back into action.

My brother's does the same thing, so far he has had it repaired twice and the problem continues to happen. He has had it for 12 years, up until recently he has been happy with it. The finish is nicer than an 870 nice finish and bottom ejection is a nice feature.

[WolfMansDad]

I have an older model bps, 20 gauge upland special, and it's a great gun. It's fit and finish are better than Mossberg's or Remington's, and it seems to stand up to abuse better. It's one of the toughest guns I've ever hunted with, and I don't baby my shotguns.

The bottom eject is nice for many reasons. It's polite if you are shoulder-to-shoulder to someone else in a blind. You're not kicking shells in their face while they are trying to shoot as well. It keeps the action covered in bad weather. Rain, dust, dog slobber, etc. can all fall down in a side-eject port. And it works in any orientation. I have dropped loaded shells out of the side port of a Mossberg before, if the gun is tilted to the right and you don't rack fast enough.

The thing I like most about it is it's light. Even though I shoot a double better, I prefer to carry the bps. At the end of the day, the difference in weight matters.

Oh, and mine has never jammed, for what that's worth.

$325 is a great price, if it's as good a gun as mine.

[Vigilante]

The thing I like most about it is it's light.

I like that about them too. Weight should be one of the key determining factors when buying a shotgun. They have to be light in my opinion.