Browning BPS

Approval Rate: 80%

80%Approval ratio

Reviews 30

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  • by

    shooter123

    Mon Jun 04 2012

    My first and best shotgun i ever bought. I have shot a ton shells through the gun shooting a lot sporting clays and skeet. And i never had a jam that was the gun's fault (had a couple bent shells). And for all the people complaining about jams, bring the slide ALL the way back and quit short shucking the damn thing.

  • by

    allis999

    Sat Apr 30 2011

    I'm giving the BPS 4 stars only because I just bought one. I still need to shoot it. But I have to say that fit and finish are worth 5 stars easily. I have owed Remington and Mossberg but neither have had the quality in fit and finish like the BPS. Everything operates like it should with dummy rounds, so I think it should shoot just fine. If your looking for a high quality shotgun, I highly recommend the Browning BPS.

  • by

    countyclerk

    Sat Feb 06 2010

    My BPS has always worked for me every time I wanted or needed to use it. I had always had great results with the BPS 3" 12 guage I have. I have had it for 27 years I believe. Trouble is I have only had it out of a soft case to clean it and had not shot it for 8 years. It is not picking a shell from the tube. It does not leave the tube. Does anyone know a simple fix for that. I have been able to rebuild revolvers etc. over the years so I have some gun skills, but this one has me stumped. It worked fine the last time I used the gun to break targets. I can manipulate the catch to kick out a shell from the tube with my thumb, but nothing else works.

  • by

    rickyrabalais

    Wed Dec 16 2009

    I have a 3" BPS that has shot well for 20 years , but I have a problem with it (Failure To Eject) and the gun smith can't fix it ,so it's at the Browning service facility for 5 weeks now and they haven't fixed it yet or even given me a price to fix it. So I bought another Browning. The 3 ½" BPS this time. The gun handles very well and is smooth ,as all Brownings are, but the chokes that came with the gun are terrible. Cannot find one to pattern decent with several different types of shells. I ordered a Truloc choke and will try it , but there's another $50 added to the cost of the gun. For $670 I expected to get chokes that would throw a decent pattern, but I guess I'm asking for too much. In a nut shell , the gun is well balanced and very smooth, but with the factory chokes it's practically useless in my opinion.

  • by

    kayak54

    Fri Oct 23 2009

    I have shot this gun for 25 years. It has had several thousand rounds thru it. Most of this, high brass magnum Duck and Turkey loads. I still smile at the quality of wood and fit and finish. I also have an 870 wingmaster, never had a failure.. The only BPS problem is receiver ramp scoring from heavy loads. I had gunsmith polish ramp down 10 yrs. ago and it has been perfect since. I would recommend for upland game. The bluing and finish have held up better on BPS.

  • by

    twoguns

    Fri Jul 03 2009

    Got one in a pawn shop when I was 12. Hunted with it until I was 35. It was a paddle, a push pole, and was submerged in the worst NorthWest muck you can imagine. It had many camo paint jobs and was generally a well-abused working gun that has slain hundreds of birds and a few rabbits. At 35 I bought a brand new one because I wanted to experement with the "new" interchangable chokes. I wouldn't recommend any other pump shotgun.

  • by

    guy008

    Sat Mar 28 2009

    Great shotguns! In real life usage I have noticed a similar percentage of favorable opinions as on this review site. The highest percentage of actual shooters who know how to operate a pump without shortshucking etc. love the gun and the only problems with "jams" are from those who are inexperienced. There are also the rednecks who are fixated on the fact that these shotguns are manufactured by some of the best machinists in the world (the Japanese). These guns in fact are exceptionally reliable and durable. They balance well and, while fit is very subjective, they fit me very well. Browning also seems to actually have a quality control department while their biggest competitor in the pump shotgun market seems to have gotten rid of theirs. I will have to go with the majority on this one, excellent fit and finish, excellent durability, and excellent ergonomics.

  • by

    silverhunter

    Thu Dec 18 2008

    I have an older BPS 12 3.5 inch, this has got to be the best shotgun I have ever owned. After several thousand rounds of duck/goose loads she has never jammed (other than a short suck or two). I recently purchased a Browning Silver and it seems to be following in the foot steps as the BPS 12. After about 1200 rounds it hasn't jammed yet and been hunting in rain, snow, and ice. As I use it more I will give an update.

  • by

    fowlkiller60

    Mon Nov 17 2008

    I've had my 12 ga. BPS 3 1/2" Advantage Camo since 2000, I've shot, 1000's of ducks, geese, dove and clay birds with it and other than the occasional "short shuck" which is not the guns fault it has never failed me. I'm a lefty so the over under type safety is a plus. I grew up shooting Model 12's and the newer model 1200's but had one break once and traded for a used 870 which seemed tougher but none are as smooth and reliable as the BPS.

  • by

    beme123

    Wed Jan 02 2008

    I was raised on an Ithaca Featherlight and knew that a bottom eject was perfect for shooting in a blind, but now that I am able to afford a new shotgun of my own, and not the 870 that I've beat to heck and back (still shoots like a champ I might add) Ithaca isnt producing anymore so I thought this would be a good alternative. I have no complaints other than The Hunter model doesnt come in the 3 1/2, but thats ok. I would suggest this shotgun to anyone who wants a reliable alternative to the Remington 870

  • by

    jdgd6d1b

    Tue Jan 01 2008

    Im a certified lefty and I cant say enough about this pump gun its as if it was built for us lefties.I shoot the 3 Browning BPS Stalker that has the bottom load and eject, with the thumb tang safety and for us lefties all of the actions are exactly where they need to be. I was so impressed with this pump gun that I added wood/blue to my inventory as well. I grew up in NW Kansas shooting the Remington 870 (because thats what everyone had) while hunting pheasants and taking an occasional shot at a goose or three but when I compare this Browning BPS to the Remington 870...well there is no comparison. Dont get me wrong the 870 is the established standard when it comes to pump guns and deservedly so I cant say anything bad about the 870 as I have a few in my gun cabinet (at less than $300 a gun how can you blame me) but I have only been able to find a few left handed versions of the 870 in a few stores here in Denver, CO and only in the standard wood/blue combination and even fewer yet in t... Read more

  • by

    skynyrd1020

    Fri Sep 14 2007

    I have a Browning BPS Hunter in 3" and a Gold Hunter 3 1/2" and because I like the BPS so much I'm switching to a BPS Stalker 3 1/2" for my duck gun from the Gold (I can't get over the aluminum reciever and lightweight of the Gold). My first gun was a Remington 1100 and I loved it. I was Remington loyal for the next 10 guns I bought because of that gun and the only one that seemed to always work right was that 1100. I was finally sick of it after I spent $400 on an 870 express slug gun that never ejected and hulls. I decided to start looking for a new company and I thought the BPS was nice so I bought it. I like it so much that I now own a Citori, a Gold, and a BPS which are all great working guns. The quality of workmanship and performance of my BPS is great along with all the others I've seen. If you appreciate a great looking great working gun buy a BPS. To those who knock the BPS, have fun pulling those spent hulls out of the ejection port of an 870 express, I've had 3 870'... Read more

  • by

    drlouis

    Sat May 26 2007

    If you're left handed this is the pump gun to use. the controls are conveniently located for south-paws, and It's a really nice shotgun. I have over 1,500 rounds through mine, and it's showing no signs of quitting.

  • by

    spritey

    Thu Jan 25 2007

    I own a Browning BPS made in 1978. This gun is amazing. I just bought it used dirt cheap and it's in beautiful condish. The only problem with it is all of the pre 1989 models have a fixed choke, so I have to buy a new barrel. If it weren't for that it would have a 5.

  • by

    wifarmboy

    Sat Dec 09 2006

    First shotgun I ever owned. Bought it when I was a sophmore in High School. Has killed atleast one deer a year sicnce I got itI am 22 now. My gun has rifle sights and a rifled choke. I have killed deer over 100 yards with this gun. Action is extreamly smooth and trigger is light and crisp.I have never had problems with this gun jamming. This gun is not cheap but well worth the money.

  • by

    waylayed06

    Mon Nov 27 2006

    Browning Browning BPS Invector Plus, the best patterning 12 ga. I have ever owned over 35 years.

  • by

    delzbe75

    Wed Jul 12 2006

    I own two browning BPS 12 gauge shotguns. A very smooth and reliable overall gun. Looking at some of the other comments, instead of bashing Browning, I think that there is definitely a wrong gun for a person. Browning seams to pull up so perfect for me, maybe not for others. Overall great gun! Not to expensive, light weight, and pure Browning quality. Just like any gun, clean it and take care of it and it will last you a lifetime!

  • by

    widgeon

    Wed Jun 14 2006

    I owned a 3.5" bps and it was the biggest piece of rust waiting to happen i have ever owned. Within a year the stock had cracked by the comb from the jam every third shot piece of japanese made crap. I traded it for a Remington SP 10 and bought a 1187 sps major improvement and will never own another Browning shotgun but love my buckmark pistol.

  • by

    southpaw7752

    Tue Mar 21 2006

    Very nice gun, good weight and balance. Anyone who is getting this gun to jam isn't cleaning it right. RemOil does the job, once every 2 months. I have put close to 7000 rounds through it and have never had a problem. If you want a range gun get the wood stock, synthetic for a hunting gun. Safety and slide release placements are great and easy to use. Bottom eject is awesome, great for lefties and righties!

  • by

    diehardkillers_2003

    Sun Feb 26 2006

    it is one of the best shotguns i have ever shot and the engraved detail on the side just adds on to its splider

  • by

    kopfjager

    Mon Feb 20 2006

    I use a double with a tang safety for upland game so when I was shopping for a new duck and goose gun, I looked at the BPS. I am glad I did. Mine shoots very well, never jams, and I can get the safety off as I rise to my feet in the duck tank. I have retired my Remington 870 because I can't seem to work the safety with incoming ducks.

  • by

    ddoyle

    Thu Feb 02 2006

    If you want cheap, buy cheap. If you want nice looking walnut and Browning's famous blued steel, get a BPS. This is a great shotgun for a lefty and the bottom eject is handy for picking up hulls and hunting in a boat. Gun is well-balanced although it's heavy for upland birds. Action is smooth and doesn't bind. Trigger and action continue to smooth with use. You may want to pattern your chokes and maybe pick up an aftermarket choke. My Modified choke miked almost as wide as IC. Mine's a 3" (not 3-1/2") but I get terrific performance on geese with Remington #2 Heavyshot. Point it at a goose out to 50 yards, and they fall like a bowling ball. What else could I want?

  • by

    catt_tracker

    Fri Nov 25 2005

    Best pump shotgun made!

  • by

    blake_mcclaskey

    Mon Sep 19 2005

    i bought this gun about a week ago....i have shot about 9 birds....quail..duck...dove... it shoots very nicely and is really smooth...for me this is a great gun. I am a bigger guy and prefer a bigger gun. My gun is a bps stalker 31/2's 28" barrell and i love it . Its a little heavier but thats one thing i love about it...there is no gun that is perfect for everyone so find what feels right for you and if the bps feels right then i would definatly incourage u to buy it, you wont regret it....

  • by

    muley02a

    Wed Jan 26 2005

    I bought a used BPS 12ga. about a month ago (as a Christmas present for myself). It's the upland model with a 22 barrel and english stock. I really like the way it handles and it falls just right for me. The action is smooth, and it seems mechanically superior to the 870 and Nova, two other pumps in my household. However, I wish it was easier to remove the trigger mechanism and bolt for cleaning like the Benelli. Also, my preference is for dull or satin finishes on hunting guns rather than the glossy Browning stuff. OK, I could get synthetic, but I'm a walnut and bluing fan. If not for those two complaints, I might give it a five.

  • by

    texasoilman

    Sat Aug 28 2004

    If you are like me, you are using this site for information before a purchase, as well you should be. I know that with every site like this you are likely to see a wide range of reviews. So my advice is to take what I say as a grain of salt, my review only reflects my experience with my Browning BPS Stalker that I purchased in 1994. I have found this gun to be 99.99% reliable (it locked up once in a duck blind in '95, thats it). Being a stalker model it is not particularly pretty, but it has done what it is supposed to do for over 10 years. It has one feature that I love and have not found on Mossberg, Benelli, or Remington. If you apply rearward pressure on the slide as you pull the trigger it automatically releases the slide. The above mentioned brands lock up and you have to hesitate and push it forward a bit to unlock the action, then cycle it. The BPS is accurate, fast handling, and reliable. at lease for me. I plan on using the same one I bought in '94 for the rest of my... Read more

  • by

    oldsmurf

    Wed Apr 21 2004

    I have an upland BPS (20 cal, short barrel and English stock) . Nice little gun. I like the ejecting mechanism . I think civilized reloaders shooting from a boat will appreciate keeping their shells aboard and far from their buddy's nose. Lefties will notice it is the only true ambidextrous shotgun . Self called real men will start looking for a second hand Ithaca 37.

  • by

    shotgunner

    Mon Feb 02 2004

    Fussy owned 2 and both were jammer's

  • by

    dickweener

    Thu Jan 29 2004

    Shotgun for the Yuppie old fart who thinks his poo don't stink, a waste of money, buy a Remington you idiots

  • by

    pagehanger

    Mon Aug 18 2003

    Super smoothe action, but a rather long throw. Feels longer than the 870. Swings well for wing shooting. There are other guns more suited to upland hunting. Too slow for clays. If you like the Win Model 12 or Rem 870 (I've owned all three), this is better, albeit more expensive.