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Thinking of trading one of my guns after the season. I've been looking at that Browning pump. I'm left handed and really like the safety on the top. Any advice from those who've seen this gun in action?

I have broken down every shotgun I get my hands on, and the most impressive PUMP I have seen has been the BPS. Very few parts, even less than my trusty Mossberg 835. I thought I would never want another shotgun, but my brother bought a BPS stalker 3 1/2 that I broke down for him, and I really liked it. I even took it hunting one day and liked it even more. I will always have a Mossberg, but my second choice would DEFINITELY be a Browning. They are a pain to break down, but have a sweet action.

That said, I like the 870 too. That many guns out there can't be wrong.

I have a bunch of shotguns but, the one I just about always pick up to duck hunt with is my BPS. I bought it at a pawn shop the day before my first duck hunt. I have NEVER had a problem with it. I like the shells ejecting out the bottom and the top safety. I have dropped it in sloughs, banged it in the boat, got mud ALL in the action, and it still would shoot. Now my shooting accuracy is another thing all together.The gun is not the problem, unless it was an easy shot [img]images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] I do know of one guy who has one and dislikes it. But for me it's the real deal. [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

What timing for this question!!

My primary gun for the last four years has been a Beretta O/U. I recently had a problem with a firing pin & had to go to my back-up gun, a 12 guage BPS. This BPS was a gift for my 18th birthday, 16 years ago. Other than one broken firing pin in the BPS, I have had absolutely no problems with the gun and have high praise for it.

The BPS was intended to be a replacement for my Model 12 3-incher that was stolen before I turned 18. In other words, the BPS had some big shoes to fill, and it has done so very well.

We used to have a clay bird thrower in the front yard. I shot the BPS almost every weekend, case after case of cheap shells & clays. Later, I used it extensively at sporting clays before purchasing the Beretta mentioned above.

The gun has been used to break ice. It looks like heck, but it keeps shooting.

Yesterday, the last day of the Louisiana season, I had to shoot it because the Beretta was in the shop. Perhaps I got lucky, but the BPS shot three doubles, and my faith in the gun continues.

My only caution is that you watch out for Estate shells, both 3 inches and 3.5 inches. They are good shells. However, as Goosebruce reported elsewhere, there are sizing problems with the brass. This problem also exists with Estate's 20 guage shells.

The BPS 3.5 chambered gun is built on the 10 guage frame . . . my recommendation is to go with the std 3-inch gun & use the difference in price to purchase better shells.

Hope this helps. Jethro

As long as I am into shooting sports I will own a BPS. Mine has a 22" barrell, which makes it a little loud, but extremely versitile. I hunt ducks,geese, doves, deer, and turkey with it and have cleaned house on a sporting clays range right along side guys shooting high dollar competition guns. It is light weight and the short barrell makes it very easy to swing. I can get on a bird or target, get my lead, and shoot in the time it takes my hunting buddies to just pull the trigger.

The only problem I have had with it is my own fault. I frequently hunt with several guys in close quarters, so I have forced my self into the habbit of clicking the safety on after every shot and off again before the next. If I shoot three times at one bird, I work the safety four times. This is where I get in trouble. It is so easy to do this with the thumb safety, I often get ahead of my self and am clicking it back to "safe" before I get the trigger squeezed.

My opinion: you've got to have a BPS!

I just completed 10 seasons with my BPS 3.5' 12ga Stalker. Like sondance, my gun has been through it - rain, mud, snow, bent ribs, etc, etc. No failures. The only bad part of Brownings is that they seem to rust easy, but I knew that going in and painted mine right off the bat.

go24....you can't go wrong with the BPS. I've had one for 7-8 years. Previous gun was Rem 870 which I also liked. However I have nothing but praise for the BPS. Shoots good, and will not leave you hanging.

I appreciate the info guys. It's always good to have folks confirm your thoughts. Has anyone else had trouble with the Estate shells?

My son, also left handed, has a BPS. Loves it! But, it will rust if it looks like rain! Clean it after every hunt if you want it to stay looking good, or get the black stalker or camo version.

I own a browning 10 gauge bps. Very nice gun. I love the safety on top. Shoots very well and no problem with hanging unless you get some gumbo in it.

I've had mine about five years and had no trouble out of it.I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I hunt with a bps 10 go through one a year. Great gun and easy to tear down once you know the tricks.

my little brother has a bps stalker and i borrow it every chance i get.. it fits me well. if we have a gathering with a shoot, i will borrow it for that... i am kinda patial to Browning.. if you don't believe me, look in my cabinet...all are old and reliable...

judge jb

I would like to say that I have a BPS 3 1/2
it's a great gun till I bought a Winnchester
SX2 3 1/2, haven't shot the BPS since. friends can't believe I put down the old browning abd picked up the SX2, For me it just points better than the BPS and does not
KICK LIKE THE BPS. Well enough said, there
both great guns. [img]images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

I have had two of them and nothing but bad luck. The only pump to own (in my opinion) is an 870. They are easy to break down, inexpensive, and aerodynamic (ask wildfowler for details). I tend to be hard on my stuff though.

WNE Driver - I wasn't aware that a 12 gauge BPS stalker in a 3.5 had been around for 10 years..learn something new every day.