RateItAll: The Opinion Network

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

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 the black synthetic version. The BPS however comes in a wide variety of configurations from the standard wood/blue to the synthetic stalker and cammo versions right off the shelf! The BPS will cost you about $200 (plus or minus) more than the 870 but believe me its worth it. If you are considering adding a new/different pump gun to your inventory do yourself a favor and at least pick up the BPS and cycle the action a time or three then go back over and pick up that 870 and cycle the action a time or threeyou cant help but to notice the difference. The BPS has a much smoother action and when you get it home and wipe all that packing grease off and give it a good cleaning and lube it will only get smoother. Given the same treatment my 870s on the other hand still sound like machines.

I would HIGHLY encourage any lefty or any other shooter for that matter out there looking for a good pump gun to seriously give this BPS a thorough review. I cant tell you how many rounds I have put through the gun (a lot) but what I can tell you is that I've has this BPS for more than just a few moons and every time I pull the trigger it fires.

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's and I've done that too many times. One last thing and thats on fit. I have a custom made AYA double and that does help you shoot but in my experience all of your factory pump guns fit almost exactly the same. So if you're buying a new pump consider fit but aside from some obscure fit problem you have with it, buy the BPS.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Best pump shotgun made!

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....

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.

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 life, not an issue of $$, but I like it that much. When purchasing a shotgun I have only this advice. Try as many different models and brands as practical and choose the one that Feels the best to you. This will affect your shooting success more than anything, regardless of brand. But buy one that allows you to change the choke tubes. You will probably rarely ever do this but is a great option to have. The BPS is more expenive than a Remington. But $200.00 is not a big difference for a gun that will outlast you. But again, buy the one that fits you the best. If you want a pretty BPS, buy the gold model. If you want a BPS as a pure hunting tool, buy the stalker model. It has been my experience that when it comes to shotguns, the shooter is the deciding factor not the gun. So buy a shotgun that you shoot the best with, no matter the brand or model. The BPS fits me and I love it.

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.

Fussy owned 2 and both were jammer's

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

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.