The Browning BPS is one of the legends of the shotgun-hunting world, and those who have used it know why. This pump-action classic has been around longer than me and built a reputation as a tank of a firearm. Still, it also offers some design features that keep it at the front of modern shotgun-hunting tech.

To be honest, my first encounter with the BPS came from the tall tales of other hunters, and I have to admit those stories lived up to my actual experiences shooting the BPS. So, here’s my breakdown of the gun as a new BPS shooter.
 

Table of Contents

History
Specs & Function
Range Testing
Pros & Cons
Final Thoughts

History
 

Browning BPS Pump-Action Shotgun
This classic design offers some unique bottom-ejecting function inside a robust package. (Photo: Paul Peterson/Guns.com)


At nearly 45 years young, the innovative BPS shotgun – or Browning Pump Shotgun – was the “first” Browning-branded pump. That’s a fact that hides the massive and continuing contributions to firearm designs that came from the genius of America’s great gun designer, John Moses Browning. In fact, even the bottom-ejecting feature was not new, with a similar function offered in the Browning-designed Ithaca 37, a gun that won some battlefield praise in World War II and is still in production today.

While the spirit of Browning flows through many modern firearms, the BPS offers a unique sample of some of his personal preferences. Browning wanted to create a “modern” design for a shotgun that offered both loading and ejecting through a single port at the base of the receiver. He made this a reality in several other guns, such as the Remington Model 31, but the BPS finally branded the Browning name to the design.
 

Browning BPS Pump-Action Shotgun
The bottom-ejection/loading port is unique but hardly Browning's first. (Photo: Paul Peterson/Guns.com)


As a shooter, I can attest to the fact that this is both a blessing and very occasionally – because of regulations Browning never could have predicted – a curse. Regardless, the tank-like performance is undeniable, making the gun a go-to hunting and sporting platform for several generations now. Browning kept the mechanics robust and simple, and the BPS offers a unique platform as an alternative for those looking at the Remington 870 or Mossberg 500.
 

Specs & Function

 

Browning BPS Pump-Action Shotgun
Offered in multiple gauges, the BPS has a positive and handsome checkering. (Photo: Paul Peterson/Guns.com)
Browning BPS Pump-Action Shotgun
The walnut wood is dark, and the checkering is aggressive. All in all, the gun feels nice and solid, while most shotguns are a bit loose in the cage. (Photo: Paul Peterson/Guns.com)


My sample BPS was a 12-gauge shotgun, but it can be had in 10, 12, 16, 20, and 28 gauges, with even a .410 bore option. While that’s a broad choice of calibers, the fact that the BPS easily accepts so many options is also a testament to the flexibility of the design.

As a shooter accustomed to a side-ejection port, I can say it is a bit strange to work with a gun that loads and ejects from the bottom port with no window to the action like you would have on a Remington 870. That said, the internals are very well protected from debris and muck, even on wades through messy marsh or a shallow pond. The gun also sports dual action bars for strength and reliability.
 

Browning BPS Pump-Action Shotgun
That bottom ejection is nice, but it can be a bit of an issue if you are used to being able to look into the side port of most shotguns. (Photo: Paul Peterson/Guns.com)


I tested one of the more common 12-gauge offerings. So, here are the specs for this specific model:

Total Length: 48.75 inches
Barrel Length: 28 inches
Length of Pull: 14.25 inches
Trigger Pull: 5.63 pounds
Weight: 7.9 pounds 
Capacity: 4+1 2.75-inch shells

The gun also boasts an 8-inch slide for the pump, and the texturing on it is both aggressive and functional. The walnut wood furniture is dark and attractive. That said, the gun does not fall in the light category. But that somehow seems to work out in its favor.
 

Browning BPS Pump-Action Shotgun
The trigger breaks nicely at under 6 pounds. (Photo: Paul Peterson/Guns.com)
Browning BPS Pump-Action Shotgun
The front pump is a nice, dark wood with positive checkering. (Photo: Paul Peterson/Guns.com)


At just under 8 pounds, the balance of the gun rides right between the slide and the semi-pistol grip for me. Overall, that makes it a fast swinger for its size. And the fact that it ejects downward means shells are left neatly at my feet. That is an appreciated favor to my fellow shooters, and I actually love the simplicity of the action. However, it does have a particular issue due to the lack of a side-loading port. 
 

Range Testing
 

The front bead is simple but easy to use and more than enough to bust clays. (Photo: Paul Peterson/Guns.com)


I’ll start with accuracy, even though that is a bit of a relative statement when it comes to shotguns with adjustable chokes. My BPS is now sitting at around 400+ trap rounds, with a few boxes of hunting loads to add to the testing. I have nothing special to report as far as reliability. The gun runs and cycles like a mechanical breeze.

The BPS racks and ejects with authority. Unlike most hunting shotguns, I would also dare to say it would deliver a solid buttstroke with the walnut furniture. I have, unfortunately, broken stocks in such testing, but the BPS feels like a tank. 
 

Browning BPS Pump-Action Shotgun
Recoil is comfortable, especially with the rubberized butt pad. (Photo: Paul Peterson/Guns.com)
Browning BPS Pump-Action Shotgun
Length of pull rolls in at 14.25 inches. (Photo: Paul Peterson/Guns.com)


With shotgun accuracy being a bit of a relative term, I figured the best I can offer is the last performances I had with this gun out on the range. All in all, it performed above average for my test shotguns, knocking down and often dusting 22/25 clays for basic trap and, to my surprise, an above average 44/50 on my local sporting clays range. Maybe it was the gun or a bit of luck, but overall, that beats my normal scoring with other test guns. 

It’s also worth mentioning that I do not generally approach clays shooting with a competitive mindset – I have a tendency to chat while shooting – so the gun swung and hit naturally without the stress of judgment-fueled sweat driving my performance. 
 

Browning BPS Pump-Action Shotgun
My test gun came with a full, modified, and improved cylinder choke. (Photo: Paul Peterson/Guns.com)


Beyond that, the slide release for the gun at the back of the trigger guard is easy to use. I will also add that it boasts one of my favorite shotgun-style safeties by hosting a simple thumb safety on the tang. This is often a make-or-break feature even on pricy shotguns for me. At the end of the day, the BPS falls into the “I’ll hunt with you” category.
 

Pros & Cons


I’ll list my personal judgments below because the gun performed great for me over nearly a year of testing. In fact, I almost felt bad playing gun-safe Tetris with it as I swapped out firearms for weekly range trips. But it isn’t perfect.
 

Browning BPS Pump-Action Shotgun
That bottom ejection is a nice favor to my fellow shooters on the range or in a hunting blind. (Photo: Paul Peterson/Guns.com)


From some of the hunters I know and my own experiences so far, the BPS is fantastically reliable in the field, but the design can create some very specific problems. Reliability has not been an issue. However, the unique action can bite you in the butt while hunting on a boat. Specifically, you have to empty the gun before the boat can move while hunting, and the BPS is less friendly to that need. So, chasing a diver duck can become a day-long effort. Snap reloads are slowed by the lack of a side-ejection/loading port.

Other than that, the gun just feels great in the hand. Shotguns are often a bit loose-fitting. But the BPS almost feels solid like a deer rifle. That said, my only personal complaint is that you can’t easily inspect or clear the chamber and loading is slower. If you are hunting land-based game, this is less of an issue. 

In fact, the bottom ejection of the BTS is quite nice in my experience when you’re stuffed inside a blind or boat with a few other hunters. No one likes getting smacked in the face with other people’s shells while shooting. It’s part of the experience, sure, but the BPS makes it easier by spitting the shells straight onto the ground. 
 

12-Gauge Federal Ammo
From Federal's target and game loads to 00 buck and bismuth, the BPS will eat it all. (Photo: Paul Peterson/Guns.com)


The gun was also not very picky about ammo, with Federal’s line of target, game, bismuth, and buckshot loads cycling easily through the gun. Even budget trap loads were more than easy to run through the gun, and I cannot report a single function issue after nearly a year of testing.
 

Browning BPS Pump-Action Shotgun
Takedown is easy, and all you need to really do is pop off that cylinder cap. (Photo: Paul Peterson/Guns.com)
Browning BPS Pump-Action Shotgun
Did I mention how nice the wood looks? (Photo: Paul Peterson/Guns.com)


Here’s my quick list of pros and cons:

Pros:

  • Strong and comfortable construction
  • Proven performance history
  • Accurate shooting
  • Durable wood and metal 
  • Bottom ejection
  • Fast tang safety
  • Nice trigger

Cons:

  • Slightly harder to load/unload
  • No side-loading port
  • Above average weight
     

Final Thoughts

The Browning BPS runs, and it runs well. The biggest issue I have with the gun is the possible need to unload and reload the shotgun while chasing some stubborn ducks across a lake. But, with all that being said, I can say that just holding this modern BPS immediately screams solid construction. 

I won’t say this is my go-to hunting shotgun, but that's mostly because I already bought my own a few years ago. I will say the BPS is a solid gun that is more than capable in the hunting fields and while dusting clays for sport. The quality of the furnitures, texturing, and bluing live up to the Browning name.

Read More On:
revolver barrel loading graphic

Loading