had a chance to detail strip a Browning BPS the other day for cleaning. It was about ten years old and didn't appear to have been completely disassembled for cleaning since new. After reading some of the accounts here about how difficult they can be, I expected to finish the job with a headache.
First step was to remove large drift pin and trigger group, along with the shell stopper things, which fell out when the trigger housing was removed. Then pull slide fully aft and remove the bolt, carrier, then slide. Last was the shell lifter thing. (Hope my "techincal" description of the parts make sense.....don't have a book or exploded view with a parts listing to identify them exactly.)
Anyway, I got everything apart and cleaned up. This was my first experience with a BPS and, as expected for a Browning product, found everything to be very well made. Precise machine work on the receiver and other parts and nice, tight fit of the internals. Got everything scrubbed, cleaned, and relubed. Reassembly took about ten minutes.
Got it all back together and shucked the action a few times. All smooth and precise with no slop or rattle. (Judging from finish wear, I would guestimate that only a case or two of shell had been run through it. Probably spent most of its life behind the seat of a truck. Metal finish was 90% + ) I was quite impressed with it. All my previous experience with pumps has been with 870s and a coupla Mossys, and I'm a big fan of the 870s.
After having a nice close up with that particular BPS, seeing the quality of its fit and finish, and knowing the reputation of Browning products in general, I've been thinking about getting one myself. Still gonna keep the 870, but think it could get along sharing the stable with a BPS.
What do you guys think? Do you know of any weaknesses of the BPS as a field shotgun, aside from operational differences with side ejectors? Are there any problematic parts? (extractors, magazine followers, etc). Don't see as much media attention on BPSs as others; is it underrated?
First step was to remove large drift pin and trigger group, along with the shell stopper things, which fell out when the trigger housing was removed. Then pull slide fully aft and remove the bolt, carrier, then slide. Last was the shell lifter thing. (Hope my "techincal" description of the parts make sense.....don't have a book or exploded view with a parts listing to identify them exactly.)
Anyway, I got everything apart and cleaned up. This was my first experience with a BPS and, as expected for a Browning product, found everything to be very well made. Precise machine work on the receiver and other parts and nice, tight fit of the internals. Got everything scrubbed, cleaned, and relubed. Reassembly took about ten minutes.
Got it all back together and shucked the action a few times. All smooth and precise with no slop or rattle. (Judging from finish wear, I would guestimate that only a case or two of shell had been run through it. Probably spent most of its life behind the seat of a truck. Metal finish was 90% + ) I was quite impressed with it. All my previous experience with pumps has been with 870s and a coupla Mossys, and I'm a big fan of the 870s.
After having a nice close up with that particular BPS, seeing the quality of its fit and finish, and knowing the reputation of Browning products in general, I've been thinking about getting one myself. Still gonna keep the 870, but think it could get along sharing the stable with a BPS.
What do you guys think? Do you know of any weaknesses of the BPS as a field shotgun, aside from operational differences with side ejectors? Are there any problematic parts? (extractors, magazine followers, etc). Don't see as much media attention on BPSs as others; is it underrated?