Value?? Browning BPS - Opinions Please

[ldyates]

I bought this in 1984 and it is in really good condition considering it belongs to me. Conservatively 90%, but everyone's eye is different. A few minor handling marks and tiny bit of rust on the vent rib, but no pitting. Less than 500 shells fired and only two in the last 8 years.

Browning BPS (Invector Choke System)
Made in Japan
12ga
2 3/4" and 3" shells
28" bbl Special Steel Field Model
Bottom eject
Single and Repeat firing selector

I am considering an upgrade to a gasop shotgun.

 

[ldyates]

Picture

Forgot the image

 

[Pete409]

Oh, I would guess somewhere in the ballpark of $378.91

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Probably $200 to $250-----I just paid $330 for a NEW one a couple months back.

 

[WNTFW]

I have nearly that exact same gun (fixed choke) & think I paid $359 new, around 1980.

Look at what the the new ones fetch & check on gunbroker for an idea.

 

[Pete409]

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=011B&cat_id=012&type_id=211

Does this look like the shotgun you have? I looked at the picture carefully and it appears that the wood is a MUCH cheaper grade on the current guns than on the BPS I used to own.

I don't recall exactly when I bought mine, but I think it was about 1987. I recall that it had Invector chokes and was drop-dead gorgeous with great wood and beautiful blueing. I think I paid about $350 (or more) for the gun new. I sold the gun about 7 years ago to a friend and I think I got $325 for it. Based on that, I figured that your gun would be worth perhaps $375 today, but it appears that I may be wrong.

I would guess that Browning has cut the quality of the new BPS guns in order to compete price-wise with the Remington 870 Express and the Mossberg 500. If that is the case, then you probably won't be able to get $378.91 for the gun..... unless it's a real beauty like mine was and you can find a buyer who likes nice looking guns.

 

[ldyates]

Furniture

Pete

My version is 24 years old and the wood is much higher quality than what is being used today... .according to my eyes. My gun has some serious coats of clear finish on it which gives the wood a deep appearance. I specifically remember passing on the 870 because the browning looked nicer than my older brother's 1100.

For sentimental value alone, I will go ahead and keep it if the price is only a few hundred bucks. I don't remember what I paid for it, but I recall where it was purchased and all of the consternation over whether I should spend that kind of cash (i was 17) on a shotgun.

Thanks for the feedback