Browning Pump Special

Review by Pearl Holmstadt

Introduction
The Browning Pump Special (BPS) is a pump action shotgun that is popular for hunting upland game birds, such as turkey and ruffled grouse, big game, such as whitetail deer, and water fowl, such as duck and the Canadian goose. The BPS is also a favorite firearm for target and trap shooters.


Understanding Shotguns Basics

Gauge
Though many hunters prefer rifles to hunt their quarry, shotguns are also effective, and in some cases, the only legal firearm to use. Shot guns come in several different gauges. A gauge (Ga.) is the measurement related to the diameter of the smooth shotgun bore and the size of the shot-shell designed for that bore. The bore is the inside of the firearm barrel through which the projectile travels. The lower the gauge is, the larger the gun and the projectile it fires will be.

Action
The action is the heart of all firearms. Its purpose: to load, fire and eject the shells or cartridges. Shotguns are made with five different actions: a pump, a bolt, a break, semi automatic and lever. Once the shells are in the magazine, sliding the forestock towards the muzzle closes the action and readies the next shell for loading into the chamber. Once the trigger is pulled, the pumping of the forestock is repeated.

The BPS is a pump action with rigid dual-machine action steel bars. All mechanisms are made of solid steel. They are placed inside a receiver machined from a solid block of forged steel. The inflexible double slide bars are made from heat-treated steel and eliminate twisting and binding for quick and smooth operation. The result is easy shooting so that an individual can stay on target continue to shoot repeatedly in a rapid and efficient manner. A handy saw-like slide release is located at the rear of the trigger guard.


Ammunition
As with all pump action shotguns, the BPS uses a slug or shot (shotshell) as a projectile. The slug is lead used for big game. Shot are multiple pellets and is adaptable to the game being hunted. Shot are used mainly for hunting small game animals and game birds. As the size of the pellet decreases, more shot can be placed into a shotshell.

The length of the shell depends on the gauge of the gun. It should be matched exactly to the correct firearm. The size of the shell needed is always marked on the side of the firearm barrel. Placing the wrong ammunition in the wrong gun can lead to serious damage for both the firearm and the shooter. Shell casings are color coated so there should be absolutely no mistake.

 
BPS Performance
The BPS has a forged steel receiver and top safety slide, which makes it easier for the left-handed shooter to turn the safety off and on. Often safety mechanisms are located below the trigger guard. With a top safety slide a person can easily slide the safety even when wearing gloves. The following photos are of the BPS and the 870 Remington 20Ga.

What makes the BPS so unique is its bottom ejection throws shells down rather than to the side in the line of the shooters sight, which is great for the shooter who is either left-eye or right-eye dominate.

The BPS is a five shot pump action firearm, but a 3-shot magazine adaptor plug is included in the purchase. This is an important feature for the duck hunter, as the law requires only 3 shells in the gun at a time. The BPS also comes with the main chokes needed for the various quarry hunted. For instance a full choke is used for hunting a squirrel, and an extra-full choke for a turkey or a modified choke for a goose. If a hunter so desires, he or she may purchase different barrels rather than chokes, but barrels are costly. This is called the Invector-Plus choke system. It offers just the right shot pattern for any given shooting situation. Its durability stops the gasses that can get between the barrel and choke-tube.

Costs
The costs of Browning Pump Shotguns vary by gauge and model. For the 20 Ga., 8 inch barrel, the price is $579. This gun is comparable to a Mossberg, modal #54282, 20 Ga. which cost $401. It is also comparable to a Remington 870™ Express® Synthetic Compact Combo with Extra Deer Barrel 20 Ga. which is priced at $559. The Browning is higher in price due to the special features. Gun salesman Gary Schwoch of Menomonie, Wisconsin says, “Many other firearm companies have tried to corner the market on a fast and smooth pump-action firearm like Browning. To my knowledge there are no other pump-action shotguns on the market that are so versatile for shooters. Its bottom ejection feature is what really jacks up the price. Plus it’s made from the finest wood stock, reinforced steel and other tough materials.” Schwoch also said that many other imported guns are made with plastic within the firearm and also without high-quality wood.

Browning Dealers in this Area

• Gander Mountain, Eau Claire , WI·
• Clear Lake True, Clear Lake, WI
  
• Stockman Farm Supply, Wilson, WI
• Gregerson Hardwar, Baldwin, WI
• Gary Schwoch, Menomonie WI

Personal Preferences
I own both the BPS 12 Ga. and a 20 Ga., a 870 Remington 20 Ga., and a Mossberg 20 Ga. youth model. Though all work much the same, I prefer the BPS 20 Ga. to the others. The recoil when fired is tolerable, but the fact that it ejects from the bottom and the slide safety is on the top, makes a big difference, because I am left handed and left-eye dominate. It is lighter to handle than the 12 Ga., and I have found to be an accurate shot. However, when I do not slide the pump far enough, the shells sometimes get jammed. That’s why I give it a four-star rating.

Links

www.hunter-ed.com/or/course/ch2_shotgun_gauge...

www.hunter-ed.com/.../3-4_shotgun_actions.htm

http://www.ehow.com/how_2103896_pick-shotgun-ammo.html

http://www.mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=31

http://www.remington.com/

http://www.browning.com/

Works Cited

Browning. Browning.com. 2009. 15 October 2009 .
Company, Remington Arms. Remington. 2009. 15 October 2009 .
Google Images. 2009. 16 October 2009 .
Mossberg & Sons, In. Mossberg. 2009. 15 October 2009 .
Schwoch, Gary. Private Gun Dealer Pearl Holmstadt. 14 October 2009.