Browning BPS vs. Reminton 870 Wingmaster

eon blue apocalypse

eon blue apocalypse

Regular
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
Manitoba
I'm looking for a solid hunting shotgun that'll last me YEARS (with proper maintenance of course). Both the BPS Hunter 12ga and the 870 Wingmaster 12ga seem like decent options for me.

Honestly, the 870 is really pushing it, as far as budget goes...so if you're going to suggest something either than the 2 i've listed, don't suggest anything over $700. Also, if you must suggets something else, please keep it to pump-action 12ga...and nothing chinese please.

I'm really interested in real-world feedback, and pros and cons of both.

i've not shot either of them at this point.

please be objective.

also, I did do (a number of) searches and got no results, so i'm hoping this isn't one of those worn out discussions. i'm asking because i'll likely be making a purchase this fall.

Thanks!
 
I have had both and both are great shotguns. It boils down to personal taste. I found the BPS a little heavier.
 
can you give a short review of the BPS?

I think that is the gun i'm looking for the most info on.

everyone *knows* (a little tongue in cheek, all in good fun, lol) that everyone who has ever owned a wingmaster LOVES it.

so i want to know how the BPS compares.
 
Went with the 870 because I liked it (not that I found anything wrong with the BPS), and also because I found the maintenance easier.

Browning does not recommend pulling the bolt out of the BPS, and I've read that it's a royal PITA to put back in if you do pull it out. The 870s takedown is really simple.

On the other hand, I own 2 expresses (a mag and a super mag) and am glad they're easy to take down, because the finish isn't great. make sure you oil the heck out if it when you first get it out of the box. The finish will soak up the oil for a long time and once you've got it covered well, you won't have as many issues with rust.
 
ok, have both a bps stalker and an 870 wingmaster sp and I'd go with a 870 wingmaster every day of the week and twice on sundays, I find the bps doesn't fit me right, felt awkward in my hands and generaly left me wanting more.
 
JamesM said:
ok, have both a bps stalker and an 870 wingmaster sp and I'd go with a 870 wingmaster every day of the week and twice on sundays, I find the bps doesn't fit me right, felt awkward in my hands and generaly left me wanting more.
Click to expand...

can you elaborate at all? what left you wanting more (other than the poor fit)?

Thanks!
 
I've got a BPS, love it, but I'm a lefty. (Top safety, bottom eject). The gun just feels good to me. I've got a mossberg 535 and it may end up sold now. I've held an 870, felt nice, but to me not as nice as the BPS. Get your hands on both and see if you can find a couple to shoot.
 
IMO, the few better features that a BPS has are the tang safety, bottom load/eject + the ability to easily eject/unload live shells from the tube mag without the need to cycle the action.

Complete disassembly of a BPS may be a little bit more cumbersome (initially) depending on the individual :). Build quality - BPS vs 870 WM - is about the same. Browning guns are always heavier comparatively.

Another exellent make that you may wish to consider is the Benelli Nova (or the Super Nova - a bit pricey though).
 
Browning does not recommend pulling the bolt out of the BPS, and I've read that it's a royal PITA to put back in if you do pull it out. The 870s takedown is really simple.
Click to expand...

When taking a BPS apart you only have to take out the one pin that holds the trigger group in. I repeat, only remove the one pin and leave the second in. If you do it this way the little arms (feed ramps) stay in which is the hard part to put back together. Also these little arms never need to be removed as they can be easily cleaned with a qtip when left in the gun as the bolt/other parts are not in the way. The bolt is simple to break down. Basically its 3 pieces that sit together as a unit that clamp around the slide/pump/forearm whatever you want to call it.

Weight
BPS heavier
870 lighter

Slide
BPS starts off a tad smoother but the forearm is out farther is is hard for some to use (you need long arms)
Remington not quite as smooth initially but once worn in they become very similiar, the forearm is closer to the trigger which is good for smaller stature people and even myself. I am 6' so its a personal preference and I find the pump on the BPS to be somewhat of a "reach"

Safety
BPS has the top safety used by the thumb - I prefer this style on all firearms
870 has the push button safety by the trigger.

Unloading
BPS can be unloaded w/o cycling the action
870 ammunition must be pumped through the gun. (Nothing wrong with this, just keep the muzzle pointed down and away obviously)

Slide release - both are same location
BPS feels a little more positive compared to the 870, perhaps because its a heavier spring your pushing against and a bigger piece of metal... The 870 slide release works beautifully as well.

Fit and finish
Both guns are on par with each other but I don't like how the muzzle on the BPS receives no bluing. Not sure if this is the same on the wingmaster

Reliability
The browning bottom eject works flawlessly as far as my experience goes and looks sort of neat but the 870 has a very proven track record as well. I have never had any jams with either but I bet the BPS will break down before the 870 in an endurance shooting test - both though I'm sure would handle more than most users will shoot in their lifetimes.

Loading
BPS must load from the magazine to the chamber
870 you can drop one in through the ejection port and slide the forearm/pump forward which is quicker on the reload.

They are both well made guns, whatever feels best is what is right.

I went with the BPS because it is ambidextrous and I'm LH. (I have no interest owning an 870 express). I also got the 20 gauge because it is much lighter than the 12. The 12 gauge is heavy and I would never want to carry it around. I initially felt that the bps came up to my eyes so well but my trap shooting with it hasn't shown that. I think the LOP is too long.

If I was right handed I would probably go with 870 wingmaster for a second time around but your experiences may vary.
 
awesome responses everyone.

Jerry D, thanks for the comprehensive breakdown on the guns.

Can i ask why you make the prediction that the BPS would break down before the Wingmaster? Just curious...

I guess I'll just have to get myself down to the store one of these days soom to get my hands on both of them.

if anyone has any more info to add, please do!

cheers,
 
eon blue apocalypse said:
everyone *knows* (a little tongue in cheek, all in good fun, lol) that everyone who has ever owned a wingmaster LOVES it.
Click to expand...

Bunk! I had a 870 which was crap water fowling. Slightest bit of dirt or mud or water anywhere near the action and there would be ammo feeding problems galore! And this was a gun that was kept religiously clean, properly lubed.

The various BPS' have performed well in the 29 years I have owned and used them. One of the few guns I have never been tempted to sell.
 
I think you've got to hold them both. I've used my dad's BPS on many occssions and I love the feel of it, fits me better than the 870, although it may be the straight english stock on it that I like so much.
 
John Spartan said:
Bunk! I had a 870 which was crap water fowling. Slightest bit of dirt or mud or water anywhere near the action and there would be ammo feeding problems galore! And this was a gun that was kept religiously clean, properly lubed.

The various BPS' have performed well in the 29 years I have owned and used them. One of the few guns I have never been tempted to sell.
Click to expand...

And this was a wingmaster?

Thanks for your post JS, i've been waiting for someone to both

A) say they didn't like the wingmaster (i have nothing against them, but i figured not EVERYONE loved them...hence my statement in the original post)

and B) say that they LOVED the BPS and wouldn't sell theirs. i figure some people must feel that way.

anyway, i've still gotta get my hands on both of them. they both seem to look dead ###y and the slightly lower price of the BPS is appealing.
 
Slide
BPS starts off a tad smoother but the forearm is out farther is is hard for some to use (you need long arms)
Remington not quite as smooth initially but once worn in they become very similiar, the forearm is closer to the trigger which is good for smaller stature people and even myself. I am 6' so its a personal preference and I find the pump on the BPS to be somewhat of a "reach"

I would have to agree with the statement above. I had a BPS and found that I had to reach for the forearm (I am 5-10"). I have now switched back to a 870 because it feels more natural for me. Best advice is to see which one fits YOU the best. Both are mechanically great guns, you won't loose at buying either.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom