Browning BPS vs. Reminton 870 Wingmaster

Can i ask why you make the prediction that the BPS would break down before the Wingmaster?
Click to expand...

I believe the feed ramp is stronger on the 870 as it is a single stamped piece of metal.

The feed ramp as I call them is the piece that takes ammo from the magazine and creates a ramp so shells can be pushed up into the chamber

The browning has 2 arms that run parallel to the receiver. 1 on both side of the chamber that cradle the ammo lengthwise. When the gun is empty, cycle the action slowly while its upside down so you can see in. During the forward stroke you will see the 2 arms *raise up* or in our case *lower down* because the gun is upside down. You will see that they get spread apart as the bolt travels through them and then when reaching a full stroke they sort of snap back into place. Then try it again with a shell, the effect is more noticeable. I'm sure a piece of high tensile strength?? metal was used for the feedramps to endure this type of spreading and release. I feel it is a weak point. I just don't like that it does that but mine hasn't worn out nor have I heard other complaints about it being a problem.

Keep in mind it is just a prediction and I have no evidence to back it up. As I said though, I doubt very few of either will see enough shells to wear them out.
 
Jerry D said:
I believe the feed ramp is stronger on the 870 as it is a single stamped piece of metal.

The feed ramp as I call them is the piece that takes ammo from the magazine and creates a ramp so shells can be pushed up into the chamber

The browning has 2 arms that run parallel to the receiver. 1 on both side of the chamber that cradle the ammo lengthwise. When the gun is empty, cycle the action slowly while its upside down so you can see in. During the forward stroke you will see the 2 arms *raise up* or in our case *lower down* because the gun is upside down. You will see that they get spread apart as the bolt travels through them and then when reaching a full stroke they sort of snap back into place. Then try it again with a shell, the effect is more noticeable. I'm sure a piece of high tensile strength?? metal was used for the feedramps to endure this type of spreading and release. I feel it is a weak point. I just don't like that it does that but mine hasn't worn out nor have I heard other complaints about it being a problem.

Keep in mind it is just a prediction and I have no evidence to back it up. As I said though, I doubt very few of either will see enough shells to wear them out.
Click to expand...


Thank you very much Jerry D, i really appreciate that you've put so much thought into the mechanical aspects of these firearms, and this is exactly some of the info i was hoping to gain from this thread.

guido said:
I have both in 20 guage. I grab the 870 when i go hunting. They are both nice to shoot. The BPS is heavier. The 870 cycles better. I have never had the 870 jamb. Can't say that with the BPS.
Click to expand...

thanks for the feedback guido.

as someone who has never lugged a shotgun (or any gun...this'll be my first year hunting) around hunting, does the extra 11 ounces for the BPS really make or break the deal? looking for real world experiences.
 
Jerry Loading BPS must load from the magazine to the chamber[/QUOTE said:
The BPS absolutely does not have to be loaded from magazine to chamber. It can easily be loaded directly into the chamber, one way is if it is one of the older ones with the magazine cutoff switch that stops shells from being released to the feed mechanism or by moving the forearm slightly forward of all the way back which moves the feed rails / shell lifters out of the way.

Check this out,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvM4GmBAfYY&feature=youtube_gdata

Tim
Click to expand...
 
You can read these post all day and you will get nowhere fast. for every 100 that love the BPs another 100 will hate it, and vica versa.

They are both great guns, very very clean track records. Although they have a couple small differences, they are all strictly preferential and the end result is the same...BANG.

HOWEVER! they both feel completely different. The BPS is physically bigger that the 870 in most dimensions. This is definitely not a good or bad thing, but if you are a remington rifle guy, you may find the palm swell on the BPS quite large in comparison to the remington. The fore grip is also slightly larger.

The size and dimension differences are unarguable facts, the only way you are going to be able to make up your mind is to have your local shop place both of them on the counter in front of you and let you shoulder each gun.

One will "feel" right. That's the one you buy, regardless of the brand.
 
eon blue apocalypse said:
Thank you very much Jerry D, i really appreciate that you've put so much thought into the mechanical aspects of these firearms, and this is exactly some of the info i was hoping to gain from this thread.



thanks for the feedback guido.

as someone who has never lugged a shotgun (or any gun...this'll be my first year hunting) around hunting, does the extra 11 ounces for the BPS really make or break the deal? looking for real world experiences.
Click to expand...

A real good way to see if weight makes a difference is to carry the BPS for an hour then switch to the 870. I know that's tough to do unless you have buddies that own them. But trust me, when you make the trade, you will say holy f**k.
But if your hunting mostly out of a pit or blind, weight won't matter. But, if your walking after upland birds, that's when it matters.
 
janesy said:
You can read these post all day and you will get nowhere fast. for every 100 that love the BPs another 100 will hate it, and vica versa.
Click to expand...

Janesy, I know it comes down to fit, however I still very much value the feedback that can be had through conversations (be they online or in person).

This is why, for the most part, I've asked follow up questions, or asked a poster to elaborate.
 
BPS or 870

I've got both, the BPS in NWTF, 24" barrel, and the 870 is a 2-barrel combo with a rifled barrel and a turkey barrel. I'd say it's half a dozen of one or 6 of the other. The BPS is a little more expensive, but came with a heavy-duty lock, 4 chokes, and a Hi-Viz sight, where the Remmy came with no lock and 1 choke tube. The BPS is definitely more solid-feeling and you can feel that it more quality-made than the Remmy. It fits me correctly, so that was no issue for me. Also, the shells exit out the bottom, a plus if you're in a blind with other shooters, or if you keep your empties. The Remmy is a heck of a lot easier to get accessories for. I would say that it's not as well-made as the Browning, but if you ever need parts for it, they'll be a lot easier to find. My BPS is drilled and tapped for a scope. I've been looking for a mount for it for 3 years and haven't seen one yet. You'd never have that problem with a Remmy. So my advice, go to a gun shop, handle them both, and make up your mind. Better yet, if you can test-fire them, you'll really know. If you're in the Ottawa area, PM me and we could set something up.
 
I have five 870's, looking for a sixth. My brother has a BPS, I won't use it. PAIN IN THE ASS to take apart. Jammed (not excessively, just my 870's don't)

I have had two jams total in three years with them. Both were Failure To Eject. I strongly recommend the 870. I don't recommend against the BPS, I just have had bad experiences and don't like a gun not easily stripped.
 
Papaclaude said:
I've got both, the BPS in NWTF, 24" barrel, and the 870 is a 2-barrel combo with a rifled barrel and a turkey barrel. I'd say it's half a dozen of one or 6 of the other. The BPS is a little more expensive, but came with a heavy-duty lock, 4 chokes, and a Hi-Viz sight, where the Remmy came with no lock and 1 choke tube. The BPS is definitely more solid-feeling and you can feel that it more quality-made than the Remmy. It fits me correctly, so that was no issue for me. Also, the shells exit out the bottom, a plus if you're in a blind with other shooters, or if you keep your empties. The Remmy is a heck of a lot easier to get accessories for. I would say that it's not as well-made as the Browning, but if you ever need parts for it, they'll be a lot easier to find. My BPS is drilled and tapped for a scope. I've been looking for a mount for it for 3 years and haven't seen one yet. You'd never have that problem with a Remmy. So my advice, go to a gun shop, handle them both, and make up your mind. Better yet, if you can test-fire them, you'll really know. If you're in the Ottawa area, PM me and we could set something up.
Click to expand...

It sounds like your Remmy is an express not a wingmaster. There is a difference.
 
Last edited:
For me what left me wanting was the overal look and feel of the bps, it has a wierd balance point. that could just be barrel length. aside from that, if the fit me better, I'd deffinetly carry it more often.
 
Interesting thread.

The BPS came out not long after Ithaca fell into hard times. The Model 37 was one of the best selling shotguns of all times, millions over the years. Two of several attributes that led to this was that it worked for south paws, and the bottom load/eject protected the action from rain and dirt, particularly handy for hunting water fowl. Other features included light weight, reliable, and it didn't fling hulls into the space (or face) of the next guy in the blind.

Point being, the strengths of the BPS I'd think would mirror some of the advantages of the Ithaca's design. That one can unload the BPS without cycling the pump is an improvement over the Ithaca.

FWIW, while new Ithaca 37s are a tad pricey, older ones can be restored to make for a pretty good looking shotgun, as I recently managed with one I inherited...

Ithaca001.jpg
 
I've used older wingmasters and I owned an express, but I have a bps and there is nothing you could do to convince me to go back.

The remingtons shoot really well, I meen really well. My express felt like an auto when I was duck hunting but once I used a bps it just seamed right.

Personal preferance is the big thing. Your choice of pump guns is on the money.

Good luck!
 
I own both 870 wingmaster and BPS both are great guns. The BPS has better features bottom eject and top tang safety. But the 870 is easier to accessorize example: slug barrels, stocks, etc. Also the BPS is not difficult to strip for maintainance.
 
I had a BPS and when i'd fire the sucker... all the shells would pore out of the mag tube(once in a while).
Every model remington i had worked flawlessly. I found the BPS's lack of a side ejection port troublesome to quietly load when going from bird to buck when confronted by larger game. The trouble being the magazine's catch.
 
Both are a good choice. My wife shoots a 870 and I have a couple BPS. I bought the first BPS because it had gorgeous wood, the second was a great price, but after I shot it I knew it would not be up for resale.......
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom