B 2000 anyone?

[DC]

 I just picked up a B 2000 30" modified.  I paid $280 for this shot gun and think I did ok.  The wood is beautiful and the bluing is great exept for one area on the receiver that looks like some sort of solvent damp rag took off some of it.  It is kind of unusal in the sense that it loads though a port on the left side of the receiver.  It has a really nice wide double bead clays ramp as well.

Do any of you have some thoughts on this shot gun?  Did I do ok price wise?  How is it to shoot..recoil etc.  They were assembled in Portugal from Belgum made parts until about 81'.  Around 170,000 were imported in a decade or so.

[DC]

Ok I will answer my own question. 
How sweet.  This shot gun is wonderful.  It comes to shoulder well, recoil is ver tolerable and it functions perfectly.  The finish is great and the bluing is for the most part in tact but for  a 2x2 area on the right side of the receiver. 
I think part of it has to do with the parts being made in Belgium.  It was assembled in Portugal around 1980 if I  am not mistaken.  It was my impression that Browning put together a lot of shot guns for export there as sort of a last gasp for the model and for the parts that they had available. 

I am VERY pleased.

[Cement Man]

I had two of them, used one as my main duck gun for several years. Excellent shotgun.  The loading port in the side of the receiver was very nice for quick reloading. FWIW, I think the loading port turned a lot of people off just based on appearance, a shame because it was very handy and functioned well.  I acquired a few barrels for mine and and had one cut to 22" and screw chokes installed. Man, what an upland gun (grouse) with that barrel on it. My local gun store still has a couple of my old barrels for sale.  My understanding is that the B2000 became too expensive to manufacture for the amount of sales and IIRC, the A500 replaced it. (Not sure which other gas auto, think it was that).  I certainly think you got a great deal - that's a lot more gun than many used autos you might find in that price range.  Never had any problems with mine.  Sorry now that I traded mine off - but you know how it is when you get a whim for something else....

[bearmgc]

I always thought the B2000 was kinda cool, but alas they're not very popular in Wyoming. Remington 1100/11-87's rule here and that's ok. If I had the ready supply of old shotguns you do, I'd pick up up a B2000 in a heartbeat. Good snag on your part. Right now lookin at a SKB 1300 that I might trade for if I can find more info.

[Cement Man]

DC,
I forgot to mention something else about the B2000 that I found out the hard way.  DO NOT let the bolt slam forward without the barrel mounted in the receiver.  The cocking handle on the bolt will ding up the forward end of your ejection port if you do.  If you want to release the bolt when cleaning, etc. without the barrel installed, ease it forward while controlling the forward motion.  I found this out on my first B2000.  My 2nd one didn't suffer any dings.  Hope this helps.  Good luck.