Author Topic: 28 gauge: Remington 870 vs. Browning BPS (Read 3570 times)

barm · « **on:** April 04, 2010, 07:12:43 AM »

I have an itch for a 28 gauge and I am wondering whether the Remington or Browning would be the better choice. I'll use it for doves, quail, rabbit and some occasional skeet and trap shooting.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #1 on:** April 04, 2010, 09:25:24 AM »

My 28 ga. is a Rem. 870 with a 25 inch barrel...honestly for what it is intended for I just love it...Have shot quail, dove, blue grouse and sage grouse with it....My BPS is a 10 ga....I like it very much...the bottom ejection has its pluses...but if I could have bought an 870 in 10 bore, that is what I would have purchased...for much of my shooting, I often want to just drop a shell in the chamber, that is difficult or impossible to do with the BPS...I would think the BPS may have a higher degree of polish, and fit....but the 870 is trim, light, all I would ask for in a pump...

spruce · « **Reply #2 on:** April 04, 2010, 02:12:02 PM »

Not sure which is "better" - either one will probably still be going strong when your great-grandsons are old and gray!

I've owned several 870's and never had a problem with any of them. Never owned a BPS, but I'd expect about the same from them.

skarke · « **Reply #3 on:** April 04, 2010, 03:34:26 PM »

Well, I own a BPS, and FWIW, it is the finest, most impressive pump gun I've ever handled. I also have two 870s. They too are fine guns, but I must say that the Browning is slick as glass, AND it kicks the shells out at your feet. I'm a lefty, so that too is important (down ejection).

The fit and finish of the BPS (I'm talking the blued, nicer gun, vs the similar 870) is really quite nice.

Both are good shotguns, but my all time favorite shotgun, regardless of action type, is the BPS. It to me is a work of art.

barm · « **Reply #4 on:** April 04, 2010, 05:21:16 PM »

For the BPS owners,

How do you clean the inside of the receiver and the bolt?

skarke · « **Reply #5 on:** April 05, 2010, 12:12:27 AM »

Well, the BPS comes apart. But I just use Gunscrubber most of the time. People tend to create more wear on firearms "overcleaning" them than just spaying them out. Admittedly, getting the two ejector/feeder prongs to line up in a little tougher, but you develop a technique over time.

My old drill sergeant taught us to take our rifles into the shower with us and use very hot water to get the gunk out. It worked great, but on blued, fine shotguns, I'd feel more comfortable with a more traditional approach or Gunscrubber.

I've never had a jam with the BPS regardless of how many doves I've missed:-)

Plus, the magazine disconnector is the coolest thing since sliced bread.

dukkillr · « **Reply #6 on:** April 06, 2010, 07:23:48 PM »

The BPS is the best pump made today for any number of reasons. I own both and there is no question that the BPS is the superior product.

Quote from: barm on April 04, 2010, 05:21:16 PM

For the BPS owners,

How do you clean the inside of the receiver and the bolt?

http://skinnymoose.com/dailylimit/2010/02/12/disassembling-and-cleaning-a-browning-bps/

barm · « **Reply #7 on:** April 07, 2010, 03:00:23 AM »

Thank you Dukkillr, that's what I wanted to know.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #8 on:** April 07, 2010, 09:27:34 AM »

barm, while both have their pluses and minuses, I cannot agree that the browning is superior to the 870...I have both and can afford both...the Browning has always had a snob appeal to lots of folks..if you like it fine..the important thing is how does it shoot and handle...for me the BPS has too much weight in the stock..and that makes it butt heavy..some may like that..I don't nor do I care for the shiny glossy stock on the BPS models..the 28 ga. Rem has a nice oil finish...As I said, either has its pluses and minuses...what ever feels best to you should be your selection...I have one BPS right now, in a 10 bore...If I could get the 870 in a 10, I would trade in a heart beat...

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #9 on:** April 07, 2010, 10:48:50 AM »

I have had both and like the 870 wingmaster best .

Forestclimber · « **Reply #10 on:** May 01, 2010, 05:48:35 AM »

They're both good. Look for the best deal.

His lordship. · « **Reply #11 on:** May 02, 2010, 01:31:45 PM »

I have owned a Remington 870 express in .12 gauge and a BPS in .12 gauge. The Remington is easier to load single shot with it's side opening for trap shoots, but the BPS is a much nicer gun. The BPS out shoots it in groups and I score better as the bore is polished and backboard, it kicks less with the beefy stock and good recoil pad, and it is much nicer looking too. The other difference is the BPS has tight tolerances so I need to scrub the chamber after 3-4 boxes of shells as the ammo starts to stick and makes shucking the bolt harder, the Remington can be run dirty and it will take it, that is why the cops used the Remington so much years ago.

I got rid of the Remington in a trade and would buy a Browning any day. But I have considered the Remington semi-autos like the 1100 as they have a good track record and they fit me well.

sachel.45 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 02, 2010, 01:53:23 PM »

your comparing 2 complete diffrent gun when your comparing an express and a bps a wingmaster is a better comparsion and looks are subjective i think the the 870 looks way better than any pump gun (if not all shotguns)

Omaha-BeenGlockin · « **Reply #13 on:** May 03, 2010, 07:18:16 AM »

Aren't the 28ga gun in each line heavier than the 20ga in each respective line??

If so---what's the point?----heavier gun with less power---just get a 20ga.

huntducks · « **Reply #14 on:** May 04, 2010, 06:24:28 AM »

Here is the 28ga pump gun Md-12 Win that IMHO has both beat.

Dee · « **Reply #15 on:** May 04, 2010, 09:03:59 AM »

In the way of pump shotguns I will choose the 870 Wingmaster. There is no "nicer" gun. Just different preferences for different aesthetics, and opinions.

dukkillr · « **Reply #16 on:** May 04, 2010, 10:30:02 AM »

Quote from: Dee on May 04, 2010, 09:03:59 AM

In the way of pump shotguns I will choose the 870 Wingmaster. There is no "nicer" gun. Just different preferences for different aesthetics, and opinions.

I would disagree with that. While I am a champion of the BPS and would consider it superior in most ways to the 870, I probably wouldn't make the claim that it is "nicer". I would, however, make the claim that the Model 12 IS "nicer" than any gun mentioned previously. It's a product of an era when guns were handmade, hand fitted, and craftsmanship was more important. The lines and balance of the Model 12 or superior, as is the speed and quality of the action. One thing to remember is that those guns were not built to do everything at once. They do not have choke tubes, generic barrel lengths, and over sized chambers. A model 12 built to quail hunt will be a better quail gun than a 3" 870 with a 28" barrel. It will balance better, cycle faster, and point quicker. It was built for specifically that purpose. That same M12 will be vastly inferior to that same 870 in a goose pit. It was built for the single purpose, while the 870 (and most any shotgun made today) was built quite generically.

There are obvious disadvantages to the Model 12 including the near impossibility of doing work on it yourself, but at least as I understand the word, it is clearly a "nicer" gun than any pump mass produced today. Hey, a little class never hurt anyone.

*dukkillr is currently the owner of 870s, BPSs, and Model 12s, among others. He does not work any gun manufacturer or retailer or receive any compensation for his opinion. His thoughts and opinions do not necessarily reflect those of GBO or any individual associated with same.

Dee · « **Reply #17 on:** May 04, 2010, 10:55:50 AM »

duk, you have just entered another category into the mix. The "specialized" shotgun. I started raising bird dogs in the early 70s and have killed a lot of quail. I've used 870s, and 1100s, Brownings, and even a Browning Satori. I will take an 870 Wingmaster with a 24" or 26" barrel and kill as many quail as anyone with a Model 12 "built to quail hunt". It may balance better, cycle faster, and point quicker FOR YOU. But that doesn't mean it will for everyone else. What you just said is YOUR OPINION, not the law. If it suits YOU, then by all means never hunt quail with anything other than a Model 12, but the Model 12 is YOUR preference, and it doesn't not mean it is a better shotgun. I have an 870 Wingmaster that is probably as old as you, and is has nice wood, nice bluing, and the fit is excellent, but I don't claim it as the NICER gun. It is what it is to me, just as your are what they are to YOU, but not necessarily to anyone else. I will hunt quail, and then change chokes, not shotguns, and step into the duck blind and do equally as well.
It is like a Corvette. In my opinion a Corvette would make a damn nice tradin on a good 4X4. Some would opt for the Corvette.
An 870 with a 3" chamber and 28" barrel (usually with a modified choke) is not the ONLY 870 out there, and is a poor example of a comparison to a quail gun, but even there, I have seen it done, and done well.

dukkillr · « **Reply #18 on:** May 04, 2010, 11:10:16 AM »

I didn't try to claim anything as law. I use the term "nice" or "nicer" to express quality of craftsmanship, perhaps history, maybe class, uniqueness, etc... I mentioned that my opinion only reflected my use of the word.

For instance, a 68 Corvette (in good condition) is "nicer" than a '02 accord, at least as I use the word. Since i'm qualifying it as such, it can't be wrong, it's just an opinion. A beautiful hand made walnut antique desk is "nicer" than the ugly glass thing in my office, again, as I use the word. To my understanding, there really isn't any debate that a nicely cared for (especially 28 ga) Model 12 is a nicer gun than the average 870. I explained why I felt that way. Feel free to disagree and offer your own opinion, as you have every right to.

Dee · « **Reply #19 on:** May 04, 2010, 11:12:32 AM »

I already have. It is a circular debate that ends at the point of origin.