True that Browning has discontinued BPS production? Not much discussion on the internet about this decision.
While it had a great run for almost 50 years, I won't miss it or any other pump. Not many new folks want to deal with a pump when the semi are so good now and so light. I just had a similar discussion with someone over 3.5" chamber guns. There is really no need any more with the advancement of shotgun shells and TSS. Folks are shooting geese with 410 and tss now.
Never owned a BPS but I do have 3 870 Wingmasters. One 20ga I bought for my stepson but he stopped hunting. 2 -12 gauges. One of those was my patrol vehicle long gun. I do like my autos. I have 2 A-5's and a B80. The B80 is my go to waterfowl gun. The only time I ever had a problem in the field with it was when the lock ring came off the gas piston, made it a single shot. My 870 saved that hunt. I always take it along on waterfowl hunts if I have guests in case their gun would malfunction. I have never bought a 3 1/2" gun. 3"shells work fine for waterfowl over decoys. If you can see their feet, they're in range.
A BPS 12ga Upland Special was the first gun I ever purchased. I was late to hunting, I was 30 at the time. It had the 24" bbl for Upland, I added a 30" for waterfowl and a cantilever scope mount barrel for deer. Then someone gave me a smoothbore slug barrel with rifle sights to which I had threaded for a turkey choke tube. Still have it all though haven't used any of it in years, I have other lighter guns. But served it purpose well and will probably leave to some youngster.
The BPS filled a hole when Ithica stopped making the model 37 pump. I own both and honestly like both. The BPS with rifles barrel is a better deer gun but other than being a little heavier it comes down to mood which ones I take.
I think everyone’s first shotgun should be a pump. Like learning to drive with a manual transmission, it’s a great skill set. I’ve been shooting a Model 12 recently. It’s a lot of fun.
My first was a bolt action 410. What a squirrel getter. That stevens sure put lots on the table. These young kids can't walk and chew gum at the same time, doubt they would want a pump. I think the old school ways are only distant memory. I'm not that old, but I am the old man to my kids. How times have changed.
Every generation says that about the next. But kids are no different today than they ever were. It’s all how they’re raised. If your kids want to shoot, and you start them off with a pump, they’ll be happy to get it. Of course, maybe a little less so if you bring your Auto-5.
As a Browning guy, I will likely pick one up to have as my Turkey gun. Using the Auto-5 right now but why not add another Browning to the stable?
