Condition: Very Good+

1996 Browning BPS Hunter Magnum 12ga 3 ½” Pump-Action Shotgun 28” Barrel, Fully Engraved Receiver

This Browning BPS is a pump-action shotgun in 12 gauge. This shotgun was produced by Miroku in Japan under Browning supervision. This particular example appears to be the field model, chambered for 3 ½” shells, with full receiver engraving. The shotgun is in Very Good+ condition, with minor wear noted on the receiver, barrel, and furniture. All factory rollmarks are present, indicating its place of manufacture as well as caliber designations and the like.

Condition

Overall Condition: Very Good+ condition, with limited but cosmetic wear noted on the gun. The action appears to be in good working order.

Bore Condition: Excellent – bright, with no pitting. A Modified Invector Plus choke is fitted.

Receiver Condition: Very Good+ – very limited wear, nicks, and dings noted on the receiver and barrel.

Furniture Condition: Excellent – the original stock and forend show very limited nicks, dings, and scuffs consistent with a 30-year-old gun. No cracks are noted.

Specific Condition Notes: Wear noted on the magazine tube. Slight dent noted in the vent rib – the rib is still tight.

What's Included

  • Browning BPS Hunter Magnum 12ga 3 ½” shotgun

The Browning BPS was introduced as a thoroughly modern pump gun, with unusual bottom loading and ejection, pioneered by John Browning in 1915. Featuring dual action bars, the BPS is known for its beefy steel build and very long service life. Running from 1977, Browning retired the BPS from its lineup in 2024, making this gun rather unusual. This particular example is chambered in the 3 ½” Super-Mag 12ga and is fitted with an Invector Plus Modified choke and is primarily intended for heavy-duty waterfowl hunting.

Browning’s long-standing relationship with Miroku is on full display on this gun, with beautiful craftsmanship readily apparent. This shotgun offers a somewhat unusual layout for American shotgunners, with shells loading and ejecting from the bottom of the gun. Dual action bars provide an exceptionally smooth action on this piece.

Browning designed these guns both be beautiful as well as tough and durable. The whole gun is deep blued with a high-polish finish. Full coverage engraving covers both sides of the steel receiver, showing delicate scrollwork as well as nostalgic game scenes. The walnut wood is similarly high gloss. Fine checkering is present on the semi-pistol grip and forend. The vent rib is also finely checkered to eliminate glare. As typical on other Japanese-made guns, the wood to metal fit is superb.

This specific gun is in Very Good+ condition. This appears to be the standard Field grade, based on barrel markings. The steel receiver and other metal parts show limited wear and handling marks, such as nicks, dings, scratches, and occasional tiny pinpricks of oxidation. A minor dent is noted on the vent rib, but the rib itself is still very tight and in good working order. The barrel features expected factory rollmarks indicating its caliber of 3 ½”, manufacture, etc. The fitted choke has three notches, indicating Modified.

The shotgun’s furniture is factory standard, and is rated as Excellent condition, with a high gloss finish. The wood stock and forend show no signs of cracking or splitting, although nicks, dings, and scratches are noted. The stock has a rubber buttpad fitted, which is still soft and pliable.

This BPS Hunter Magnum is a wonderful example of the BPS lineup, showing gorgeous bluing and high gloss furniture. It remains in Very Good+ condition, suitable for a place in the collection of any shotgunner or waterfowl hunter looking for something a little different with the typical sophistication and grace that Browning guns offer.

Specifications

  • Manufacturer: Browning/Miroku

  • Model: BPS

  • Submodel: Hunter Magnum

  • Caliber: 12 gauge, 3 ½” 

  • Action Type: Pump-action

  • Locking mechanism: Tilting locking block

  • Firing mechanism: Internal hammer-fired

  • Safety mechanism: Sliding tang-mounted

  • Magazine type: Underbarrel tube

  • Capacity: 3+1 rounds of 3 ½” 12ga

  • Barrel Length: 28 in

  • Barrel Material: Steel

  • Barrel Features: High gloss finish; factory checkered vent rib

  • Choke: Invector Plus Modified

  • Sights: Front bead

  • Scope Mount: N/A

  • Receiver Material: Steel

  • Finish: High gloss blued with both side engraving

  • Furniture: Factory standard

  • Furniture Features: High gloss finish; rubber buttpad; checkering on stock and forend

  • Size: Full-size sporting shotgun

  • Country of Origin: Japan

  • Year Manufactured: 1996