Please check PM

 

I have the earlier non selective trigger version. The later gun with selective trigger is a big plus.

It's a stout gun and handles about like the Ford Edsel. But they don't wear out. They are way overbuilt.

Mine has 26" barrels and that is part of the problem, the longer barreled version (though heavier still) is better balanced.

Jeff

 

THANKS

 

I have one of the 1st year production models i.e non selective trigger models in 12gauge w 28" barrels. It came factory w M & F barrels.I had Bluearms Gunsmith (Horseshoebend, ID)
ream them to IC & M. For the last ten years I've used it for sage grouse, forest grouse (blue, ruffed & francolin), chukars, hungarian partridge, valley quail, doves & pheasant! The gun is built like a tank. No operating problems with the gun ever! In my opinion it is the best built sxs shotgun for the dollar ever made.

 

I have the earlier non selective trigger version. The later gun with selective trigger is a big plus.

It's a stout gun and handles about like the Ford Edsel. But they don't wear out. They are way overbuilt.

Mine has 26" barrels and that is part of the problem, the longer barreled version (though heavier still) is better balanced.

Jeff

Jeff, I had a 20ga Sporter with selective trigger and 26" barrels. I used the gun for doves, quail and pheasants and found it to handle very well. I am a 26" barrel person, so short barrels work well for me.

IMO, the pistol grip guns(12 & 20 ga.) did not handle as well.

There is a big difference in the handling between the straight grip Sporters and the pistol grip model.

 

I fit a straight stock to mine about 15 years ago. I also fit the factory "splinter" forend which is as big as some beavertails.

I currently have a BSS beavertail that I am cutting down to make as small a splinter forend as I can and still fit the factory forend irons. I'll post pictures at some point.

Jeff

 

Someday I hope to own a BSS sidelock in 20ga. I've only seen pic's of it, but what a beauty...

 

I WANT TO USE IT TO HUNT DUCKS , WILL IT HANDLE STEEL SHOT :?:

 

No. The BSS is not steel shot compatable.

Jeff

 

Pasbon, have you been using steel in the old 311?

Clyde

 

Pasbon, have you been using steel in the old 311?

Clyde

YES I HAVE BEEN USING STEEL SINCE IT BECAME A LAW AND I MAINLY HUNT DUCKS ,I HAVE SHOT 4 TO 5 CASES OF SHELLS IN A GOOD YEAR. THE ONLY TIME I USE LEAD IS WHEN I SHOOT SKEET . AN OLD GUNSMITH TOLD ME THE BARRELS LOOKED FINE AND TOLD ME STEEL WOULD'NT HURT THEM , DO YOU THINK HE WAS WRONG ? I MIKE THE BARRELS EVERY NOW AND THEN JUST TO BE SURE .

 

No. The BSS is not steel shot compatable.

Jeff

WELL I GUESS THIS CHANGES EVERTHING

DOES ANYONE KNOW OF A GOOD SIDE BY SIDE THAT DOES SHOT STEEL :?: SOMETHING VERY RELIABLE UNDER 2 GRAND THAT CAN TAKE A LITTLE MUD AND RAIN EVERY NOW AND THEN :?: :?

 

After I bought my (used, like new) BSS many years ago, I phoned Browning for some information. Mine has the barrel selector behind the trigger and they said it was approved for steel shot. I got the impression that the steel shot barrels came in at the same time as the barrel selector, but can't guarantee that.

Mine is 28" bbls, originally M & F.
I sent it to Briley; they installed coke tubes that are approved for steel, lengthened the forcing cones, backbored, and fitted a KickEze recoil pad. A very nice gun now. Weighs 7.6 lbs which is a bit more than I like but still very acceptable.

 

Gearhgead,

Who told you that the late model BSS can take steel?

The Browning website is pretty messed up on some things but they are pretty clear on the list of models that are steel shot safe and the BSS is not on that list.

Jeff

 

Jeff-
According to my notes:
I phoned the "Browning Service Department" on 10-28-96. Gave them the serial number on my gun
01199PX---
They told me the gun was made in 1982-83, steel shot is ok to use if smaller than size BB. They said the full choke barrel may produce poor patterns with steel shot, but that the choke (original fixed choke) would not be harmed. Slugs would not damage either barrel but might be inaccurate, especially through the full choke because of being deformed by the choke. They did not recommend installing choke tubes because of the thinness of the barrels; but if I did, they recommended Briley because they were the thinnest tubes available.

That's what they SAID, but I have no way of verifying whether it is TRUE.

Is it possible the Browning website does not list the BSS as approved for steel, because only some of them (the later ones), were approved?

Personally, I would only shoot steel through a barrel that could be easily replaced, and the BSS definitely does NOT fall into that group!

 

Any one who told you that it's ok to shoot steel through a full choke on any Browning especially a BSS has no credibility at all, nada, zero, none. He's an idiot.

Throw out everything else he told you and start over.

Jeff

 

Any one who told you that it's ok to shoot steel through a full choke on any Browning ... has no credibility at all, nada, zero, none. He's an idiot.
...
Jeff

Somewhere out there, people have used steel shot with Brownings, maybe even a BSS like mine. It would be nice if they posted their results, good or bad.

 

There are plenty of browning barrels with bulges from steel shot. Browning even did tests to see if the problem was more than cosmetic.

But keep in mind that on a SxS any bulge around the circumference of the barrel will separate the barrels from each other and from the rib. So the "cosmetic only" arguement does not apply here at all. There is no tolerance for bulging. I have a BSS that I have owned since it was new ('79 if I remember correctly)

Despite the temptation I have never shot steel through it and won't risk it. It's one thing to mess up an orphan A5 barrel...there were almost 3 million made....but to risk ruining your BSS makes no sense. If you bulge it, repairing and relaying the barrels will cost more than the gun is worth and there are no loose barrels lying around.

Jeff

 

Nice picture, what gun is it?

As I posted above, I will only use steel shot in a barrel that can be easily replaced, and the BSS does not fit into that category.

 

A5

 

01lariat,

The Miroku BSL Browning is an excellent gun. The prices, however, have been going through the roof.

Do a word search for James Flynn Gunsmith. James is a master craftsman (did the restoration on the 1933 Superposed on another thread, this Forum) and has a nice piece on the BSL.

DF

 

Back in the late 70's I purchased a new straight grip 26 inch Browning BSS in 20 gauge.Used it for one year in the uplands.The shotgun worked fine but was heaiver than my 28 gauge shotguns and I could see no advantage in the 20 gauge over the 28 gauge for my type of hunting.Traded the shotgun and went back to my 28 gauge shotguns.

 

On my wedding day in '79 my new bride gave me a 12 ga BSS with 26" barrels. It was my pride and joy, I was young and strong and it felt light in my hands. I carried it everywhere. Five short years and 2 sons later she passed away and the gun took on a little extra meaning.

But meaning aside, compared to my Parker's it's heavy and handles like a pressure treated fence post. All that being said I'll always have a place for it in my gunrack and in my heart.

Jeff

ps: the 28" guns are better handlers, the 20 ga guns are not the slugs that my 12 ga is.

 

compared to my Parker's it's heavy and handles like a pressure treated fence post.

ps: the 28" guns are better handlers, the 20 ga guns are not the slugs that my 12 ga is.

Jeff, I bought a 20ga. BSS straight grip Sporter new with 26" barrels and it was a joy to handle compared to my brother-in-law's 20ga. BSS pistol grip model with 28" barrels. 28" barrels a somewhat overrated IMO.
The stock configuration has much more to do with gun handling than the barrel length. Again, IMO.

 

In 1974 I bought a new 20 gauge Browning BSS with the straight English stock and 28" barrels. I paid $122 for that gun, and even then that was a good deal. It felt and looked good, I was in love.
I shot a little over a box of shells with it and got about a half dozen quail. The problem was the gun didn't fit apparently and the recoil just kicked my butt. It was not a fun gun for me to shoot. It stayed in my safe for the next 30 years until several years ago when I sold it ("like new condition") for 8 times what I paid for it. A good deal for sure.
Geez, if I'd hung on to it for another few years it probably would have brought twice what I got for it 5 years ago.
The story of my life...