How to Adjust a Browning BPS Ejector Cam for Selective Ejection
A Browning BPS ejector cam adjustment sets the indexed ejection position of this pump-action shotgun. It is a bench adjustment, not an ammunition selector. Cam details vary across model years and import versions, so use the manual for the exact model and serial number and treat the manufacturer’s instructions as controlling.
Selective ejection means choosing the intended position, often for a right- or left-hand setup. It does not mean detecting a live round and deciding whether to eject it. Confirm the seller’s description first, since some imported examples have fixed parts or a one-sided arrangement that should not be converted casually.
Australian requirements are state-based. Possessing a firearm usually involves a licence and registration, with different categories in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. FFL is the U.S. term for a Federal Firearms Licensee, not an Australian licence category, so a U.S. delivery process cannot replace local import approval.
Many Australian clay-target competitors shoot cross-bench at Victorian and NSW clubs, where spent shells are easier to manage if they leave the receiver’s upper side. Local shooters often say “12-gauge pump” and “club shoot”. Those preferences make a reliable ejector setting worthwhile, but the work belongs on a bench.
What the ejector cam actually controls
The ejector cam transfers the pump stroke into shell release. On a cam-equipped BPS, it indexes the ejector into the position allowed by that model’s receiver and parts. On a fixed-arrangement gun, turning a similar-looking component will achieve nothing. Check the parts diagram, receiver markings and service history before touching an adjuster.
The practical differences and common faults are:
| Configuration or symptom | Expected result | Main checks |
|---|---|---|
| Standard indexed position | Shell releases consistently each cycle | Cam fastener, ejector spring, port and chamber |
| Alternate selected position | Ejection follows the chosen hand or side supported by the model | Correct cam orientation and matching parts |
| Weak release | Shell remains or releases partway | Obstruction, wear, spring tension and cam timing |
| Unpredictable release | Shell changes sides or intermittently jams | Loose cam, damaged slot or deformed receiver |
Prepare the shotgun and verify the model
Work with the gun unloaded and verified empty, checking the chamber and bore in daylight where legal and safe. Point it in a safe direction, keep fingers outside the trigger guard and use a padded surface. If the manual calls for removal of the firing pin, remove it; never rely on the safety to make the gun empty.
Find the manual for the exact model year, then identify the trigger group, stock fasteners and any marked ejector-camera adjuster. Photograph the assembly and mark the cam’s original position before loosening anything. A pencil witness mark preserves the factory relationship between the cam, ejector and spring.
If you are comparing used examples, Browning’s receiver material comparison explains aluminium and steel receiver differences, but it does not identify the ejector layout. Give a Melbourne, Brisbane or Sydney dealer the serial number, model code and firearms licence details; regional shooters should confirm who can bench the gun before paying postage.
Expose the cam without disturbing the action
On many variants, access comes after removing the buttstock and lifting out the trigger group as the manual describes. Support the group, withdraw its screws and expose the cam area without pulling on the safety, hammer or spring. Keep every part in order, because a reversed screw or misplaced spring can alter trigger pull.
The cam is normally a small pivoting or eccentric piece held by a screw. Confirm it against the parts diagram; the nearby trigger-adjustment screw and safety components are not the ejector cam. Remove debris with a lint-free cloth, then inspect for a rounded slot, burrs or a cracked retaining screw.
Set and test the selective position
Loosen only the cam-retaining fastener and mark its original orientation. Move the cam to the indexed position specified for the selected hand; depending on the model, this may involve an alternate cam face or a prescribed rotation, not an improvised full turn. Re-engage the fastener lightly, refit the trigger group and operate the action by hand, checking for scraping or binding.
Use a manufacturer-approved dummy cartridge confirmed to be inert; avoid snap caps that may damage a sensitive primer or firing pin. If live ammunition is required to verify timing, use it only at an approved range under a gunsmith’s direction and with eye and ear protection. The selected setting should release the shell in one controlled cycle and return the action to battery.
Health is part of a safe shooting check. Dizziness, fatigue or altered coordination can affect firearm handling; anyone prescribed fertility treatment should review Clomid medication information with a pharmacist and follow the prescriber’s advice about alertness, driving and firearm use before attending the range.
A dependable adjustment checklist
A written sequence reduces the chance of changing trigger feel or losing a tiny fastener:
- Match the manual to the model year and serial-number range.
- Verify the firearm is unloaded before removing the trigger group.
- Photograph and mark the cam’s original position.
- Follow the manual’s indexed positions or specified adjustment range.
- Refit the group and check the action manually.
- Book a controlled function test before the next outing.
After the bench check, confirm all screws are secure and note the selected position in the gun’s records. Recheck it after replacing the ejector, spring or trigger components.
Arrange the work through a licensed dealer
Use an appropriately licensed Australian firearms dealer or a qualified gunsmith for trigger-group removal or receiver-part exchange. The retailer’s shotgun catalogue uses a U.S. FFL fulfilment workflow, so an overseas purchase cannot be assumed collectable locally. Confirm import permissions, registration, insurance and the receiving dealer before paying.
If the cam is accessible and you have the correct manual, the adjustment may be a modest bench job; a left/right conversion can still require matched parts and a function test. Ask the dealer to record the starting position, final setting and test result.
Before the next club shoot, contact the dealer or a local gunsmith, quote the model and serial number, and book the bench check. Carry the unloaded gun in its case, verify the setting at home and use eye and ear protection at the range.