Browning B-2000 Magnum 12 Gauge Semi-Automatic Shotgun, 30” Vent-Rib IM Choke, 1973 Portuguese Assembly
This early-production Browning B-2000 Magnum offers a 3-inch chamber, 30-inch fixed Improved-Modified barrel, and Browning’s first gas-operated action. Serial data points to 1973 assembly in Portugal from FN-Belgian components, placing it among the very first B-2000s—predating Browning’s officially listed 1974 launch. Scroll engraving on the polished-blue alloy receiver, walnut furniture with cut checkering, and the left-side quick load-change feature make this short-lived model notable for both shooters and Browning collectors.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair – shows extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good – clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Specific Condition Notes: The walnut buttstock is cracked directly behind the receiver, and an additional crack is present on the underside of the fore-end. Mechanical function remains normal, but the wood will benefit from repair.
What’s Included
- Browning B-2000 Magnum 12 Ga shotgun with 30” fixed IM barrel
This Magnum variant chambers 3-inch shells and feeds from a three-round tubular magazine, making it purpose-built for waterfowl and heavy field loads. The 30-inch steel barrel wears a ventilated rib topped with a single brass bead, providing a long sighting plane and consistent swing.
The gas-operated action softens recoil compared to Browning’s earlier long-recoil designs. A unique left-side shell latch allows instant shell selection without cycling the bolt, a feature not carried over to later Browning autoloaders.
Receiver and trigger guard carry factory scroll engraving that adds subtle visual appeal without sacrificing the shotgun’s working-gun roots. The polished-blue finish contrasts with gloss-varnished walnut sporting diamond-point checkering, a beavertail fore-end, and a ventilated recoil pad for steady shouldering.
With roughly 115,000 B-2000s produced over about seven years, the Magnum 12 Gauge version remains comparatively scarce. This example’s early serial number, Portuguese assembly, and extended barrel length mark it as a noteworthy piece in Browning’s transition from the Auto-5 to later gas guns.