Lost BRP when abroad

When you lose a BRP abroad, it says to report it to the police, cancel the card, and apply for a replacement (single entry) BRP.

However, reading some threads here, it seems that a replacement BRP can take months.

If I go for a weekend away to Europe, and my BRP is stolen, it's unreasonable that I can spend MONTHS there waiting, for a single entry permit.

Does anyone know of the procedures/timeframes for such situations?
Surely if you could make it to the UK, you could explain the situation on entry, they could test fingerprints, etc, then?

I know of people who have turned up without a BRP - the immigration officer looked them up and let them in. Obviously it's a lot easier if you're not a visa national, but without a return ticket getting the airline to allow you on the flight can be a hurdle.

I cannot speak for the case of a visa, if that's what programme you're under. However, I lost my BRP this past November and was able to return from the USA without issue. I brought a photocopy I had previously made of the card and my ILR letter. The immigration officer sternly warned that I should have reported the card missing immediately, but the experience was otherwise without issue.

It's worth noting that the application for a replacement card while inside the UK can take anywhere from a month to three or six. During this time you will not be able to travel abroad, as re-entering the UK would require you to enter on a tourist visa and could invalidate your existing permission to stay in the UK.