I have always wanted a good side by side shotgun in 12 gauge. I have found one ( new) for around 329.00 at a gun shop. I think this would be a great bug out gun plus a good house gun to have. I have some 12vs already but like I said I want a side x side. What I want to know is can anyone of you guys or gals tell me if Stoeger guns are any good and can I shoot 00Buck shot in them? I dont have alot of money so I cant afford the 600.00 dollar side x sides and when I saw this for the money, it has me wanting it really bad. Any of your thoughts would really be appreciated because Im getting it Monday.
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side x side shotgun?
- Thread starter Wildone39
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At that price (which is $40 below MSRP) I'm assuming it's a coach gun or single trigger coach gun.
IIRC, they have fixed IC and Mod chokes, can shoot up to 3" shells. Very versatile. The IC is the best choke for Buck of any size 4B to OOOB. The Mod is best for middle of the range loads, but can shoot buckshot, though your pattern may open up a bit. The IC should be safe for foster slugs as well, not sure on the IC.
IIRC, they have fixed IC and Mod chokes, can shoot up to 3" shells. Very versatile. The IC is the best choke for Buck of any size 4B to OOOB. The Mod is best for middle of the range loads, but can shoot buckshot, though your pattern may open up a bit. The IC should be safe for foster slugs as well, not sure on the IC.
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Stoegers are fantastic guns for the money. Yes, you can shoot 00 buck out of them. I have a few 00 Buck shells as well. The shot is about like several small 9mm pellets flying about at once. Buy a base, base, base model with I and M barrels and you should be well under $200.
That's the story for a coach gun. For a sporting gun, which could make shit a lot easier in a survival situation, it really doesn't matter as long as it goes bang. Its a frigging shotgun. If you want 3in range, buy a 3 in gun and put live things in front of it that you would prefer to be dead.
As far as both qualities are concerned. whatever you give up in target acquisition you will make up in accuracy. And the other way around. Make your bed and beat the hell out of a rabbit/zombie in it.
I haven't heard any bad things about them but if you want to do research, try www.thefiringline.com.
DancesWithKnives
DancesWithKnives
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i see the STEVENS d.b.'s in pawn shops for $ 200-250. good, basic guns.
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None of their current line-up has rabbit ears. Don't know if they ever made one with them or not.
All their current line have 3" chambers.
Their "Coach Gun Supremes" have screw in choke tube, but MSRP $100 more than their regular coach guns.
But for overall versatility, I think the IC and Mod chokes are best and would just save the premium and go with a fixed choke base model.
ETA: I also personally prefer to have two triggers, which rules out many other economical side-bys.
Hi,
As a SxS shooter and collector, I will tell that they are an expensive taste to acquire.
I have owned a Stoeger 12ga. Uplander. It was meant for a knock-around/loaner gun. I had trouble with the safety coming on under recoil. This has been a knock against Stoegers SxSs. From the reading I've done, it's a somewhat common complaint. It can be fixed, though it may cost almost as much as the gun. I replaced it with a Stoeger Condor O/U that has been faultless in it's role as a loner/beater.
A couple of observations on the Stoeger SxSs. They are Brazilian made by by Gaucha-IGA. It is best to consider these guns as disposable if they break. Spare parts can be difficult to obtain if not impossible to get. They are not high volume shooting guns. Don't expect them to last for 10,000 rounds. The guns themselves are "boxy" and chunky in the hands. They do not point naturally or swing well. And like most of the cheaper SxSs, they are needlessly heavy. Particularly in the smaller gauges. Due to the manufacturers building 20ga and smaller gauges on the same 12ga frame size.
Stay away from single selective/non-selective triggers in cheaper SxSs. They are pretty complicated mechanisms and require expert fitting. Even then, they are more prone to breakage than double triggers. Even on 6 figure bespoke guns. Ejectors too are a bit problematic on SxSs. So I tend to stay with extractors on them.
I have owned a couple of hammer guns. I still have a replica 12ga muzzle-loader SxS. And I owned an older Husqvarna for a while. Neither have safeties. Don't know about the current new offerings though.
If you buy a Stoeger, just remember that you may get a good gun, or you may not. I've owned two, one is a good shotgun, one failed and had to be disposed of. I think as an inexpensive, beater and low volume shooter, they offer a better value than some of the older inexpensive shotguns. Mostly because they can digest steel shot. And for field use on public land, you may as well resign yourself to shooting steel. Those older guns like the Stevens 311s aren't recommended for use with steel shot.
dalee
As a SxS shooter and collector, I will tell that they are an expensive taste to acquire.
I have owned a Stoeger 12ga. Uplander. It was meant for a knock-around/loaner gun. I had trouble with the safety coming on under recoil. This has been a knock against Stoegers SxSs. From the reading I've done, it's a somewhat common complaint. It can be fixed, though it may cost almost as much as the gun. I replaced it with a Stoeger Condor O/U that has been faultless in it's role as a loner/beater.
A couple of observations on the Stoeger SxSs. They are Brazilian made by by Gaucha-IGA. It is best to consider these guns as disposable if they break. Spare parts can be difficult to obtain if not impossible to get. They are not high volume shooting guns. Don't expect them to last for 10,000 rounds. The guns themselves are "boxy" and chunky in the hands. They do not point naturally or swing well. And like most of the cheaper SxSs, they are needlessly heavy. Particularly in the smaller gauges. Due to the manufacturers building 20ga and smaller gauges on the same 12ga frame size.
Stay away from single selective/non-selective triggers in cheaper SxSs. They are pretty complicated mechanisms and require expert fitting. Even then, they are more prone to breakage than double triggers. Even on 6 figure bespoke guns. Ejectors too are a bit problematic on SxSs. So I tend to stay with extractors on them.
I have owned a couple of hammer guns. I still have a replica 12ga muzzle-loader SxS. And I owned an older Husqvarna for a while. Neither have safeties. Don't know about the current new offerings though.
If you buy a Stoeger, just remember that you may get a good gun, or you may not. I've owned two, one is a good shotgun, one failed and had to be disposed of. I think as an inexpensive, beater and low volume shooter, they offer a better value than some of the older inexpensive shotguns. Mostly because they can digest steel shot. And for field use on public land, you may as well resign yourself to shooting steel. Those older guns like the Stevens 311s aren't recommended for use with steel shot.
dalee
I love my Stoeger. I have a coach gun and a regular long barrel bird gun.
The coachgun has tens of thousands of shells ran through her. I use it for CAS and I bought it used in 1997 and I've beat the hell out of it...and its still going!!!!
There used to be good deals on SxS out there, now it seems like the price has went up on most and quality down....except for Stoeger.
They keep making a helluva product, not the prettiest but it damn sure works.
I was in our Scheels store the other day and they had Berettas, CZ , Huglu, and another expensive SxS and Stoeger.
All the ones beside the Stoeger were so hard to open that I can't believe anybody would want them. Yes, I understand that they would smooth out over time, but it was still a bear to open them.
The only thing I've done to my coachgun was kinda smooth it up a little and I disengaged the auto safety, it still works it just a manual safety now....this was VERY easy to do.
As you can tell....I love Stoeger!
Take a look at the CAS crowd and that should explain alot!!!
I do have other shotguns including a old hammer double made in approx. 1850, it doesn't get shot anymore.
The Stoeger keeps me happy.
The coachgun has tens of thousands of shells ran through her. I use it for CAS and I bought it used in 1997 and I've beat the hell out of it...and its still going!!!!
There used to be good deals on SxS out there, now it seems like the price has went up on most and quality down....except for Stoeger.
They keep making a helluva product, not the prettiest but it damn sure works.
I was in our Scheels store the other day and they had Berettas, CZ , Huglu, and another expensive SxS and Stoeger.
All the ones beside the Stoeger were so hard to open that I can't believe anybody would want them. Yes, I understand that they would smooth out over time, but it was still a bear to open them.
The only thing I've done to my coachgun was kinda smooth it up a little and I disengaged the auto safety, it still works it just a manual safety now....this was VERY easy to do.
As you can tell....I love Stoeger!
Take a look at the CAS crowd and that should explain alot!!!
I do have other shotguns including a old hammer double made in approx. 1850, it doesn't get shot anymore.
The Stoeger keeps me happy.
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I love a good Double trouble! The Stoeger's are great guns..I have owned a couple..the only other side by sides that I have owned is an old Sears and Roebuks that I refurbed, it was a decent gun for the money (125$) and a Stevens 311, sheriffs (IIRC)..now that was a great Sideby side...I would have grabbed it..or traded for it
My uncle has a Stroeger. Initially about every 3rd or 4th shot would misfire. He finally got sick of it and took it down. His buddy (a gunsmith) happened to be shooting with him that day. My uncle noticed a burr on the firing pin. The gunsmith filed it down for him (I think he used a leatherman of all things) and now it goes bang every time. He really likes his. I don't know what grade he got, but it is not a SXS, and is probably not the base model (knowing him) but I do know he spent around what you are looking at about a year or two ago. He said they now go for about $100 more than what he paid.
Hi,
Factory parts are neigh on impossible to get. A good gunsmith or toolmaker machinist can make replacement parts if they have to. But it won't be cheap. The cost of repair can quickly become more than the cost of the gun.
Unlike pumps or autos, the parts inside of a SxS often require a certain amount of hand fitting. So repairs get to be more costly. But they can be repaired. The question is, what's it worth to you? For me, the gun was easier to replace than repair.
I'm not trying to dissuade you from buying a Stoeger. I still own one, and its given very good service. Far beyond what the price tag would indicate. Just be aware of what you are buying and why you are buying it. My personal experience and correspondence with others who have owned these shotguns bears this out.
My personal opinion is, if you want to buy a good entry-level SxS NIB shotgun, look to spend between $4000 and $6000. If you look for used, $1500 to $2500. Good SxSs aint cheap. They are largely hand fitted and are a niche product.
So the cost of that Stoeger is pretty minimal isn't it? Like I said, if you understand what you are buying and why you are buying it, they can be a fantastic value. Just remember, they can quickly become a fence post too.
dalee
The Cowboy Action crowd uses ALOT of Stoegers.
Our last annual match was over 400 shooters, I know most of them used Stoegers.
If it breaks there are plenty of smiths that can fix it...you just gotta know where to look.
I also have a repro 1887 lever action shotgun thats pretty fun also.
You want to see what they can do, watch these videos:
http://www.jspublications.net/records/records.html
Our last annual match was over 400 shooters, I know most of them used Stoegers.
If it breaks there are plenty of smiths that can fix it...you just gotta know where to look.
I also have a repro 1887 lever action shotgun thats pretty fun also.
You want to see what they can do, watch these videos:
http://www.jspublications.net/records/records.html
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I have my Grandfather's old Steven's Savage side by in 12 ga., and I love it. It has the old-school double triggers, and is one of my favorite guns. It has very long barrels, and is quite heavy, but brother, it makes the game lie down when you hit 'em. This was the gun I learned to hunt with and always used to hunt on his property growing up. I've never had one problem with it, it's always performed flawlessly. The old side-by-side 12 ga. may be the most versatile gun ever- especially with double triggers. With different chokes on each barrel, you get instant choke selection- which is very handy. And you can hunt anything from squirrel and rabbit all the way up to deer and bear.
Hi,
I suspect the reason they use Stoeger Coach guns is because they are cheap and disposable. Watching your video link those guys are running a high risk of barrel/rib separation by firing both barrels simultaneously. Even with the much reduced loads they use. And if you loosen a barrel, you've got a very expensive repair. It costs a LOT of money to re-join barrels and ribs properly. And there are only a very small handful of smiths who are truly qualified to do that kind of work.
Though to the Stoeger's credit, it will take a lot more of that kind of abuse than most SxSs. Since the barrels a joined by brazing rather than soldering like more expensive guns.
I would enjoy going to a CAS event sometime. But there are none near where I live. I used to do Rendezvous back in the day. The competition was a blast! Some of the best people you can meet are to be found in those knids of places.
dalee
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I have a 12g Stoeger Uplander w/ 26" barrel and interchangeable chokes. Its my favorite shotgun. I mainly use it for dove, sporting clays, trap and skeet. No problems for me yet and I have had it for a few years and use it often. I recommend it as a great user and at $300~ not a bad deal.
Well guys, I bought it and like orrey45 says, mine is a Stoeger 12g Uplander with a 26inch barrel also. I like it alot so far and I think its going to be a good gun. I have shot it twice since I got home and other than it being really stiff to open up, it shoots well. I have only used no.8 shot so far. I noticed after I shot it that the owners manual says to clean it before shooting it the first time. So before I shoot it again Ill give it a good cleaning. Mine has the interchangeable chokes as well and the manual says not to shoot steel shot. I dont really know what steel shot is, can anyone explain that to me? Thanks again for the info and help.