Stoeger Coach Shotgun. any good?

[ramonesfreak]

i dont know alot about guns but, i want a shotgun for shooting clays. i think i want a side by side. not sure why..came across the Stoeger...they seem inexpensive...which with most things, usually means it is junk

are they decent guns for a beginner? and once Im more into it, will i want to keep it?

[m21sniper]

My brother had one, he loved it. Beware, the short barreled (coach) doubles do kick. Hard.

[Jeff Higgins]

Not only will that little coach gun kick like a Jersey mule, it will have no chokes in those short barrels. The "coach gun" is exactly what the name implies - it originated as a defensive arm for the stage coach. For the guy "riding shotgun" as it were. They are meant to spread a load of buckshot quickly at short range. As such, they make really crappy bird or clays guns. Get something with longer barrels; they will be choked and far better suited for shooting clays.

There are a number of inexpensive side-by-sides available these days. I'm not all that up on this market, but I have noticed several manufacturers advertising them again. I believe many come from former Eastern Bloc countries. They tend to be mechanically of high quality, but they just don't have the fit and finish of higher end American, British, or European made guns.

I think Mossberg or some one has a new gun they call an "L.C. Smith", which is a famous old name in doubles. Remington (I think) has an imported side-by-side. Or look for used ones. An old Stevens won't set you back much, and is a quality, serviceable gun. Look around a bit; I bet you can find something in the price range of the Stoeger coach gun, but way more suited for what you want.

[ramonesfreak]

thanks for the good advice

[VincentVega]

I think that's the gun I handled at Dicks Sports. If so, I suggest you get your hands on it before you buy, it felt cheap, very cheap. My old surplus Russian guns felts like gems compared to the action on that thing.

[legion]

I've got a Stoeger single barrel classic. I got it at Dick's for $60. Someone had custom-ordered it with a vent rail and a sight bead, but according to the clerk failed to pick it up. (This story doesn't make sense to me as Dick's requires pre-payment on custom orders. I think the buyer more likely failed a background check and was refunded his money.) It had been sitting in the store for over a year when I noticed it and they were willing to cut a deal to get rid of it.

It's a stout little shotgun, but lacks mass and kicks the worst of all of my 12 gauge shotguns.

On hot days I'll take it to the range and switch it out with my SPR 310 O/Ufor trap. Because the SPR 310 has a thumb safety that automatically engages when you close the gun, and the Stoeger has an external hammer, I follow the same procedure when shooting both of them: open gun, load shell, close gun, cock hammer/deactivate safety with right thumb, call, and fire.

[on2wheels52]

My kid and his buddy managed to bust a few birds with a 20" Biakal double 12 ga. They had to do a few tries of pulling both triggers also. They didn't complain too much about recoil (and are both around 160#). It didn't perform quite like the one on DOOM but they had a good time. Modern shot shells perform a bit better than the ones 100 years ago.
Jim

[tabs]

You get what you pay for..

Best buy a Remington 1100 or even 870...to see if ya like the sport...

Lets put it to ya this way...a good quality Double will set ya back a $1000.00 to $250,000.00.

Ohh and I just know someone might flame me on this....yeah...anything under a Grand is gona either be junk or need work which will bring the cost over a G. An I not talkin about some Hardware store stuff either, but good names..LC Smith, Parker, Lefeaver, Ithaca, Winchester and Fox.

[azasadny]

A Remington 1187 in 12ga is a good choice.

[berettafan]

In answer to your question: No. Not even close.

Go buy a Beretta 390 or 391 (current model).

Avoid pumps as well. They are a very fun gun once you learn to shoot but for just gettin' out there and burning some powder you want an auto.

[ramonesfreak]

Originally Posted by berettafan

In answer to your question: No. Not even close.

Go buy a Beretta 390 or 391 (current model).

Avoid pumps as well. They are a very fun gun once you learn to shoot but for just gettin' out there and burning some powder you want an auto.

is this what you are talking about? In searching, I come up with model 3901 which has several variations...all of which seem like good choices

http://www.ozarkguns.com/Beretta/Beretta%20Shotgus%202006/Beretta%20AL3901%20Shotgun/al3901.htm


Can someone educate me on why i would want a double barrel vs. a single barrel? I see the over/under double barrel guns are way expensive

again, i want to shoot clays at the range with my brother. im not a hunter. is double barrel essential to a fun day at the range?

[berettafan]

Absolutely!!!!

The 3901 is Beretta's 'budget' gun but the little secret they don't want you to know is that it's every bit as good as their most expensive current 391 sporting models costing over $1k. absolutely the best automatic shotgun on the planet bar non. I've hunted and shot sporting clays with Benelli and browning as well and NONE are better suited to sporting clays.


Double bbl is a lot of fun but don't compromise just to get one.

[ramonesfreak]

what the deal with the gas system? is that like a cartrige you have to keep replacing? how long do they last?

[berettafan]

No, the bbl has little tiny holes that vent gas to a piston mechanism that works the bolt mechanism. Most autoloaders work this way. Beretta's design of this mechanism is a big part of what makes them so fantastic. VERY minimal cleaning req'd.

Benelli and it's copies use an inertia system to cycle the bolt and while it is very reliable it is also a bit stiff on the shoulder and thus not the best choice for sporting clays.

390's, 391's and 3901's (essentially the same gun) have been used for 10's of thousands of rounds. they last (as do all quality shotguns).

[id10t]

Re: shorter barrels and chokes. Assuming you have 2 barrels, one 18.5" (legal min) and one 30", and both are choked the same, the difference between the two is removed if you stand 11.5" closer when shooting the short barrel one. However, longer barrel will be easier to follow through with and track the clay, and may have less felt recoil.

For basic trap shooting, a pump 12ga. with screw in choke (or fixed choke of modified or full) will be fine, or even a single shot. I'd prefer a longer barrel - 28".

For skeet shooting, you will need to be able to shoot doubles, so single shots are out, and you gotta be fast on the pump if you use one of them (I did for years, had no issues). Skeet is a closer game, so you'll want more open chokes.

My skeet (and trap for that matter) gun is now a Fausti 20ga over/under with screw in chokes (sold my AK just before election to pay for it). Came with 1 each of full, modified, and improved cylinder, I bought a second set of each. When shooting skeet I always use IC in both barrels, for trap I have one with full and one with modified and will change which I use based on wind, how I am shooting that day, etc.

[Seahawk]

I have a Stoeger .410 over and under. I spent a lot of time with it this Dove season on the farm. Always went bang. I bought it three years ago for just over $200 clams...it is the quintessential field gun: I keep it clean but never worry about the nicks and dents.

One shot, one kill

Ok, more like many shots...

[targa911S]

Originally Posted by tabs

You get what you pay for..

Best buy a Remington 1100 or even 870...to see if ya like the sport...

Lets put it to ya this way...a good quality Double will set ya back a $1000.00 to $250,000.00.

Ohh and I just know someone might flame me on this....yeah...anything under a Grand is gona either be junk or need work which will bring the cost over a G. An I not talkin about some Hardware store stuff either, but good names..LC Smith, Parker, Lefeaver, Ithaca, Winchester and Fox.

Tabs you know I had to catch up with you on this one. And strangely enough I agree......to an extent. The "lower grade" but good name double shotguns are really all over the place. Lately I have seen it all over the map, but you can still get a very nice Lefever Nitro special, Ithaca NID, Fox Sterlingworth, Hunter Arms, Winchester 24 (club)., for under a grand and go shoot it. The Stevens 311 or 5100 is a great all purpose gun.....shoot it in the fall...use it for a boat oar or tomato stake all summer. You can find those all day for under $300.00 they last forever.

Also let's not rule out CZ. They make an EXCELLENT side by side in two models, ringneck and Bobwhite that are $700-$1200, and really a great value for that money. I have owned several and like em all. There is Huglu to consider too.

[ramonesfreak]

well, im going to look at the Beretta 391, 3901 or 390 in a few minutes...im really sold on it from what i read. particularly I like the 3901 Statesmen...not sure if they have em in stock around here but im off to gander mountain etc.... hoping i get a decent tax return. The Berettas im looking at are all under 1 grand....and they dont seem like junk at all

if i start looking at guns over 1 grand, ill say screw it, best to buy another rickenbacker 330 :-)

[targa911S]

Oh I totally agree with Berettafan on your choice. Perfect gun for you. I just had to stick my finger in Tabs ribs.

[ramonesfreak]

you guys are talking bout double barrel too. ...i now realize they are out of my budget...my brother has a sweet over under ruger that i think retailed for $2000 that he got off a buddy for $1000 but that was lucky... im liking the semi-auto feature anyway... someday ill be cool like you guys and have a nice collection of various types