Looking for a good first O/U shotgun.......Stoeger Condor Supreme Deluxe?

[JimUCD]

Just getting into clay shooting. Went with a friend one day and now am addicted. I'd like to get an economical/reliable/solid sport gun. A friend suggested the Stoeger Condor SD. What are some opinions on this gun? It will be my first over/under, and I plan on doing a lot of shooting with it.

Thanks guys.

[bamf]

If you don't have a shotgun, I'd get a 870. Can be had for a reasonable price, it was my first shotgun, picked up a used one for 160 dollar.

Now if you absolutely need to get O/U (I did) and couldn't afford even a used nice one like a Browning (I couldn't), I'd look at Lanber. I've had my model 87 for a few years and have put thousands of rounds through it, no problem...been 100% reliable. You can pick one up through, CDNN investments, and depending on your model choice, for around $400.

Someone I was shooting with had a Condor, and really liked it but he had to get some work done to it relating to broken firing pins after 3000 rds.

HTH

BTW, does the UCD part of your name mean UC Davis?

[JimUCD]

Yes. I am an Aero and Mech Engineering student at Davis.

[Dave McCracken]

Few good doubles are cheap, few cheap doubles are good. For a first shotgun, there's better choices.

Any of the Big Four(Mossy 500, Ithaca 37, Winchester 1300 and the legendary Remington 870) pumps makes a great first shotgun, and a solid basis for a battery. Moreover, they can be had for less than a week's pay and provide generations of service.

And, any of these has some tradein value, so one doesn't lose lots of money if it and he/she just doesn't click. Not true with off brands.

If pumps aren't your choice, autoloaders are around for a few hundred more. Best brands include Browning, Winchester, Remington,Benelli and Beretta.

I'd steer clear of off brands and clones made in 3rd World countries.

Good O/Us include Beretta, Browning, SKB, Winchester,etc. up to Kreighoff, Kolar, and other high priced target shotguns.These last a very long time, not often true with less O/Us.

Hit the range and ask folks about their shotguns. Many will let you handle them or even fire off a shot(of YOUR ammo). Make a choice only after long thought.

HTH....

[45auto]

As mentioned above, cheaper O/U's are a bad buy.

I'd buy a good autoloader. You can find good ones used that will work for a long time or take the plunge and buy a new one.

If you must have an O/U, plan on spending at least a $1,000 for a used Browning, Beretta, or perhaps a Ruger. Try some before you buy.

[kudu]

I saved and saved to buy my first O/U, I had been shooting a Rem 1100 20ga for 2 years before I finally got a Ruger red label in 12ga. Later had it tubed with all gauge tubes for competition and put probably 70,000 rounds through that gun. If you buy an O/U get a quality one made by a good company.
Still figure on spending at least $1000 on a good O/U. With a pump or an auto you could buy a lot of shells and rounds of clays with what's left over.

[seeker_two]

I don't have an O/U, but my Stoeger Coach Gun (SxS 12ga) has been a great buy. And other Stoeger owners I've talked to have never had a bad word to say.

If you're interested in an O/U, you could do a lot worse....

(P.S. Avoid the Norincos....)

[JimUCD]

Does anyone actually own a Stoeger Condor? Either the regular, supreme, or supreme deluxe. I'd like to know the opinions from actual Stoeger owners.

I'm not trying to dicredit any opinions from others that do not own a Stoeger, but it just seems that i've gotten the opinion from non-owners. I'd just like to hear what some guys, that use it on a regular basis, have to say.

[rock jock]

Very good advice above on starting with a good pump or an autoloader.

As far as good O/U's, don't overlook the fine line from SigArms.

[Dave McCracken]

Jim, I understand where you're coming from, but....

The good folks who've kicked in to help you on this have at least a couple centuries of aggregate shotgunning behind them. They do not own many Condors. There may be a connection.

Condors may be decent field guns, but few guns besides the best hold up under the pounding clay shooters get.

Some field guns only eat a box or two every year. I'm no heavy clay shooter, but I'm running 6-8K yearly through ONE 870. Others get lesser amounts.

Bruce, Buck, Editor of Shooting Sportsman and the Technoid over on Shotgun Report, has a basic bit of advice for new shotgunners.

He says, get a gas auto and get it fitted to you.Good brands like Remington, Winchester, Beretta and Browning all will work.

Then, shoot it for a year. Do not swap guns or tinker with it.

At the end of the year, you'll have a good idea of what works for you and where to go to get it, be it auto, O/U, SxS or pump.

HTH....

[bbrown609]

I don't own a Stoeger Condor, but a buddy of mine does. He has been really happy with his and competes and wins several competitions with his every year. He shoots the crap out of it and has had no problems. I was tempted to by myself one, but opted to buy skeet choke tubes for my 12 and 20 gauge semi-autos. If you are on a budget, but still have to have an O/U, get the Stoeger. Personally, I would buy a good semi-auto first. Then I would practice, practice, and practice with the lesser recoil of the semi-auto. All the while saving for a good O/U. Then when you can afford the O/U, you will have a nice hunting gun in the semi and a good competition gun in the O/U.

[MarineTech]

Picked up a Condor Supreme Delux about 10 days ago. The price was right and I figured I'd give it a try to see whether or not an O/U suits me. Figured that I'd use it for the occasional round of 5 stand and skeet, and see what it does on upland game during bird season this year. Been busy with work since, and haven't even had a chance to clean it up yet.

Overall, it seems decently made. It's tight as a frog's bottom right now, but I'll see how well it feels after a good cleaning and some break-in of the action. I don't really care for the red plastic sights on it, and I'll probably replace them with brass beads when I have a chance. (Comes from shooting an 870 for the last 17 years.)

[bamf]

Right on, I graduated from UC Davis about a year and a half ago, got my BS in Physiology.

So you got your membership at the YSA? I just left Davis about a week ago and I miss the ole YSA. Enjoy it, best deal in the area.

[JimUCD]

The YSA is great. You can't beat that deal.

I haven't used their clay stuff yet though...only the pistol and 100 yard range.

[Grayrock]

Don't knock the less expensive O/U's as a group. I have a Baikal IZH-27 in 12 gauge that I bought about 2 years ago. I have several thousand rounds through it and nary a problem. I know over a 1/2 dozen people who shoot the same brand and all are fond of it. I paid $350 for mine brand new. I know it is not a "B" gun and I don't expect it to look or last like one, but at $350, no one can tell me it only shoots a 1/4 as well as as a "B" gun! With what I saved on the gun I put into lessons, practice and ammo. Besides, it's kind of cool to outshoot the guys with the guns that cost more than my week's salary. I also primarily hunt with it and in cow, sheep & goat populated areas the O/U allows me to not hunt for my empties before hunting for my birds. Lastly, I don't have a hissy fit if I lay it against a fencepost with rusty "bobwahr" all over it, or lay it down in the mud at the edge of a stock tank. Sure, I aspire to a glossy, engraved, burlwood stocked, fancy schmancy imported marvel of firearm engineering, but just not right now. I can shoot AND save and shop now. So don't discount the less expensive choice until you've checked out the advantages they offer.

[Horsesense]

I read a review on this board a week or so back that said something to the effect that Stoeger was made by Banelli. The link on the Stoeger web page was to Benelli's web page. I haven't gotten round to it but I plan on taking a good look at Stoeger.

[Preacherman]

Horsesense (are you a stallion or a mare? :D ), Benelli/Beretta has the marketing rights for Stoeger shotguns in the USA, but they're actually made in Brazil.

[Horsesense]

I guess you could call me "the old gray stallion", I ain't what I use to be. :o

Benelli only has the marketing rights, huh…learn something new every day. I wonder if Bersa makes Stoeger ?

[45auto]

The operative words that I responded to with my common suggestions was "clay target shooting" and " doing a lot of shooting".

Dave McCracken summed it up best in his last post.

If the words "hunting" and "occasional" shooting were mentioned, my response may have been different.

[Smoke]

If you're dead set on an O/U look around for a lightly used Beretta/Browning/Ruger. They hold value well. SHoot one for a year or more as mentioned earlier. If the fit isn't right you will be surprised at how much you can get back out of it.

A used Stoeger is worth how much?

[Selfdfenz]

If all you plan to do with it is shoot clays I agree with the idea of spending the bucks to get a bit more pricey, smoother model.

If however you plan to do a bit of rough shooting (Re Grayrock) an IZH is your gun for that part of the sport. I can't say anything good or bad about the Condor but I can say for a good brush, swamp (and tank), hunting in the pouring rain, and the 105 degree sweaty dove field shotgun you can count on an IZH to get the job done and then some.

I've shot mine so much now I wouldn't hold it against my Baikal if something did break considering what it's been through.

In TX we do some some pretty rough shooting from time to time.

S-

[ZSchiffman]

Hey guys, I'm 17 and im looking for a cheap oven under to go trap shooting about once a month. My dad got a new pump a few years ago but does work well for trap. im trying to keep the price under 1k so if you guys could give me some suggestions, that would be great. And weather to buy a used nicer one or a new sub quality brand, and where to buy. I.e. like a bass pro shop or like a father son shop in town? (Also, this may sound dumb but whats the difference between sporting and trap guns?)

[Dave McCracken]

I'd go with a used Berreta, Browning, Winchester 101 or SKB.

Trap guns are set up to shoot rather high and oft are quite muzzle heavy. They work well for trap but not so well at other clay games.

Sporting guns do not shoot so high, from level to a little high and are a bit more nimble.

To use one shotgun for all things clay, I'd get a sporting gun.

In fact, I did.

[sillpapa]

I have owned a Stoeger Condor 12 ga for going on 3 yrs now this gun has been used for Sporting Clays to Turkey Hunting . Stoger Firearms are reasonably priced an as the saying goes you get what you pay for . Also don"t abuse the things you enjoy . i have enjoyed this firearm an it has given me 3yrs of enjoyable shooting fun with no problem.

[ZSchiffman]

thanks guys. and would you reccomend a 12 or a 20 for trap?
and also, if i can find a used browning for example and a new stoeger for the same price, which would you reccomend i go with?

[Dave McCracken]

12. More ammo choices,including some outstanding trap loads...

[rrssn672]

Hi All, Just wanted to say hi. All of your input on the condor was much appreciated. I just picked up a 20 gauge W/26" barrels and can not wait to give it a try. I have a 13 yo son who will be crazy about taking this thing into the feild. I purchased it for $259.99 and after the $50.00 rebate will have a total of $209.99 into it. Small price to pay to spend some great time with my son. I will let you know how she shoots.

[Wheeler]

It's a moot point now, as you purchased your Stoeger however I thought I would add some thoughts for some of the other new shooters to consider.

My boss has talked me into shooting sporting clays with him, coming from an IDPA/IPSC background, I had a low opinion of the sport and shooters but, I thought I would give it a try. I started off with a 1940's vintage Remington Model 11, in 12 Gauge, with a PolyChoke that my Dad had given me. I shot the first fun match with it, and shot a 43. I was pretty happy all things considered. I tried a Super Black Eagle the next match, did poorly with it, went back to the Model 11 for the last four stations, and had a good finish. I think I ended up with a 52 that time.

I ran across a used and cosmetically abused Remington 11-87 Special Purpose in a pawnshop, did some dickering and some horse trading, and basically picked up the gun for $200. Cleaned it up, refinished the wood, bought a couple of chokes, and off to the range I went. I shot a 23. I was questioning my decision to buy the 11-87 but, I didn't want to subject what I consider a family heirloom to the abuse of sporting clays. I decided to stick with the 11-87.

THis past weekend, I shot a 66 with it, and was pretty darn happy about it. Only thing is, now I can't blame the gun for causing me to score poorly. :evil:

Some of the advice I got from my boss was, up to a point, it's not the arrow, it's the Indian but, a good arrow goes a long way towards making the shot. The other bit of insight was, after a certain point, the quality is going to be the same, it's all fit and finish after that. Fit and finish go a long way towards making the experience that much more enjoyable.

Just some thoughts and observations that might help you choose a new shotgun.

Wheeler

[notorious]

I've always liked the Mossberg Silver Reserve O/U guns for field use. They can be had for $470 at Big5 all day long.