[MakAttak]

I have a problem:

I suggested to my parents that for Christmas a good gift would be a side by side. As they live in a rural farm area, I told my father to look for an OLD shotgun (owned by a farmer's family for some time) as I wanted something with history. (Which is why I told them in July so that he would have a long time to search).

He calls me up quite proud at the deal he has gotten on an unused Stoeger Side by side. (He did get a good deal, I cannot fault that part of it).

I am and will be very grateful for the gift. (Since I have not received it yet)

I will probably explain my desire that he look for an OLD shotgun in the future, but now I have a problem: I know almost nothing about the Stoeger shotguns. Does anyone have any experience with the Stoeger Side by Sides? (I think it's the hunter version, but I don't know- my father is TERRIBLE at describing.)

[Geno]

MA:

Here you go. :)

Home page link: http://www.stoegerindustries.com/

Side-by-side link: http://www.stoegerindustries.com/firearms/stoeger_side_by_sides.php

Doc2005

[MakAttak]

Thanks Doc, but I was hoping for reviews from those who had shot them :)

[Dave Markowitz]

I have a Stoeger Uplander in 20 gauge. The action is a bit stiff but it handles nicely. Pretty nice gun for the money, IMO.

[Mac Attack]

Hey nice user name :)

I recently became interested in SxS shotguns as well and wanted one that was older and with character. I found a older damascas barreled shotty with dog ear hammers and an old looking stock. Unfortunately, the shotty was a blackpowder model and was no longer safe to shoot. I looked at an older Steven's 311 which looks nice and worn but not abused which I plan to take another look at tomorrow. There's just something about an old SxS that brings a smile to my face.

[machinisttx]

I have a Stoeger Uplander in 20 gauge. The action is a bit stiff but it handles nicely. Pretty nice gun for the money, IMO.

I had the same gun. I never did shoot it enough to hit much though(I've always shot 870 Wingmasters). It was a well made, inexpensive side by side. I recently traded it for a Stevens 311 in 16 gauge.

My uncle has one in 12, and hasn't had any problems with it.

IIRC, standard mossberg and winchester pattern choke tubes will interchange with the Stoeger tubes.

[Milkmaster]

Here is a link to a discussion on an uplander Supreme combo we bought a couple of years ago. Be sure to read all of the posts. The story changes before the end...

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=2975470#post2975470

[Virginian]

I bought a Stoeger Uplander (not Supreme) 20 gauge to use in SASS. I carried it around the farm to get familiar with it and was surprised at how well it handled and performed. Never a hint of a problem of any kind. Health issues killed the SASS idea, but the little Stoeger 20 is still doing fine.

[Zip7]

Does Stoeger make guns now? In the past, they just imported I thought.

I have a 1950's stoeger Zephyr Woodlander 12 ga w/ 30" full and modified barrels. In it's day it was a cheap Spanish made alternative to British doubles. I have used it quite a bit and it's my favorite shotgun. I Dove hunt with it every year. Pretty well made too. Not a Parker, but it's nice.

[Deer Hunter]

My Stoeger Coach Gun has been extremely reliable, and they slick-up nicely if you shorten the spring a bit and take sandpaper to the action.

[Virginian]

The shotguns Stoeger brought in back in the 50s and 60s were a whole 'nother breed of cat in my opinion. I don't remember who made them (Bernadelli maybe?), but they had some very nice doubles. First 10 I ever shot was a Zephyr Thunderbird. Killed a goose, too.

[Dave Markowitz]

Does Stoeger make guns now? In the past, they just imported I thought.

They still import their guns.

The Uplanders and Coach Guns are made in Brazil. Don't know where the O/Us are made. The semiautos are an economy version of the Benelli, though I'm not sure who actually makes them.

[MakAttak]

Thanks for the replies. Looks like I at least have a good chance at a nice gun.

Now I will just have to wait to find out which model it is. (So I guess I still get a surprise that way!)

Also, yes that IS a great username, Mac Attack

[Geno]

Back for the post. I was rather hesitant to post mine, because I feel it is a-typical. Okay, I had a Stoeger side-by-side back about 12 years ago. I bought it because it looked sharp, was tight as a drum, had nice balance. The price at about $249.00 was right too! The only part I disliked from the get-go was that it had choke tubes. Don't like them!

Anyhow, when I arrived home, I broke it down to clean it. As I tried to remove the choketubes, I was in for a pretty hefty battle. They didn't want to come out! After much effort, and soaking then in WD, I got them out, and wow...disappointment. I had a difficult time removing them because they were solidly rusted-in.

I am sure my case was rare, but it all the same happened. I tried to have the shotgun replaced, but the dealer told me, in effect, go pound sand. Other than the rusted choke tubes, it was a nice shotgun. The happening reinforced two of my life-long beliefs: 1) I hate choke tubes, and 2) check the firearm over tip-to-tip, and top-to-bottom, inside-out before you buy it.

This experience is exactly the reason that I recently purchased a Stevens 311 instead of a Stoeger. If I were to buy a Stoeger, I would buy one without choke tubes. Now, in your case, this shotgun is a gift. One which, as you say, you father is quite proud to have found for you, and we Americans don't look gift horses in the mouth. :) I suspect you'll like it, and get many years of good use out of it. :)

Doc2005

[NCsmitty]

I have a Stoeger o/u in 410 that I am very happy with and is solidly built with simple clean lines. A little heavy with the Brazilian hardwood but extremely functional. Great value for the money!

NCsmitty

[Legionnaire]

MakAttack, I have a Stoeger Uplander Supreme combo (12 and 20 gauge barrels) that is tight, handles nicely, and has never had a problem. I don't shoot it much, though, as I tend to favor a Savage 24 for small game, and I don't do much wing shooting. Nice gun for the money, though.

[Charles Foxtrot]

.
Stoegers are the most prevalent shotgun in SASS cowboy action shootin'. Thought to be bullet proof, and we shoot the snot out of 'em. We've got an 12g Uplander, getting the gunsmith slick up now.

[a-sheepdog]

I have a Stoeger Uplander in 12 gauge and am very happy with it. It is a utility grade grade shotgun and is stiff, but well built. I will soon be looking for one in 20 gauge as well.

[evbutler462]

Give a gunsmith $35 to work on the triggers and you'll love the Stoeger SXS. It's not hard to do it yourself but a gunsmith will have it done before you can figure out how to start. The triggers are around 11 pounds out of the factory and can be honed to 5 or 6 pounds to make it a more enjoyable gun. Those triggers are heavy out of the box.

[BayouBocephus]

I bought a stoeger coach gun with 20" barrels a while back at Bass Pro for i think $350. Ive shot lots of rounds through it and never has failed me.....Ive pulled both triggers from the hip and shoulder(with light loads of course) and it didnt hurt at all. the only thing that was less than awesome was 3" magnum 00 buck..

[evbutler462]

Dave,

Stoeger builds their SXSs and O/Us in Brazil. Stoeger Group bought the old Armentia factory and makes the Stoeger double gun line there.

Their semis are made in the old Vursan plant in Istanbul, Turkey. Stoeger bought the plant and renamed it Stoeger SA. The actions for several of the Benelli/Franchi/Stoeger line are produced at this plant. Stoeger also produces a nice line of semi-auto pistols at the Istanbul plant.

There are quite a few brand names that come under the Stoeger Umbella Group. They specialize their parts at various factories and assemble most of their guns in Italy, except for the Stoeger 2000 and the Stoeger doubles which are all assembled in Turkey and Brazil respectively.

Happy shooting!

[Mossberg88]

My roommate last year had a Stoeger Coachgun. It was very nicely made, i.e. quality wood and metal. Never got to test it out.

[Mr. 16 gauge]

I have the uplander in 16 gauge, 26" barrels, I.C. & Modified choke. I have been quite happy with the gun; it's accounted for a lot of pheasants, and I have had no difficulties with it mechanically. The bluing is deep and well finished, and the wood is well finished as well. Wood to metal finish is not the greatest, but for the price, I can live with that.;)

[Rmart30]

I came real close to buying a 12ga stoeger coach gun last week......
It was a nickel finish with black wood stocks... Would have walked out with it if they had been synthetic.... it had a good tight lock up and finishing looked ok on it.... it was $379

[Mat, not doormat]

I shoot a Coach Gun Supreme in SASS. It's a pretty good gun, but not really up to the pounding that it takes in serious competition. I've broken off the extractor star, and a part of the hinge lug. both were re-welded, and the gun is still in service. I ran it to second place in the speed shotgun event at the Midwest Regional Championship last year, and won the State Championship with it this year.

For lighter duty use, like hunting, casual clay busting, or HD, it should do you proud.

BTW, if you want a quick and dirty way to smooth it out, replace the top lever spring with a 1911 mainspring cut to fit. Then smear some automotive valve lapping compound on the mating surfaces of the joint, (NOT the lugs) and open and close it about a hundred times. A brake cylinder hone will smooth out the chambers pretty well, so the empties just fall out.

~~~Mat

[adam_oz]

I love them. I have a Stoget Comp. for trap shooting and i have a uplander 12 ga. They shoot great and are a great price. The action was very stiff at first on both but it has gotten better as i have shot it.