Stoeger Coach Gun?

Have you ever owned or shot a Stoeger Coach Gun? I'm thinking about getting one for home defense and I would be grateful for your opinions on quality and recoil.

Thanks a lot.

Shoot safe, John

Have an old 12 gauge side by side that's pretty light. Recoil is stiff and don't even think about shooting a slug in it. ROFL! I bought my Spartan in 20 for that reason, wanted a 20 anyway, have been for a while. Just some input. I didn't really buy it for self defense, more for hunting, but I put the cyl/IC chokes in it for home defense and load it up with number 3 buck. A double gun is pretty intimidated if you look at it from the perps perspective. I sorta like that. :D

i've seen these for sale, and i've always wanted a coach gun... i don't think for me it'd truly be for home-defense (my 870 express with 18" barrel fills that role nicely), but then again it could be nice to keep handy. i've seen them at academy stores, and they seem pretty "affordable" (read: cheap) so a flag always goes up about potential accuracy and quality issues. that being said, how much accuracy do you need at coach gun range?

anyway, i guess that's my long way of saying "yeah -- me too!" i wanna know about the standard issue stoeger coach gun ;)

Accuracy? It ain't a rifle. If by that you mean barrel regulation, yeah, I can understand the concern. I've got a couple of cheap doubles that work great, though. However, though I've heard a lot of kudos concerning Stoeger doubles of OU and side by side configuration, I've never fired one. I think if you want one, get it, though. By all reports they're serviceable guns. They can be many things, too. With the choke tubes, my Spartan is my favorite dove gun at the moment, great upland gun, country doubles gun, teal gitter, good outback gun (like a combo gun with slug and shot in different barrels), and light weight for backpacking. Broken down, it actually fits in my back pack without taking up much room. Nice survival gun, and of course, it can do home defense duty. It has turned out to be not only a great bird gun, but one of the most useful long guns I own. I love the thing.

Without choke tubes, a fixed cylinder bore coach gun gives up a lot of versatility, but it can still do more than just sit in the bedroom or play cowboy games. :D

I have one and it works very well for the $300 I paid for it. Its short, handy, light, and can be broken down in a pack. Recoil is stiff with buckshot but most birdshot is no problem. If you do a little working on the action, it smooths up real nice.

I have one and it works very well for the $300 I paid for it. Its short, handy, light, and can be broken down in a pack. Recoil is stiff with buckshot but most birdshot is no problem. If you do a little working on the action, it smooths up real nice.

+1
I have the same experience with my Stoeger coach gun. Good kick to it with slugs. It's light and short, just the thing for HD. In fact, I may sell my 870HD and keep the Stoeger at my night stand.

+1
I have the same experience with my Stoeger coach gun. Good kick to it with slugs. It's light and short, just the thing for HD. In fact, I may sell my 870HD and keep the Stoeger at my night stand.

I agree it would make a formidable self-defense weapon and I too question using my 18" 870 for HD or the wieldier coach gun. Its funny, I was reading a Gun-Tests Magazine article about just that the other day. They liked the Stoeger better...


http://www.gun-tests.com/issues/20_5/features/Home-Defense-and-Police-Shotguns5609-1.html

I would like to put real ejectors on mine and refinish it with Robar NP3 or similar, then it would be seet!

I have a Stoeger Coach Gun, nickel finish, 20" barrels. It isn't real pretty in terms of wood quality and fit of wood to metal, but I have used it hard for 10 years in Cowboy Action Shooting. Maybe 7500 rounds down range with no problems. I don't know about the newer guns. Mine is well regulated, shoots to point of aim with both barrels. It's marked modified and full. The full choke barrel shoots a very tight pattern. Since Stoegers are so popular with CAS shooters, tune-up kits with lightened springs, etc., are readily available if you want to slick up the action. There is also information available on how to work on these guns, again from CAS sources.

Another coach gun you might want to consider is the TTN Hammer Coach gun, available from Cimarron Arms, EMF, and other sources for around $400. Imported from China, but rock solid and very smooth out of the box. Some prefer the hammer guns for home defense as they can be staged loaded without tension on the hammer springs. Not a big deal in my opinion, but an issue for others. It's much heavier than the Stoeger, which reduces felt recoil with heavier loads.

http://www.gun-tests.com/newspics/20_5/0508-STOEGER-ACTION-DSC_1754.jpg

Ray Ordorica shoulders the double Stoeger. There’s no hesitation with the double gun, and no doubt about the outcome of a serious engagement.

:D To the point, I reckon.

I'll tell ya what! I've got a side by side Coach Gun external hammered 12 guage made by Norinco. I had the firing pins and horizontal safety worked on by a gun smith, and reamed and polished the breach for CAS competition. You can put a 6 round shell holder on the stock and keep it loaded and hammers down for HD. There are not many things wrong with these things

Great gun. I have a 12 gauge version that I use for hunting. If you can polish the mating surfaces up a little, it becomes much easier to use.

My friend DJ has one and wont let me shoot it anymore since I scored higher on trap with it than he did that day.

hmm, so consensus seems to be pretty positive then?

i don't recall where i read (probably here? a long while ago), but i got the idea from people's comments that it was something of a novelty item. the complaints were of less than perfect fit & finish (i'd rather like a decent enough looking gun if it works well and is not a show piece since it'll actually be used and not just looked at), but more importantly i got the impression that it was more common than not to have barrels that weren't well regulated. also much question about the durability of a cheap gun like these (problems after more than a few hundred rounds). of course, those people might only be knocking it because they have guns that are 3-4+ times the cost and have to feel better about those purchases.

i've always wanted a good double barreled shotgun -- either one like this stoeger coachgun or something like the o/u stoeger condor outback. i kinda like the cowboy gun feel of the coachgun, though... tough call. if it's a decent quality shooter the price almost makes it hard to pass up.

Hey, does anyone have a copy of the article posted above? The site asks for subscription, but I would love to read the story.
Thanks in advance.

I have a friend that has the Stoeger coach double. Had problems with the trigger mechism not working correctly. After having a gunsmith repair it he is happy with the gun.

I've owned two Stoeger Coach guns(20 & 12)and loved them. I consider this line to be solid and substantial. The word cheap does not apply. They both kicked severely because of their light weight. I'm arthritic so I did not keep them after my health worsened. I also had a Baikal 20 ga coach gun which was superb and shot slugs accurately and put out some mean buckshot patterns....also a kicker.

As you probably know, Beretta owns Stoeger.

As with anything, the answer is: "It depends."

If you just want a gun to stuff two shells in, hang some more on the butt, and leave it standing in the corner till doomsday, it'll be fine. If you're gonna take it hunting a couple of times a year, probably be fine. If you want to do any sort of formal clay shooting, and are aware of the limitations of a short barrelled SxS with fixed chokes (standard version) it might still be fine.

The limitations start to show up with round count. The steel just isn't what you'd find in an American, Western European, or Japanese shotgun. It's soft, and it wears. Often, it wears in a hurry. The wood on the standard model is also pretty poor stuff. Soft pine, or maybe balsa, if one were to form an opinion based on the weight.

The real limitations show up with hard use. Perfect example is SASS shooting. In my hands, at least, the scattergun is broken open hard and fast, shells shucked, new ones stuffed, and although not slammed, is definitely not closed slowly.

I was able to run my Stoeger Coach Supreme to 2nd Place in Speed Shotgun (Double) at the Midwest Regional Championship, last year. That's the good news.

The bad news is that along the way, and since then, I've managed to break off the extractor star (re-welded,) the forward hinge lug (had to be laser welded, so as not to heat the solder joint between bbls,) mushroomed the firing pins (replaced with harder steel,) been through numerous incarnations of a top lever spring, trying to prevent it from jumping open under recoil, worn through the nickel plating on the receiver, and generally have to tighten the screws holding the forearm iron to the forearm wood every couple of stages or so.

My Dad, who practices more than I do, has had even more trouble out of his. He's had everything from one barrel not cocking (worn forearm iron, where cocking levers are supposed to engage,) to pull one trigger, and both barrels firing (worn sear, recoil caused pin to fall,) and numerous other troubles.

Verdict: decent light duty double, for the money. For heavy use, buy something better.

Would a Remington Spartan be any better?

What I wanted in my spartan was the choke tubes. I wanted it for hunting and liked the compactness for storage in back pack or motorcycle top trunk/saddle bags. It reaches out there and tags birds as far as a 28" gun could, just has a very light swing and balance that you have to deal with. Choked IC/Mod, it's perfect for doves. Thing seems well built, though. I'll never put it through a CAS season's abuse, so it should last me until I'm long gone regardless..

Stoeger Coach Guns are nice guns for the money. They are fun to shoot but there are two potential issues worth mentioning. If the user has small hands it can be difficult to operate the lever since it has a long throw and a heavy spring. Also, my .410 would not set off the primer in brass cased Barnaul shells but Winchester buckshot works just fine.

I have always wondered about them as well. I like the size and feel. But my concern for HD is they make very little noise. That is, they don't have the "pucker" effect like my mossberg 500 pump has, or any pump has. I personally don't want to shoot anyone and if by chambering a round can make the bad guy run, more power to us all. As far as just a fun shooter, I would own one. I have a Stoeger Cougar 9mm and love it. Seems to me the quality is great. That's my 2 cents.

It weighs about 6 pounds, so the recoil is going to be nasty. At the very least, before you fire it, put a recoil pad on it!

You might want to look in to an 870.

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee194/ShunZu/DSCN1626.jpg

Older technology that still works just fine, TYVM. :)

I have a couple of "Coach Guns", meaning short doubles. The Stoegers are 2 of the garden variety except one has the silver finish-got it for the straight grip. Also have a Coyote Cap model hammer gun, heavier but really nice. The Stoeger O/U is kind of neat as long as you don't take the rifle sights too seriously. They are all great truck guns, and HD. Very safe, easy to see if they are loaded, and all mine have butt cuffs with 5-6 extra rounds. I feel they are all very durable and barring very heavy use(which will cause service issues with any SG) I feel I can depend on them under almost any circumstances.

Not to rain an anyone's parade, but if you have any thoughts about the chambering of a round in a pump gun has any salutory effect on a BG, you are dreaming, and dreaming dangerously. Yeah, you and I might freeze up at the sound, but you and I don't go around breaking into folks houses either. Just remembeer-you are not dealing with an ordinary person in a HD scenario! If he had any brains he would not be there in the first place, if you have a gun, it is for to shoot with-not scare someone. If you are going to rely on sound effects get a small recorder and get sound effects from the range, you will be better off. If you rack your gun, you had better be prepared to shoot it if necessary, and like right now. Get your mind right up front and you will be better off. Sorry, but that is the way it is, OK, EOR (end of rant).

I like the size and feel. But my concern for HD is they make very little noise. That is, they don't have the "pucker" effect like my mossberg 500 pump has

Hmm, this doesn't give you any pause? No intimidation factor here, right? :D

http://www.gun-tests.com/newspics/20_5/0508-STOEGER-ACTION-DSC_1754.jpg

My mossberg has jammed before. My doubles never have. Food for thought. I've owned 870s and had 'em jam, too.

I personally don't want to shoot anyone and if by chambering a round can make the bad guy run, more power to us all.

Personally, he comes through the locked door of my bedroom, the only part I won't enjoy is mopping up the blood off the floor. :rolleyes: I'll kill anyone that determined to kill me and, hell, I'll even try to enjoy it. Beats lockin' him up for 10 years at tax payer's expense. I've got no use for crooks. I know a guy that feels the same way, has killed 3 so far. He owns/runs a chain of convenience stores in Houston. High risk occupation. I used to shoot IDPA with him. I suppose to him, shooting crooks is like ranchers shooting coyotes. I'm sorry if it has to happen, but I won't lose much sleep over it. I've shot a few coyotes in my day.

My grandpa told me long ago never to point a gun at something or someone if I wasn't prepared to use it. Noise might make YOU feel good, but it's doubtful it'll bother a determined attacker. Hope you're ready to kill a man if you rely on a weapon for self defense.

Anyway, I just think too much is made of the pump sound thing. A drugged up killer isn't likely going to even notice that. No matter what you have, you'd best be ready to use it.

MAN, them birds look juicy. I sure wish we had those things down here. :D

I want it in 10 gauge!

I want it in 10 gauge!

... and will fire both barrels with one trigger pull!!!

I did that accidentally once with a 12 gauge 3" and almost didn't survive the experience. :what::D

I have a Stoeger coach gun with the better quality stock. It is a rather nice looking gun for the money. I installed a mercury recoil reducing tube and a tritium front bead. Even with the mercury tube the recoil is robust with full power 00 buck. For home defense you might want to consider using tactical type shells.

I just patterned mine at about 30' with various brands and types of tactical shells. Interestingly, the one that patterned the best was the Aguila minishells. I haven't tested them for penetration however. With the Aquila minis the recoil is very mild for a 12 gauge.

I like the Stoeger enough that I am considering having the action and chambers slicked up.

I installed a mercury recoil reducing tube and a tritium front bead.Wow, heavy metals and radioactivity. Why not go the whole nine yards and get an asbestos stock and use dioxin-contaminated oil to lube it. ;)

Roflmfao!:D

So anyone with a copy of that article? I'm curious because I always thought a SXS shotgun would be better for HD than a pump. So I would like to read the article to confirm my suspicions :-)) Hope someone can provide it for my recreational reading. Thanks.

I'd like to hear about that article too.
But, those who clear houses for a living, I've never hear of them using a coach gun. Food for thought.

I tend to believe that clearing a house, and defending yourself in your home are two separate scenarios, that just happen to have a few overlapping aspects.


I would be very interested in seeing how the advantages of the coach gun stack up against pump action or semi-auto shotguns in home defense conditions.

To the gent asking if a spartan would be better: I've personally not shot one, but I do know of two which have had the seam between barrels split, and need re-welded.

As for pumps vs. doubles, here's an amusing bit of anecdotal evidence. I'm just not quite sure what it's evidence of, though.

At a recent SASS match, they had an extra category called "Wild Bunch." The general idea was to mimic the movie of the same name, by allowing the use of 1911s and Winchester '97s. Before you say that '97s are always allowed, the new wrinkle was that this time, they started loaded up, instead of the usual open and empty. I thought that would be a huge advantage over the open and empty double. Just no sort of competition. WRONG!! I shot both my normal way, with single actions and a double, and the Wild Bunch way, with a 1911, and stoked pump. I think the best improvement I had all day was about 2 seconds, and often not even that.

The flip side of that, is that I'm not at all sure I would do as well in the dark, without my shotgun belt, and possibly without enough room to swing the double around for loading purposes.

~~~Mat

Many years ago I bought a Rossi Overland Coach in 12 Ga, external functioning hammers. Idea was to leave it loaded/hammers down on what I thought would be a safety notch, with blocked firing pins for backup. After examination showed no blocked firing pins, and a fragile-appearing safety notch, I traded it for a Stoeger Coach in 12 Ga.

The Stoeger worked fine, but the stock apparently didn't fit me well (straight grip), and drove my thumb into my nose, which really diminished the fun of shooting it!

Traded the Stoeger for a Remington Spartan 12 ga Coach w/choke tubes. This gun fits better for me (pg stock), and shoots pretty much to poa at 20 yds or so, both buck & slugs, with the slugs vertically separated by maybe 3".

All 3 kicked like hell with slugs or heavy buck loads, but now I can shoot without a bloody nose! Doubles and singles are my favorites.

So anyone with a copy of that article? I'm curious because I always thought a SXS shotgun would be better for HD than a pump. So I would like to read the article to confirm my suspicions :-)) Hope someone can provide it for my recreational reading. Thanks.

I'd like to hear about that article too.
But, those who clear houses for a living, I've never hear of them using a coach gun. Food for thought.

PM sent.

Hi Domino,

Can you put me on the list also? Thanks a lot.

Thanks everyone for the replies. Almost as good as D v. R don't you think?

Shoot safe, John

Hi Domino

Hello from Bluffton. We were at CAFB on Tuesday afternoon to shoot skeet. Great fun!

To the gent asking if a spartan would be better: I've personally not shot one, but I do know of two which have had the seam between barrels split, and need re-welded.

On those guns, did they have a sling swivel stud drilled and tapped into the barrel divider? I saw a double of undetermined make go afoul because of that, too much stress on the rib.

Hi Domino,

Can you put me on the list also? Thanks a lot.

Thanks everyone for the replies. Almost as good as D v. R don't you think?

Shoot safe, John

Done!

Hi Domino

Hello from Bluffton. We were at CAFB on Tuesday afternoon to shoot skeet. Great fun!

Glad you liked it, I have only done it a few times myself and I really enjoyed it too. Since I don't have my Stoeger here with me I like the fact that they will loan you browning over and unders in 12 or 20 gauge for free, and all you have to do is supply your ammo, pay for clays, and clean em' when you are done. Not a bad deal at all for a day of fun!

On those guns, did they have a sling swivel stud drilled and tapped into the barrel divider? I saw a double of undetermined make go afoul because of that, too much stress on the rib.

I couldn't say for sure, but I highly doubt it. They're both guns shot by cowboy hotrods, and neither one of those guys are long on adding extraneous stuff to their irons.

This (http://www.stoegerindustries.com/firearms/stoeger_condor_outback.php) is the one I intend to buy in 20 ga blue/walnut.

I had two Stoeger Coach guns, one in 12 and one in 20. They are not the best gun but they are a great gun for the money.

I read the article. Very interesting. Thank you, Domino.

How would you guys rate Spartan coach guns vs. Stoeger? Do any of them have ejectors as opposed to extractors?

In my mind, an ideal HD SxS would be a 20ga with single trigger and automatic selective ejectors. 20" barrels. There would be a ammo storage device on the stock. That's how I see it...

I like 'em ..think they're neat :)

Here's another good thread on them...
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=303575&highlight=coach+gun

No, if you want selective ejectors in an inexpensive double, for some odd reason, you'll find that in O/Us like the Yildiz, but the SxSs have extractors. :rolleyes: I'd prefer selective ejectors, but my Spartan has what I was looking for, choke tubes and double triggers (I wanted it primarily for hunting). It's a 20 and I keep it in the bedroom loaded with #3 buck and a butt cuff on it with spare ammo. I use the safe room strategy figuring the BG can have anything he wants in the house if he can get out with it before the cops show up. We have a pretty quick response time in this little town. If he comes through that locked door, he gets a chest full of number 3 at about 15 feet. Shouldn't need another round. :D I ain't into house clearing, rather leave that to the pros while I prepare in my little fortress. Of course, it's just me and the wife at home now days. If you have kids in another bedroom to protect, the safe room strategy might not work for you. But, in this scenario, I don't reckon I'll ever need to reload, but if I do, I can yank those empties out pretty fast. Dove hunting is good practice for that. :D There's a lot to be said for defense with a gun you are intimate with in the field and know blindfolded and upside down.

I can't say that the Spartan is any better than the Stoeger for defense. I bought it mostly for hunting and it's much better for that use just by having choke tubes. I can say it's a well regulated, very well built shotgun that should be going long after I ain't. It ain't real pretty to look at, but it grows on you with time. Pretty is as pretty does. It fits me well and recoil in 20 gauge is a non-issue. I find myself using it for many chores. Yesterday, when my son-in-law got off work, I rode down to the place with him to set up another stand closer to my big feeder so he can bow hunt it and to set up another feeder on the other side of the place. I grabbed the Spartan and tossed a slug in the left barrel when we got there in case we came across a hog. Right I/C choked barrel had a dove load in it as dove season has opened here. You can't do that with a pump. :D

As you probably know, Beretta owns Stoeger.

Does Beretta own Franchi and Benelli too? If you go to Franchi's website you will see info on Stoeger and Benelli shotguns

Hey, for home defense - absolutely. I bought one for a buddy of mine whose wife has to sit at home alone in the boonies too often. I bought it and put it through its paces before I handed it over.

Quality is pretty good for the price. Not a Perazzi or even Beretta, but good, solid, well finished, well engineered hardware. And very, very handy :evil:

Some folks aren't comfortable with an auto or pump shotgun for home defense. In my case, my buddy's wife isn't even much of a casual shooter, but knows a little bit about firearms. He didn't want anything too complicated for her to use in an emergency.

The thing shot great with #4 high brass loads I used to break it in, and was very impressive with the "real thing" I gave 'em for actual home defense - #4 Buck. Recoil with the #4 Buck was stout, but manageable. The lady loves it.

My buddy, does, too, but she doesn't let him shoot it very often :evil: Next time I see one at a good price, I may buy one for my lady.

As far as a double vs pump.

I can go into it very specifically but, suffice it to say "silence is golden."
Especially when you are alone and having to clear a home to get to the children.

Meaning......Don't clear a home alone. This is a dangerous proposition for a team of trained professionals. You, alone in the dark is not going to be very effective or safe clearing a house alone. So, don't do it. But, if you must go protect your cubs......then, silence is golden.

The doubles can be effective stoppers (read: very lethal). That pump sound some of us want to give as a warning? Not good!!!!!!!!!
When it is life and death; silence is golden.

Think about it for just a moment, from the stand point of tactics. What if it is not a burglary but, a professional hit? (it happens all the time to ordinary people too) You just told every one in the house what type of weapon you have, about how much ammo, and worst of all...............your location!!!!!!!!!

I like a Remington 870 better than a double for a fighting gun but, the doubles have an advantage when it comes to the tactics of "silence is golden."

Think of it in hunting terms. You don't make the deer aware of where you are......right?

I know it is a scary proposition to think of defense as offense. Especially when it is a human you are targeting. But, this predator is the one that brought the fight to you. Now you have to finish it before he/she does. Stay strong and focus on surviving. Put them down.

Okay, longer than I wanted. Just stick with silence is golden for a tactic of HD.

.

Does Beretta own Franchi and Benelli too? If you go to Franchi's website you will see info on Stoeger and Benelli shotguns

go to http://www.beretta.com/ and mouse over group :rolleyes:







:D hehe

I have a cz-usa coach gun made by huglu. It's a real beauty. It came with screw in chokes. It's been discontinued but has been replaced with a hammer coach gun that looks just as good. Concerning recoil I don't have much of a problem with this, could be my size, but that's all pretty individualistic anyway. I've looked at the stoegers. You get whatever fits your budget better.

http://www.cz-usa.com/product_detail.php?id=77

Originally Posted by sanglat go to http://www.beretta.com/ and mouse over group

Sanglat if you mouse over to http://www.franchiusa.com/?Lingua=usa you will see the same info. Does that mean Franchi owns Beretta?

sorry 'bout being flippant(i must have mistook the tone of your last post:o) but here's a quote and link if you really wanted to know:)

Beretta U.S.A. is part of the Beretta Holding Group. Controlled by the Beretta family, the group encompasses key manufacturers of field and competition firearms and optics, as well as trading and distribution companies in Italy and abroad including Benelli, Franchi and Uberti in Italy, and Sako and Tikka in Finland. The oldest among them, Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A. (Pietro Beretta arms manufacturing company), which has been handed down over fifteen generations, was active in the village of Gardone Val Trompia in the fifteenth century. Documentary evidence for the family business dates back to 1526. Cav. Ugo Gussalli Beretta and his sons, Pietro and Franco, run the company today. (http://www.nraila.org/News/Read/NewsReleases.aspx?ID=11492)

can't find the information on beretta's page anymore :o

sang

I have a Stoger coach gun in 20ga with a cut off shoulder stock covered up with a hogue slip over finger grove grip. Its not my primary HD gun but I would certainly trust it for that.

Without a stock it resembles a howdah style pistol more than a shotgun and in 20ga the recoil very managable with basic walmart #7 target loads. I bought it for 215$ out the door with the idea of spending another 100$ to add a proper stock to it and I may still get around to that one of these days but after putting a couple of boxes of shells down range I actually kinda like it just the way it is. ( It evenly peppers the 7 ring on a standard b27 target at ranges of 7-10 yds )

sanglant: Thanks :) I had no Idea that beretta owned those companies. I always thought Benelli & Franchi were competers of beretta

I used to have a Stoeger Silverado (kinda wish I still had it) and currently have a plain jane Spartan. Can't really argue at this point about which is "better" although the Stoeger seemed a bit better finished. The Spartan, however, has one attribute that to me makes it better for keeping in a HD role. The Spartan has rebounding firing pins which makes it possible to drop the hammers on snap caps, remove the forearm, open the barrels and replace the snap caps with live rounds, close the barrels and replace the forearm. You now have a loaded shotgun with the hammers down that can be made ready by simply cracking open the gun. Faster than loading it. The Stoeger's design makes it very difficult, almost impossible to replace the forearm if the hammers are down and as I remember the stoeger firing pins protrude when down. Consequently, the Stoeger has to be kept loaded with safety on, kept loaded with action broken open, or kept unloaded and loaded when needed. I would prefer to keep the action on a HD weapon uncocked most of the time if possible. I keep a pump with empty chamber and hammer down in another location also.

I have one (soon to be had) that I used exclusively for Cowboy Action Shooting. They are solidly built, and have fixed chokes of Modified, and Improved (I THINK this is the choke size for each).

I have run approximately 600 rounds through mine including Black Powder and Smokeless with no problems.

Recoil can be a little harsh sometimes, but a rubber butt pad, along with a mercury tube used with the AA Winchester "Featherlights" (half noise and half recoil) loads make this into a SWEET shooter.

Since I am leaving CAS and have no other use for the Stoeger, I am selling mine on Gunbroker. I have other shotguns that fit the home defense requirements.

I think this model SXS would be decent enough for it. I just don't like being limited to 2 rounds before reloading.

The stoeger is easy to close uncocked. With the gun open all the way, shells in chambers, hold both triggers down. This prevents the sears from engaging. Then close the action, and the hammers lower as you close.

~~~Mat

Mat, that's interesting information to know. Thanks for sharing it.

I take it there's no auto-safety on the Stoeger?

I believe there is. I just got back from my local gun store and handled a couple of Stoeger Coach guns. The safety engaged everytime I opened the action. MCgunner, I saw in a previous topic that you have an SPR220. How do you like it and does it have an auto safety? Pics would be nice to. I'm really looking at getting a coach gun.

Thanks, Flip
flip97gt@msn.com (pics:))

I have the Stoeger 'Coach in 12ga Mag - the internal hammer design. it is choked improved cylinder right bbl and modified choke left bbl.
I had a problem with the cocking system in it - the cocking arms bear on the wood of the fore-end in the slots for them and the wood got depressed enough that the arm didn't have enough travel to lock in.
I solved the problem by squaring the heads of 2 large tacks to fit down into the recesses for the cocking arms and drove them into the wood for a 'bearing surface'. the cocking systems has quite stiff springs - the fireing pin really puts an indent into the primer.
other than than small flaw abslolutely reliable. built like a tank.
it does have a safety - the slide type mounted atop the breech tang. easy to use.
it shoots good - handles and comes to shoulder well and patterns well, I use it for rabbits, quail, grouse and such besides haveing it leaned in near corner of my bed by the nite-lite.
I installed a large reddish-pink 'day-glo' flourescent front bead on mine.
it's the only weapon I own that I feel invincible with when wielding it with my Makarov carried in pants holster.

MCgunner, I saw in a previous topic that you have an SPR220. How do you like it and does it have an auto safety? Pics would be nice to. I'm really looking at getting a coach gun.

I like it a lot, points quickly and naturally for me. I primarily bought the thing for hunting, but I like it for defense, too. The choke tubes add a LOT of versatility to the gun.

Wood fit is typical of a less expensive field gun, overlaps everywhere. Ain't as bad as a H&R single barrel, but you get the idea. Wood is plain and metal lacks adornment, it's all business. Pretty is as pretty does and it shoots very well. Choked M/IC it's deadly on doves. I choke it cyl/IC for teal and it's deadly with 3" number 4 steel shot. In 20 gauge, recoil is a non-issue, but it lets you know it's a gun with 3" loads. I put 4 boxes through it in a 3 day dove hunt when I first got it and my shoulder wasn't sore, nice. I did just about as well with it as with my 12s, too, 3 limits. Factoring in birds I couldn't find, I shot close to one for 2, not quite, call it one for 2 1/2 shots, but that ain't shabby at all for ME, not on doves. Not much, if any better with my Winchester 1400 12 gauge. Slugs are sweet in it and hit well at 50 yards with a little Kentucky windage to account for barrel regulation at that range. It's regulated to about 30 yards. groups about 2-3" at 50 with Remington slugs. I am not entertaining hunting with slugs in the gun, but I like knowing it'll shoot 'em and how it shoots for the survival gun application. And, I do carry a slug or two with me when I dove hunt my place. You never know when a hog is going to come stumbling by. :D

The main thing you have to remember with a coach gun when wing shooting is to concentrate on swing and follow through. IT's whippy as hell compared to a repeater, especially a 12 gauge repeater, and you will find yourself swinging past the target or swinging erratically. It makes you pay attention to what you're doing and I think that's a good thing. It points very fast. If I quail hunted, I think it'd make an awesome quail gun. It has become a favorite dove gun and as I often take my GoldWing motorcycle on hunts, it stows easily in the saddle bags or top trunk. That right there is 90 percent of why I wanted it. :D But, I've since become hooked on it and take it in the truck and leave my 12s home.:D I grab it just when I wanna take a walk in the woods, so danged versatile, like a combo gun, really, with slug and shot loaded. I am a rifleman at heart, but this thing is just too versatile to leave home and with a slug, it's almost like shooting a rifle, limited as its range may be.

Oh, almost for got, but length of pull on the gun is quite short. I added a Pachmayr recoil pad to it not because of recoil, but made the gun fit me a lot better, especially in dove season when I'm normally in shirt sleeves. Fit is important.

http://thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=51694&d=1169336269

Now, is your a 12 or a 20 ga? What chokes do you like to use when just walking and when using slugs? How easy is it to break down? I'm looking to also use it as a travel/trunk gun that easily stows away in a suitcase to be reassembled in a hotel room for those multinight stays that I seem to be having alot of lately.

Thanks, Flip.

Mine's a 20, but they make a 12 in he same gun. Comes with cylinder, IC, Mod, full chokes. IC/Mod is most used afield and I replace the mod with cylinder when I wanna tote a slug. Don't have to, but gives a little better accuracy than choking the barrel. I tried IC/Full on doves, but full just seemed too tight. Really patterns well at 40 yards, very tight, but doves are normally inside 40 yards when I shoot at 'em. You really have to be ON 'em with the full choke. When teal hunting over decoys with steel shot, cyl/IC is the ticket. Steel requires less choke. The gun is really quick on those low flying teal that surprise you early morning. So far, all I've used on teal is steel 4s in 3" hulls. 20 gauge is a little light for big ducks, but will do the job over decoys if you can keep 'em 35 yards and in. I really prefer to use a 12 on big ducks, though.

The gun breaks down quick, like most coach guns. Just has a lever under the fore end to flip and the fore end comes off, then open the breech and remove the barrels. Takes less time than typing about it and I'm a fast typer.:D I load up with 20 count number 3 Remington buckshot for self defense and keep a couple of slugs in my butt cuff just in case. I keep the IC and cylinder chokes in the gun for defense. If I'm working down at my place or just casual field use, carry while hiking and I'm not hunting particularly any specific animal, I'll just carry it with the cly/IC chokes I put in it for defense. I load the left cyl bore with a slug, the right IC with a 6 or 7.5 to be used on rabbit if I jump one or some such just general utility. If I think I might need some range past 25 or 30 yrds, I might slip the mod choke in the right barrel, but usually just leave the IC. Reason I put the cyl in the left barrel is that I KNOW if rabbit jumps, my first instinct is to go to the front trigger. If I see a hog or something, my first instinct is to go to the rear trigger on a long shot. The rear trigger fires the left barrel. I've been shooting doubles for a long time and old habits are very hard to break.:D

I don't know that the Spartan is any better than the Stoeger for self defense use, but the choke tubes sure improve its versatility if you even THINK you might wanna shoot clays or hunt with it sometime.

I found one in 12 ga for a REAL decent price and am thinking real hard on it. There is also a Stoeger for sale in the classifieds also that seems nice to.

Flip.

Cool. I just got a 20 cause I already had 3 12s and wanted another 20. I had a wingmaster in 20 when I was a kid and know 20 will do MOST of what a 12 will do in the field. 12 is a better choice, of course, for pure self defense which is your priority. Too, I know how my old light side by side kicks with 3" 12s in it and wanted something a little easier on my old bones when I went dove hunting, which can involve a lot of shooting, why I love to do it. :D I should get my H&R 10 gauge this week. Then, I will only lack 28 gauge for a halfway common collection. I mean, I don't consider odd stuff like 32 or 4 bore. LOL My .410 is a 10" contender, but hey, I really got little use for a long gun in that bore size.

MCGunner summed it up for the SP220- mine is 12Ga, and I will likely add a 20 also.

Excellent value for the money; not fancy, but works every time, enough weight to help with the recoil of slugs & buck.