Stoeger shotguns

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Slater

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I've heard that this brand is owned by Benelli, and are essentially budget versions of that particular brand. Anybody have any positive/negative experiences with Stoeger?
 
No, Benelli and Stoeger are both owned by Beretta. Stoeger SxSs are made in Brazil. I am not aware of any big similarities between any Benelli and Stoeger models. Their SxS models with double triggers and extractors have proven pretty reliable and popular in cowboy shooting, which is tough on guns. There have been quite a few reported issues with single trigger ejector models. I have had a couple of their Uplander models, and they are not Purdeys, but they worked fine. The early Stoeger semi autos had a few issues, but the newer ones seem okay.
 
I believe both Benelli and Stoeger semiautos use the inertia operating system?
 
I believe both Benelli and Stoeger semiautos use the inertia operating system?

I own a couple Benelli's (SBE and M1S90) and a Stoeger M3K that I use in 3GUN.

Essentially the same system with minor differences. The Stoeger actually has some pluses, like the action spring being on the mag tube, VS. a captured tube in the buttstock. Much, much easier to clean and maintain. The Benelli Bolt disassembles easier, whereas the Stoeger has a roll pin to drive out. The Benelli is nicer finished.

The M3K, has become very popular in 3Gun, and I'll often see 4 or more in my squad. They're very reliable and can stand up to high round count stages. This says a lot because I've been using shotguns for trap, skeet, sporting clays, and hunting, and nothing IMHO puts more stress on a shotgun than 3gun. It's just not normal to go through 20+ rds in a minute in any other game.
 
The actual structure is: Beretta owns Benelli, Benelli owns Franchi and Stoeger. Not that it matters.

I owned a M2000 and it ran fine.
 
Stoegers are built to a certain price point, and are basically thought of as budget guns; their double guns are nothing to write home about. Depending on what you intend to do with it, it might be OK.
 
Don't let the Beretta and Benelli relationship fool you. Stoegers are cheap for a reason (yes, I own one and yes, I think it's pretty carpy). The only good thing is that Benelli, rather than Beretta, runs Stoeger customer service. Because you'll be talking to them...
 
Never was owned by Browning:

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The company featured on the cover of the October American Rifleman has traveled an interesting road. It started on Fifth Avenue in New York City in 1918. That’s when Austrian immigrant Alexander F. Stoeger sent out his first fliers advertising guns and accessories. Stoeger became a mail-order firearm and accessory company, and its “catalog and handbook” grew from a wire-bound pamphlet into an actual book, one that served as a snapshot in time for each year as to which firearms from around the world were commercially available. We know that book today as the Shooter’s Bible.
Stoeger was more than just a catalog operation, as it brought in Mauser actions from Oberndorf and, in the interwar years, was the “sole authorized” importer of German Luger pistols. As a matter of fact, the “Luger” name in the United States was owned by Stoeger. The firm’s first sojourn into manufacturing came when it offered an “attachment”—really a barrel, slide and magazine—that converted .38 Super or .45 ACP Colt Government Models into .22 Long Rifle pistols. Stoeger also sold .22 Long Rifle versions of the Luger, made by Stanley Tool Co., in the 1970s. In the 90s, the company even offered its own 9 mm Lugers in stainless and blue finishes.

The firm closed its New York City showroom and moved first to Long Island and then to New Jersey in 1956. When I came onto the sce ne in the early 1990s, Stoeger—in addition to its book-publishing empire—was one of the most well-known importers in the United States, bringing in guns from Sako and Llama, as well as IGA shotguns. In 1994, Stoeger’s majority owner became Finland’s Sako Oy, which in turn was bought by Beretta Holding in 2000.

While Beretta USA was delighted to take over Sako and Tikka importation, Stoeger was moved to Maryland and fell under the direction of Benelli USA, which imports the Benelli, Franchi and Uberti lines. The Beretta Holding era saw the end of the publishing empire that was the bread and butter of the company for so many decades. There were a number of reasons for this, but Beretta is really good at making guns—books, not so much. That said, Shooter’s Bible and some of the other titles are alive and well, just published by someone else.

Still in the Stoeger firearm line are the side-by-side and over-under shotguns—there’s even a single-barrel trap gun—as made by E.R. Amantino in Brazil. Although they may have upgraded cosmetics and added new models—such as the Double Defense—their foundations are still the familiar IGA guns imported for decades.

Elsewhere, a company in Turkey was making a semi-automatic shotgun modeled very closely on the inertia system—and Benelli’s patents were not up. Beretta Holding acquired the Versan factory, and now it reads “Stoeger” on the side of the building. Beretta invested heavily in what was a good plant to begin with, and it produces guns that are truly an excellent value for the money, starting with the Model 2000 inertia-operated 12-ga. shotgun. Since then, more pump-action and semi-automatics have been added. The STR-9, as covered this month by Mike Detty, is not the first handgun produced there, either—that honor goes to the Model 8000 rotary-locking pistol previously made in Italy as the Beretta Model 8000 Cougar. Regardless of their modest price tags, I have found Stoeger guns to be both reliable and unpretentious.
 
The only good thing is that Benelli, rather than Beretta, runs Stoeger customer service.
How true. Beretta customer service truly sucks, I’ve had good luck with Benelli.

The STR-9, as covered this month by Mike Detty, is not the first handgun produced there, either—that honor goes to the Model 8000 rotary-locking pistol previously made in Italy as the Beretta Model 8000 Cougar.
I’ve had a Stoeger Cougar for over ten years and never had a hiccup. My daughter liked it so much we got one for her. My M2000 never gave me any trouble. I stay away from Stoeger O/U’s and SxS’s.
I thought Browning owned
Stoeger else that has changed and i didn't know.
In a nutshell, when John Browning sold a firearm invention to Winchester it had always been for a lump some. Some time in the very late 1800’s Browning brought an invention to Winchester and said he wanted a piece of the pie on every unit sold instead of receiving a lump sum. Winchester told Browning to pack sand. Browning set up a meeting with Remington. On the day of the meeting Remington’s president died, from a heart attack I believe.

Browning next contacted FN in Belgium who welcomed him with open arms and went a step further than the arrangement Browning envisioned. FN’s plan was to sell all Browning inventions in North America under the Browning name and everywhere else under their name. Browning agreed and the rest is history. Many many years later FN purchased Browning outright.
 
I have a friend who is an avid duck hunter who has a Stoeger auto, and he only has good things to say about it. Another friend has a very modified one he uses as a 3 gun competitor, and he won't use anything else.
 
The Brazilian made Stoegers suck (SxS/O/U), the semis made in Turkey are decent. The Turks make good stuff
 
I saw two new Stoegers on the clay ranges the same day this year. One was a 3000. One was a 3500. The 3000 ran good. The 3500 jammed many times. FWIW, he was using ammo labeled as "Heavy Target".
 
The Brazilian made Stoegers suck (SxS/O/U), the semis made in Turkey are decent. The Turks make good stuff

My favorite gun is the Bellini Ultra light, own a few Beretta's and a Mossberg. Have a Stoeger Brazilian O/U Short barrel and has been a very nice shotgun and worked out very well. Actually surprised at how well it has shot and the quality as far a utilitarian shotgun. Lol, it hardly sucks. At least not this gun. Not in the same class as others, but works for the tool I use it for. I am Passing on the Bellini to my son and a few others. Will keep the OV and a the Mossberg for hunting. No longer shoot trap/Skeet or birds. Now just Small game, turkey/Deer. Actually looking back wish I had not spent so much money on some the the expensive guns. At least expensive for my wallet. Mine is 12ga, thinking about getting another one 20ga. Love the short barrel (20") with the ability to use different chokes. Stoeger did a great job on this shotgun. I have a range buddy that bought the OV Double defense and runs the heck out of it. He loves his. Cool gun. Simple to use.
Could not tell you about the semi's but there are quite a few folks shooting them at the local club.
 
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Anyone know the difference between the Stoeger M2000 and M3000 series?
 
I like the fit of the 3000, don't need a 3.1/2" 3500. Not sure what a 2000 is other than it is not listed on Stogers site.
 
Not sure what a 2000 is other than it is not listed on Stogers site.
The M2000 was the predecessor of the M3000.
Anyone know the difference between the Stoeger M2000 and M3000 series?
I found this and have no idea about the veracity.

“The 2000 is a much different gun internally. It has a very short barrel extension, and is proneto flex and wear. It is known to wear to the point of lost reliability under heavy use. TheM3000/3500 is a much improved design. It borrows heavily from the Benelli M2 and M3 designs. The recoil spring is moved forward around the magazine tube like the M3, allowing the stock to be cut to any usable length. The cam pin setup in the bolt is not based on any previous version of the Inertia bolt design. The M3000 and 3500 share most internal parts, differing primarily in that the 3500 is longer to accommodate 3-1/2 inch shells. We don't use these shells for 3gun, but one of my sponsored shooters had us build one specifically for the larger loading port and he swears by the increased loading ease of the larger port. Some extra internal work must be done to reliably run lighter loads in the 3.5 inch gun. Either the M3000 or the 3500 is a good platform for 3gun, but the 2000 cannot handle the abuse.”

As stated before I had no issues with my M2000.
 
The 2000 is the predecessor to the M3000 but a fine gun for the cost. It is very similar to the Beretta 1200 FP and Bellini M1 Super90. I guess you are looking at a used model? The 1201 was the military and police model. They had a 1201 on the Beretta Website and I wish I had jumped on it, but the owner wanted quite a bit for it than I was willing to pay at the time.

https://modernfirearms.net/en/shotguns/turkey-shotguns/stoeger-2000-eng/
 
I have a Stoeger sxs coach gun that I bought in the 80s. My only deer gun for several years. Never had a problem with it.

Two years ago I bought a stoeger o/u for trap. Same thing. No problems.

IronHand
 
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