Chewie I used to think the same thing until I read this. Preferably read the bottom of the second page where they talk about shot size in detail.I don't think so. I like the storage capabilities of being loaded and no spring problems. Due to my trying out a shotgun in the old house I really appreciate the blast effect and don't think much will be happening after a couple rounds, even if you would miss.
One other thing after trying out #4 buck is I really dojn't think shot size makes much differance at household ranges on a person. I wouldn't use slugs becase they do penatrate so far, but bird shot or buck will do the job.
I have to admit, a problem with my Stoeger is the difficulty of opening and closing the action. I think I just need to clean it up more.
Six said:Look at these pages
http://marauder.homestead.com/files/stoeger.html
http://marauder.homestead.com/files/stoeger2.html
http://marauder.homestead.com/files/stoeger3.html
It's very easy to get the Stoeger working much smoother.
Very true. One thing that is often over looked is that a 20'' barreled coach gun is WAY shorter than a 18'' barreled 870.For HD, a Lupara or coach gun has merit. Reliable, simple MOA, effective. The two shot capacity is a drawback, but knowing fast reloading helps.
"We note with pleasure that Ruger is now promoting what they call a "John Wayne Coach Gun," which is a short-barreled, exposed hammer, double-twelve shotgun. (I have in the past referred to this sort of piece as a lupara, a term of Sicilian extraction, but by whatever name it is a highly utilitarian object.) The shotgun is probably the ideal instrument for home defense, and it should be neither complex nor clumsy. Eighteen- or twenty-inch barrels contribute to handy manipulation indoors, and exposed hammers permit the weapon to be maintained fully loaded indefinitely without mainspring fatigue. It may be true that the large bore-size of a shotgun invites small beasties to take up residence in your lupara, but that can be avoided by inserting a small cotton ball in each muzzle. We must accept the fact that the "John Wayne Coach Gun" will be promoted more as an accessory to "cowboy action shooting" than as an instrument of home defense. No matter. Whether you play cowboy or not, home-defense remains a serious matter."
Get a Mossberg pump shotgun w/ 18 1'2" barrel.
All together now: "Cycling causes spring fatigue, not loading!"I always find it amusing how many people feel the need to tell someone choosing a coach gun for HD how wrong they are.
I also wonder about the "spring fatigue" everyone seems to be so worried about with internal hammer models left cocked and ready. All my rifle are left cocked, my auto pistol is left cocked, and when I had I pump it was left cocked. Why are SxS guns different?