Stoeger Coach Gun vs Uplander Field differences

[Tallinar]

I am considering purchasing a Stoeger Coach Gun or an Uplander Field model. Specifically, I am looking at a two-trigger model. I don't have a particular shooting application in mind. I just want a double barrel to play with. Maybe cowboy action if I ever have a chance to get back into it.

My question: Aside from barrel length and maybe choke differences, are there any mechanical or qualitative differences between these models to be aware of?

 

[Virginian]

Nope.

 

[George P]

Barrel length definitely affects swing dynamics, so for anything requiring you to swing the gun on target, longer barrels are better.

 

[Tallinar]

Thanks guys. Ended up ordering a 26” Uplander Field gun. Seemed like a good length for a general use SBS.

My only experience with a SBS in the past was with an old Levefer Nitro Special with 30” barrel. Had a lot of fun with that. Belongs to my brother now, and the right barrel trigger doesn’t reset properly. I’ve thought about maybe looking into fixing that up for him someday, assuming parts can be found.

 

[jmr40]

Shorter barreled SXS's have been popular for southern quail hunting for a while. Quail usually flush straight away with very few crossing shots. And in the real world are often shot in thick brush. There isn't really any swinging involved. You usually point and shoot. In thick brush you poke the barrels through an opening and pull the trigger. The quicker you pull the trigger the better so shots are often close. I've known some guys to cut a SXS down to 24" and use them with no choke. For what I use a shotgun for a 26" SXS makes a lot of sense.

 

[DocRock]

No difference other than barrel length. I have a coach. It's rubbish. It's not well made, the barrels are not well regulated, and the forend shot loose in less than 100 rounds and requires constant attention. I use it for CAS, so it doesn't really matter. I don't know anyone in the game that uses one that would have a much different point of view. They're cheap because they're rubbish. If you must make the same mistake I did, then definitely double trigger as it takes another failure point out of the equation.

I would take a hard look at the CZ guns. They are better quality and will serve for what you want.

 

[George P]

Shorter barreled SXS's have been popular for southern quail hunting for a while. Quail usually flush straight away with very few crossing shots. And in the real world are often shot in thick brush. There isn't really any swinging involved. You usually point and shoot. In thick brush you poke the barrels through an opening and pull the trigger. The quicker you pull the trigger the better so shots are often close. I've known some guys to cut a SXS down to 24" and use them with no choke. For what I use a shotgun for a 26" SXS makes a lot of sense.

Wasn't that way on the quail hunt I went on near Sylvester, GA. They flushed in all directions including right at me and there was no thick brush, it was wiregrass and tall pines. My 28" 20 gauge was more than adequate

 

[Barbaroja]

Thanks guys. Ended up ordering a 26” Uplander Field gun. Seemed like a good length for a general use SBS.

My only experience with a SBS in the past was with an old Levefer Nitro Special with 30” barrel. Had a lot of fun with that. Belongs to my brother now, and the right barrel trigger doesn’t reset properly. I’ve thought about maybe looking into fixing that up for him someday, assuming parts can be found.

I believe numrich has parts for the LaFevre nitro special. Awesome shotguns I’ve got a 20ga from 1926 that belonged to my great granddad.

 

[Tallinar]

No difference other than barrel length. I have a coach. It's rubbish. It's not well made, the barrels are not well regulated, and the forend shot loose in less than 100 rounds and requires constant attention. I use it for CAS, so it doesn't really matter. I don't know anyone in the game that uses one that would have a much different point of view. They're cheap because they're rubbish. If you must make the same mistake I did, then definitely double trigger as it takes another failure point out of the equation.

I would take a hard look at the CZ guns. They are better quality and will serve for what you want.

Thanks. I have done quite a bit of research on the Stoeger guns, and I think I’m pretty familiar with their common troubles. General consensus I’ve gathered among CAS shooters seems to be that they shape up to be good guns if you are willing to put a little work in on them.

I did look into the CZ guns as well. The Bobwhite G2 looked appealing, but I decided against it because I didn’t like the off center stock.

 

[George P]

but I decided against it because I didn’t like the off center stock.

Off center stock???? You mean it has cast off?

 

[Tallinar]

Off center stock???? You mean it has cast off?

Yes, cast off. That’s the term I was looking for. Not a fan of cast off.

 

[George P]

I am not either since I am LH. However, if I was RH, I would welcome cast off so it fit me better. I have several "neutral" stocks, from Brownings to a S&W Elite Gold, and they fit ~OK~, but not as well as a stock cast for a better fit.

 

[Tallinar]

I imagine that I'd probably appreciate a cast off stock as a practical implement if I shot shotguns more often and as a serious sport. As it is, I don't get a whole lot of opportunity to shoot shotguns. And call me crazy, but I just like straight lines. I prefer my guns to have a plain, neutral feel, rather than a sense that the gun has been customized to fit some people and not others. Cast off stock just doesn't do it for me.

If I held the Bobwhite G2, maybe I would have changed my mind. But I've handled a few Stoegers while shooting CAS before and feel like I know what I'm getting myself into.

 

[Tallinar]

Quick update. Got my Uplander a few weeks ago. As expected from all my reading, it was craaaazy stiff. Required an obscene amount of force to open and close it.

I spent a few hours working on it though, and wow, it's made a world of difference. I ended up pre-emptively ordering improved firing pins and a lighter lever spring from Long Hunter Shooting Supply. Lightening that spring made a significant difference. I also borrowed a friend's Dremel tool, and using some simple felt polishing wheels and red compound, I did some light polishing on the mating lugs between the forearm and the receiver. I could have probably got more aggressive in these areas, but was hesitant to go too far lest my ignorance overpower me and I end up altering the function of the gun.

The BIGGEST difference made was by far to do with the extractor. I removed the extractor and buffed the shaft of it using 600 grit sandpaper. I then used a file and carefully shaved off tiny bits of material from the sides of the extractor and from the area near the chamber openings where the extractor was catching. After putting it all back together, I am confident that this was causing the bulk of the difficulty in opening and closing. The gun can now be opened easily. It doesn't quite just fall open when you depress the lever, but requires no more pressure to cock than the old Lefever Nitro Special did.

Overall, I am very happy with how it turned out. It's definitely not a work of art, and you can definitely tell that fit and finish on these from the factory is not amazing. But I am pleased with the opportunity it gave me to grow in my novice gunsmithing skills, and how spending just a few bucks and a few hours at the bench really transformed this thing into a keeper.

I also like how simple the gun is to work on. The action is simple enough that even as a true novice, I feel like I could diagnose and fix anything that goes wrong with this gun. Really happy with it.

 

[buck460XVR]

Shorter barreled SXS's have been popular for southern quail hunting for a while. Quail usually flush straight away with very few crossing shots. And in the real world are often shot in thick brush. There isn't really any swinging involved. You usually point and shoot. .

Same with grouse and woodcock around here. Birds are generally in tight cover and swinging a log barreled shotgun is not always easy. Most shots are during the flush and straight up(woodcock always stop for a split second after they rise and before they sail) and pointing a short gun with open chokes works better, especially with doubles as you also don't have the receiver length added in there. Unlike a duck or pheasant where you need to swing with a lead on them. My favorite grouse/woodcock gun is a outside hammer coach gun with 20" barrels. Most coach guns don't have the option of interchangeable chokes, but for their purpose, they are not needed.