Stoeger 3500?

MThuntr

MThuntr

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Joined
Oct 9, 2009
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Location
In the Sagebrush of SW Montana
Ok boys this has been beat to death on other forums...talk me out of a Stoeger 3500 Waterfowler.

I've been shooting an 835 or 870 12 gauge since I was 18. I'm working on liquidating the redundant 870 and buying the 3500. The use will be primarily waterfowl and turkeys. I already have a vintage Charles Daly over/under (made in the Miroku plant alongside the Citori) for trap and upland birds so light load cycling is a non-issue. I hear the M3500 is a solid workhorse for crappy conditions.

I have a buddy that shoots a Maxus which I quite enjoy but do I really need to spend the extra $400-500 (which is currently not in the budget as I'm saving for a caribou hunt) for a gas operated system and 1/2lb lighter?
 
I'd probably buy a Beretta A300 Outlander before a Stoeger, they're about the same price. The Stoeger Condor I had for a while did not instill any confidence in the brand.

You could also look around for a used Benelli M2, which is the route I took. I've used mine on both ducks and turkeys with good success.
 
My buddy has a M3500 and he absolutely loves it. He's used it for two years for waterfowl and has never had any problems with it. I've shot it, looked it over, and have hunted with him over a dozen times that he has used it. I personally like the gun. It has a solid quality feel to it. The fore grip is narrow and solid feeling as well. I've held other guns and they feel hollow or flimsy. Didn't get that from the Stoeger at all.

My other buddy I duck hunt with has a Mossberg 935. He has had nothing but problems with it. He barely put any weight on it and it snapped the stock. He had to pay to get it fixed. Now he can't get it to cycle heavy loads, even after multiple thorough cleanings. I shot two geese with the Mossberg. It shoots nice, but honestly doesn't have near the quality feeling that the Stoeger has. Oh and my buddy is actually selling his Mossberg and a Go Pro to get a new M3500, that's how much better he likes the Stoeger than the Mossberg.

I ended up purchasing a Remington SPR 453 (actually a Baikal) and I love it. I have read nothing but great things about them. They are definitely a no frills gun, but a workhorse and doesn't look to bad for a $300 used gun. I have not had any trouble other than with cheap Winchester target loads from walmart. The Federal target loads cycle flawlessly. If I didn't find a Baikal used, then I would have went with the M3500.

Hope that helps ya
 
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Mthuntr...,
I can only speak for the fit/finish on my Stoeger 2000 which shoots up to 3" shells.
The gun shoots full house loads like high brass game loads or buckshot EVERY TIME.
On a walking clays course with AA Handicap loads it single shotted me to the point of embarrassment. Since you have the O/U for those shoots you are covered.
I have handed my Stoeger 2000 in Mossy Oak as a test to an owner of a Benneli SBE and we walked back to the truck and he unloaded it and put it in his case before I came clean with him.
This gun was out the door for $379 from Dicks Sporting Goods 6-7 years ago when the Super Black eagles were going for $900-$1100.
My gun is very, very light and I feel better using it in the blind or boat for lots less money.
Mossberg is not the same gun whatsoever.
10Dogs
 
I bought one this fall for goose hunting. Seems to be a real nice gun for the money. I only have shot 3" and 3.5" shells in it though, but I did not buy this gun to shoot trap loads anyway. Never had a no cycle round with it. Also check out the Escort shotguns, they are offered by one of Randy's sponsors here. I think they are made in the same factory in Turkey, but I may be wrong. I know that the Mossberg Youth Semi-Auto my kid was using was also from that factory and it was a great gun for the money.
http://www.legacysports.com/extreme-magnum-semi-auto
 
Thanks Pat, I had completely forgotten about Escort. I know Randy likes his. I'll have to see if I can find one to fondle. They do look suspiciously like copycat Beretta
 
I've been told by gun shop owners and retailers, that the only real difference between stoger franci and benelli is the weight of the gun and componets used. I don't know for sure. Good luck I would have no problem buying a stoger but my wife bought me a SBE2 for Christmas last year.
 
schmalts said:
I bought one this fall for goose hunting. Seems to be a real nice gun for the money. I only have shot 3" and 3.5" shells in it though, but I did not buy this gun to shoot trap loads anyway. Never had a no cycle round with it. Also check out the Escort shotguns, they are offered by one of Randy's sponsors here. I think they are made in the same factory in Turkey, but I may be wrong. I know that the Mossberg Youth Semi-Auto my kid was using was also from that factory and it was a great gun for the money.
http://www.legacysports.com/extreme-magnum-semi-auto
Click to expand...

I'll probably have to opt out of the Escort. They have very mixed reviews leaning strongly toward negative.
 
mtmuley said:
The Remington V3 wouldn't be a bad option. Made here too. mtmuley
Click to expand...

Definitely nothing wrong with buying an American Made shotgun but lately large recalls by Remington are keeping me from buying any more of their stuff until they can put together a decent QC department.

I don't need a 3.5" gun but like the option for geese and turkeys so the Stoeger is still looking to be a top contender in my search for a decent budget semiauto. I see that Bob Wards in Butte is listed as an Escort Shotgun dealer so a quick trip to Butte America is in order this weekend.
 
MinnesotaHunter said:
Grant,

Have you considered cruising the used market for a Franchi, Borwning, Beretta? You might even find a SBE for close to price you are looking for.
Click to expand...

I've looked locally and on Facebook...there seems to be a lack of these shotguns (plenty of pump shotguns) for sale and the ones that are seem to be priced pretty high. I think guys that have them like them so much that they don't get rid of them. I'm going to have to take a tour of some of the other gunshops nearby to see what they have. Luckily a 3 day weekend is on the horizon.
 
Opted for the Stoeger enhanced waterfowl (2 Carlson waterfowl chokes added to the standard suite). Cabelas had on with a scratch on the finish for below retail of the gun alone so I opted to buy it.

I did get deferred on the transfer which means I should have gotten my concealed carry permit so I don't have to waste so much time on background checks.
 
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Mthuntr said:
Opted for the Stoeger enhanced waterfowl (2 Carlson waterfowl chokes added to the standard suite). Cabelas had on with a scratch on the finish for below retail of the gun alone so I opted to buy it.

I did get deferred on the transfer which means I should have gotten my concealed carry permit so I don't have to waste so much time on background checks.
Click to expand...

Nice!!

I have my CC but it hasn't stopped me from having to do background checks.
 
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