Steoger Semi Auto Shotguns

Anyone on here have a chance to try one out, or do they own one?

I started of with a side by side 20 gauge, graduated as a young boy to a 12 gauge 870 wingmaster. Won a Benelli Super Nova, so naturally I have kept those two pumps, and the side by side sits in the gun cabinet and is only used as a grouse gun.

I am an upland hunter by nature, occasionally do waterfowl.

My pumps have served me well, and I will still probably use them even after I get a semi auto.

I know that Beretta, Benelli, Stoeger, Franchi, Uberti, Sako and Tikka are basically all the same. The Stoeger and Franchi use the same inertia drive technology that Benelli uses. The spring set up is just a little different.

What are your thoughts on Steogers and any other semi autos you can think of for under 500 bucks.

I know there is some cycling issues with some peoples Stoegers, but like any gun, the right ammo makes the big difference.

Any insight will be awesome!

Heading to SD in a couple days, and I might pick up a gun on the way out there!

I have an M2000 and love it. I shot on a trap league for a few years, as well as pheasant and grouse trips each year, and have had very few issues with it. I will say though, I do have to clean the gun regularly. If I went a few weeks of league without cleaning it, I’d have the occasional cycling issue. Also last year I took it in because it was striking the primers pretty lightly…an easy $25 fix. It’s definitely not a benelli or beretta, but a good reliable gun for the price.

I was looking on Cabelas, was hoping to use my Club Card to buy it. Looks like they no longer sell Stoeger

Thanks for the review. I will just use it for pheasant season most likely. then it is cleaned and stored away.

I shoot federal so I do not see ammunition being a big deal.

Also if anyone has one for sale or knows of someone let me know.

You hear lots of mixed reviews on this gun but I’ve got a Tristar Viper G2 20g. Matt black with a 28″ barrel and it will take 3″ shells. Handles/shoulders great, slightly LIGHTER than my buddy’s Benelli Cordoba, and it was only $340 bucks.

Got it a few months ago and have roughly 300 rounds through it (mostly light skeet/trap loads) without a jam or misfire. Obviously it’s not a Benelli but it was also very inexpensive in comparison and I don’t feel bad dragging it through some nasty stuff.

I head to South Dakota next week and that should be a real test of durability.

Thanks, I will be there in a couple weeks! I dont really care for 3″ or 3.5″ loads. I shoot 2.75″ loads and they drop birds just fine for me.

I read a couple reviews on Tristar might have to read a few more.

My bro-in-law has an M2000 and has been quite happy with it.

I’ve had one since 2005. Bought it as my turkey gun. It fit me so naturally, I use it as my pheasant gun most of the time too. The only issue I’ve had with it was it failed to cycle a few light target loads while shooting sporting clays a few years back. Other than that, it has been great.

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The only issue I’ve had with it was it failed to cycle a few light target loads while shooting sporting clays…

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Same problem for my bro-in-law.

Thanks for the info guys! Any other cheap semi autos you recommend?

I’ve had a M2000 Stoeger for about 4 years. I bought it mainly to avoid beating up more expensive guns during wet weather days and for the occasional round of trap or SC.

I’ve shot about 3-400 rounds with it and I’ve never had it jam or fail to cycle properly. There is a particular sequence to assembling the spring and washers on the forend and many who declared these Stoegers to be junk have not been heard from again once their error was pointed out to them.

IMO it’s very hard to beat this shotgun at the price point.

Grouse

I had the opportunity to handle these guns this last weekend at a gun shop. Several of them. The M2000 and the M3500.

They feel ok, but you can definitely feel the “cheapness” it the quality. From the Camo, to the stock, to even the sound of the action.

I picked up a Franchi I12 which is just a step up from the stoeger and could tell how much better that gun felt for quality. But it comes with a price tag.

At this point, I think I am waiting until the end of the year and seeing what my tax refund is to get a better gun.

I am not worried about beating up a nice gun. They are guns, they are made to get beat up.

Now I am back to the drawing board on what gun to get. I think I do like the inertia system better then dealing with Gas systems. Seems like less headaches with inertia systems.

So I am open to suggestions. I want a light gun, with a small feel. When comparing my Supernova to any of the guns I have looked at these other guns seem like 20ga shotguns.

Thanks for all the replies back. its nice to get some info from everyone

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Now I am back to the drawing board on what gun to get. I think I do like the inertia system better then dealing with Gas systems. Seems like less headaches with inertia systems.

So I am open to suggestions. I want a light gun, with a small feel. When comparing my Supernova to any of the guns I have looked at these other guns seem like 20ga shotguns.

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What is it about gas operated autos that you fear having to “deal with”?

I’ve cycled thousands of round through a Beretta 391 20 gauge and I clean it once a year. Just like my recoil operated guns. The recoil reduction of the gas operated guns is nothing short of fantastic.

With that said, I think the problem you’re going to run into is that prices ramp up steeply after the entry level like the Stoeger 2000.

One worth looking at is the Weatherby autoloader. I think you’d find the price agreeable,but beyond that I can’t tell you how they fire as I’ve never shot one.

Grouse

In years past my father has had trouble with his gas systems. This was many many years ago. I am sure the technology is probably a lot better these days and practically maintenance free.

Guess im just looking for a simple operating shotgun with now potential to really go bad???

Thanks for the input everyone!

Take some time or even ask Cabela’s or gun shops for a used Browning Gold Hunter. Has a great gas operated system in it. I’ve never had a single problem with it. Go from 2 3/4 to 3 incher’s and back no problem…They were 750 to 850 new, so one several years old might be had for your 500$???? Worth looking around…

Well,

I got a new toy yesterday! I got a nice christmas commission check and decided to spend a little more then what I originally budgeted.

Picked up a Winchester Sx3 Waterfowl Hunter in Duck Blind Camo. I have watched this gun go down in price at a local gun shop and couldn’t pass up the deal I got for it.

Trial run tomorrow am with a late season pheasant hunt, and then some training with the pup and some pigeons!

I really like that gun. Let us know how it performs.

Last night I did some adjustments with shims to see which one felt the best. Turns out the way it came to me was the best. Switched the chokes and practiced shouldering last night and it just felt natural.

I went hunting this am and saw birds but they flushed to far away. Planted live pigeons for training my pup and I hit every bird instantly! It seems that this gun just fits me!

I didn’t even feel a kick either when it shot and seemed quiet on my dove loads!

Love it so far!

Great news. Not much better than a perfect fitting shotgun when chasing birds.