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LWB250

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Youngest son and I started shooting sporting clays at a local range and have found it to be fun and entertaining. We shot occasionally a few years ago with one of my fellow employees who shot a lot of upland game, but just started again at the local range.

Because youngest son is still in college and draining my bank account for tuition (which is OK with me) our funds for a beginning shotgun for sporting clays is very limited, maybe $500-$600. We want to buy a new gun, too, rather than a used gun.

After four hours of instruction from a CPSA/NCSA certified shooting coach, we spoke with him about this and he recommended that we look closely at Stoeger and TriStar if we wanted a new OU in this price range.

We have been shooting with a Beretta 390 and 3901 at the range, and while we like the semi autos, we prefer a gun that breaks and especially an OU.

After looking at a number of different shotgun forums in this regard it seems that people are very polarized over the Stoegers, they either love them or have had nothing but problems. The Supreme and the Competition 12GA OU Stoegers are within our price range.

I would be interested in hearing from Stoeger owners out there as to their opinions of their shotguns and if they would recommend them.

I would add that we do not expect this to be the last shotgun we will buy, and that as our skill level progresses we expect to buy better and more expensive guns - AFTER the boy is out of school and I'm solvent again!

Thanks in advance,

Dan
 
After looking at a number of different shotgun forums in this regard it seems that people are very polarized over the Stoegers, they either love them or have had nothing but problems. The Supreme and the Competition 12GA OU Stoegers are within our price range

My read of the love them hate them, is a little different than yours, I see those that own them love them, those that don't own, hate them. Both the tri star and stoeger would serve you well, especially both have a 5 year warranty, and as I just found out, if you buy from Davidsons for the tri star (don't see stoegers on their site) you will get a life time replacement warranty from them.

Eventually its up to you, me I would want a new gun with a long warranty, than a used one with no warranty no matter what brand. I don't own the over under Stoeger, but I do the SxS stoeger's Mine are built like tanks, weigh like a tank, but always do the job. I do own two Tri star O/U's and like them a lot....

Mike
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
aya16 said:
My read of the love them hate them, is a little different than yours, I see those that own them love them, those that don't own, hate them. Both the tri star and stoeger would serve you well, especially both have a 5 year warranty, and as I just found out, if you buy from Davidsons for the tri star (don't see stoegers on their site) you will get a life time replacement warranty from them.

Eventually its up to you, me I would want a new gun with a long warranty, than a used one with no warranty no matter what brand. I don't own the over under Stoeger, but I do the SxS stoeger's Mine are built like tanks, weigh like a tank, but always do the job. I do own two Tri star O/U's and like them a lot....

Mike
Thanks for the feedback, Mike, I do appreciate it.

Seems like anywhere I mention a gun under $1000-$1500 I get swamped by people telling me I'll regret buy a cheap gun, I'll have nothing but problems, the people at my range will ridicule me, etc., etc.

I don't see anything of any real value in the used range for those sorts of dollars, which is why I would much rather go with a new gun - not to mention the warranty and having support if there are issues.

My shooting coach, who has done this professionally for many years, was the one that mentioned Stoeger as an entry level gun. As a professional, who I pay a LOT to provide advice and instruction, I can't imagine his judgement is questionable in this regard.

I have also looked at some Lanbers as well, as there are plenty of new ones floating around due to their demise. They are being sold under warranty and there is a reputable gunsmith that is providing warranty service.

Again, thank you for your input!

Dan
 
Dan you will mostly find that behavior on the net, not in person, Most folks out there shooting clays and having fun don't care what you shoot, they are helpful, don't feel threatened by some one shooting a less expensive shotgun, and encourage you as you progress in the sport.

Shotgun world is not the only place this disrespectful behavior happens its all over the net, and frankly its just a couple people that do the disrespect, and may seem like more when others chime in and agree with those few as far as choice of shotguns.

You will not get swarmed, or disrespected like here, in real life, in fact most all the real folks will welcome you and your son with open arms. No need to wait till your son is out of collage to enjoy life.

I don't know about the other shotgun, Lander, but if you like it buy it if you get a 5 year type warranty is all the better.

Good luck

Mike
 
I have the Condore Over under and love it. One recommendation is look for the Deluxe model, it offers you the ability to select which barrel shoots first. If your running 2 different chokes, and you know the first clay is far away, you can select the barrel with correct choke to fire first.

I had one problem with my Stoeger. After firing the first shot the trigger would not "reload" for the 2nd shot. It was just a combination of Shipping grease not removed all the way and a little dirt.
I also have a Steoger deluxe coach gun :)

also in that range is the Savage (or is it Stevens). My brother has one, after about 500 rounds it would not lock up the action. And a friend of ours sent one back to factory as 1 barrel would not fire. But these are just 2 cases I know of, I am sure there is many people out there love them.

A couple months ago my Brother and I both bought CZ 712 Target models and love them also. Since than the CZ's have been getting all the work (around 150 shots each this week :) ).
Last Sunday we did a 3 bird shoot. that was fun.
 
Well, Mike is just wrong if he thinks the only people who dislike Stoegers are the people who DON'T own them. I'm personally acquainted with three people, now, who own Stoeger Condor's. While each of those guns was bought with the intention of them being their owner's primary clays gun, none of them are in use today. The owners became disenchanted when the guns failed to fire, failed to eject, opened hard or closed hard, to say nothing of the abominable triggers. To say they don't like Stoegers is a vast understatement. Why do each of those guys still own their Stoeger? BECAUSE NO ONE WOULD TRADE WITH THEM!! They had to buy different guns, outright. In each case, they acquired used Browning Citori's which they continue to use with nary a bit of trouble. If my budget was $500-600 I'd buy a used gas autoloader.
 
Well vette to say there is a massive bunch of non-owners bashing these guns, and their owners, would be an understatement. The two I own work perfectly and have for many years. Because an uncles ex-girlfriend's ex-husbands had a problem, and hate them doesn't count. Are there a few problems out there in some guns? Of course, same with Beretta, Browning, whatever. Well, Mike is just wrong if he thinks the only people who dislike Stoegers are the people who DON'T own them. are there a few owners that eventually ended up not liking them? I'm sure there is, But you don't see those bashing potential owners for considering buying one. I don't like Browning's, but you don't see me bashing anyone that recommends or worships them.

Most folks that bought them, seem to like them, I just happen to be one that does. At under 2 dollars a week to cover the 5 year warranty, and the total cost of the shotgun, a person can have a perfect shotgun for 5 years. That's 25 something cents a day, hardly a major financial loss if it melted away.

Mike
 
After typing this last Friday, I decided to take the Stoeger out today instead of the CZ. my score over 50 Sporting clays was about 10% higher. the Stoeger performed flawlessly.

My brother brought his CZ for the shoot, but also brought Stevens 512 to see what was going on with it. Every shot with the stevens (2.75" 2.75 Dram 1.25oz of 8 shot ) the action would come unlocked. Its got to go back to for repair.
 
Pretty much agree with AYA. Own several Stoegers and like them, but like him they are the Uplanders SXS's. My Stoeger 28 is a true 28 and weighs about 3/4 pound less than the 20 ga. I do a bit of work on mine and see little problem with them. Many of the parts are investment cast, which if you have a problem with, don't ever buy a Ruger firearm. I have built several muzzlelaoders using investment locks with invetment case parts (whcih is aobut all you can buy) and have no trouble with them. They also tend to have very good wood for an inexpensive shotgun.

DP
 
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