Stoeger M3000 24" barrel.

[PHATSPEED7x]

Wanted a beater semi auto I could use. Hear about a 50/50 mix on the reviews.



For only $400 after the $50 mail in rebate it should fill the roll.

[The Famous Grouse]

I've had a M2000 for 7-8 years now. I use it as a bad weather gun for pheasants and it's my primary gun for shotgunning coyotes.

It's been flawless for me. Keep it clean and use it hard. I got mine for $389 on sale, what's not to like? Benelli Inertia action, non-glare coating, easy maintenance and cheap. They aren't for high value trap/skeet, they are a hunting shotgun. I've run 300-400 rounds out of mine, so not very many, but it goes bang and the hull goes flying every time.

I bought it specifically because I don't want to beat up on other, more expensive shotguns. Coyote hunting, the gun gets laid in the snow, it gets cold/warm/cold so condensation forms, it gets wet, then it shoots max dram loads of 3 inch nickel plates for a reward. Not a way to treat a pretty gun so I got the Stoeger.

The #1 issue I've read is people having trouble with it cycling properly and this is almost certainly owner error. I'm not sure if the 3000 is the same, but the two retaining washers on the fore-end just under the cap MUST be put in in the order as called out by the manual. They are NOT interchangeable, they are two different pieces that have to go on in the correct order and orientation. If they are put back together wrong it won't cycle.

When I have pointed this out to people on other forums blathering on about how Stoeger is junk, they suddenly seem to disappear. It's almost as if they are too embarrassed to admit that it was operator error and not the gun itself that was the cause of the problem.

Tough to go wrong for the price you paid, IMO. It isn't pretty, but I've been getting the job done with mine for years now.

Grouse

[Holland&Holland]

I too have an M3000 and it is great beater workhorse of a shot gun. But it is not a benelli just to be clear. The action while similar with the revolving bolt it is different (I also have a SBE2). The reason folks think they are the same is that Benelli bought out Stoeger to defend what they perceived to be their paten rights. Both are very reliable and go bang though which is what one needs in such a gun.

[The Famous Grouse]

I too have an M3000 and it is great beater workhorse of a shot gun. But it is not a benelli just to be clear. The action while similar with the revolving bolt it is different (I also have a SBE2). The reason folks think they are the same is that Benelli bought out Stoeger to defend what they perceived to be their paten rights. Both are very reliable and go bang though which is what one needs in such a gun.

Yes, to be clear, the action in a Stoeger is a variation of the Inertia action. Benelli uses a different variation. The current rights to all variations are owned by Beretta, the parent company of both Stoeger and Benelli. Suffice to say the action is similar, but not the same. As one would expect, given the price difference.

I just used mine in SD last week and hunted in an all-day snow and 20-30 mph winds for 2 days. Needless to say, my Browning 625 Superlight and my much-loved Beretta 20 stayed indoors where it was warm and dry and the Stoeger went out and did the grunt work. The Stoeger went bang every time with no complaints. It got cold, it got wet, it didn't matter, it cycled every time I pulled the trigger.

Grouse

[PHATSPEED7x]

Yes. I bought this one so I could go out this coming weekend when it's snowing, and 20 some degrees outside, and do some grouse hunting with it. My Franchi Affinity can stay at home in the safe, and be taken out on a nicer day. My Affinity was my first Inertia driven shotgun that I got not even a month ago. I only got to put a box of shells though it since I've owned it, and I have to say I love the inertia system. I think the way both the Stoeger, and Franchi with their recoil spring under the front forearm isn't a ergonomic hit. I actually like it better because I can access all the moving parts easier for cleaning and maintenance. I have several Benelli, Franchi, and Stoeger shotguns. Only odd ducks in the collection is my Mossberg JM PRO 930, a Remington youth 870 pump, and a USSG single shot.

[PHATSPEED7x]

Just ran a box of Federal top gun no 8 target loads though the gun this morning to check how it functions. 100% no problems with the 1.125 oz loads.

[PHATSPEED7x]

Ran a few more boxes of Estate no 6 shot though it. Shoots very well. The new Patternmaster code black duck choke tube works amazing.