Stoeger

WI ditch chicken

New member
So I'm not exactly sure why but ever since I was young I've loved side-by-sides. I am now currently at a point where I would like to purchase one, but I'm not sure what a good gun would be. My price range is $500ish. I've been looking at a Stoeger uplander online but I would really like to feel one in my hands. The problem is I can't find one in any of the sporting good stores around me. They all have stoegers but most of them are coach guns. If anyone could give me any advice that would be great!

Thanks in advance,
Scott
 
Tough to find a decent SxS in the $500 range. The Stoegers are like of heavy and blocky. Personally I'd steer clear. Give us a little more information as to exactly what you are looking for. Gauge, single or double trigger, barrel length, extractors or ejectors???
 
More information, I can do that. I'm looking for a SxS that I could use for Pheasants Grouse and ducks. I guess I would prefer a 12ga. single trigger with 26'' to 28'' barrel. Not sure what the difference is on extractors and ejectors is but I'm guessing one I have to pull out the shells the other the shells pop out. If thats the case then i guess it does not matter to me but if I have to choose I would say ejectors. I would also like something light if possible. Something I wouldn't mind getting a little dirty. My guns get used and abused but they get a complete cleaning after every time in the field. Thats why I was hoping in the $500 range.

Thanks again for all your help,
Scott
 
Try Walmart

So I'm not exactly sure why but ever since I was young I've loved side-by-sides. I am now currently at a point where I would like to purchase one, but I'm not sure what a good gun would be. My price range is $500ish. I've been looking at a Stoeger uplander online but I would really like to feel one in my hands. The problem is I can't find one in any of the sporting good stores around me. They all have stoegers but most of them are coach guns. If anyone could give me any advice that would be great!

Thanks in advance,
Scott

I bought my Stoeger -- an o/u many years ago -- at Walmart.
 
This is slightly more than your price range, but it is a good quality gun, in near new condition, much better than the Russian, or Turkish or Czech guns, and it will always be easy to sell later if need be.

Ithaca/SKB:

http://www.gunsamerica.com/977629886/Guns/Shotguns/Ithaca-Shotguns/SxS/ITHACA_MODEL_100.htm#

That is a sweet looking gun. If it was a 16 ga. I'd own it! :)

But for the money you could never go wrong in buying it. And the SKB/Ithaca's are excellent guns. If I was the Ditch Chicken I'd save up some more money so you could be closer to the $1,000 range. Then you could get yoruself a really good SxS. I sold a Browning BSS 12 ga. a few year ago for around $900 that was really nice.

Check this one out:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=167612215
 
$500 would buy you a nice used 11-87. Then you would have a mans gun. Sorry I could not contain myself any longer.

I did manage to pickup a used Red Label with fixed chokes a couple of years ago for $700.
 
I had a stoeger OU for 15 years, and it worked flawlessly until I started hunting in the salt marshes - then it started firing both barrels and I got rid of it. It was heavy and not very nicely finished, but it did the trick. If the uplander fits you and mounts well, you might be OK with it (except for the comment about the second barrel not going off - I'd look into that!). Better yet though, I second what the other folks on here suggest about getting a better used gun for a few more dollars. Berettas fit me like a dream but they were more than twice what I could afford. I checked websites and scoured the country for a good used one, and ended up getting an ultralight 686 for 1100$ Canadian (they retail about 2500 canadian here). It's a matte black oiled finish field gun and I absolutely LOVE it. Best thing is, it came with a few scratches already in the stock, so I hunt stress-free! lol! Seriously though, find some good sources of used guns and keep an eye out, there are deals out there and in the end I think you'll settle into a much better gun than the uplander.
good luck!
-Croc
 
I have a Stoeger Condor O/U and yes they are cheap but it's a gun you can take afield and not worry about scratching. With that said, the problem of the second barrel not firing is a common problem with Stoegers but after each season completely tear the gun down and clean every moving part and you won't have any problems. I found this out the hard way because mine got to where it wouldn't fire the second barrel so I tore it down and cleaned it, problem solved.
 
HGSP, you were lucky most don't ever come back. Even when sent into the factory for repair. I speak from knowing several guys that have had them...........Bob
 
Bob, I've been hearing about alot of problems with the Stoegers since I bought mine. The reason I bought mine was my buddy has one and has never had a problem with it. But wouldn't you know another guy that hunts with us and I have problems with ours. I'm saving for a Browning and after I get it the Stoeger will be my back up. I wish I had found this forum before I bought it. I was looking at a Tristar so I posted on here what I was looking at and alot of guys warned me about their problems and parts availabilty so thats why im saving for that Browning........... Tim
 
Ok HGSP let me explain this as simply as I can. If you have an early Stoeger that was made in Italy. You have a great gun. Don't ever sell it like I did. But then Benelli wanted to save money, so they made a contract with I think, Brazil to produce the Stoeger. It was one of those South America countries. Anyway those are the junk ones and those are the ones giving Stoeger the bad name. I have had both and know the difference. That is why there is controversy as to good and bad Stoeger's. Some were really good guns.........Bob
 
Thanks Bob, my gun is a Benelli gun which I think I bought 3 years ago and my buddy bought his sometime before we started hunting together 5 years ago. That would explain why his has a little different feel and not had the problems i've had. Thanks again...... Tim
 
As far as I know, Stoeger was making the guns in Brazil long before they were purchased by Benelli. Under Benelli they did increase the number of models etc. Have never owned one.
There are some decent doubles Traditions had made out there by Fausti in Italy thar are decent if you can find them. Saw one on Guns America yesterday.
 
STAY AWAY FROM STOEGER SXS
I got an uplander supreme for Christmas about 10 years ago. It mounted and swung great. Only problem was that it misfired. I packaged it up and sent it back to Stoeger. They sent (within about 3 months) a brand new gun. I thought hey a new gun, problem solved. No, the second gun misfired worse than the first. I used that one through the next hunting season and sent it back. The third gun misfired within a box of shells. I finally bought a cheap Weatherby, but kept sending the guns back to stick it to Benelli for sending out a horrible product and not fixing the problem. I made it up to six guns before I got tired of paying return shipping charges.

My dad bought the sXs that's remington is selling. It's not the prettiest gun, but it's worked well for him, and I think they're around $500, plus it has automatic safties when you close the breach (almost none of the fancy guns have automatic safties), it also has the trigger select on the trigger instead of the safety (that cost me more than 1 pheasant with my weatherby).
 
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