pistol grip on a stoeger coachgun?

sudbucket · April 6, 2008, 10:36 PM

Hi all - relative newbie here, I have a Stoeger coachgun which is not a high-end shotgun but suits me fine, except for one thing: If my urban neighborhood ever riots again, and I'm holed up in the house with the family, I'd sure like to be able to swap the standard stock for a pistol grip. Anybody have any advice for me? I want it to look reasonably nice but functionality is the key issue here.

Thanks in advance -

Slopemeno · April 6, 2008, 11:06 PM

You're better off with the full stock. Only hits count.

alfred · April 10, 2008, 08:34 PM

I had a Stoeger Double.Illness is the reason I don't now.I had no trouble using it or any double for 50 years whether English or pistol grip.The modern so called "Pistol grip"that looks like a Semi auto pistol with a magazine in the handle has no useful function to me and interferes with my use of the gun with the ones I have tried.I see and hear of folk putting on all of the "Garbage" as I call them accessories and rack their pump for the fear factor".Well,I have no doubt that it would scare them so they think it would scare others.It never scared me so I have no understanding of this Madison Avenue advertising and Gun writer magazine selling term.I personally do not believe such are dangerous except for accidental discharge shootings.Your gun was made correctly to shoot.

Now the above is one persons opinion based strictly from the experience of being shot at several times and even being hit at long range with Buckshot.From experience only,as I am not as smart as the folk who "Redneck or Dude up"their firearms.The folk who can really use a shotgun do not use this stuff.The folk who "Think" that they can use a shotgun do.If you don't believe this,go to a range and watch the good and the experts shoot.Go to a dump and watch the others.Now I do believe in to each his own and I am a vet because I believed these folks had the right to impress each other as we like to with "Normal"firearms.And YES,I have heard and read of all of the reasons given for the accessories.I personally find them comical as I do all of us one way or the other,including "me" most of all.

I AIN'T DEAD AND I AIN'T QUITTING.alfred

Desert01 · April 11, 2008, 09:56 AM

I may be wrong since I don't have a coach gun, But I am preety sure that putting a pistol grip only on a coach gun will make it a Short Barreld shotgun and require you to register it, ect. with the ATF. This is not because of barrel length, but overall length. You need to have an over all legth of 26" (?) to be legal. Cost about $200, plus the other fee's you may come across such has having the pistol grip custom made.

That said you are better off with the stock on it.If you think you have to have a pistol grip only then get a used Mossberg 500 with pistol grip only. Should be less then the tax stamp, say $150 or less. With the $50+ you have left over from the tax stamp route differance buy a stock

Joat · April 11, 2008, 03:32 PM

Putting a pistol grip on a coach gun has 2 drawbacks (IMO). The first has already been mentioned, the possibility of falling below the required overall length to stay legal.
The second is a safety issue. As a paramedic I made a call several years ago involving an attempted robbery with a cut down shotgun. Both the barrels and the stock of his Stevens 311 12ga had been shortened, the barrels to 14" and the stock cut down to a pistol grip. This individual, in addition to a questionable ethical and moral status, also did not understand physics. He held the shotgun at hip level and fired off one barrel whereupon the gun swiveled in his grip so that it was pointed at his head, and his reaction in trying to keep a hold of it caused him to pull the second trigger. As my partner reported over the radio,"Medical assistance is not needed at this scene,...Notify the M.E.".

Instead of pistol grip, a short (8 to 10") lop on the stock will still allow control after firing and may aid in the prevention of the sg rotating in the hand. And will allow sufficient material to stay above the 26" minimum OAL required by law.

Or better yet, buy a dedicated HDSG that has more than 2 shots.

Joat

.351winchester · April 11, 2008, 06:37 PM

If you are looking at like a Ithaca/Holland Arms Auto & Burglar style, it will most likely have to be custom made. TMK, never saw an aftermarket PG for any double, just for NEF singles. Probably due to unwitting SBS violation. Plus, usually stock blanks usually come in some kind of profile. It's possible a custom stockmaker would just be attaching a wood pistol grip under the tang ala the M1 Carbine Enforcer or the one Ramline (and Ruger on the FS model) made for the Mini 14. Iy would look like crap with checkering left on the original wood, possibly structurally weaker. Otherwise you're talking real money, constructing a wood PG handle from scratch.

True sawed-off, coach guns had a whipit stock, something there, that goes back to the Blunderbuss age. Probably often too short to function as a real buttstock, but something there, like a counterbalance. Just get your crosscut and some sandpaper, masking tape make sure to keep the whole thing over 26" (check local laws, here in MI going under 30" would make you guilty of an unregistered handgun if you don't) and that's before adding a pad if you do. And make sure not to cut into the stock bolt. It can be a half stock or a hogleg style knobby PG (where you really gotta watch the stock screw and maybe have to shorten or replace anyway)*, but DIY is what you want to do.

Do the work on a second stock if possible, buy another.

I love compact long guns, personally think the SCG is handy enough. Any grip angle alteration too with impede use of controls, the safety and opener were designed to work with your hand in a different position

this is not the real A&B style butt, which was square backed and a 90 degree L shape. This is a hogleg style. Your 20" pipes and this: 26.5"? Hope you have the black stock, or it will never look good. This way would allow access to controls though.

twangeezer · June 10, 2025, 02:10 PM

RE: "only hits count"

Respectfully, IME only PRACTICE counts - but a laser helps!.

I do fine, after training AT (REMEMBER!: HD RANGE =2-7 YARDS. Small house)
I have no interest in shotgunning for any distance beyond that. The Law would rightfully call that "Hunting," not "Self Defense"

-with my 2, 20ga. TAC-14's
(One rifled, for Sveroboy slugs; one smooth for #000 buck),
and my .410 Shockwave.
I also reload, for comfort v. effect, & fun.

Bill DeShivs · June 10, 2025, 02:36 PM

I always wanted on of these, so I finally built one (legally.) the pistol grip is designed so that the gun can not swivel up under recoil. It's a fun gun and could be useful in very tight situations-but it's not the gun I would want during a riot, even with the stock.

armoredman · June 10, 2025, 11:31 PM

My wrist says, "Nope!"
Stoeger makes a fine double barrel, I use mine for cowboy action shooting, shown while practicing with black powder loads.

It's easy to move around the way it is made, and a pistol grip would, for me, just make it worse, PLUS, reloading quickly is going to be harder with your thumb that much farther away from the top lever. Slick up the mating surfaces in the foreend, the barrel and the receiver with some 600 grit and use some Mothers Mag polish on a drill set mop to slick up the chambers for faster reloading. There is a way to make the safety stop auto engaging as well without destroying it.
These tend to be cowboy action modifications, but if you are using a double barrel for home protection, you just might want every advantage you can get, especially if on a budget. Other than that, I'd recommend you leave as is for the reasons mentioned above.

bamaranger · June 11, 2025, 11:08 PM

I had a lengthy post worked up, but don't see it....probably for the best anyhow. I'll go on record and state that anything that can be done with a PG'd shotgun, can be done better with a gun equipped with a buttstock. A PG allows for easy stowage and carry, consider the breaching shotgun as an example. The old Remington folding PG stocks were likely the best of both worlds. But the PG only limits the range, utility and usefulness of an already short ranged weapon. The PG shotgun is largely a product of Hollywood and the gun culture. I put them in the same category as Mare's Leg leverguns, the Judge family, and Draco's.

"Hunting/self defense and 2-7 yds and "the Law", ...really? While self defense and the use of deadly force law can vary a bit from state to state, there is no set distance about the use of a firearm to protect oneself or possibly others, indoors or out. The old mantra of "means-opportunity-intent" is a wordy but still applicable guideline concerning shoot/no shoot. Better read up on "the Law" a bit more.

April 6, 2008, 10:36 PM	#1
sudbucket Junior Member Join Date: April 6, 2008 Posts: 1	pistol grip on a stoeger coachgun? Hi all - relative newbie here, I have a Stoeger coachgun which is not a high-end shotgun but suits me fine, except for one thing: If my urban neighborhood ever riots again, and I'm holed up in the house with the family, I'd sure like to be able to swap the standard stock for a pistol grip. Anybody have any advice for me? I want it to look reasonably nice but functionality is the key issue here. Thanks in advance -

April 11, 2008, 03:32 PM	#5
Joat Senior Member Join Date: March 31, 2008 Location: Dayton, TX Posts: 383	PG Stoeger Putting a pistol grip on a coach gun has 2 drawbacks (IMO). The first has already been mentioned, the possibility of falling below the required overall length to stay legal. The second is a safety issue. As a paramedic I made a call several years ago involving an attempted robbery with a cut down shotgun. Both the barrels and the stock of his Stevens 311 12ga had been shortened, the barrels to 14" and the stock cut down to a pistol grip. This individual, in addition to a questionable ethical and moral status, also did not understand physics. He held the shotgun at hip level and fired off one barrel whereupon the gun swiveled in his grip so that it was pointed at his head, and his reaction in trying to keep a hold of it caused him to pull the second trigger. As my partner reported over the radio,"Medical assistance is not needed at this scene,...Notify the M.E.". Instead of pistol grip, a short (8 to 10") lop on the stock will still allow control after firing and may aid in the prevention of the sg rotating in the hand. And will allow sufficient material to stay above the 26" minimum OAL required by law. Or better yet, buy a dedicated HDSG that has more than 2 shots. Joat

June 11, 2025, 11:08 PM	#10
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,785	bad idea I had a lengthy post worked up, but don't see it....probably for the best anyhow. I'll go on record and state that anything that can be done with a PG'd shotgun, can be done better with a gun equipped with a buttstock. A PG allows for easy stowage and carry, consider the breaching shotgun as an example. The old Remington folding PG stocks were likely the best of both worlds. But the PG only limits the range, utility and usefulness of an already short ranged weapon. The PG shotgun is largely a product of Hollywood and the gun culture. I put them in the same category as Mare's Leg leverguns, the Judge family, and Draco's. "Hunting/self defense and 2-7 yds and "the Law", ...really? While self defense and the use of deadly force law can vary a bit from state to state, there is no set distance about the use of a firearm to protect oneself or possibly others, indoors or out. The old mantra of "means-opportunity-intent" is a wordy but still applicable guideline concerning shoot/no shoot. Better read up on "the Law" a bit more.

April 6, 2008, 11:06 PM	#2
Slopemeno Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2007 Posts: 2,663	You're better off with the full stock. Only hits count.

April 10, 2008, 08:34 PM	#3
alfred Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2008 Location: Pembroke,Georgia Posts: 149	I had a Stoeger Double.Illness is the reason I don't now.I had no trouble using it or any double for 50 years whether English or pistol grip.The modern so called "Pistol grip"that looks like a Semi auto pistol with a magazine in the handle has no useful function to me and interferes with my use of the gun with the ones I have tried.I see and hear of folk putting on all of the "Garbage" as I call them accessories and rack their pump for the fear factor".Well,I have no doubt that it would scare them so they think it would scare others.It never scared me so I have no understanding of this Madison Avenue advertising and Gun writer magazine selling term.I personally do not believe such are dangerous except for accidental discharge shootings.Your gun was made correctly to shoot. Now the above is one persons opinion based strictly from the experience of being shot at several times and even being hit at long range with Buckshot.From experience only,as I am not as smart as the folk who "Redneck or Dude up"their firearms.The folk who can really use a shotgun do not use this stuff.The folk who "Think" that they can use a shotgun do.If you don't believe this,go to a range and watch the good and the experts shoot.Go to a dump and watch the others.Now I do believe in to each his own and I am a vet because I believed these folks had the right to impress each other as we like to with "Normal"firearms.And YES,I have heard and read of all of the reasons given for the accessories.I personally find them comical as I do all of us one way or the other,including "me" most of all. I AIN'T DEAD AND I AIN'T QUITTING.alfred

April 11, 2008, 09:56 AM	#4
Desert01 Senior Member Join Date: July 23, 2005 Location: Castorland, NY Posts: 545	I may be wrong since I don't have a coach gun, But I am preety sure that putting a pistol grip only on a coach gun will make it a Short Barreld shotgun and require you to register it, ect. with the ATF. This is not because of barrel length, but overall length. You need to have an over all legth of 26" (?) to be legal. Cost about $200, plus the other fee's you may come across such has having the pistol grip custom made. That said you are better off with the stock on it.If you think you have to have a pistol grip only then get a used Mossberg 500 with pistol grip only. Should be less then the tax stamp, say $150 or less. With the $50+ you have left over from the tax stamp route differance buy a stock

April 11, 2008, 06:37 PM	#6
.351winchester Junior member Join Date: December 31, 2005 Location: MI Posts: 1,013	If you are looking at like a Ithaca/Holland Arms Auto & Burglar style, it will most likely have to be custom made. TMK, never saw an aftermarket PG for any double, just for NEF singles. Probably due to unwitting SBS violation. Plus, usually stock blanks usually come in some kind of profile. It's possible a custom stockmaker would just be attaching a wood pistol grip under the tang ala the M1 Carbine Enforcer or the one Ramline (and Ruger on the FS model) made for the Mini 14. Iy would look like crap with checkering left on the original wood, possibly structurally weaker. Otherwise you're talking real money, constructing a wood PG handle from scratch. True sawed-off, coach guns had a whipit stock, something there, that goes back to the Blunderbuss age. Probably often too short to function as a real buttstock, but something there, like a counterbalance. Just get your crosscut and some sandpaper, masking tape make sure to keep the whole thing over 26" (check local laws, here in MI going under 30" would make you guilty of an unregistered handgun if you don't) and that's before adding a pad if you do. And make sure not to cut into the stock bolt. It can be a half stock or a hogleg style knobby PG (where you really gotta watch the stock screw and maybe have to shorten or replace anyway)*, but DIY is what you want to do. Do the work on a second stock if possible, buy another. I love compact long guns, personally think the SCG is handy enough. Any grip angle alteration too with impede use of controls, the safety and opener were designed to work with your hand in a different position this is not the real A&B style butt, which was square backed and a 90 degree L shape. This is a hogleg style. Your 20" pipes and this: 26.5"? Hope you have the black stock, or it will never look good. This way would allow access to controls though.

June 10, 2025, 02:10 PM	#7
twangeezer Junior Member Join Date: September 27, 2023 Posts: 1	RE: "only hits count" Respectfully, IME only PRACTICE counts - but a laser helps!. I do fine, after training AT (REMEMBER!: HD RANGE =2-7 YARDS. Small house) I have no interest in shotgunning for any distance beyond that. The Law would rightfully call that "Hunting," not "Self Defense" -with my 2, 20ga. TAC-14's (One rifled, for Sveroboy slugs; one smooth for #000 buck), and my .410 Shockwave. I also reload, for comfort v. effect, & fun.

June 10, 2025, 11:31 PM	#9
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,478	My wrist says, "Nope!" Stoeger makes a fine double barrel, I use mine for cowboy action shooting, shown while practicing with black powder loads. It's easy to move around the way it is made, and a pistol grip would, for me, just make it worse, PLUS, reloading quickly is going to be harder with your thumb that much farther away from the top lever. Slick up the mating surfaces in the foreend, the barrel and the receiver with some 600 grit and use some Mothers Mag polish on a drill set mop to slick up the chambers for faster reloading. There is a way to make the safety stop auto engaging as well without destroying it. These tend to be cowboy action modifications, but if you are using a double barrel for home protection, you just might want every advantage you can get, especially if on a budget. Other than that, I'd recommend you leave as is for the reasons mentioned above.