Stoeger Uplander opinions and comments.

SeR_Cyclops · January 14, 2011, 11:33 AM

I have been thinking of getting this gun because of its price. 299 at a local store, I have a Remington 1100 and a S&W 438 for CCW and HD. I'm just looking for something fun to take out on the farm and maybe shoot a some clays with. What do you all think of this gun? I will not be getting one with the single enursha trigger because I have read about problems with it re setting. I have read something about the cross pattern between the barrels being a little off but that was only one guy out of probably 20-25 reviews/threads/videos I have watched or read. So what is your all's opinion on this gun, keep in mind its only 300 bucks but I'm also just looking for something fun to shoot.

ocharry · January 14, 2011, 12:22 PM

i have one in 20ga. and one in 12 ga.

i like them both,,the 20 is a nice little gun,,i really like it in the dove fields

they are not as refined as the higher dollar guns but they function fine and seem to point good for me anyway

both of mine have choke tubes

for the money i don't see how you will go wrong,,,i have pulled some long shots out with the 20 on doves

i like them,, been thinkin on one they call the,,outback,,it's an over and under,,20" barrels and choke tubes with rifle sights on it

that's my take,,,YMMV

ocharry

Ledbetter · January 14, 2011, 02:09 PM

Don't have the uplander. Owned a Stoeger 2000 for a couple of years and it was a great gun for the money. Never gave me a single trouble and seemed well built, although the finish was not a beautiful blue.

Jimbo-Indy · January 14, 2011, 04:39 PM

I shoot a Condor Competition in trap. Works just fine if I do my part. No, it's not a Browning but it works well for the price. Be sure to give the action a good flushing out with CLP or such. I found a lot of filings and gunk in mine.

SeR_Cyclops · January 14, 2011, 06:56 PM

Thanks, Anyone else?

maierar · January 15, 2011, 10:06 AM

I must say that this forum has the most civil discussions of any forum I've read when someone asks about an inexpensive gun. Too often I read "...if it isn't a B gun, it must be crap."
My feeling is that it is not always necessary to spend $2000+ on an occasional shooter or a "fun gun". I have a Mossberg 20 gauge O/U (which I have modified) which I use exclusively for skeet and I like it a lot. I also have more expensive guns, but this one does fine, feels good, and was easy to justify for the occasional skeet game.
The argument you will get is that these guns are not as durable as higher end guns. So what? If, after 2000 rounds a firing pin spring ($5) or the pin ($20) fails, or some other part malfunctions, fix it! You can do this many times with your Stoeger before you will have spent $2500 that a Browning or Benelli would have cost.
As always, you must try it to see how it fits you. It can be modified for a small amount of money. Combs can be raised with "convert-a-stock" http://www.meadowindustries.com/gunstocks.html#quick for 1/30 the price of an adjustable comb. Same applies to LOP.

dalegribble · January 15, 2011, 11:00 AM

i am sure there are many expensive weapons out there that i would love to own. unfortunatly (for me anyway) they are not something i can buy on impulse and often i don't have the patience to save for them. instead i opt for the more affordable models and i have seldom been disappointed. i have 2 stoeger shotguns that work just fine for me.

BigJimP · January 15, 2011, 12:08 PM

Browning and Beretta have set the standard - on relatively affordable - Over Unders for a long time. Today - that threshhold is around $ 1,500 or so...

When you are looking at less expensive O/U's --- you need to understand they are going to cut corners on something. But there are a lot of options out there in the $ 500 - $1,000 price range - even Cabelas is selling one with a 5 yr warranty ...so any number of them might be worth a chance.

The only problem I see on some of these guns - is the barrels are not regulated properly - where one barrel hits high right / and one hits low left ...and there is no way to really fix that. I don't think the Mossberg, Stoeger, etc are bad guns ....they probably aren't 20,000 shell guns ...and the resale value won't be there ...but they are what they are.

I would be careful of guns made in Turkey or China or the Soviet Union - but I think Stoeger and Mossberg and others are making some serviceable guns.

As always with shotguns - you need a gun that "fits" ...so it hits where you look - but that's more about stock dimensions than anything else - length of pull, drop at comb, drop at heel - and that can all be modified.

Only as a comparison - a Browning Lightning - that was purchased new in 1988 for $ 700 - with many thousands of shells thru it - is selling, used now for between $ 1,000 - $ 1,250 with a few scratches on it. So that gun in 1988 was a pretty good buy.... Will the Stoeger, Mossberg, etc do that ...maybe, I don't know...

As long as both barrels hit with the same point of impact - and you won't know until you shoot it ...firing pins, springs, etc can all be changed - you should be fine. But look at the other options too - Tristar, Mossberg, etc as well ...and compare them to the entry level Brownings like the Lightning ...

Its not a simple - yes, buy it ...or no don't ... you have to educate yourself on the differences - and its not just fancy wood.

Yankee Bill · January 15, 2011, 01:31 PM

I bought a 20 ga. several yrs. ago for a foul weather gun. They are a bit heavy as are most economy priced doubles, but pretty robust. The old Baikals are a good choice in that catagory as well, not much to look at but built like tanks, if used is in consideration.

YB

SeR_Cyclops · January 15, 2011, 04:47 PM

BigJimP do you have specific models and brands that you would care to share with me to take a look at?

BigJimP · January 16, 2011, 12:14 PM

Personally, I like and shoot a variety of the Browning Citori's - for bird hunting, Skeet and Sporting Clays - I shoot a Citori XS Skeet model, 30" barrels - in 12ga, 20ga, 28ga and .410 .... For Trap I like the Citori XT with 32" barrels ....

If those guns were not in my budget ....I would probably look for an SKB or a Ruger Red label ...( SKB's are out of production now - but there are still some around). I think I would also look at Cabelas TriStar O/U especially since it has a 5 yr warranty. On these less expensive O/U's - I think a good warranty is a pretty big deal - especially if you have a barrel "regulation" issue where they are not hitting at the same point of impact.

Sometimes I see a few used guns around / especially where the stock is scratched up pretty good - but mechanically sound ...especiaally a Browning or Beretta - and a little sanding, some stain, some varnish ....and you can end up with a very nice gun.

The guns I would definitely stay away from are Huglu and Baikal ...both have a lot of issues. But Stoeger or Mossberg may be worth a look as well.

I would certainly make sure the gun has screw in changeable chokes - to make it more versatile ---and remember weight is a good thing when it comes to reducing recoil / stay away from real light guns ( say under 7 lbs ) especially in a 12ga. You need to be a cautious consumer when it comes to O/U's under $ 1,500 or so ....and just go with your instincts.

HKGuns · January 16, 2011, 03:05 PM

Quote:

You need to be a cautious consumer when it comes to O/U's under $ 1,500 or so ....and just go with your instincts.

Agree 100%.

SeR_Cyclops · January 19, 2011, 08:40 AM

Thanks again guys.

LSnSC · January 19, 2011, 08:48 AM

Weve had alot of problem with our kids (sporting clays team) who are shooting Stoegers. Broken firing pins and failure to extract are common. This is a big problem in a match. The lower priced shotguns are not made for high volume shooting. If youre an occasional shooter they may be fine. If not, you would be better off in the long run with a used Browning or Beretta.

Creek Henry · January 22, 2011, 01:41 PM

I was going to get a Spartan SxS 20ga but found a new-in-the-box Steven 612 on gunbroker for $400 so I got that instead. The Stevens in lighter and seems to be a lot tighter... but I cannot compare how the 2 shoot as I've not shot both of them!

January 14, 2011, 11:33 AM	#1
SeR_Cyclops Member Join Date: January 14, 2011 Posts: 17	Stoeger Uplander opinions and comments. I have been thinking of getting this gun because of its price. 299 at a local store, I have a Remington 1100 and a S&W 438 for CCW and HD. I'm just looking for something fun to take out on the farm and maybe shoot a some clays with. What do you all think of this gun? I will not be getting one with the single enursha trigger because I have read about problems with it re setting. I have read something about the cross pattern between the barrels being a little off but that was only one guy out of probably 20-25 reviews/threads/videos I have watched or read. So what is your all's opinion on this gun, keep in mind its only 300 bucks but I'm also just looking for something fun to shoot.

January 14, 2011, 12:22 PM	#2
ocharry Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2006 Posts: 685	i have one in 20ga. and one in 12 ga. i like them both,,the 20 is a nice little gun,,i really like it in the dove fields they are not as refined as the higher dollar guns but they function fine and seem to point good for me anyway both of mine have choke tubes for the money i don't see how you will go wrong,,,i have pulled some long shots out with the 20 on doves i like them,, been thinkin on one they call the,,outback,,it's an over and under,,20" barrels and choke tubes with rifle sights on it that's my take,,,YMMV ocharry __________________ The felon does not fear the police, and he fears neither judge nor jury. Therefore what he must be taught to fear is his victim." - Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper, USMC

January 14, 2011, 02:09 PM	#3
Ledbetter Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2000 Location: California USA Posts: 4,533	Don't have the uplander. Owned a Stoeger 2000 for a couple of years and it was a great gun for the money. Never gave me a single trouble and seemed well built, although the finish was not a beautiful blue. __________________ Regards, Ledbetter from thefiringline TFL #4573 NRA for Life Winchester Canyon Gun Club for Life

January 15, 2011, 10:06 AM	#6
maierar Member Join Date: March 9, 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 33	I must say that this forum has the most civil discussions of any forum I've read when someone asks about an inexpensive gun. Too often I read "...if it isn't a B gun, it must be crap." My feeling is that it is not always necessary to spend $2000+ on an occasional shooter or a "fun gun". I have a Mossberg 20 gauge O/U (which I have modified) which I use exclusively for skeet and I like it a lot. I also have more expensive guns, but this one does fine, feels good, and was easy to justify for the occasional skeet game. The argument you will get is that these guns are not as durable as higher end guns. So what? If, after 2000 rounds a firing pin spring ($5) or the pin ($20) fails, or some other part malfunctions, fix it! You can do this many times with your Stoeger before you will have spent $2500 that a Browning or Benelli would have cost. As always, you must try it to see how it fits you. It can be modified for a small amount of money. Combs can be raised with "convert-a-stock" http://www.meadowindustries.com/gunstocks.html#quick for 1/30 the price of an adjustable comb. Same applies to LOP. Last edited by maierar; January 15, 2011 at 10:11 AM.

January 15, 2011, 11:00 AM	#7
dalegribble Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2007 Posts: 861	i am sure there are many expensive weapons out there that i would love to own. unfortunatly (for me anyway) they are not something i can buy on impulse and often i don't have the patience to save for them. instead i opt for the more affordable models and i have seldom been disappointed. i have 2 stoeger shotguns that work just fine for me. __________________ Waltzes with woofs

January 14, 2011, 04:39 PM	#4
Jimbo-Indy Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2008 Location: Owasso, OK Posts: 334	I shoot a Condor Competition in trap. Works just fine if I do my part. No, it's not a Browning but it works well for the price. Be sure to give the action a good flushing out with CLP or such. I found a lot of filings and gunk in mine.

January 14, 2011, 06:56 PM	#5
SeR_Cyclops Member Join Date: January 14, 2011 Posts: 17	Thanks, Anyone else?

January 15, 2011, 12:08 PM	#8
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Browning and Beretta have set the standard - on relatively affordable - Over Unders for a long time. Today - that threshhold is around $ 1,500 or so... When you are looking at less expensive O/U's --- you need to understand they are going to cut corners on something. But there are a lot of options out there in the $ 500 - $1,000 price range - even Cabelas is selling one with a 5 yr warranty ...so any number of them might be worth a chance. The only problem I see on some of these guns - is the barrels are not regulated properly - where one barrel hits high right / and one hits low left ...and there is no way to really fix that. I don't think the Mossberg, Stoeger, etc are bad guns ....they probably aren't 20,000 shell guns ...and the resale value won't be there ...but they are what they are. I would be careful of guns made in Turkey or China or the Soviet Union - but I think Stoeger and Mossberg and others are making some serviceable guns. As always with shotguns - you need a gun that "fits" ...so it hits where you look - but that's more about stock dimensions than anything else - length of pull, drop at comb, drop at heel - and that can all be modified. Only as a comparison - a Browning Lightning - that was purchased new in 1988 for $ 700 - with many thousands of shells thru it - is selling, used now for between $ 1,000 - $ 1,250 with a few scratches on it. So that gun in 1988 was a pretty good buy.... Will the Stoeger, Mossberg, etc do that ...maybe, I don't know... As long as both barrels hit with the same point of impact - and you won't know until you shoot it ...firing pins, springs, etc can all be changed - you should be fine. But look at the other options too - Tristar, Mossberg, etc as well ...and compare them to the entry level Brownings like the Lightning ... Its not a simple - yes, buy it ...or no don't ... you have to educate yourself on the differences - and its not just fancy wood.

January 15, 2011, 01:31 PM	#9
Yankee Bill Member Join Date: September 6, 2010 Posts: 30	I bought a 20 ga. several yrs. ago for a foul weather gun. They are a bit heavy as are most economy priced doubles, but pretty robust. The old Baikals are a good choice in that catagory as well, not much to look at but built like tanks, if used is in consideration. YB

January 15, 2011, 04:47 PM	#10
SeR_Cyclops Member Join Date: January 14, 2011 Posts: 17	BigJimP do you have specific models and brands that you would care to share with me to take a look at?

January 16, 2011, 12:14 PM	#11
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Personally, I like and shoot a variety of the Browning Citori's - for bird hunting, Skeet and Sporting Clays - I shoot a Citori XS Skeet model, 30" barrels - in 12ga, 20ga, 28ga and .410 .... For Trap I like the Citori XT with 32" barrels .... If those guns were not in my budget ....I would probably look for an SKB or a Ruger Red label ...( SKB's are out of production now - but there are still some around). I think I would also look at Cabelas TriStar O/U especially since it has a 5 yr warranty. On these less expensive O/U's - I think a good warranty is a pretty big deal - especially if you have a barrel "regulation" issue where they are not hitting at the same point of impact. Sometimes I see a few used guns around / especially where the stock is scratched up pretty good - but mechanically sound ...especiaally a Browning or Beretta - and a little sanding, some stain, some varnish ....and you can end up with a very nice gun. The guns I would definitely stay away from are Huglu and Baikal ...both have a lot of issues. But Stoeger or Mossberg may be worth a look as well. I would certainly make sure the gun has screw in changeable chokes - to make it more versatile ---and remember weight is a good thing when it comes to reducing recoil / stay away from real light guns ( say under 7 lbs ) especially in a 12ga. You need to be a cautious consumer when it comes to O/U's under $ 1,500 or so ....and just go with your instincts. Last edited by BigJimP; January 16, 2011 at 02:09 PM.

January 19, 2011, 08:40 AM	#13
SeR_Cyclops Member Join Date: January 14, 2011 Posts: 17	Thanks again guys.

January 19, 2011, 08:48 AM	#14
LSnSC Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2010 Posts: 514	Weve had alot of problem with our kids (sporting clays team) who are shooting Stoegers. Broken firing pins and failure to extract are common. This is a big problem in a match. The lower priced shotguns are not made for high volume shooting. If youre an occasional shooter they may be fine. If not, you would be better off in the long run with a used Browning or Beretta.

January 22, 2011, 01:41 PM	#15
Creek Henry Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2009 Location: Dallas Posts: 514	I was going to get a Spartan SxS 20ga but found a new-in-the-box Steven 612 on gunbroker for $400 so I got that instead. The Stevens in lighter and seems to be a lot tighter... but I cannot compare how the 2 shoot as I've not shot both of them!