Just got into trap shooting I was wondering if the condor competition was a good gun to start out with. I don't have alot of cash to buy high end. I am a young shooter and Im looking to start off with something decent. I was thinking about an autoloader to but Im not sure what one to go with. I have about a $1000 to spend any suggestions. Thanks
Stoeger Condor Comp
- Thread starter shooter97
- Start date
If you want an auto loader, buy a used Beretta 391. You can get them here on the EE for under 1000. Very reliable, and good resale value if you chose to upgrade later. Shell catchers are readily available for these guns as well.
I had one, sold it.
It worked well enough but was a bit heavy and didn't fit me very well. I guess I could have altered the stock but I sold it.
I also thought the chokes were a bit off, the modified seemed a little to open, I couldn't find an improved modified choke for it.
For a grand you have more than a few options, I wound up buying a Superposed but the stock is a little out on it too (I've measured it out and it's a easy fix). I have an 1100 that I really should just keep shooting... They go pretty cheap, you could always spend the rest on ammo.
It worked well enough but was a bit heavy and didn't fit me very well. I guess I could have altered the stock but I sold it.
I also thought the chokes were a bit off, the modified seemed a little to open, I couldn't find an improved modified choke for it.
For a grand you have more than a few options, I wound up buying a Superposed but the stock is a little out on it too (I've measured it out and it's a easy fix). I have an 1100 that I really should just keep shooting... They go pretty cheap, you could always spend the rest on ammo.
There are indeed better options within your budget, 1100 trap is an excellent choice, the 390 is also one of the two autos I can recommend. You are better off buying high quality used rather than going new and... cheap. Look around, be patient there are good deals to be had, including O/Us.
I recently bought a stoeger condor competition for a backup gun. Like other people said, it is a very heavy gun and opening/closing is really stiff at first. But after opening/closing a few times, stiffness is less and less.
Had a problem with it though. Dry firing with the bottom barrel set to fire first is fine. However, dry firing with top barrel set to fire first is problematic. The top barrel would fire but the bottom would not. Pulled the trigger and no second hammer strike. I opened the stock to inspect the trigger mechanism. I found out that the problem is with part number 74 (equalizer). When it is switched to position II or to the left (top barrel first), it is not moving far enough to engage the left hammer release.
Sent it back to the store and they will send me a new condor competition. They said that I receive a faulty gun. Which doesn't surprise me after reading some of the forum posts on shotgun world and benelli forums. So the new gun is on its way, I will post a more detailed review when it arrives. If it is still problematic, I'm going to send it back and apply for a full refund. We'll see.
Had a problem with it though. Dry firing with the bottom barrel set to fire first is fine. However, dry firing with top barrel set to fire first is problematic. The top barrel would fire but the bottom would not. Pulled the trigger and no second hammer strike. I opened the stock to inspect the trigger mechanism. I found out that the problem is with part number 74 (equalizer). When it is switched to position II or to the left (top barrel first), it is not moving far enough to engage the left hammer release.
Sent it back to the store and they will send me a new condor competition. They said that I receive a faulty gun. Which doesn't surprise me after reading some of the forum posts on shotgun world and benelli forums. So the new gun is on its way, I will post a more detailed review when it arrives. If it is still problematic, I'm going to send it back and apply for a full refund. We'll see.
- Location
- Southwestern Ontario
i would definatly agree, the Citori is a well put together gun that is reliable for thousands upon thousands of rounds
I had a Condor Special, was stiff to open/####, and never got easier. Traded it even for a Beretta 20ga, best deal I ever did.
I picked up a brand new Beretta AL 391 Urika 2 from Clay @ Prophet River for $1065, including taxes and shipping to my door.
I picked up a brand new Beretta AL 391 Urika 2 from Clay @ Prophet River for $1065, including taxes and shipping to my door.
i'm using my benelli supersport for my main trap gun. it has served me well. best score so far is 98/100. tried to look for a used browning but couldn't find one in the $1000 range. even a used BT-99 is selling for around $1250. plus, not too keen on the BT-99 as it is a single barrel only.
I received my replacement Stoeger Condor Competition from the store and tried it at the range today. I didn't have a high expectation after everything I've been through. But boy am i surprised.
one thing to keep in mind is that the stoeger condor is not a browning, winchester or beretta and it will never be. if you have the budget to buy a citori or even a 362, then do it (you wouldn't be looking at a condor if you have that kind of money anyway). The condor competition that I bought was $675 before taxes. Even a used browning citori in good condition will never be that cheap. The condor competition comes with an adjustable comb and this feature will normally cost an extra $300 on most over and under.
The condor is not made for quality. if you look at the internals and the wood, the finishing is a bit rough. but the exterior finish is pretty well done. no complaints there. when the action is closed, it is tight...and the trigger is pretty decent...it's crisp. The forearm can be easily taken off although i can't say the same with the first condor i received.
Anyways, went to the range today and fired 75 rounds through it. i am amazed. it swings well, was a good fit, and i was able to hit the birds. shot a 23/25 from 16 yards with a full choke on my first try. not a single misfire and no problem with doubles either. safety and barrel selector worked as it should, same with the ejectors. opening/closing gets easier as the day goes by although the defective gun that I received was extremely stiff.
When I sent the defective condor, I was going to ask for a full refund and not even bother with the replacement. but now that I've given it a second chance, I am going to keep it for my backup gun. Whether it's going to last 10, 20, 30, 50 years...well, only time will tell. but for now, I am quite satisfied with it and i think it's worth the money. Again, I've only fired 75 rounds through it so this is not an extensive in-depth review.
To those who are interested in buying a condor supreme, my only advise to you is to check the gun and make sure everything works. the difference between the defective gun I received and the one that I have right now is night and day.
And there is a review by Robert Geisler which I think is very accurate about the condor. http://www.chuckhawks.com/stoeger_condor_combo.htm
i know that I will be lynched by the seasoned members in this forum for writing this but I agree with what Robert said in his review...
This is sooo true...especially that last point.
one thing to keep in mind is that the stoeger condor is not a browning, winchester or beretta and it will never be. if you have the budget to buy a citori or even a 362, then do it (you wouldn't be looking at a condor if you have that kind of money anyway). The condor competition that I bought was $675 before taxes. Even a used browning citori in good condition will never be that cheap. The condor competition comes with an adjustable comb and this feature will normally cost an extra $300 on most over and under.
The condor is not made for quality. if you look at the internals and the wood, the finishing is a bit rough. but the exterior finish is pretty well done. no complaints there. when the action is closed, it is tight...and the trigger is pretty decent...it's crisp. The forearm can be easily taken off although i can't say the same with the first condor i received.
Anyways, went to the range today and fired 75 rounds through it. i am amazed. it swings well, was a good fit, and i was able to hit the birds. shot a 23/25 from 16 yards with a full choke on my first try. not a single misfire and no problem with doubles either. safety and barrel selector worked as it should, same with the ejectors. opening/closing gets easier as the day goes by although the defective gun that I received was extremely stiff.
When I sent the defective condor, I was going to ask for a full refund and not even bother with the replacement. but now that I've given it a second chance, I am going to keep it for my backup gun. Whether it's going to last 10, 20, 30, 50 years...well, only time will tell. but for now, I am quite satisfied with it and i think it's worth the money. Again, I've only fired 75 rounds through it so this is not an extensive in-depth review.
To those who are interested in buying a condor supreme, my only advise to you is to check the gun and make sure everything works. the difference between the defective gun I received and the one that I have right now is night and day.
And there is a review by Robert Geisler which I think is very accurate about the condor. http://www.chuckhawks.com/stoeger_condor_combo.htm
i know that I will be lynched by the seasoned members in this forum for writing this but I agree with what Robert said in his review...
- Everyone seems to love their shotgun, regardless of brand.
- A large number of folks will tell you that whatever shotgun you are considering isn’t worth two hoots in their book, especially if it differs from their brand.
- An equally large number of folks will tell you that spending thousands is the best way to ensure your long-term clay shooting happiness.
- If they happen to understand that, as a beginner you cannot possibly justify spending thousands, they will tell you to buy a used Browning.
This is sooo true...especially that last point.
The last point about sums up my point
okay, I will bite the bullet on this one and will admit that the seasoned members on this forum were right.
After going through three different Stoeger Condor Competition, I will admit that the Condor is a piece of crap. Yes, the condor competition is worth $675 brand new and it is quite a bargain for a O/U. But you're getting what you paid for. The first condor I received had a faulty trigger mechanism so I sent it back and got a new one. The second one had a working trigger mechanism but when I patterned it, the bottom barrel is shooting about a foot low and 6 inches to the right at 20 yards. So I sent it back again to the store and they forwarded it to Stoeger. A few weeks later, I got a call saying that Stoeger will replace it with a new one. I tried the new one again at the the range and got the same results on the patterning board. I don't know if this is part of a bad batch but three times is enough. I was lucky enough that the store where I bought it from was willing to accept it back for a trade. So this time, I got a Browning Cynergy Classic Satin Field. What a difference in quality.
So the lesson here is...if you're serious about trap shooting, skeet or sporting clays...stay away from the Condor because it is a waste of money. But if you just want a gun that fits your budget and you don't care about quality or where it shoots, then the condor is one of the cheapest O/U you can find out there.
I believe you can get a used Browning BT-99 for under $1,000. A little bit more and you can probably get a used Citori.
Sorry seasoned members....I should have listened the first time.
After going through three different Stoeger Condor Competition, I will admit that the Condor is a piece of crap. Yes, the condor competition is worth $675 brand new and it is quite a bargain for a O/U. But you're getting what you paid for. The first condor I received had a faulty trigger mechanism so I sent it back and got a new one. The second one had a working trigger mechanism but when I patterned it, the bottom barrel is shooting about a foot low and 6 inches to the right at 20 yards. So I sent it back again to the store and they forwarded it to Stoeger. A few weeks later, I got a call saying that Stoeger will replace it with a new one. I tried the new one again at the the range and got the same results on the patterning board. I don't know if this is part of a bad batch but three times is enough. I was lucky enough that the store where I bought it from was willing to accept it back for a trade. So this time, I got a Browning Cynergy Classic Satin Field. What a difference in quality.
So the lesson here is...if you're serious about trap shooting, skeet or sporting clays...stay away from the Condor because it is a waste of money. But if you just want a gun that fits your budget and you don't care about quality or where it shoots, then the condor is one of the cheapest O/U you can find out there.
I believe you can get a used Browning BT-99 for under $1,000. A little bit more and you can probably get a used Citori.
Sorry seasoned members....I should have listened the first time.
