Stoeger Uplander

metcalfe

metcalfe

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Ontario
Hey guys, I'm looking into buying my first gun, which will be used for upland birds and some skeet shooting.

I've been getting mixed reviews about Stoeger's reliability from people with more experience than me, and was curious to hear your thoughts as well.

I'd like a 20 ga, but it is also available in 12. Which would make the most sense for small birds like chukar and grouse, and skeet shooting?
Ammo prices seem to be very similar for 20/12ga.

I'm looking at the standard uplander model with double triggers.
http://www.stoegerindustries.com/firearms/stoeger-uplander.php
 
They're a decent entry level gun. As long as you are not planing on shooting 1000s of rounds it should do just fine. For skeet and upland 12 and 20 are just about equal in my opinion.
 
decent gun. i have one and i use it for upland gamebird. downsides are chokes are almost impossible to find and i have noticed the the handgaurd on mine is starting to get loose. if that dosnt bother you it will surve you well. like already said if your planing on shooting 1000s and 1000s of rounds i would go with a little bit better gun.
 
I've shot a few Stoegers and would give the edge to the Baikal and CZ sxs in the lower price ranges.

If you do decide to get the Stoeger you might as well get the 12. Both the 12 and 20 weigh the same and the main reason to get a smaller gauge is to get a lighter gun.
 
What is your main reason for getting the Stoeger? Is it price? Why I say that is a lot of people decide to get in the SxS game and the first deciding factor is, "oh, I can get a new SxS for $500.00. If this is the factor driving the purchase, to me it is a poor reason for a gun purchase. When it comes to SxS's, most people become a little more picky in gun fit, finish and handling. If you just want some gun that will go bang, again that is not a good reason for a SxS choice. I would be saving my money and getting something a little higher up the chain, at least the CZ. Or look for a good, quality, used SxS. This is just my opinion.
 
I have one in .410 that I have probably put between 500-700 rounds through.
So far so good.
I have tried a few others in the past couple of years, but keep coming back to the $399 IGA because it fits me like a glove.
It's a bit ugly and a little heavy for a .410, but I can just flat out hit with it, no thinking, just point and shoot.

One that I really wanted to like was a 28ga CZ Woodcock that I had for a while.
I was able to look past the crooked rib, rough safety, burrs on every corner and solder that rattled between the barrels, but the thing just did not fit me right. Not enough drop on the comb.

I think next I'll try a Yildiz.
I've heard of some firing pin issues, but I think I'll gamble on one.
I have a couple of the folding .410's and they've been good so far.
Probably won't buy from the Winnipeg Wholesale Sports though.
Recently they brought out a 20ga for me to look at, but someone had dry fired it when broken down, and the clerk couldn't re-#### to assemble it for me to shoulder.
 
Moose Masher said:
I have one in .410 that I have probably put between 500-700 rounds through.
So far so good.
I have tried a few others in the past couple of years, but keep coming back to the $399 IGA because it fits me like a glove.
It's a bit ugly and a little heavy for a .410, but I can just flat out hit with it, no thinking, just point and shoot.

One that I really wanted to like was a 28ga CZ Woodcock that I had for a while.
I was able to look past the crooked rib, rough safety, burrs on every corner and solder that rattled between the barrels, but the thing just did not fit me right. Not enough drop on the comb.

I think next I'll try a Yildiz.
I've heard of some firing pin issues, but I think I'll gamble on one.
I have a couple of the folding .410's and they've been good so far.
Probably won't buy from the Winnipeg Wholesale Sports though.
Recently they brought out a 20ga for me to look at, but someone had dry fired it when broken down, and the clerk couldn't re-#### to assemble it for me to shoulder.
Click to expand...

I'm surprised with your description of your woodcock. I had a CZ canvasback and a ringneck. Neither had any of the issues at all as you describe. The fit and finish of the guns was very good. Only reason I sold them was to purchase vintage SxS's which is what I'm into. But yes, no matter what brand of gun, if it doesn't fit you , you will not be happy.
 
gunsaholic said:
What is your main reason for getting the Stoeger? Is it price? Why I say that is a lot of people decide to get in the SxS game and the first deciding factor is, "oh, I can get a new SxS for $500.00. If this is the factor driving the purchase, to me it is a poor reason for a gun purchase. When it comes to SxS's, most people become a little more picky in gun fit, finish and handling. If you just want some gun that will go bang, again that is not a good reason for a SxS choice. I would be saving my money and getting something a little higher up the chain, at least the CZ. Or look for a good, quality, used SxS. This is just my opinion.
Click to expand...


Of course it's the price...why else would I be looking at the cheapest new side by side? lol
I really love break-actions, and the side by side just does it for me.

I'll check Baikal and CZ again, but I haven't seen any Baikal's in stores and
iirc the CZ's sell for closer to $1k, whereas the Stoeger I want is $425.
I'm ok with having a lower quality gun, as long as it isn't a piece of junk.

Hopefully I can find something used of higher quality. I've been checking out the ads on here.
Are there any other used listing sites that you guys recommend?
I'm just starting out this year, so I have to buy everything, not just a gun.

I appreciate all the advice guys.
I've at least decided that I'll go with a 12 Ga so I can hunt ducks as well as upland and clays.
 
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I found that the Mossberg chokes will fit the Stoeger/IGA. I have the Uplander Supreme 20ga & it has the choke tubes which is a nice extra for not much more money.
 
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I just purchased an uplander in 20g. I haven't had a chance to get it to the range yet but here are my initial impressions. The fit and finish are a little rougher than what you would find on more expensive guns. I tore it down as soon as i got it and cleaned the hell out of it. I found quite a bit of rust forming in the trigger mechanism. It cleaned up well enough but there are plenty of sharp or rough edges that could be cleaned up with a stone. unlike a few people in other forums, i did not encounter any debris left over from manufacturing. Overall, the gun is pretty nice albeit a little heavy. I would say that it is worth the money spent. will let you know in a couple of days how it shoots.
 
hairygrump said:
I just purchased an uplander in 20g. I haven't had a chance to get it to the range yet but here are my initial impressions. The fit and finish are a little rougher than what you would find on more expensive guns. I tore it down as soon as i got it and cleaned the hell out of it. I found quite a bit of rust forming in the trigger mechanism. It cleaned up well enough but there are plenty of sharp or rough edges that could be cleaned up with a stone. unlike a few people in other forums, i did not encounter any debris left over from manufacturing. Overall, the gun is pretty nice albeit a little heavy. I would say that it is worth the money spent. will let you know in a couple of days how it shoots.
Click to expand...

Yeah, let me know how it works for you.

I checked out Baikal, and they seem to have just as many complaints as Stoeger does... I guess no matter what, you get what you pay for.
 
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Finally made it out to try the shotgun today. All I can say is, 75 shells downrange, a few broken clays, and absolutely no failure to fire, extract, or anything else. By the end of the day I was giggling like a school girl. The gun is a little heavy, and sometimes feels a bit clumsy but maybe thats got more to do with me than anything else. So far, so good.
 
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I'm gonna try to get up to Ellwood this Friday.
Their site shows an enormous selection of new/used SxS's, so I'm pretty sure I'll be leaving with something.
 
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