Really Impressed with New Stoeger M3000

[Judas530]

I recently went on the hunt for a new low cost to mid cost semi auto for duck hunting. I ended up grabbing a Stoeger m3000 in Max 5 camo for $481 out the door.

I had heard that this gun was decent for the price especially if you changed out the recoil spring, and extractor and extractor spring with Benelli M2 parts.

I picked it up last night and degreased it and lubed with CLP and changed out those parts for Benelli parts, changed the huge bead sight for a Hi Vis, hard recoil pad for a limbsaver and put in a $20 Carlson LM flush choke.

Took it out today and shot some clays with two boxes of light target loads, Federal 2 3/4 dram, 1 ounce loads which are below the the recommended minimum loads. I expected to have a bunch of Failure to feed issues but only had 1 all day with these light loads and a fresh unbroken in gun. Gun did great and I shot it really well. Much higher average than last year.

All in all, this gun with a few cheap upgrades functioned great and should do me well for a couple seasons in the Marsh. Very happy with it so far.

[deckhandmike]

That sounds like a good deal for a camo semi auto.

[Bakerloo]

Flush choke? You missed out on the cool factor of an extended, ported choke.

[Judas530]

Naw, the options still there but my barrels already long enough at 28" and cost of extended started out at double the cost of this flush. I also don't think my partner or our ears would appreciate a ported choke in the blind. Only non-ported for me.

[Judas530]

Ya, it really was Mike. I get a discount through work. They usually go for $100 more before taxes. That's why I ultimately chose the Stoeger over a Winchester Sx4 or Franchi. The price was too sweet to pass up, even after upgrade parts.

[BigPimping]

[Judas530]

BigPimping, I'm not sure what the current model of Stoeger pump is but we have one in at my work and it feels solid. Think it only goes for $250. Seems like alot of gun for the money.

[BigPimping]

[FLIGHT762]

FYI, ported chokes do not increase the gun blast. I've been shooting them for decades in Duck Blinds.

On the other hand, a ported barrel in the Duck Blind is unacceptable.

One day, I want to try my 30" Browning 725 ported Sporting on a few Ducks, but I'll have to do it when I'm by myself. I'll have to figure out first how to pad the steel blind so i don't scratch up a $3,000.00 Shotgun.