Hi there, I just got really into shooting about a year and a half ago, and just bought my own gun probably about a month or so ago, and I found out that this hobby is addictive! Well, I was thinking about getting a shotgun soon and was eyeballing a Stoeger Model 2000 Autoloader. One of my friends has it and says it is a very high-quality gun. I am not recoil shy and am willing to try just about anything in my price range(around $500) If you could please help me, that would be great.
Thanks!
Kenny

Sorry, the only autoloader I have is a Mossberg. Have you considered getting a pump gun? Very versatile, you can shoot slugs, buckshot, heavy loads, bird shot, etc. That means, more fun for you!

quote:

Originally posted by army_engineer:
Sorry, the only autoloader I have is a Mossberg. Have you considered getting a pump gun? Very versatile, you can shoot slugs, buckshot, heavy loads, bird shot, etc. That means, more fun for you!

just to add: The autoloader will absorb more recoil than a pump or single shot.

The autoloader (most, anyway) may not function as well with some loads than others due to it operates off of the gasses produced from firing the gun, and some loads (lighter or heavier) will naturally produce more, or less, gas. The autoloading mechanics may react differently to the different pressures. A light load may not create enough pressure to operate the gun, and so may not "auto load" the next shell.

Hope that makes sense.

Autoloaders are fun! And so are pump guns!

Kenny:---Was not aware of the Stoeger 2000 Auto until I read your post. I googled it and you may wish to also. Some of the things that came up were not 100% favorable.

Seems like it is a knock-off or maybe production "seconds" from a Benelli auto. Many companies with many products have done this over the years. Candy makers, Gun makers, Meat/sausage makers, and several others. Stoeger isn't a manufacturer, but rather they have been a "marketeer" company. For years big department stores that had large catalogs -( btw-another bad thing about the internet...drove them out of business- ), and people that lived in small towns and rural areas could buy weapons from the catalogs-ssweeet!

If you look around some gun shops and pawn shops, you will see guns that were sold by Sears,Roebucks; Montgomery Ward-(out of business.); JC Penney; Western Auto. Gunmakers such as Winchester,Ithaca, and Marlin, and Stevens and Savage over the years made the guns (lower priced and without fancy wood or engravings.) then stamped the "Market" namebrands on them. If for example you see "J.C.Higgins"- that is what Sears used to have on many of the weapons they sold.

{ Hope you are not bored by the firearms history lesson---gun people usually like history...Barbie doll people like romance novels. }

The reason I went into that information fest was to get you to "shop around" before you buy what your pal has. It may be in a used rack or in a pawn shop, but there are great guns out there that have very little use on them, and were sold/hocked because of divorce or job loss. Check them out.

Okay--Gauge choice. Get a 20 gauge. There are several on the market. Ammo is easy to find. From small #9 shot for Skeet to rifled slugs for small deer. Recoil is not as harsh as a 12 gauge. (I read what you typed-But-after 25 rounds of Trap or Skeet-[the reason why shotgun ammo comes in a 25 round box.]--your shoulder/arms/cheek will not be so macho- )

Shotgun choice:---What the other guys said was true about semi-autos having less recoil is correct,,,But---because of the inside working parts- semi-autos need to be kept cleaner than pump (slide) actions or double barrels. Yes, all weapons need to be kept clean...semi-autos really need to be clean!

Remember what I said on another thread/post about stock length? On shotguns it is very important. Simple way to check it is to put the butt of the stock in the crook of your elbow, then-without wiggling/squirming your hand-try to see if your finger actually reaches the trigger. If not, then don't buy the gun. Shotguns are an extension of your arms and eyes and need to be "part of you", because actually they are to be pointed rather than aimed like a rifle. Some companies have youth models which has a stock usually about an inch shorter than regular models, and often a barrel about 2-4 inches shorter than a standard model.

Kenny if you really want a semi-auto then I would suggest the Remington model 1100. Good guns with a long record both in the field and on the ranges.

If you are interested in a double barrel side by side (and what shotgunner isn't- ) look in a gun shop/pawn shop/hardware store, for a Savage Stevens model 311. They are not made anymore but would be a good shotgun to start with. {Try GunBroker.com for photos-Google Stevens model 311.}

My choice would be the Remington model 870. Great guns with great records. {btw- it was a wounded FBI man with a Pump action shotgun that finally stopped the bank robbers in the famous and deadly "Miami shootout".}

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model_870_express.asp

Hope this helps you Kenny. Be well, shoot safe. sight picture/sight alignment.swremwin- out

quote:

Originally posted by swremwin:
My choice would be the Remington model 870. Great guns with great records. {btw- it was a wounded FBI man with a Pump action shotgun that finally stopped the bank robbers in the famous and deadly "Miami shootout".}

WRONG!!!!!!!
The April 1986 Miami Shootout was not stopped with a shotgun. The wounded FBI Agent did manage to fire at the perps with his shotgun, but with little or no effect. He ended the fight by advancing to their car and shooting both at point blank range with a S&W Model 13 .357. (I've got the official FBI recreation video of the shootout)

i gotta nice lil pump action H&R ill let u get for $120. More of a home protection gun, but ive shot skeet with it. works just as good.

Thanks for all of the help guys, It will definitely help in my choice. Although I may not be buying a shotgun anymore, see my other thread for more details...............