Well, pulled the trigger, figuratively, on a 20 gauge yesterday. After some research I found out Stoeger is producing an M3020 which checked most of the boxes of what I was looking for, item number 31871, and that Cherokee Firearms in Springfield, MO had one in stock, so I just had to run down and tote it home!
Gun is fully camouflaged, Mossy Oak Obsession, with a 24 inch barrel rather than their standard 26. Still a bit longer than I prefer, but not a deal breaker. Comes with only the extra full turkey choke tube. Stock has an attachment point for a sling, which might be universal for the entire line, not sure, and a decent recoil pad.
The receiver is drilled and tapped. The factory installed sights wouldn't work for me, kind of a ghost ring, adjustable, aperture on the rear and a fiber optic pipe front sight attached to a way too busy mount with protective "wings". Might suit a younger guy with younger eyes just fine. Anyway, that's why they make screwdrivers. I will install a red dot of some kind, probably a Vortex Strikefire II like I have on my 1187 which I am happy with, and really like the green dot option. Much easier for me to see in bright sunlight.
Biggest selling point for me is the weight, only 5.5 lbs, which I believe makes it one of the lightest autoloaders available. List price is $649, purchase price was $615.
My only major gripe is no Steadygrip (pistol grip) stock. I have one on my Stoeger M3000 12, as well as my 1187 and hate to give that up, but I have been in contact with Stoeger lamenting that fact, and, hopefully someone will listen and they will produce one in the future, along with making them available for retrofitting. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200607/366b23e94dc3e092a2b899192d3352b9.jpg)
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Nice looking gun.
I too have an M3020 except it has the 26" bbl.,in new bottomland camo and has a rib. I put a Limbsaver model #10823 airtech recoil pad on it and it takes alot of the "sting" out of those fast TSS loads. I too almost got this model but the front post being soldered on was a no go for me. CONGRATULATIONS on a great gun!!!
Are those sights removable?
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Quote from: Gentry on June 08, 2020, 08:31:49 AM
Are those sights removable?
The rear ghost ring sight is removable but there is a big hole under in-between the tap holes. Far as the front a buddy of mine took the post off and had a gunsmith grind down the base of it ,and from what he tells me it's soldered on but can be removed with heat.
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you will like the gun
I have the 26" rib barrel model, had it for 4 yrs now, really like it
Looks real nice...
If I were transitioning from a 12 to a 20, would definitely be one I would be strongly considering . My buddy has one and likes it. I would personally like a bit shorter barrel.
You will really like that 20 ga.