STOEGER M3K SEMI-AUTO SHOTGUN
Conceptualized for competition
EM3 a compe ition-ready, semi-au otgun from Stoeger
Industri art of the Benelli US family of anies in Maryland.
Stoeger long history of manufacturin otguns and other arms, an ir name has become syno ith high-quality firearms at affordable prices. The
M3K, a development of their M3000 shotgun series, is a robust piece specifically catering for 3-Gun competition sport-shooters.
Our test model, chambered for 76mm (3'') 12ga cartridges, is 1162.05mm long and weighs 3.3kg. The polymer stock is straight and sans cheek-piece (hence ambidextrous) with a soft rubber recoil-pad to tame the recoil in rapid-fire. While hollow to facilitate installation of a Stoeger recoil reducer (an optional extra), the stock feels sturdy and durable and does not flex. The pistol-grip is chequered for a secure hold, even with a sweaty hand. The lightweight aluminium-alloy receiver is drilled and tapped for a tactical rail or sights and coated with a durable matte-black finish similar to that on the barrel. Its right
side bears the Stoeger logo and model; the left, ‘Stoegerturkey’ indicating the country of manufacture. The alloy trigger sits well back in a generous polymer trigger-guard designed for gloved use. Trigger release weight measured 6lbs.
The enlarged, cross-bolt type safety-catch, directly behind the trigger, is easy to locate and operate. Just ahead of the trigger-guard is the cartridge drop lever, within easy reach of the trigger-finger, projecting visibly when the striker is cocked and the gun ready to fire.
The bevelled loading port permits fast loading during a match, and the elongated, enlarged lifter ensures speedloading with two to three shells at a time. The enlarged metallic blue cocking handle provides a sure purchase when under pressure; likewise the enlarged bolt release button.
The 24-inch barrel has a high-ventilated rib with a clearly visible red fibre-optic bead (26-inch barrels are also available in SA).
THE M3K COMES with three chokes: full, improved-modified (three-quarter) and modified (half) – indicated by rim-notches – plus the required tool. In SA, the M3K is sold with a 10-shot tubular magazine; one ‘up the spout’ gives you 11, requiring fewer reloads during competition.
The polymer fore-end is fully chequered and its frontal take-down screw-knob has a swivel for a shoulder-strap (keep your hand away from this during recoil).
Like most Stoeger semi-auto shotguns, the M3K’S action cycles per the well-proven inertia-driven working system developed by Benelli engineer Bruno Civolani. This eliminates problems stemming from recoiling barrels, barrel-vibrations, the need to adjust for powerful cartridges and problems associated with gas-operated systems. It has fewer moving parts, no gas cylinder and no O-rings. The action stays cleaner for longer, as all gas and powder residue is expelled through the barrel and is not bled off to cycle the action. These are major benefits and consequently many manufacturers have adopted this system. The rotating bolt-head ensures a strong steel-tosteel lock-up. When firing the M3K, its effortless operation is immediately apparent in the reduced recoil, irrespective of the
load used, allowing faster recovery and target acquisition.
The inertia system does require cartridges that generate enough recoil-energy to fully cycle the action, so the gun is designed for minimum 28-gram loads. We loaded it with a variety of brands and loads, some quite old, and it cycled every time. We had only one stoppage due to an old cartridge’s damaged sidewall which went unnoticed.
THE SHOTGUN HANDLES well and recoil was easily managed irrespective of the ammunition used, even 34-gram loads.
Despite the one-size-fits-all stock, the gun fitted my physique and settled well in my shoulder, and notwithstanding the absence of a cheek-piece, I managed a good sight picture and quick follow-up shots. A fellow shooter, with longer arms, had no problem busting clays with the 24-inch barrel. Gongs were also easily peppered with lead. The 26-inch barrel version should enhance clay shooting hit rates.
Surprisingly, looking over the high-ventilated rib with the red bead at the end, the barrel seemed longer than the actual 24-inches.
The enlarged bolt handle is impossible to miss when working the bolt, enhancing performance under pressure. Likewise the big slide release button enables quick handling, and during the testing I never struggled to find it. Loading at speed is made easy by the smooth loading port with no sharp edges. The 6lb trigger works smoothly and the take-up is very short, enhancing fast trigger work.
Of course, with the tube filled to capacity with ammo, the shotgun was heavy at the front. It took a while for me to get used to the changing characteristics as the front end got progressively lighter as I fired off the ammo. For clays I loaded only two rounds at a time and this improved the handling.
The M3K is reliable and worthy of its reputation as an affordable sport-shooting shotgun. Suburban Guns advertises it online for R13 200.
THE LOCAL STOEGER agent, National Cartridge Company, also sent us a Stoeger P3000 pump-action shotgun to test. It reliably handled any 12-gauge loads up to 76mm. It weighs 3kg unloaded, the barrel is 24-inches; overall length is 1 150mm. The stock is polymer with a rubber recoil pad, and the receiver and barrel are matte black. The aluminium-alloy receiver has a Picatinny rail for a red-dot sight or scope if used with slugs. The front sight is a steel blade.
The P3000 is for security and general-purpose use, including occasional sport shooting and hunting. The barrel is not threaded for chokes and is open-bored for heavy buckshot and slugs. It worked reliably and has the feel of a working gun capable of enduring rough use by hunters and sport shooters. The P3000 pump-action retails at a suggested price of R8 800.
For a retailer near you contact Conrad on 065-964-9161 or 065-966-9065 or pta@suburbanguns.co.za.