Smithing a cheap Double barrel

[Laser1911]

I really like the balance and feel of my Stoeger Coach gun. I have lightened the triggers and locking lever, and changed the automatic safety to manual. For a cheap gun it is fast to aim and shoot. Both barrels throw perfect patterns and are regulated vertically.

However: while the IC barrel is right under the bead, the left modified barrel shoots about three inches off horizontally at 12 yards, enough to just” wing” a target. I assume this would be even worse at longer ranges.

I tried putting an aftermarket fiber optic sight on the rib, off to the left, but I just didn’t like the result.

So, can anything be done about that regulation problem? How about installing exchangeable chokes? Is there enough metal and would it help?

If not, if I cut the barrels to a true 18 inches, what kind of group would open cylinders throw.

Hey, and any other advice would be appreciated.

Laser

 

[Wildyams]

I'd say if its a constant 3 inches off, that it might be something you should get used to.

whenever i shoot clays, if i think about aiming i miss. but if i pull up and let the barrel go where i think it needs to go, i do pretty good.

with enough practice you should be able to overcome that and be able to shoot well.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Welcome to the world of cheap doubles.

Enjoy.

 

[oneounceload]

You COULD send them to a smith to reregulate - problem is, that will cost you more than the gun is worth.....

As to cutting the barrels - if they're off, they're off....cutting back to cylinder will not necessarily fix that issue. If you have choke tubes installed, they would have to be basically installed incorrectly in order to try and correct the barrel regulation.

First thing I would try is different ammunition to see if that might help. I would also have other folks shoot those loads to see if the results are replicated. Many people have difficulty shooting a SxS well due to the way the recoil is distributed laterally.

If, after trying many things to rule out anything but barrel issues, then you have decisions to make. The cheapest would be to learn to shoot it as is and compensate. You don't say what type of loads you're using or what you're using them for......Clays? birds? CASS? HD?

 

[ben_i]

This is kind of off topic, and I'm sorry, but was the manual safety mod easy? I didn't realize it could be done and I'd like to change mine.

 

[Laser1911]

very easy Ben, although I almost overshortened mine. Measuring challanged.

The same rod that carries the lock up spring pushes the safety. The rod just needs to be shortend a little bit. You can lighten the lock-up lever at the same time.

http://marauder.homestead.com/files/stoeger3.html

Laser

 

[Laser1911]

Thanks, Oneounceload!

The Stoeger is for HD and just for fun. (which it is)

A wife and 5 kids, I'll never own a quality double. (sigh).

I think I can get use to being quick with just compensating, but it will never be ideal.

I like the IC - mod set up. I was just curious about the straight cylinder paterns.


Laser

 

[Pete409]

Laser,

Straight cylinder patterns will give a pattern that is approximately 1.5" in diameter for every YARD of distance from the muzzle. This is for small birdshot such as size 7 1/2 to 9. Larger sized shot, particularly buckshot, may give tighter patterns.

 

[35Rem]

Have you bench patterned this gun? I wonder if the trigger for the Mod barrel is really heavy, making you pull it off target. Might try "bench resting" it to see point of impact vs. point of aim.

 

[ben_i]

Thanks for the info Laser!

 

[Laser1911]

Pete409,

Thanks! Mmmm. a foot and 1/2 at 12 yards!

Is that a good thing?

 

[Deltaboy1984]

1 and 1/2 feet at 12 feet means dead man with Buckshot.

 

[oneounceload]

A wife and 5 kids, I'll never own a quality double. (sigh).

Actually, very nice, older American, Spanish and even English SxS's aren't THAT much out of line with your price point. Takes some looking, but good deals can be found.

As I said, go pattern the gun with some friends and different ammunition and see what that shows.....

good luck

 

[MCgunner]

I have an old Spanish double and a new Remington Spartan that are regulated and shoot very well. Cheap doesn't have to mean poor regulation. That old Sarasqueta has kill many ducks and geese and doves in its day. It's retired now, steel shot regulations, but I could still shoot dove with it. It's even amazingly accurate with slugs. Choke is a little tight, mod/full, 28" barrels.

Both barrels of my spartan are regulated to about 35 yards. IOW, both barrels center at 35 yards. It's a coach gun, but I dove hunt with it, interchangeable choke tubes and in 20 gauge. Neat little gun and deadly on doves.

 

[Pete409]

Thanks! Mmmm. a foot and 1/2 at 12 yards!

Is that a good thing?

Sounds good to me! Try shooting at a large piece of paper or cardboard at 12 yards with a load of 00 Buck or #1 Buck and see what it looks like to you.

Besides, how many places in your house would it even be possible to take a shot longer than 12 yards (36 feet)?

As far as I'm concerned, a pattern of up to 36" in diameter would be perfectly fine for a load of buckshot for home defense purposes. This way, a shot placed at center of (upper body) mass of a bad guy would cover him all the way from the top of his head to about his groin area and for the complete width of his body. Surely some of those heavy pellets would find a vital area.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Pete, we disagree.

If we put a tight pattern right in the CNS, it's over for that perp.

Less chance of stray pellets, greater effect.

Had a gun cognizant Forensic Surgeon tell me that the most effective pattern is about palm sized.

With my pet load, 8" is about the max spread I'll get inside this house.

That sounds real good to me.

 

[Tom609]

For a cheap gun it is fast to aim and shoot. Both barrels throw perfect patterns

I have to agree. My Stoeger just feels right, and looks good sitting inconspicuously over there in the corner by the fireplace. The 870 is up in the bedroom. This of course has nothing to do with the original question, but I wanted to add my .02.

 

[Pete409]

Dave,

It's the same old "tight pattern vs open pattern" disagreement and I'm sure that at the end of our discussion each of us will still feel the same way we did at the beginning.

If there were some way of guaranteeing that the 8" pattern were in fact going to be exactly where I wanted to place it, then sure I'd choose the tight pattern. Unfortunately, things don't always go the way we plan them.

I'd rather have the open pattern and be reasonably assured that at least half of the pellets would find their mark rather than betting all the marbles on the tight pattern being well placed.

I figure that with an open pattern, I have just as good a chance of placing the shot center of mass as with a tight pattern.......... plus I have the added margin of error in case my pattern isn't placed exactly where I intended to place it. Further, I'm not concerned that an open pattern of 00 Buck or #1 Buck placed center of mass is not going to do the job.

 

[Laser1911]

Thanks All.

I took the stoeger and lots o' family and friends to the range. The regulation issue remains.

The tighter choke has the better trigger, but its the one off the bead. I find that it doesnt slow me down much. I sort of sight down the barrel on the left and hit the bead with the right, a tiny adjustment.

We shot alot of buckshot. Over the years I have owned (and traded) a lot of shotguns, I can't afford another Benelli tactical and will never find another Ithica DSPS; Great shotguns! However this experience with the Stoeger (which I intend to keep) has taught me two things:

A fine side by side must be a fast and awesome shotgun to own. Also,a cylinder choke on the handy coach gun is probably better for HD than the AR and and 45-70 guide gun I curently own. There is no room in or arond my house that is farther than a chest size group.

Oh, and, long live the 1911!

Laser