Traveling guns??? / Stoeger Coach???

**jmoore** · 06-12-20, 17:57

I’m putting together a pair of ‘traveling guns’ - mostly for having with me in motel/hotel rooms (gave up camping years ago:), and accessible in my truck (no camper top, so they’ll be in the cab with me).
I am VERY pleased with my handgun - a S&W model 22-4 .45 acp/45AR revolver. I shoot it well, can use full moon clips and speed loaders really well, and it will fly under 10 round legislation anywhere. And it doesn’t “look tactical” - kind of a retro, geezer gun :)

What I’m looking for now is a ‘long gun’, which I’ve narrowed down to a lever action or break action shotgun - o/u or s/s. The Stoeger Coach gun is a good possibility, IF it is reliable. I’ve heard mixed reports, with the con side being things like soft steel, malfunctioning single triggers (which is why I would prefer doubles), parts breakage, etc., etc.

Just looking for feedback from knowledgeable/experienced shooters, and additional suggestions. TIA

geezer john

**Todd.K** · 06-12-20, 20:45

I've been told not to trust recoil set single triggers, especially for unconventional shooting positions that may occur with defensive use.

I'm not sure how much training double triggers would require for me to be comfortable using defensively.

This seems to exclude anything in the reasonable price range, so I've stopped thinking about it much.

There doesn't seem to be a 6920 or G19 equivalent double barrel.

**gaijin** · 06-12-20, 21:48

Thutty/thutty lever gun, Winnie or Marlin.
Ghost ring rear.

**SeriousStudent** · 06-12-20, 23:29

I have both - a Stoeger Coach Gun and a Marlin 336.

I prefer the older Marlin Youth Model. It's got a Hill People butt cuff, ghost ring sight and a buffalo leather sling. I carry it in a Mossy Oak case, so it looks as Fudd as possible.

I used to drive from Texas to San Francisco on business, making stops along the way. That short handy rifle and a tuned 2" Model 64 wheelgun were my companions on the trip. If I had to walk away from either of them, I'd be a bit sad, but there would be no wailing and rending of garments.

The Stoeger required some mods to become reliable out of the box. I had to replace the firing pins with aftermarket hardened steel ones, stronger hammer springs, and polished the fitted parts so you could open the action without the Jaws of Life. It also has an aftermarket recoil pad and a nice big brass bead up front. A wise person could see the changes, but most could not. The "automatic on" safety is also a pain in the backside, and needed work. If you are good with stones, files and emery cloth, the work is all do-able for under a hundred bucks.

The advantage of the 18.5" coach gun is that with that action, it's actually as short as a 14" pump-action SBS. Mine patterns acceptably well with Federal 8-pellet Flite-Control. It tends to throw slugs a little high and right with the right barrel, but is dead-on with the left at 25 yards. I know that and compensate accordingly.

I will say that the advantage of the over/under is that it looks even more Fuddish. "I say, Muffy and I were just on our way home from my skeet club when I was accosted by this ruffian. The cad forced me to shoot him - most regrettable."

**GH41** · 06-13-20, 05:36

What will the cheap SxS do that a Tac14 won't do better other than being lighter?

**jmoore** · 06-13-20, 09:44

Originally Posted by GH41

What will the cheap SxS do that a Tac14 won't do better other than being lighter?

Pros vs Cons?

- In an emergency, anyone I may give the SxS to can likely fire it if they take safety off. Less so with the Tac14.

- Most will likely hit better with the SxS than the mini-pump. A laser could help here?

- The Tac14 has a greater capacity than the Coach gun. This might be important under certain situations!

- The Stoeger looks like a Fudd gun. Not so the Remington (or Mossberg).

I’m sure a little more time & thought would add more to the list.

geezer john

**1168** · 06-13-20, 15:03

I had a double trigger Coach gun. It worked fine. I used it in cowboy matches, and sometimes clays, just to be silly. Made no modifications, had no parts breakages. Not sure why I sold it. I sometimes have the hankering for a longer double for birds.

But I kept my 94 and 336....