Coach Guns

[signal4l]

I decided I need a side by side. 18-20 inch barrels. Looking to spend hundreds--not thousands of dollars. I don't mind refinishing wood and breaking out some cold blue

I shot a friend's Stoger. Seems decent.

Should I hunt around for one with exposed hammers, single trigger, double trigger?

Interested in some recommendations from some of our resident expert's.

This will be a fun gun, possible HD gun for wife, kids

This is what got me interested in them:

https://youtu.be/YYk8fez2d0w

[Pappabear]

That video is pretty Darn interesting.

PB

[signal4l]

That video is pretty Darn interesting.

PB

Agreed....cutting a 7 1/2 shell is like making the mother of all Glaser Safety Slugs

[markm]

What wildman came up with this idea??

[26 Inf]

What wildman came up with this idea??

I first read of them about 25 - 30 years ago when I was taking a forensic science class. It was in this text: https://books.google.com/books/about...d=6f1NAQAAIAAJ and https://www.amazon.com/Gunshot-Wound.../dp/0849381630

IIRC, the author also stated that he had never seen a case of secondary injury due to overpenetration of a slug.

[markm]

I first read of them about 25 - 30 years ago when I was taking a forensic science class

Of all the goofy stuff I've tried, I'd never think to cut a shell like that.

[Todd.K]

I’d pass on any serious use.

Double triggers and or hammers seems like too big a training problem to me. Unless you wanted to get into those cowboy action shooting games how are you going to perform under pressure?

And that leads us to another problem I found. Single triggers are either inertia reset or mechanical. Mechanical only comes on expensive shotguns, and the inertia reset may not be reliable enough in non standard shooting positions or for someone with poor recoil control.

Ejectors. I’d rather not be fumbling with pulling out spent shells if I had a problem that wasn’t fixed with the first two rounds. Again, only found on the expensive models.

A break down double with a good single trigger and ejectors would make an interesting 50 State travel long gun. But it would cost as much as a good semi and nobody makes it. Maybe someday I’ll find an abused higher end double to cut down, but that’s the only viable option I see.

[titsonritz]

Double triggers and or hammers seems like too big a training problem to me. Unless you wanted to get into those cowboy action shooting games how are you going to perform under pressure?

I agree, but it is still the way I'd go just 'cuz. If I was going to buy a coach gun it would have double trigger and exposed hammers. This is through the lens of a fun gun, if it was a "serious" gun I'd opt different.

[RHINOWSO]

Bought one of the Stoeger 12ga coaches, double triggers, internal hammers. Wife wanted a boomer so oh well lets get ya one.

I could operate it out of the box but it was very tight and rough. She couldn't unless bracing / holding it just right. After about 30 min of watching youtube, some sanding wheels / paper and a quick trim of the break open spring & rod, it is super smooth and the safety no longer automatically resets when opening. I shot 30 rounds through it with zero issues.

It's certainly not an operator or high level HD gun, but for someone with limited skills, it's easy to load / unload and two 12ga buck is far better than harsh language and nothing else. Not everyone (even sorta gun people) can run a Benelli M4, Beretta 1301, or Mossy 930 effectively. The double is simple to use and I see it's utility. A 20ga might be a better option for some, but I figure anyone in my house and family can run at least 2 00-Buck if needed.

[1168]

I decided I need a side by side. 18-20 inch barrels. Looking to spend hundreds--not thousands of dollars. I don't mind refinishing wood and breaking out some cold blue

I shot a friend's Stoger. Seems decent.

Should I hunt around for one with exposed hammers, single trigger, double trigger?

Interested in some recommendations from some of our resident expert's.

This will be a fun gun, possible HD gun for wife, kids

This is what got me interested in them:

https://youtu.be/YYk8fez2d0w

I had a Stoeger coach for a while. It did what it was supposed to, and would make a viable HD weapon. The cons are that the wood was cheap, and cheaply fitted, and it turned orange fairly easily. It was a very inexpensive gun, so its hard to complain about that. The CZs seem a little nicer, though. I like double triggers, because I think they are cool. I suspect single triggers are more practical. Same thing about hammers, though I’ve never owned one with them.

I’m not an expert on this topic….I just think doubles are cool.