Thoughts on Stevens 555 O/U 12 Gauge?

[tjiann]

I'm pretty sure I want to get a 12 gauge O/U. Was thinking about this model. Thoughts/experience on use for mix of bird hunting and trap?

 

[Pale Ryder]

Look at the Stoeger Condor or one of the CZ O/U’s. While I don’t necessarily boycott all Chinese made goods, I don’t think a mix of steel and aluminum receiver from them is going to hold up long term.

 

[tjiann]

Look at the Stoeger Condor or one of the CZ O/U’s. While I don’t necessarily boycott all Chinese made goods, I don’t think a mix of steel and aluminum receiver from them is going to hold up long term.

The Stevens are Turkish made, no? Will look at the others too. Thanks.

 

[teratos]

Look at the Stoeger Condor or one of the CZ O/U’s. While I don’t necessarily boycott all Chinese made goods, I don’t think a mix of steel and aluminum receiver from them is going to hold up long term.

This. It may be ok for casual shooting. Start shooting clays regularly and I doubt the gun will hold up for decades.

 

[Roksfr]

I am not sure what else you have in the gun cabinet, but if you are set on a O/U IMHO the Franchi Instinct L is your best bet in the $1k area. It is made in Italy, and well worth considering.

 

[dontpanic]

We used these at Scout camp. They are too light for serious sporting use. The hinge is also a little wierd and can make it hard to get the shell out of the lower barrel.

Shot nice but there are better Turkish guns out there. I just picked up a CZ sporter made by Hugli. Great gun for the price. About $1000 used

 

[dannyp]

the stoeger guns are great for the price , i got one of the over/unders at bass pro for sub 300. they are not a browning centauri but will do the job.

 

[Pale Ryder]

Franchi would be nice too. Just depends on the itch and your scratch.

I know the Stevens 301, 310, & 320 are Chinese. While I would purchase one of those if I were so inclined, they would most likely not be seeing the use that a decent O/U would. Assume the 555 is made in China too.

 

[Biggfoot44]

The 555 is mfg by KOFS in Turkey .

For what it's worth , the 555 is available in 16ga and 28ga also .


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I'm not an O/U guy ( yet , or on imeadate horizon ) , so I don't have a position to defend . But O/U discussions quickly gravitate to two totally opposite contexts :

SERIOUS Trap or Sporting Clays ( or Skeet) shooters , who measure their shooting is cases per month , and thereby the numbers of tens of thousands of shells in between servicing is important issue .

Casual shooters , who might shoot a half dozen rounds of breakable clay things , and go hunting a few times a year .

 

[tjiann]

The 555 is mfg by KOFS in Turkey .

For what it's worth , the 555 is available in 16ga and 28ga also .


*****************

I'm not an O/U guy ( yet , or on imeadate horizon ) , so I don't have a position to defend . But O/U discussions quickly gravitate to two totally opposite contexts :

SERIOUS Trap or Sporting Clays ( or Skeet) shooters , who measure their shooting is cases per month , and thereby the numbers of tens of thousands of shells in between servicing is important issue .

Casual shooters , who might shoot a half dozen rounds of breakable clay things , and go hunting a few times a year .

I'm sure I'll be in the casual shooters category that you describe.

Bass Pro actually had one of the 16 gauge guns in stock, so I messed around with that a bit. Seemed pretty nice, super light. If it was 6lbs I'd be surprised. But I have no interest in the 16.

 

[John from MD]

It all depends what you want to do with it. Inexpensive O/U shotguns usually have too much drop at the comb for shooting trap. You can shoot sporting clays and hunt with them though as you will be shooting from a low gun. While I own and have owned Turkish models of SXS, O/U and Semi Auto, I would not recommend the O/U except for the lightest of shooting.


At one time I sold Huglu shotguns before CZ got involved. CZ cleaned up the quality control so, even though they are Turkish, they are made better than some of the other importers.

 

[Aamdskeetshooter]

This. It may be ok for casual shooting. Start shooting clays regularly and I doubt the gun will hold up for decades.

Decades! I give it a year! Maybe! My advice has always been if you can’t afford a used Browning or Beretta stick to a pump or auto. Everyone and I mean everyone I know that’s bought a cheap O/U has regretted it. A buddy bought a Ruger Red label and it broke within a year. Ruger told him it’s not meant for target shooting (he wasn’t shooting 1000’s of rounds) and to not shoot it that much! At least they fixed it. And the Ruger was a better gun than the Stoeger. I get it. I was a kid when I started shooting shotgun and all the good shooters were shooting Browning Superposed shotguns. People want to shoot what the top shooters are shooting. But they don’t want to pay the price for a quality O/U.

OP, How many shots do you shoot over one hunting season? Let’s go high and say 1 box of 25 shells to make it easy. A gun can last awhile with only shooting it 25 times a year. You’re going to shoot that in one round of clay targets. How often are you going to shoot some clays? How many targets per outing? 25, 50, 100? 10 outings x 50 shells per outing = 500 or 20 boxes. Do you see where I’m going? Light target shooting is 20 times the amount of shells shot. It’s not if but when the gun is going to break. I’ve seen this many times over the years.

Buy a used Remington (not an O/U), Browning (any action type), or Beretta (any action type). I’ll even go out on a limb and say the CZ might not be too bad. Good luck. And Good shooting.

 

[Redcobra]

I'm sure I'll be in the casual shooters category that you describe.

Bass Pro actually had one of the 16 gauge guns in stock, so I messed around with that a bit. Seemed pretty nice, super light. If it was 6lbs I'd be surprised. But I have no interest in the 16.

"super light" = OUCH!

Also, where I shoot the guys who have gotten Stoeger shotguns deeply regret it. Several have had rattles from loose welds (doesn't help with accuracy either). And I am told they are impossible to sell or trade to get a better gun. Get a used Beretta/Browning if you want a O/U.

 

[tjiann]

Really appreciate all the great feedback. Based on what I'm hearing, I'm going take my time and start looking around for a used Beretta or Browning. In the meantime, I've got an old Rem 870 Wingmaster that I can use to start shooting some trap up at AGC.

 

[John from MD]

Really appreciate all the great feedback. Based on what I'm hearing, I'm going take my time and start looking around for a used Beretta or Browning. In the meantime, I've got an old Rem 870 Wingmaster that I can use to start shooting some trap up at AGC.

Smart man. You can find used Remmy 870 barrels if your is not long enough or has the wrong choke for trap.

 

[Aamdskeetshooter]

Really appreciate all the great feedback. Based on what I'm hearing, I'm going take my time and start looking around for a used Beretta or Browning. In the meantime, I've got an old Rem 870 Wingmaster that I can use to start shooting some trap up at AGC.

The old Wingmasters are nicer than the new ones. Many 100 straights have been shot with an 870.

 

[teratos]

The old Wingmasters are nicer than the new ones. Many 100 straights have been shot with an 870.

Those and a lot of guys used to shoot Model 12's. A $10,000 gun doesn't improve your shooting. Get a good shotgun and practice.

 

[John from MD]

Found some barrels on auction for you OP.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/373916325673?hash=item570f265729:g:xyYAAOSwfrVh~W0E

https://www.ebay.com/itm/175146503150?hash=item28c78b8bee:g:gtcAAOSwsMNiAGDJ

https://www.ebay.com/itm/194803715029?hash=item2d5b34cbd5:g:1PwAAOSwX05iAZB4

 

[tjiann]

Found some barrels on auction for you OP.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/373916325673?hash=item570f265729:g:xyYAAOSwfrVh~W0E

https://www.ebay.com/itm/175146503150?hash=item28c78b8bee:g:gtcAAOSwsMNiAGDJ

https://www.ebay.com/itm/194803715029?hash=item2d5b34cbd5:g:1PwAAOSwX05iAZB4

Many thanks John! I'll follow these and see if I can get one. My current barrel is 28" with mod choke.

 

[tjiann]

OK. The Ebay route worked. I found a nice condition older 870 30" VR full choke barrel (as opposed to the newer matt finish Express model barrels). Now I can start shooting some trap and take my time to find a used Beretta. Thanks again folks.