Picked up the M3020 last season as my duck gun. Took it home stripped it apart. Got all the factory gunk off of it and through 3 boxes of target load through it. Not a single issue. Now went through all of duck/goose season with it flawlessly. Really happy with the gun.
I have the Stoeger M3000 and it has been an absolute workhorse. I don't abuse my guns, but I don't baby it either. It's been out in two seasons of duck hunting and multiple times at the range with clays. I've never had a single shell (duck or clay) jam in the gun. After about 500 shells, my stock started coming loose, but I tightened it back up and it's been good since. The season prior, the fiber optic did fall out of the sight while duck hunting, but replaced it when I got home. Otherwise, no issues. It's nice having a $500 gun that performs well and I don't have to worry about dropping in the elements while duck hunting.
I have had the same experience with mine. Did a full teardown when i first got it, cleaned all of the shipping grease out of it, lubed it and reassembled. Stock came loose on mine as well, but tightened it up and my daughter even used it for a full season of clays with zero issues. It has honestly been great.
It’s interesting that every Stoeger shotgun you do a review on is plagued with feed issues. I own a m3000 as well as a m3500. They both are solid workhorses and neither have had any issues feeding even the cheapest target loads. I also own a Benelli sbe3 and though it’s smoother I wouldn’t hesitate to put it up against either of the Stoegers.
I own 2 3020 and owned another. Never have I seen so many issues. My black one has had cases of rounds through it. In the heat of Louisiana summers to freezing cold duck blinds. Your experience actually baffles me cause I’ve been waiting on this video to come.
I have the m 3020 and never had any problems with it at all shoots and cycles flawlessly, Stoker recommends breaking it in with a hunting load and after that anything you shoot out of, it works great highly recommend
Yeah I have one I bought for my wife 3 years ago. Never had a problem with it. Day one it cycled the cheap stuff fine. Never had to break it in. I have at least 1000 rounds through it with no problems. I use it sometime over my guns and enjoy it.
I love mine, when I first got it I did as the manual said and shot four boxes of heavy hunting loads for break in, and after that it cycles anything I put in it just fine. I have even found some mini shells and they were fine.
I bought one , had a few hang ups on the first 25 rounds, took it home cleaned it ,oiled it and it’s been absolutely perfect since with everything I feed it .
I have the M3000 and to get it to cycle lite target loads, I polished the mag tube to 6000 grit and applied a dry teflon lubricant. After that, it cycles just about any load. I tend to expect to put a little extra work into bargain shotguns and don't usually get too bent out of shape with major issues that have minor fixes.
Purchased one of these a few days before the video posted, hadn’t had a chance to shoot it and was nervous! Disassembled, cleaned and lubricated everything before firing. Started with a box of 3 inch shells, then went to target load. No issues, not a single misfire. Have put over 100 rounds through and it cycled flawlessly, great shooting gun. Even using the cheap red box Walmart shells.
I have a m3000 for almost ten years. It was my waterfowl gun until I bought a franchi. It has always been my backup and beater gun. Made a really good boat paddle once even. Never had any issues that I didn’t cause myself. On the short stock I once ordered a compact stock for it so a younger family member could shoot it. It was identical to the one already on it.
My wife had the youth model, the grip is the same on it as the adult model. Huge hands. It was a affordable way to see if she wanted to bird hunt. She did love the hunt so we traded for a Franchi Affinity Catalyst. Only thing is the 3020 is easier to load shells into.
I used to have the M3000(12g) w/walnut stock. The manual did say to break-in with I think (25) - 3 in, magnums or at least heavy rds I believe. I ran (5) - 3in mag, 1550 fps rounds, and it never skipped a beat after. It ran light loads 7/8 to 1 oz(manual didn't recommend less than 1-1/8oz) without an issue. Maybe just run some stout loads thru it first
I had a lot of problems with mine as well. Bought it new at Scheels and tested a bunch of different ammo and it would either just "click", not eject the shell or chamber another. I took it back to Scheel's and they gave me my money back after they confirmed it was the gun and not the user..
My Franchi doesn't come together if I leave the action open. Close the bolt and it all slides together without an issue. The Stoeger is basically the same design but cheaper made and turkish. Should be the same with this 3020 when you put it together. I never had reliability problems with my Franchi. Figured this Stoeger would be a neat shotgun in case I wanted to burn some old 20 gauge ammo I have laying around.
I have a newer model 3020 with the lager controls and safety. Before shooting it, I polished the travel arm (recommended from a RU-vid video I watched) and cleaned it and shot a couple boxes of target loads with only one round that didn't cycle. I am using it for a duck and turkey gun shooting 3-inch shells. So far hunting I have only had one shell that didn't cycle early on but no problems after that. New I could not pull the bolt back hard without it sticking open. Polishing it stopped the sticking. For the price point it's a great gun! A side note: I replaced the large front fiberoptic bead whit a small round silver bead and the recoil is ok with heavy hunting clothing.
All these less expensive inertia semis seem to have qc issues. I've looked at lots of them and they just have a lot of rough manufacturing and out of spec parts. You can usually get them running if you have the patience to mess around with them but it's annoying to buy a new gun then have it not cycle. They seem to be more classified as "self ejectors." They are often found in the used gun section at a discount price as a result.
I had to run 250 shells run thru mine before it started running smooth as Butter! It came packed with grease on the bolt and receiver area! 1oz. Loads work a lot better and the one I had was the Wood Stocked Model!
i had to put a Benelli. extractor and spring in all 3 of my new stoegers and 6 in my friends new ones. these guns have had thousands and thousands of rounds through them in the last 2 years with no more issues. extractor and spring is about 20 bucks and 5 minutes to do.
Got mines back in 2016 and it’s still running good. I dove hunt and squirrel hunt with my m3020. Still running flawlessly and no jams. Mines is a 28 inch barrel btw.
I have 2 M3020’s. A black 26in and max 5 28in. They run like tops. I put Benelli M2 20ga extractors and springs in them as soon as I bought them bc that is a common problem with the stoegers. I also changed my buddies M3000 and M3500 extractors and springs with Benelli ones. The stock bolts to the receivers are known to work loose after awhile too which the butt stock of the gun will start to wiggle loose….they have there minor issues here and there but for a entry semi automatic that is 50 -150 bucks more than a new 870…it has its value till you can afford something nicer or you can just beat it to death and buy another replacement. Also has a 5 year warranty from the factory. Had a common choke thread that is easy to find replacements for.
Every stoeger I’ve ever used has been pretty much flawless no matter the load. I upgraded to a franchi affinity elite and it was well worth the money. Never had a malfunction
I’ve had one of these for almost a year now and I have never had the cycling issues that you are having. I do agree that the recoil is a bit much and assembly is not user friendly.
I got the stoeger m3000 last october and breaking period took forever would not like 1 oz rarget loads had to put my duck hunting ammo and some turkey ammo through it now super reliable
The Stoeger 3020 is a great gun. I had to clean my springs and other cycles just fine. I own several 3020’s 3000’s and 3500’s. They all need to be cleaned and oiled they are shipped with lots of grease. I own their better cousins and the whole line up are great guns!
I have 12 gauge so can't say about 20. Looks like you need to shoot through hunting shells. Maybe use tight choke to shoot target loads. You need to realise bolt to put the barrel back in place. When it's back you struggle
Just got a brand new m3020 , had the same issue. So after studying the situation I tried removing the magazine bushings and it run the light loads fine and if I decide to run the heavy loads I'll replace it
Mine did the exact same thing. Never runs 3 loads without messing up. I understand it might need a break in period but for nearly 600 bucks this thing needs to shoot better than that.
This was the one gun in my life that I had to bring back to the shop to get help assembling. It is a ridiculous design to get the forearm in place. That being said, after a good cleaning (similar to my Mossy 935) it has been a pleasure. It's my 13 year old son's gun so all the comments about trigger pull and stock size are perfect for him. I've run a lot through it skeet shooting and it's been great. Interestingly our friend has the black model. There are some design features that are totally different than the camp model.
I have the same issue with 7/8oz target rounds with mine. It stuck a lot at first but I didn't realize the amount of grease that was put on all the parts for shipping. I then cleaned it thoroughly and tried it again but wasn't much better but then I read the owner's manual and saw the section about shooting 200 hunting loads through it to break it in. I got a case of Winchester AA 1oz loads and it cycled them flawlessly. I then went back to trying 7/8oz target loads and sometimes it'll cycle and lock the bolt open, and other times it won't. I don't know if it comes down to a quality issue or what, but I haven't been happy with it for target rounds. But I will say, I also didn't buy it for shooting clays. I bought it for hunting early season and unfortunately don't really have any time with it in the field to figure out if it's fine in that element.
I had a stoeger 12 gauge as my first duck gun, and was not impressed by it. Couldn’t cycle target loads, ergonomics were awkward in hand, and it was a nightmare to break down. Sold it for a franchi affinity 3, which has been a workhorse of a gun. It’s only a few hundred more, but does everything so much better. Cycles every load, much better and slimer design, and has no design issues. Do yourself a favor and save up for the franchi, it’ll last you way longer and you’ll enjoy it way more.
I just recently purchased a stoger M3020 and an stoger M3500 12 guage. I have having trouble with both fire arms cycling shells. Other than that I am happy with them .
Mine was complete garbage. Never buy another Stoeger. I'm a giant 300lbs. Mine was a short barreled "tactical" 20g. It had every kind of malfunction no rhyme or reason. I put hundreds of rounds. #3 buckshot. Slugs, cheapest Walmart crap I could find. I didn't try the huge money turkey loads or steel through it cause I wasn't going to spend that kind of money on it. Interesting thing my very small 14yo son under 100lbs it actually worked better for him than for me. More consistent for him but not reliable at all. Everyone looked at me like I was nuts. It almost turned me away from autoloader shotguns completely. But I gambled and bought a Franchi affinity 3 20g 26". Love it. Love it. It doesn't run walmart 1200fps cheap stuff. But it runs everything else flawlessly. Did I say I love it? Local shop has a 12g 26" for $750.00. I'm scheming on how to get it. I don't hunt anymore so I don't need a 12g but I really "need" it. Great content
whatabout break-in. clean out cosmoline? and what about switching inertia springs? recoil reducer? have read that it is very important to break in with 100-200 rounds of heavy loads and then it runs like butter
I have the exact same gun and only Winchester shells would work. I had a box a fiochi shells and it would not cycle. But with the right shells it’s a good gun for little money
My3020 shoots everything brand new I didn’t clean it or nothing from factory it’s a beast as all my stoegers are 🤙🏼great video man sorry u had a bad experience with this one man
If I'm not mistaken they've updated it a bit and I don't know if this is one of them. I bought a cerakoted m3020 a few months ago with over sized controls for around $650 and it's worked flawlessly. my only complaint is it swings a bit too much as stated but It's definitely my favorite shotgun at the moment
If you are using mineral base oil it will not cycle reliably. If so, clean that off and lube it with a silicone lubricant. I’ve had several M3000 and M3500’s. They never failed to cycle when I used silicone. Really enjoy your channel and good luck. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
I'm surprised you aren't reviewing the new V2 M3020. I followed the manual of my m3000 and broke it in with 15 3in 1600fps slugs. I've run 1200 target loads without malfunctions.
I've had similar issues using HeviHammer and other Steel Shot ammo after cleaning and lubricating it first times out for duckand dove. It has gotten better but a lack of confidence in mine, to say the least. My Stoeger M3500 runs much better!!!
My extractor wore out after like 1000 rnds. Pretty common. Replace it with the beneli m2 extractor... good to go. Stretch the action spring out about a inch helps as well.
I have the Stoeger M3k which is currently back at Stoeger being looked at after 140 shells of not cycling. I shot black Aces slugs, Black Aces buckshot, Winchester Super X 00 buck shot and Remington Target loads(the only thing that cycled). Usually they cycle the heavier loads and the lighter ones no. I will wait and see what happens
I had mine last year when I started going to a walking sporting clay course.. Needed a light sub gage gun to be easy to walk with in sub gage and without breaking the bank. never missed a beat with target loads all day long.. I even shot a sanctioned sporting clay match and was looked down at it by the perazzi and Cezar Guerrini's snobs, only that I was the one to laugh at the end by getting an 88 / 100 on my first match with it.
Stoeger recommends to shoot 100 rounds through it, I personally started with a couple of boxes of 1 oz loads first then a couple boxes of light loads and haven’t had any problems with mine. And it is an excellent shooter. Also changed out the front bead with a Truglo Long bead, I like it much better.
That’s a bummer. My 3020 is a workhorse. No issues so far. Your experience with the 3020 is exactly how it went with my 12 gauge a5. That cost is triple the stoeger.
I’ve seen one stoeger 3000 that consistently will not operate unless the shell release/bolt hold open button is pressed before firing the first round. Of course, this prevents you from topping off the tube without racking the action. Also saw the trigger pull back, then completely lock up along with the action on a 3500 putting the gun in a pretty unsafe limbo😳 I know some guys love them, but it seems like they just sell a complete lemon every once in a while
Buddy has the M3020 v2 and it runs great, I've got a m3000 and I learned it goes to get her no prob if you have the bolt close when your putting the barrel and forearm back on lol, probably should have broke it in with some hotter loads before hand, granted it should function right out the box like it's suppose to but some do take some breaking in, I get as many as you've tested most all do fine with those light top gun target loads so you'd expect this one to but those light 7/8oz loads suck lol run some 1oz and I'd imagine it runs fine, out of both my Sx4 and my M3000 when we shoot clays every year just before dove season or our big clay shoot every year I don't run target loads I'll shoot my reloads I shoot doves with, if anything I'll run high brass 6's for clays if I just have to, but I also don't shoot a size shot smaller than 6 for birds,clay anything lol, anyway make another follow up video of a little bit hotter shells and I'm sure we'll see the outcome we desire
I have been watching a lot of your reviews. Great job by the way. I am wanting to move away from my shoulder blaster 12 ga 870 Remington and get a reasonable priced 20 ga semiauto. I mainly dove hunt with low brass cheap loads and was wondering what you think is a good reliable gun for under 900. Too many choices. I was leaning towards the Mossberg SA20.
Extractor craps out after like 500-1000rnds swap with beneli m2 extractor.. good to go. Strech thr action sping out like a 1 inch whenever yiu disassemble. Helps keep it from failing to fully engage battery.. and going click
My 3020 was junk out of the box. Cleaned all factory grease and relubed. Magazine lunger was junk. Got fixed then the trigger safety malfunction. Didnt make it through the first box. Fixed it then trade for a300 ultima 20
Got one last year for duck hunting I hunt public want a light gun that being said had the same issue looked into it need to shoot at least 1300fps and it cycles fine.
Have 2 M3000. One hunting, one fun with 10+1 magazine tube. Both run flawlessly. Great guns. Need broke in with heavy loads. After couple 100 rounds each they will cycle anything. Don’t give a gun a bad rap unless you put it through the paces.
I have a 28" 3020. She boots but has never given me a single issue. I also own the gun the internet hated, the 2000 and never had any issues with it eother. 🤷♂️
I have one and it likes to double feed and jam I sent it back in they said they couldn’t get it to do it got it back went pheasant hunting same issue shoot and 2 shells kick out the tube not every time but probably 2 out of 5 shots
I’ve had one since 2018. For $300 back then, I couldn’t say no. I only duck hunt with it from time to time so I have yet to shoot any light loads through it. That being said, I’ve never had any issues with cycling. I also have a franchi 3020, and benelli M2 in 20 and out of all 3 the steoger for some reason is always the easier to load. Also, imo all three guns have weak lifters. I haven’t had it hang up when I’m actually shooting but if I’m working the shells out manually, I always have to pull the bolt back just a bit and push it forward to get the shells to come up off the lifter. My only two complaints is the built in sling attachment point broke on the bottom, which is part of the stock, so to replace it I’d have to replace the but stick. Second thing, the fiber optic is WAY too big. I’m like you, I never look at it when I’m swinging through but if I go to shoot a duck on the water, the bead basically covers up the whole duck.
I bought six years ago and never had problems at the beginning with 2 3/4 and 3”. Shooting over 5000 rounds. Killing lots of ducks and geese with it. You might have picked one slightly defective one. 😅
I have one you have to run federal 1oz load at 1220 fps and it will run great that load is about 7 dollars a box higher but it will run great but my Beretta a 300 will shoot anything
The M3020 is my first semi auto so i am having a lot of fun with it shooting clays, but the Winchester target loads hardly cycled, remington and federal cycled a lot better. overall the gun feels really good, its a 28 inch barrel and im getting good scores, woo hoo!!!!!
You’re being too rough on it. I have the Mossberg SA-20 which is a similar platform and it took 500 or so rounds before it worked flawlessly. For the low initial price point it’s a good gun. Just don’t do pairs until it’s broken in
