Stoeger M3K Freedom

Derek8404

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My brother is talking about doing some 3 gun matches so I went ahead and ordered one of these. From some threads I was reading, seems like these are a goof option for an entry level gun. Any “must haves” to make this thing work, or are they pretty solid out of the box?
 
My brother is talking about doing some 3 gun matches so I went ahead and ordered one of these. From some threads I was reading, seems like these are a goof option for an entry level gun. Any “must haves” to make this thing work, or are they pretty solid out of the box?

Does he goof that often?
 
I bought an M3000 24” before they offered the M3K Freedom variant, and really like it. For the extra ~$150 the 3K Freedom is a great value. Stoeger really pushed the M3000/3k as a value-oriented, high performing 3G shotgun by having some of their Benelli (parent company) team guys run them.

The only thing I had to do to mine was polish the mag tube on which the recoil spring rides to ensure 100% cycling with light loads. It takes 30-60min but my gun will run light 1oz loads no problem.
 
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I bought an M3000 24” before they offered the M3K Freedom variant, and really like it. For the extra ~$150 the 3K Freedom is a great value. Stoeger really pushed the M3000/3k as a value-oriented, high performing 3G shotgun by having some of their Benelli (parent company) team guys run them.

The only thing I had to do to mine was polish the mag tube on which the recoil spring rides to ensure 100% cycling with light loads. It takes 30-60min but my gun will run light 1oz loads no problem.

so polish the inside of the tube?
 
I cant speak to 3-gun matches, but I use a M2K for clays and it just works well out of the box.
 
so polish the inside of the tube?
Outside of the tube. If you pop off the handguard, you’ll see that the recoil spring rides on the outside of the mag tube. As is, the tube is a little rough, but a mild polishing helps smooth things out.
 
Finally got to get to the range with this, my bother bought the same gun so we had 2 of them to test out. I added a Limbsaver pad, cheek EZ pad and a high viz sight, but other than that it was stock. My gun performed flawlessly and my brother had 2 failures to feed. We figure that could be due to no lube on the bolt, as I had lubed mine up and he didn’t. Either way, not a big deal, these things as supposed to go through a break in period but we just went straight to shooting very light #9 shot loads.

couple issues we ran into, none of which can’t be fixed with some thread locker. About 150 rounds in and my bolt release paddle worked itself loose and it looks like the threads were already pretty stripped out on it, so I had to order a new one. The next thing I had was my stock came loose and the nut almost completely backed itself off. Put some thread locker on it , torqued it back down and I don’t expect I’ll have any more issues with that.

other that those couple minor things, the guns functioned excellently. Definitely happy with the purchase and I went ahead and ordered a even longer tube from MOAPercision for it.
 
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Really surprised to hear about all the loose screws and such
But glad you like it!
 
When I first started shooting 3gun, shotgun wasn't my favorite. I then shot a Versa-max challenge match, which was like 250 rounds of practical shotgun and really enjoyed it.
Now I'd say they can be the funnest part of the game.

I have a Franchi Affinity set up for it. Similar to the Stoeger. You see many many M3000's which says it all about the value.
 
Picked one up a couple weeks ago myself. Finally got it out today. I ordered the lighter recoil spring from MOA Precision because I don't like break-in periods lol. Put 85 rounds of the bulk Winchester target loads without a hiccup, but I also tore it down and lubed it well when I changed the spring. I've never been much of a shotgunner, but this thing makes it easy. I ran stationary steel, plate racks, and poppers like I'd been doing it for a while. I'm really impressed and can't wait to get into clays with it. My bolt release paddle has also worked itself loose, but I figure some Loctite will fix that. I'd say it was worth every penny overall.
8c5f0636084339da5731b14eb87963a7.jpg
 
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Picked one up a couple weeks ago myself. Finally got it out today. I ordered the lighter recoil spring from MOA Precision because I don't like break-in periods lol. Put 85 rounds of the bulk Winchester target loads without a hiccup, but I also tore it down and lubed it well when I changed the spring. I've never been much of a shotgunner, but this thing makes it easy. I ran stationary steel, plate racks, and poppers like I'd been doing it for a while. I'm really impressed and can't wait to get into clays with it. My bolt release paddle has also worked itself loose, but I figure some Loctite will fix that. I'd say it was worth every penny overall.
8c5f0636084339da5731b14eb87963a7.jpg
Nice pair!!
How did you mount the DPP?
 
Picked one up a couple weeks ago myself. Finally got it out today. I ordered the lighter recoil spring from MOA Precision because I don't like break-in periods lol. Put 85 rounds of the bulk Winchester target loads without a hiccup, but I also tore it down and lubed it well when I changed the spring. I've never been much of a shotgunner, but this thing makes it easy. I ran stationary steel, plate racks, and poppers like I'd been doing it for a while. I'm really impressed and can't wait to get into clays with it. My bolt release paddle has also worked itself loose, but I figure some Loctite will fix that. I'd say it was worth every penny overall.
8c5f0636084339da5731b14eb87963a7.jpg

Where'd you find it?
 
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