Stoeger P3000 12-Gauge Pump

Wallet-friendly is the term Stoeger is using to describe its new P3000 12-gauge pump-action shotgun. And at an MSRP of just $299, you can't argue with the statement.

About 10 years ago I had a motto for buying guns that went something like, "If it's under $350, I can afford it." Obviously, that limited me pretty much to used guns. Back then you could get some pretty cool old guns- ”usually in fairly good condition- ”for that price. Sometimes you could even get a good gun for less. But you couldn't buy a quality new gun for anything close to that. Well, Stoeger has the new economy-priced P3000 pump gun that's a dependable, rugged workingman's gun that just about everybody can afford. It's pretty plain, but it gets the job done in good fashion.

So what do you get for that paltry price?

The P3000 comes with a black synthetic buttstock with a length of pull of 14.25 inches, molded-in texturing in the grip area, and a 1-inch-thick recoil pad. The forearm is also black synthetic, and it, too, has molded-in textured gripping areas. The buttstock has an integral sling-swivel eyelet, as does the barrel ring.

Speaking of the barrel, just one length is offered: 28 inches. The barrel is finished in matte black and wears a ventilated rib with a red-bar front sight. The rib is 5mm wide (as near as I can measure it), and it's smooth on top. The barrel is threaded for screw-in choke tubes, and the gun comes with a Modified choke tube already installed. Stoeger also supplies a choke tube wrench, and other constriction choke tubes are available as accessories.

The P3000 action uses dual action rods, and the bolt group assembly includes the bolt body, locking head, locking head pin, extractor, extractor spring, extractor pin, firing pin, firing pin spring, firing pin retaining pin, and O-ring. My sample's action is solid and tight and operates smoothly and relatively quietly.

The crossbolt safety is located at the rear of the trigger guard and can be actuated easily with the shooter's thumb or forefinger. The action release lever is positioned at the front of the trigger guard. Trigger pull on the review sample P3000 averages 9.0 pounds. That's for 10 measurements with an RCBS trigger pull scale. The trigger group can be removed for maintenance simply by pushing out one retaining pin and then pulling the assembly out from the bottom of the receiver. The action's bolt group assembly is also easily removed for cleaning.

The P3000 weighs 6.9 pounds and measures 49.5 inches long. The magazine tube holds four 2¾-inch or 3-inch shells. And, of course, a removable magazine plug that limits the tube capacity to two shells is included.

How does it shoot?

Well, during my first shooting session with it, I broke three clay targets with the first three shots. I'm not a very good shotgunner, so that's as good as I ever do- ”actually, I usually don't do that well. The gun's balance is good, and it shoulders easily and points well.

The P3000 fits me well, and I swing it much better than other shotguns I've hunted with. Typically with a 12-gauge gun, I tend to swing late and miss birds. But I swing the P3000 smoothly and ahead of the target. It works well for me.

The P3000 won't win any beauty contests, but I sure do like how it shoots. And I definitely like its price.

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