I've been wanting a coach gun for a a while now, and after somewhat of an exhaustive search and comparison, I finally arrived at a decision.

I looked at both current production and out of production examples including Rossi Stoeger, CZ and others. The pricing difference was greatest between the CZ and the others. While this CZ was very nice with features like the external hammers, I found that I preferred the internal hammer design and ended up choosing the Stoeger deluxe 12 gauge.

It came down to the only choice was to have the blued finish or the stainless or nickel finish. I ended up choosing the nickel as it appealed to me the most with the contrasting walnut stock and grip.

Well this purchase was mostly for the novelty of having a coach gun after having at home now for a few hours I see this could do duty as a cowboy action shooting gun as well as a home defense shotgun or truck gun. After looking at the various online postings and some videos I have to say that I am in the court of opinion that says Stoeger makes a very nice firearm, and the quality on this one seems to be flawless thus far.

I am uploading the unboxing photos now and will have those shown shortly.

Slide Show Link: ---->>

I've never had a lot of interest in them, other than they are cool! Just couldn't bring myself to lay down the cash for one . I do remember when I worked @ the LGS, we had one of the CZ's come in used. What boggled my mind was that it had external hammers & a thumb safety . Then there was another one, can't remember the make, but it appeared to have had Bubba's touch . The work didn't look all that bad, but it was a 12 ga with a brass crescent buttplate; that and the drop @ comb looked to be measured in feet. I took one look at that & my shoulder started to whimper . Good luck w/ the new toy, I look forward to the pictures.

-Klaus

Had to have one as well. My choice at the time was a Savage Stevens that was cut down and redone for a cowboy action shooter. he already had the gun and wanted to use it instead of buying one. It too is a hammer less model as well. Got a good deal on it at a gun show
Good luck with it and I hope it serves you well

The Stoegar Model I purchased is #31842.

Specs:

• AA-Grade Gloss Walnut, Polished Nickel
• Barrel length: 20"
• Weight: 6.5 lbs
• Overall Length: 36.5"
• Chokes: IC, M
• Type of Sights: Brass bead
• Length of Pull: 14-1/2″
• Drop at Heel: 2-1/2″
• Drop at Comb: 1-1/2″
• Trigger: Double
• Shell extractor: Built-in
• MSRP:$549

Video...

Thanks! Congrats on yours as well! I also forgot to mention I compared both the Single trigger and Double Trigger design, and the double trigger just felt more natural to use, which may be contrary to how others find double triggers.

For some reason I can't fathom, I want one of those, too. I like the ones with the walnut stock and forend, although I think when I get one, I'll get the traditional blue. I think you made a good choice in getting one. Enjoy!

RD, mine has double triggers as well, In firing it goes fast from one trigger to the next.
The one thing I like to use mine for is small game and pheasant, it's a great little brush gun!

Well, from the business end, they look twice as scary as a pump!

Very nice looking, congrats.

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Jorge

I shot (at) doves with an exposed hammer Rossi 20 gage for years. It was great fun.

Ed

Congrats on the new acquisition!

I've always had an affinity for coach guns since I had the barrels shortened over 40 years ago on an old Sears 12 gauge side-by-side. My brother-in-law wanted that gun in the worst way, so I sold it to him for thirty bucks. He said it was the best pheasant gun he ever had.

Since that time, I bought a used Fox Model B in 16 gauge and cut the barrels down to 19 inches. But years later, my youngest son who was living down in Tucson, was looking for a good home defense gun, so I let him take that home with him. He loves it. So does everybody else who shoots it.

Now, I have two coach guns...a 1916 Fox Sterlingworth that had the barrels cut down, and a CZ hammer gun. Both in 12 gauge. I got 'em both used. I've used them for cowboy action shooting in the past, but now I use them primarily for home defense and something to toss in the back seat of the pickup truck.

I also have a Stoeger Uplander in 12 gauge with 26-inch barrels. Stoeger makes a nice, affordable shotgun...and they're even nicer if you smooth 'em up a bit so they aren't too stiff.

Again, congratulations on your purchase. I think you'll really enjoy it.

My Fox Sterlingworth and CZ:

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Pack light and cinch tight.

Coach guns are great hd guns. I like them much more than pumps for that purpose.

They are shorter than pumps or autos of comparable barrel length by 4-6 inches, better balanced and much handier in tite quarters.

If you can't get it done with two shots in 12 or 20 gauge inside a residence, 5-9 shots won't solve your problem.

I hunt and shoot almost exclusively (over the last years) with sxs double shotguns, so I'm accustomed to the platform. Now days most folks don't use them much, which is a loss to the sport.

Don't ignore a coach gun as a first choice hd gun.

Those Stoeger Coach Guns are a nice value < $600.

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I'm with the banned ...

I had one of those old twice barreled double shoot guns, nickle plated with gold hammers that rode under the front seat of my patrol cars until the Patrol issued Model 870's.

The butt stock was sawed off into a pistol grip and the barrels ended at the front end of the forestock. It might have been a touch short. Don't know what became of that gun, must have fallen in a badger hole or sumthin'.

It kept 4 escapees from a prison in Missouri layin' in a mud hole until backup arrived 45 minutes after they come a bustin' out of their stolen car.

Backup was an off duty Deputy from Medicine Bow with a Tommy gun and a pickup. Them muddy buggers warn't gonna ride the 50 miles to the Iron Tipi in my brand new Buick Patrol car, no siree, they warn't.

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Eccentric old coot

I got one of those. Seems like I got one of most things...anyway, bought this around 1995 in Cincinnati. Was on sale for $179 or $189. No recoil pad so 3" Magnum buck or slug loads are molar rattlers. I added the swivels thinking I may carry it at some point. So far, no. Very compact, hardly any weight (too light, really) and as somebody said, major intimidation factor staring down a combined 1.5" of muzzle.

BTW- shortly after I got this, I went to a gun show one town over and a dealer was selling Remington and Federal 5 packs. Had 00 buck or slug in either 2.75" or 3". Your choice for one buck. Think I bought about $150 worth.

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No life story has happy end.

Here's my 12 gauge Rossi Overland. It also has a steel buttstock plate. The first time I shot it was with 00 buckshot 3-inch Magnum shells.

Yeah, I won't do that again.

Attached Images

Rossi 004S.jpg (58.6 KB, 182 views)

My first coach gun was a early 1920's Crescent hammer gun cut to 22", I sold it at a gun show in the late 80's to a cowboy shooter. I bought a Chinese coach gun with hammers then around 2002, played with it some and got rid of it a couple on months ago. I could never get the action to not be rough and jerky. I have some SxS's still but they are all 28 or 30 inches long. But for cowboy shooting I love my '97 made in 1904 and cut to 18 1/8" with a shortened follower so I have 6 in the tube for wild bunch. When it finally wears out, I have 1954 with a poly choke I'll cut to around 20" to replace it. But NOTHING looks meaner that a short SxS, and nothing sounds meaner than a broke-in '97! Ivan

The Rossi Overland is my "go to" coach gun. I have owned several over the years. Love my 12, still looking for a 20 gauge. I love the exposed hammers and the case colored hardware.

I used to shoot sporting clays with one. People would laugh when I took it out of the case. They stopped laughing when they saw my scores compared to theirs.

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Dave

I want one.

AFS

I think stoeger makes a tacticool model that has a pic rail and most importantly is painted black like all evil guns.
I have been tempted numerous times by there O/U coach gun because of the screw in chokes

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I noticed the break open action on the blued was a bit easier than the nickel. I think the extra thickness of the plating at the barrel connection point is snugging up things a bit. My LGS that I bought if from has a machine shop in the back so I plan on asking of they'll put the collection point on their polishing wheel, specifically the "J" hook on the barrel connection and then add some grease to see if that will loosen things up some. In tighter places a Dremel-sized tool would be necessary for any additional polishing.

After reading posts of other owners this is the quicker solution, the other being adding grease and simply using the gun where it gets opened and closed between 80 to100 times to get the same result of an easier break open based on what others seemed to experience.

Another mod I saw posted a few years back is taking 1.5 to 3 turns off the lever spring, but the lever on mine isn't tight at all so maybe Stoegar addressed that already from previous feedback?

Speaking of the nickel finish, the gun shipped with a glazed coating on it making it look somewhat dull as seen in my earlier. A quick wipe down with metal polish really cleaned and brightened things right up to that catalog look.

Always had an affinity for coach guns. Since the wife and I play at shooting SASS, it gives me an excuse. Here's m y wife's Rossi:


Not a good pic but my Stevens:


My Ithaca=bought for $250. The Stevens above was $200.


My wife's first. Now a loaner for SASS.


And, finally, a REAL coach gun. Not a double but a pump marked "Adams Express Company" (Became part of Wells Fargo)

They are way cool looking, but the first time you pull the trigger with the gun at your shoulder and a full power load in the chamber you will wish you hadn't. Of course you will try both barrels at the same time too, you have to!

I keep mine leaning in the corner of the garage...just in case.

The Rossi overland is in my opinion the best. They haven't been manufactured for a while but if you can find one they are top notch. I have a 12 and 20 looking for a 410.


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Yes, mine was $400 retail + tax. Very fair value in my opinion.

The last time I actually rode a carriage where the driver had a shotgun- that was long ago and far away. In Thailand. The carriage driver was also the security guard.
He carried a pretty beat up Win Model 12.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

Granny was mean with -or- without the double barrel, LOL

But she looks like a natural in that pic with her "people greeter"!

Nice collection! I may have to get more after seeing your "Coach gun family album"! Maybe a blued one this time to compliment the nickel version...

I'll keep my eye out for one.

Just to update my last post about the break open being a bit stiff, I left it overnight with my LGS that I bought it from and they are going to give it a little custom fine tuning. It's definitely the nickel plating that crowded the tolerance of the action that makes it stiff, a noted occurrence with the nickel version from what I found. The Blued version on the other hand opens very smooth and easy without any effort in comparison. They assured me I'll be very happy with the Nickel version when they're done, and I don't doubt them as they do nice work in their gunsmith shop.

Seems like nobody has mentioned that, when taken down to bbls and action/stock, the little chickenplucker fits into a backpack. Very handy and unobtrusive.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

P.S. The absolute WORST kickers are the 2 3/4" magnum 12 loads! Not even the 3-inchers can top them for utter brutality.

I had a Rossi for several years. Then a friend who was into CAS offered me a BAR for it.
I laughed at Iggy's post. Iggy, you're supposed to have a boat accident.

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Wayne
Torn & Frayed

I like my plain Jane 12 gauge Rossi Overland so much I got rid of the 870 and don't miss it at all. It does everything I need a shotgun to do, bunny hunting, playing the occasional game of Sporting Clays, and home defense.



There's just something about the way they look.

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Regards,
Guy-Harold Smith II

My "Coach Gun" has a family history. It started out as a Savage Stevens Model 311 in 20 ga. with 28' barrels. My dad gave it to my mother for a wedding gift. She used it to hunt ducks and doves. When I was old enough to hunt, my dad had the stock cut down a little and fitted with a rubber recoil for me. I used it till I bought my own shotgun. The it went to brother No2, who used it till it went to brother No3, then it back to Mom...

My dad then had the barrels cut down to 18.5" so Mom could use it for a "Burglar/house Gun"...

Years later I got it back... I have used it for hunting small game, the wife and I have used it for huntinig mountain grouse on backpacking bear hunts, we always carried a few 20ga Brenneke slugs, incase we bumped into a bear, and some buckshot for mountain lion and wolves, and we have used it as a Road/Motel gun on trips. Being a double it breaks down and can be carried into the Motel room without being noticed.

I use it still to this day. It is my farm/ranch shotgun here on my place. I have a SureFire Nitrolon flashlight taped under the barrels.

It shoots slugs out to 30 yards or so as accurate as most British double rifles, and buckshot just as well. I have killed quite a bit of game with it over the years as well as turtles and snakes here on my place in the country. My nephew killed a turkey with it at around 25 yards or so.

It is a very handy, most useful shotgun.

Ya wanna show me where I should launch the boat??

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Eccentric old coot

Okay, a tragic gardening accident. Macramé. Whatever.

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Oh well, what the hell.

A piece of bicycle inner tube would work better than tape. Hold it tighter, but be easy to remove for battery replacement, or whatever.

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I always take precautions

Isn't there a Russian manufactured coach gun?

Alpo, that is a good idea, but I do not have a bicycle.

I can remove the batteries and the bulb with the light still taped to the barrels.

Baikal makes a nice one, internal hammers. I had one for croc deterrent in north queensland.
Here in Texas I have a 19" Parker .

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Halfway and one more step

I almost bought one. It was a Remington and I think it was called a defender. It was around 400 bucks at the time.
peace,
gordon

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better have that checked

With the exception of the Stoeger guns, coach guns seem to be produced on an "odd lot" basis. Beretta made an O/U coach gun in the late 70's. Mossberg/Maverick makes an O/U now, but it is more expensive than many of their pump guns. Allegedly, it will not fire if the barrels are pointed below the horizontal. Bummer.

I remember reading an AR review of a well-made Czech-mfg'd (I believe) coach gun, but the price was obscene, well over $1,000. Best value was the Savage-Stevens 311, which could be cut down to 18"-20" bbls. The company also produced the 311R model, with 18" bbls and a grim looking flat black stock finish. But a good value at $150 in 1984...

I reiterate, they have the advantage of being take-down, so they can fit in a hiker's backpack, or suitcase on a car trip, as another poster aptly pointed out. And despite the nay-sayers, you CAN shoot slugs in them with reasonable accuracy against 2 or 4-legged critters.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

External hammer guns with real hammers, are the only shotguns that can be loaded and left for years because there are not parts under spring tension. Therefor an excellent choice for home defense.
I've had several Rossi Overlands, the first two[bought in the mid 70s] were great but I let other folks talk me out of them.[One the older gent wanted to make a 45-70 double rifle out of!] Then the third one had firing pin problems on the right barrel so I sold it finally found another several years ago got to the range and darned if it wasn't the same problem! I'd like to find another in 20 gauge or 12. Nick

Got the SxS back yesterday and it is smooooth... The shop owner just did a litlle grease and a very light polishing and the tightness is gone while not becoming floppy. Very happy now! After some range time it should be spectacular!

To those who spoke of the Rossi, yes external hammered designs are nice, I wouldn't mind picking up one down the road. CZ has one but it is pricey.

Excellent point! It takes a mere seconds to break it down or put it together.

My 20 gauge coach gun we use for home defense modeling a leather sling that I made for a civil war reenactor.

I got a 20 gauge thinkin' it'd be easier for my wife to shoot. I didn't take into consideration the fact that she shoots .357 magnums out of her 66-3 just to show off.
Me and my buddies'd be patting each other on the backs over our groups, she'd load up some .357's, hold her gun bullseye style and chew out the centers of our groups.
"show off."

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Keep on Chooglin'

It sure looks like it would be tough dragging a grapple to find them there, don't it?

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“Look life in its iron face”

Yes, as already mentioned made by Baikal and apparently imported or licensed by Remington. Stamped Remington on the sideplate and Baikal on the bottom.
I have one and its nice for the price.

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“Look life in its iron face”

My kid outgrew his cut-down Stoeger coach gun, so I appropriated it for bedside duty.

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Rule of law, not a man.