[Changed extractor in my M3000 and...]

This has been identified as an issue on shotguns produced in the last 6-8 months. The earlier guns did not seem to have this problem, so something in their process (or a personnel change) has caused it. We now check for this on every gun that goes through our shop, as of about 6-8 weeks ago. Stoeger has been informed of this issue, so hopefully they will be addressing it at the production level ASAP. I have a feeling this was the root cause of the extraction issues that had people swapping in Benelli extractors. Hopefully if they fix the burrs in the bolt head, the Benelli swap will prove unnecessary

[Stoeger M3000 Scattergun?]

No "break-in" shells necessary. 3dr 1-1/8 will run right away. Lighter loads may, but aren't recommended until a thorough test period in YOUR particular shotgun. We have seen 2-1/2 dram shells run with the CarbonArms tube and cut down spring spacer, but not all guns with this combo will do it reliably. Don't trust ANY ammo in YOUR shotgun until it has been tested. Preferably not tested during a match

[Stoeger M3000 Scattergun?]

Unfortunately we can't spare any, as all we can get go into custom builds, but most of the bigger chains (Dick's, Sportsman's Warehouse, Etc) locally have M3Ks on the shelf. The ones that don't can generally do a store-to-store transfer for $20 within a week or two. Do you have any of the chain stores in your vicinity? Next best choice is to watch Gunbroker, but you have to be fast. Don't find one on your lunch break and assume it will be there when you get home from work.

[Stoeger M3000 Scattergun?]

The less aggressive (Pat Kelley style) is actually BETTER for weak hand load-2 than the big port. The shells are between the receiver walls sooner so they receive more guidance, and you don't need clearance for the second shell stack that a quad loader needs. I can load duos faster with the smaller port.

[Stoeger M3000 Scattergun?]

Tom,

The human body is design remarkable well, even with all the abuse we give it. My wife is a physical therapist and I have often heard how well patients do after surgery, both hip and knees. The rehab won't be a walk in the park, unless you have a great therapist, but you will feel so much better

I know I am alright waiting for some work to be done because I know you have done such a great job of taking care of your customers. I greatly appreciate all your work. A little wait is worth the great care and quality you produce. Thanks for all your work.

- Benjamin

Thanks for the kind words BTW, your shotgun is almost complete, awaiting only the Spiral-fluted Mag-tube spacer coming back from Anodize before final assembly. Should ship early to mid next week!

[Stoeger M3000 Scattergun?]

We left a small "hump" at the end of the port, so you have a tactile indicator that the shell is seated past the latch. Some guys go to great lengths to make a super smooth blend up the ramp, so you can run your hand right past the end of the receiver. In reality, any movement past the point where the shells are retained in the magazine is wasted movement, and wasted movement is wasted time. I prefer to "feel" when the shells are in, so I don't have to overshoot a half mile to ensure I don't "short-stroke" and ghost load the second shell of the quad load onto the lifter. If you cut more ramp away to smooth the hump, two things happen: 1) you seriously reduce the integrity of the receiver right below the threads that hold the mag tube on. Ask anybody who has cut too much here on a Browning A5 what happens if this gets too thin. 2) the mouth of the magazine tube becomes a Knife-edge if you increase the depth of the ramp cut. You lose the nice funnel shape that guides the shell nose into the tube, and have no room for error on the depth of your shell stack going into the gun. The only way to save this is to cut the front of the port further forward into the ramp so you can re-cut the funnel. At that point you are dangerously close to losing the little lip that keeps the follower and spring from jumping out onto your lifter. That means a scrap receiver.

In conclusion, is this absolutely as far as it can go? NO. But, it is the best combination of good aesthetics, good function, and structural integrity that we can cut on 1,000 receivers without risk that one is dimensionally different enough to come out wrong.

[Stoeger M3000 Scattergun?]

Here is as far as we are comfortable taking the M3K, now that the serial number is no longer a factor. Integrity of the receiver is now the controlling feature. It is cut forward into the magazine tube, lowered almost to the hairclip on the back side, throated as far as practical without losing the shoulder that retains the follower. You can see how much more "unshrouded" the follower is. More pics on the next post...........

[Stoeger M3000 Scattergun?]

Here is a factory M3k port, side-by-side with our Pat Kelley inspired port shape. I cut this on an M3K version 2.0 receiver so you can see where ours is deeper and where theirs is. On the low side, the M3k is only about .020 deeper than our "safe" (for the serial number) cut. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me to move the serial number, then take less than 1/32" additional material off from where we had to stop before. Roughed in the CNC, prior to blending and polishing. This is our standard cut on all M3000s with old serial number location. It is as far as you can go on that side without molesting the SN. This is also the standard cut for the P3K signature model.

[Stoeger M3000 Scattergun?]

OK, for starters, here is a side-by-side of the two M3k profiles we have seen so far. These are factory M3K Competition model receivers, unmodified.

[remington 11 and savage 720 barrel]

My brother had a 720 in 16ga when we were growing up. It was hell on the local crow population! Based on our experiences with gunsmithing the 16ga, the parts are nominally the same as the model 11, but nearly everything requires minor fitting, as ALL field guns were pretty much hand-fit in that era. Had some warm, fuzzy memories of cool fall afternoons in my teenage years smelling gunpowder and competing for the longest shot during the crow migrations Thanks for that

[Stoeger M3000 Scattergun?]

Interesting. I just need to investigate it further, I could have been doing something wonky on the trigger in the heat of the moment. Never had an issue before. I may need to just clean the trigger group.

If the hammer fell far enough to strike the primer, it tripped the shell release. There is either a mechanical issue in the shell release/ shell latch interface (gunk or burrs), or the end of the latch where the shell rests at the magazine mouth is rough (it is a cast part), or it has excessive magazine spring tension. The last is not likely if the failure occurred with a partially full magazine. There really isn't any trigger technique you can use that will prevent the shell release latch from functioning. If the hammer falls, there should be a shell on the lifter. Period.

[Stoeger M3000 Scattergun?]

On this vein, one of my intended projects after my hip surgery is to measure the spring tensions and weights on the components of the M3020. It is good down to 7/8oz 20ga loads, and will cycle 3" shells so travel of the bolt is similar. The inertia spring and the recoil spring are smaller in diameter than on the 12ga, and the reciprocating mass is lower as well. I intend to custom wind a spring set and lighten a bolt to duplicate the mass and spring tension of the 20ga on a 12ga receiver to see if it will cycle the same level of loads. Obviously this will have to wait until I am back to full speed and have completed the jobs I have already promised people (such as Taran's Inertia AR-10 12ga, he has been patiently waiting for MONTHS for me to finish making his magazine set for that!). In other news, I will have photos up later tonight of an unmodified factory M3k port, compared to our Pat Kelley- inspired port, compared to the M3k cut to the practical limit allowed by the relocated SN. Should inspire some die-grinder work over the weekend! My apologies to everyone who has been waiting on projects in our shop recently. I have been working 10-14 hour days, but at half speed due to the hip damage. You don't know what a simple blessing it is to have normal joint function until you don't have it any more. Amazing that your flesh and bone last millions upon millions of stress cycles when the very latest composite titanium-ceramic joints only last 10 years in an active athletic person. I will need 4 sets if I live a normal life span!

[Strong vs. Weak Hand shell reload]

My other gear makes the decision for me. My holster is on my right hip, and prevents me from having a sufficient number of shells on that side for a strong hand load. Our club matches nearly always have multiple stages that require all 3 guns, so the shells can't go there in place of the holster. I also prefer prone rifle whenever it is allowed, even if a rickety barricade is provided to lean against, so the chest caddies mean discomfort or scattered shells for me. Since I practice this gear layout most, (holster on the right, shell caddies on the left, pistol mags front left) it is most efficient for me, and therefore best. So I use weak-hand quads, not because it is fundamentally the best (though it may be) but because I have the most confidence in it due to repetitions.

[Stoeger M3000 Scattergun?]

That sounds like the shell latch in the receiver sidewall is interfering with the shell release lever on the trigger group. If the latch is in front of the lever when the trigger group is installed it can bend the latch where the release lever trips it. When the hammer falls to fire a round, it trips the release lever (little silver button next to the trigger guard), which allows the latch to release a shell onto the lifter. If the shell is sticking partway out of the mag tube, the latch isn't moving far enough out of the way. The fact that hitting the shell release lever AGAIN at this point lets the shell past the latch means the latch is hanging up on the shell release. I can walk you through some checks if you call the shop on Monday. I will be at the Doc's office part of the day (all to common these days) but PM me a good time and I can call you if you don't get me. If you have time to work on it tomorrow I may be able to help, but don't know how long the honey-do list is yet

[Primary Arms customer service]

Just before the Ironman match this summer I bought the 1-6 with ACSS reticle for my 13 year old son. He used it to great effect during that match, and the next few after that. At some point the illumination knob started free-wheeling and would no longer adjust or turn on. Shortly thereafter, the horizontal adjustment on the rifle failed, and the crosshairs started drifting right and left. I sent them an email, and the response asked me to call so they could get more details. I called, and WHILE I WAS STILL ON THE PHONE, they sent me an RMA number, and emailed me a UPS return shipping label. The replacement scope shipped out the next morning, before I even had the defective one dropped off at UPS. It arrived 4 days later, and was on my son's rifle in time for the next match. Impeccable customer service! I am very impressed, and my son is too. I think he will definitely look to Primary Arms for his scope needs long after I cut him off the parental teat. I understand that having a product manufactured overseas can sometimes lead to qc issues, but the way they handled the situation was outstanding.

[Mount holster on new els belt]

My son is using an ELS mounted sideways and it is MUCH more rigid than vertical. even with an active retention holster it doesn't flop around when drawing

[What distance does everyone zero at ?]

BTW, you might want to chrono the Freedom ammo. All the 55gr stuff I have shot from them only did a little over 2800 out of a 16" barrel. Not near what they claim. It is enough to make XM193 ballistic charts fail past 300. Won't hurt you at the 200yard-and-less you are shooting now, but will kill you in a major with long targets

[List of good / bad movies]

Ugh. I winced when he swept the RO

[What distance does everyone zero at ?]

When using 55s, I zero at 200 since I have a BDC reticle calibrated for it. When using 77s, I zero at 230, which makes the Miculek reticle in my scope (razor 1-6hd)closest on all hold-overs to 500 yds. Works out to 319, 406, 494 (for the 300-400-500 yd hash marks) with heavies, so I can use dead-on holds out to 500 on the big targets we use for 3gun. I also know that it is one 1/2moa click between the 55 and 77gr zeros with the ammo I use, and both are marked on my turret. Worked well enough at Ironman to impress the ROs with my shooting on the long range stages.

[Never ending health problems]

I appreciate that guys, but when it gets to the point that I am at work 14-16hrs to get 10 hrs worth of work done because I have to keep hobbling back and forth to the bathroom, there is no time left for recuperation. Sometimes it is just time to admit it is over.

[Arridondo speed chute on a CZ 712 and gas port size, better springs th]

It will make access to the tiny lifter release latch very difficult. I think that is the main reason for avoiding a chute on the CZ

[Never ending health problems]

Some of what you say is cause for concern, brother. I think you need to speak to someone who can help you through this. Thinking of the finality of death instead of being miserable needs to be worked out. I'm glad you posted this. Each day brings new hope. My prayers are with you for good health.

I have been seeing counselors and shrinks. 3 different kinds of anti-depressants. Neither can fix the underlying issue. Which is that my body being broken is not state-of-mind issue or a perspective issue. Each day doesn't bring new hope when you know that tomorrow and next week and next month will bring the same pain and brokenness as today. I don't really understand why people think it is so important to make sure that my ability to endure this is worked on, when the actual health issues are continuing to get worse. If you get cancer and the Doc tells you that you have 6 months to live, every acts like you are a hero and then you are gone and remembered fondly. What if you have cancer level pain that doesn't get better OR end? Then everyone else says you need to tough it out, "for your kids/ family/ friends/ whoever". Why, exactly? The whole guilt trip that my kids won't live a good life if their dad is gone is B.S. Plenty of people have lost loved ones to health issues and gone on to live a normal life. If we as a culture are totally cool with dismembering an unborn baby because the mom doesn't want him to live, why are we so pre-occupied with forcing a grownup to live when his own body is TRYING to die? In any other era of history I would have succumbed to my disease naturally about 10-15 years ago. But now that the medical technology has progressed to the point where we can keep defeating my bodies attempt at self-destruction, it is my moral responsibility to stay alive as long as possible? Doesn't really make sense.

[Never ending health problems]

I hate that my body is sabotaging me. It can't JUST be Crohn's disease....... My hip joints are disintegrating and both need to be replaced (one immediately, the other soon. I can't walk without massive anti-inflammatories and pain killers). Carpal tunnel in both wrists. One herniated disc and two bulged in my lower back, which falls apart randomly and puts me in the ER. Severe hearing loss in both ears. On a good day, I only throw up once or twice from the Crohn's inflammation. Broke a wisdom tooth, but can't afford to have it pulled, so now it is infected. Constant muscle spasms in my legs from nutritional deficiencies due to digestive problems.

Someone once told me it could be worse, I could get sick and die. I can tell you for a fact, it is way worse to get sick and NOT die. At least there is a finality to death, rather than going to bed every night knowing you will be just as miserable tomorrow. I have had to cancel my last two major matches, and will not be going to any more this year. My mind still wants to go and compete, but my body will not comply. :(

[AR bolt lock up.]

I would swap bolt heads with one of the other rifles and see if the problem follows the bolt or stays with the rifle. That will narrow it down a bunch

[Best method to use to see if a rifle barrel is shot out?]

I was simply stating a set of circumstances under which such a phenomenon occurred that I was a personal witness to. At this year's Ironman match, I watched as a friend's BHW barrel went from sub-MOA a few days prior to full keyholes with every bullet weight from 55 to 77. Less than 10k rounds through it. No visible damage to the crown, minimal throat erosion (for 10k). Did exactly the same when we returned, regardless of what receiver we used, gas block, no gas block, free float fore end, NO fore end. To this day we still don't know why it went to hell, no logical explanation. I was only stating a case in which the circumstances led to a discovery of cause. Lots of internet experts (here and elsewhere) that can diagnose gun ailments over the web. I ain't one. Your sarcasm was amusing, though