02/08/2021
Yes, I do live in 2021, but my most lasting impression were formed between the years 1957 and 1971. How does that play out? I converted all of my work and home systems from Windows to networked Linux Mint workstations and tied them to an applications server using old computer carcasses and disk drives. Why? Because the operating system and applications consume fewer computer resources, they are free of cost and free of an intrusive Bill Gates and company. Computers, networks and the Internet are components of daily life.
On the other hand, I firmly believe a supermarket selling whole chicken at more than 10 cents per pound, or new lever action rifles selling for more than $75, are acts of high crimes and consumer thievery. In fact, if a mid nap apparition of Francis Galton uttered the words “thievery” and “lever”, my spontaneous replies would, respectively, “supermarket” and “$75”. I also believe that life on the Internet is a fad, social media will never really take off and I need to have a DVD drive in my computer.
Impressions and associations die hard… which is why seeing or hearing the word “Stoeger” still makes me cough up the words, “Shooter’s Bible”. However, I do know that Stoeger has been a Beretta firearm brand, parked within the Benelli USA group of companies, since the year 2000. Located in New York City in 1924, then relocated to Long Long Island and onto New Jersey in the mid to late 1950s, Stoeger Industries is a business located in Accokeek, Maryland. The Stoeger’s publishing business, the Shooter’s Bible and a myriad of other shooting sports related titles, is a current product of Skyhorse Publishing, New York City, New York.
Stoeger – Everyday Tough
Drawing from a collective of manufacturers, the Stoeger brand manifests itself in the forms of pistols, shotguns and airguns. Stoeger’s auto loading shotguns are manufactured in Turkey, as are Stoeger’s pump shotguns and the company’s STR-9 striker fired pistol. Stoeger’s over and under and side by side shotguns are made in Brazil. I’m oversimplifying the Stoeger line up as the list of options and configurations within each product line are extensive. In fact, the Uplander Longfowler is only 1 of 31 side x side double barrel shotgun configurations Stoeger offers and there are scores more within each of the other product lines.
Real Guns received a good number of requests for a review of a value priced side x side shotgun and the Stoeger’s Uplander Longfowler 12 Gauge looked to be a good example. Stoeger’s tag line for their firearms is “Every Day Tough”.
Stoeger Uplander Longfowler Shotgun |
|
| Item # | 31062 |
| Manufactured | E.R. Amantino Armas – Brazil |
| Type | Side By Side Break Action |
| Gauge | 12 (2¾” – 3″) |
| Ejector/Extractor | Extractor |
| Barrel Length | 30″ |
| Chokes | Extended IC, Extended M |
| Weight – Actual |
8 Lbs 2 Oz |
| Overall Length | 46“ |
| Stocks | A-Grade Walnut – Satin |
| Hardware* | Matte Black |
| Length of Pull | 14½″ |
| Drop at comb | 1½” |
| Drop at heel | 2½“ |
| Sights | Brass Bead |
| Trigger Pull (Actual) |
8Lbs 2 Oz |
| Safety | Tang |
| MSRP | $449 |
The Stoeger’s Uplander Longfowler is manufactured by the Brazilian company ERAmantino & Cia. Ltda.. The Longfowler product is sold in Brazil as the Boito A/681, the Boito name associated with Brazilian shotgun manufacture since 1921. If a company is going to entrust its reputation to a manufacturer in Brazil, why not pick one that has been successfully making firearms for 100 years?
The retail packaging is simple, but well done. So between factory handling and good packaging, the shotgun looked good coming out of the box. The metal pieces have a uniform matte black finish. A magnet sticks, other than at the buttstock and forearm, where ever the shotgun is poked. No hidden bits of aluminum or polymer.
The walnut is nice; good color and figure on both forearm and buttstock and with a matching finish. Not something always found even on much higher priced two piece stock shotguns and rifles. Stock fit to receiver is tight, fore and aft, with no noticeable gaps. The buttstock carries a little extra width, but still very good for a mass produced firearm.
The recoil pad is appropriately resilient, but not clothes or shoulder sticky. Clean, 12 lines per inch checkering patterns embellish the Longfowler’s appearance, however, greater wrap around on the beavertail forearm, and a little more tooth overall, would improve gripping surfaces.
The Stoeger Uplander Longfowler has a bit of heft. Listed with a nominal weight of 7 Lbs 10 Oz, certified scale weight was 8 Lbs 2 Oz. I did not check point to locate point of balance, but the gun has a very good swing, it does not feel heavy in carry and I was able to shoot throughout the day with 2 ¾” and 3″ ammo without recoil fatigue.
The Uplander Longfowler shotgun was received with a flush set of improved cylinder and modified chokes and a set of the same in extended versions included in the box with a choke wrench. Accessory chokes, flush and extended, are also available in cylinder, improved modified and full are also available. Modified, Improved Cylinder and Cylinder are recommended for steel shot. Chokes should be checked for tightness at least every 50 shots and removed, cleaned and thread oiled at least every 100 shots.
The tang safety is two position, on – off, and automatically engaged when the action is opened and closed.
The trigger is non-selective and always fire right, then left barrel. If the right barrel is discharged and the action is opened and closed without reloading the right barrel, the right firing pin will still strike with the first trigger pull, then left. Removable/replaceable firing pin bushings protect the gun’s breech face from firing pin wear.
The barrel to receiver fit is tight, but smooth and lock up is solid. Normal wear from opening and closing tends to reduce the break and close effort even after moderate use. The Long Fowler is an extractor rather than ejector gun which is my preference.
Performance
The Stoeger Uplander Longfowler was shot with a variety of 2 ¾” and 3″ ammunition, both lead and steel, #9 to #4 shot with good results. I did not put up pattern targets, but I did pop a few clay targets and the squirrel who kept damaging the shop’s propane lines. No, not while in the act of gnawing, but out near the compost pile while scampering away. For a long barrel gun, it certainly didn’t feel muzzle heavy. Might have been the hand filing forearm that seemed to provide so much control.
The Longfowler recoiled straight back, with little muzzle rise, which made for quick follow up shots. The brass bead from sight was enough, although I am not sure how much I used it. I have lousy shotgun technique, probably because I shoot rifles and handgun the overwhelming majority of the time. Still, awkward personal form or not, I could hit with the Longfowler. I also just liked the feel of carrying a side by side.
I was looking at some You Tube videos where a good number of Dremel wielding DIY gunsmiths were attacking the same model shotgun, from numerous angles, to correct a number of perceived problems. I have nothing against Dremels or DIY gunsmithing, however, sometimes a “fix” is just not necessary, yet it becomes a standard assault on a firearm.
Personally, I see no good reason to render the auto engaging safety inoperative. I can, however, see many reasons to leave the safety as it ships from the factory.If practicing with a firearm and learning how to use it safely is too much of a mental challenge, perhaps interests other than firearm should be considered?
In regard to grinding away at lugs and pivots to take the stiffness out of opening and closing the action. An alternative is to use the shotgun for a while, pump enough ammunition through it to become a proficient shooter and the action will become slick in operation.
During all of the live fire effort, there were no misfires, no difficult extractions. Just a reliably functioning double barrel shotgun. I like Stoeger Industries SxS Uplander Longfowler shotgun and I am okay with it just as it left the factory. Nice shotgun and available in 20 gauge for those with that preference.
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