Stoeger M3000
Stoeger Industries · Shotgun · In Production · 2012
Also known as: Model 3000, M3000
Overview
The Stoeger M3000 is a budget-friendly 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun introduced in 2012 by Stoeger Industries, a subsidiary of Beretta Holding. Manufactured in Turkey, the M3000 employs Benelli's patented Inertia Driven operating system, which uses the energy of recoil to compress an inertia spring within the bolt body, cycling the action without bleeding gas from the barrel. This keeps the action exceptionally clean and allows the M3000 to reliably cycle both 2-3/4-inch and 3-inch magnum shells without any manual adjustment. The bolt locks into a steel barrel extension via dual locking lugs with a rotating cam mechanism, providing a strong and consistent lockup. The aluminum alloy receiver is finished in black anodized coating and is drilled and tapped for Weaver-style scope base mounting. Standard models ship with a 28-inch barrel topped by a ventilated stepped rib and red-bar fiber-optic front sight for quick target acquisition. Three interchangeable Beretta/Benelli Mobil-pattern choke tubes are included (typically IC, Modified, and Extended Extra-Full Turkey). The synthetic stock includes a shim kit for adjusting drop and cast, and the recoil spring is mounted on the magazine tube rather than in the stock, allowing for aftermarket stock swaps without affecting function. Weighing approximately 7.3 pounds with a 28-inch barrel, the M3000 offers Benelli-derived inertia reliability at roughly one-third the price of its Italian-made siblings. The M3000 platform has expanded into numerous variants including compact, defense, tactical, sporting, competition (M3K 3-Gun), and special editions, making it one of the best-selling budget semi-automatic shotguns in North America for waterfowl hunting, upland game, clay sports, home defense, and 3-gun competition.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3310 g (116.8 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1264 mm (49.76") |
| Barrel Length | 711 mm (27.99") |
| Action Type | Inertia Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Trigger Pull | 36 N (8.1 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 4 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Tubular |
| Effective Range | 45 m (49 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Smoothbore |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Anodized |
Calibers
- 12 Gauge 3 Inch Magnum · primary — also known as 12 ga 3", 12 ga Magnum, 12 bore 76mm
- 12 Gauge — also known as 12 ga, 12 bore, 12 ga 2.75"
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Tubular Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Crossbolt Safety, Trigger Disconnect
- Features: Inertia Driven System, Rotating Bolt, Dual Locking Lugs, Red Bar Fiber Optic Front Sight, Ventilated Rib, 3 Inch Chamber, Drilled And Tapped Receiver, Shim Adjustable Stock, Ventilated Recoil Pad, Interchangeable Choke Tubes, Recoil Spring On Magazine Tube
Variants
- Stoeger M3000 Compact — Compact
- Stoeger M3000 Defense — Defense
- Stoeger M3000 Freedom Series Defense — Defense
- Stoeger M3000 Freedom Series Tactical — Tactical
- Stoeger M3000 Sporting — Sporting
- Stoeger M3K 3-Gun — Competition
- Stoeger M3K Freedom Series Defense — Defense
- Stoeger M3000 Signature — Commemorative
- Stoeger M3000 Turkey Edition — Hunting
Production
Production years: 2012-present
One of the best-selling budget inertia-driven semi-automatic shotguns in North America. Stoeger celebrated its centennial in 2024 with the M3000 Signature edition, underscoring the platform's commercial success.
Origin
Country of origin: Turkey
Notes
The M3000 typically requires a break-in period of approximately 100 rounds of full-power ammunition before it will reliably cycle lighter target loads. The crossbolt safety is right-hand biased and is not reversible for left-handed shooters. The M3020 is the 20-gauge counterpart sharing the same Inertia Driven platform. The M3500 is the 3.5-inch magnum variant capable of cycling super magnum shells. The M3K 3-Gun variant features an enlarged loading port, oversized bolt handle and bolt release, and extended 10+1 magazine capacity specifically optimized for competition use. Freedom Series variants come with extended magazine tubes providing 7+1 (M3000 Freedom) or 10+1 (M3K Freedom) capacity out of the box. All M3000 variants are manufactured at Stoeger's facility in Turkey (originally Vursan Silah Sanayi, acquired by Beretta in 2000-2002).
Background
The Stoeger M3000 brought Benelli's legendary Inertia Driven system to the mass market at roughly one-third the price of a Benelli M2, democratizing what had been a premium-only technology. Built in Turkey under Beretta Holding's umbrella, the M3000 proved that the elegant simplicity of Bruno Civolani's 1967 inertia concept could deliver reliable semi-automatic cycling even when manufactured to a budget price point.