I’ve been in the market for a semi auto shotgun for a while. Something that won’t break the bank but won’t give me issues either. I’ve read really good things about the Stoeger M3500 and pretty much had my mind made up, but when at Academy earlier today; I saw they had the M3000 on sale for $475. As far as I can tell, the only difference is the 3500 can shoot up to 3.5in shells while the 3000 can only shoot up to 3in. My question is. Does anyone have any experience with one of or both of these, and any advice on which to go with? I like the ability to shoot 3.5in shells, but the price difference makes it a difficult choice. Gun would be an all around wing shooting and clay gun. TIA

Don’t own either one, owned a M2000 a long time ago and it worked. Son-in-law has a M3500 that’s seen light and he’s not had any issues with it.

If one of the uses was Sporting Clays there’s absolutely no way I’d have a 3500. The chances are too great of it not cycling light target loads. I wouldn’t own a 3000 either for clays but I’d have one before I’d have a 3500. Many people, including myself, have no use for a 3.5” 12 gauge semi-automatic shotgun even for geese. I also can’t think of a worse 3.5” semi-auto to own than a M3500. The recoil is big time detached retina heavy. A gas operated 3.5” shooting 3.5” shells will have a lot less felt recoil than the inertia operated M3500.

For the same amount of money you could get a Mossberg 930 or a Weatherby SA-08 which I believe are much better shotguns, especially for wing shooting and clays.

Thanks for the response. I’ve owned a benelli nova 12 guage pump for a few years and have put a couple thousand rounds through it ranging from light2 3/4 target to 3.5in. I’m new to the semi auto world and was wondering if you had any insight to the comparison of recoil between that of the inertia driven and that of a pump? I’m a big guy and the recoil doesn’t bother me any but was curious if it’s more or less of a kick.

I've owned both the 2500 pistol grip turkey model and 3000 26" barrel camo model, I don't use the 3 1/2 shells for ducks so never needed one. I also have the M3K 3000 model made for 3Gun competitions. I've duck, dove, and turkey hunted with mine and have shot a lot of shells through them ranging from light target loads to heavy duck loads. Only problem I ever had was from me not cleaning it after 2 seasons and it jammed once. Have not had a problem since. I shot a nova before I bought mine and can't tell a difference between the two recoil wise.

I would hands down buy the Stoeger over the Mossberg 930, there are tons of horror stories online about that gun.

3000. I can’t ever see me shooting 3.5”

“ I would hands down buy the Stoeger over the Mossberg 930, there are tons of horror stories online about that gun.”

I’ve read more horror stories about Stoeger semi’s than I have about 930’s. I owned a 930 and had good luck with it.

I have the 3000 awesome gun.

And....I wouldn’t spend my money on either.

Update...picked up the m3000 last weekend. Taking it duck hunting on Sunday, so we’ll see how it does!

Good choice I really like mine and have no complaints

Figured Id offer an update. I have taken the gun on a duck hunt, as well as skeet shooting a couple times in the last month and it has performed really well. Aside from a couple shells (out of about 100) not fully ejecting, it has not had a single issue. And those shells may just be because they were light loads and the gun hadn't been fully broken in yet.

One thing about inertia guns, the butt needs to be firmly against the shoulder or it could have cycling problems.... not saying yours wasn’t, just that it can happen.

Thanks for the insight. It very well may not have been.