Boito Miura 12 Gauge Users Manual
Stoeger Condor Competition Combo O/U Shotgun
By Robert Geisler
- Browse for your Boito parts and accessories from the huge selection of Numrich Gun Parts - the world's largest supplier of gun parts. Miura Over/Under Shotgun. New Model Over and Under. Over and Under OU-12. Over and Under OU-20. Reuna Single Barrel. Side By Side Large Frame. Side By Side Small Frame.
- Jun 17, 2013 First time shooting a new Boito pump-action 12 gauge, at the a gun range.
The A680 comes standard with double triggers and extractors and is fitted with an American Walnut stock. This is the traditional double barrel shotgun for the hard-working user.
I was looking for a 12 gauge over/under shotgun with which I couldtake up sporting clays and skeet. Being new to the clay sports (althoughsomewhat experienced as a bird hunter), I started by doing a fair amount ofinternet research, reading gun reviews on Gunsand Shooting Online, magazine articles and internet blogs and talking tothose knowledgeable of the sport (including a couple NSCA professionals). Ialso started pricing various shotguns through my local gun shop, internetdealers and sporting goods retailers. After finishing with my version of“boiling the ocean” research, I came to this conclusion:
·Everyoneseems to love their shotgun,regardless of brand.
·A largenumber of folks will tell you that whatever shotgun you are considering isn’tworth two hoots in their book, especially if it differs from their brand.
·Anequally large number of folks will tell you that spending thousands is the bestway to ensure your long-term clay shooting happiness.
·Ifthey happen to understand that, as a beginner you cannot possibly justifyspending thousands, they will tell you to buy a used Browning.
After almost a year attending gun shows and viewing dealer stocklooking for the right fit in a used shotgun, I ran across a brand new StoegerCondor Competition Combo gathering dust at a local gun shop. For those of us that do not have several thousand dollars to plunk downfor an expensive shotgun, or have grown tired of looking over well-used castoffs, take heart. The suggested retail price of $749 for the Combo (with both a12 and 20 gauge barrel) was discounted by my local gun shop to $600 and I wasone happy camper with, almost, two new shotguns.
A quick look at the Stoeger’s website ( www.stoegerindustries.com/ ) will provide you with the following details:
Boito Shotgun Value
'The Stoeger CondorCompetition over & under target gun is nicely balanced, quickhandling and has the stylish lines of guns that cost three times as much ormore. Equally at home on a sporting clays course, skeet field or trap range,the Condor Competition features an adjustable comb stock with palm swells inboth left-and right-hand stocks in either 12- or 20-gauge, ported barrels, goldselective trigger, and automatic ejectors.'
'The Condor Competition is alsooffered in a two-barrel combo set with 12-and 20-gauge barrels that fit thesame receiver. Both barrels measure 30” for consistent balance and feel. Likethe Condor Competition, the Combo stock comes with either a right-or left-handpalm swell to accommodate right-or left-hand shooters.'
'The Condor’s receiver, like otherquality guns, locks up by using tapered cones that engage recesses machinedinto the monobloc. This provides a solid and safe lock-up every time and allowsthe gun to be opened and closed smoothly and easily. Elegant in understatedstyle, the smooth, blued receiver sports a high-polish finish. The safety,positioned on the tang, also serves as a barrel selector.'
'The Condor Competition’sattractively figured stock is fashioned from American walnut. But the best partis the adjustable comb, which adjusts both vertically and laterally and comeson all Condor Competitions at no extra cost. Palm swells are featured on allpistol grips to accommodate either right- or left-hand shooters, so be sure tostipulate your shooting style when ordering. And finally, cut-checkering gracesthe pistol grip and fore-end to insure a positive gripping surface'
However, the Stoeger website does not mention a few things. I willaddress some of those here. The Condor Competition is an imported version ofthe Boito Miura from Brazil. That fact alone has caused many to bad-mouth thisshotgun. However, the Brazilian imports of today are different from those ofdecades past.
In 1955, Elias Ruas Amantino joinedthe Boito family as a partner and began the manufacture of shotguns in serialnumbers. If Boito was born almost accidentally, its vertiginous growth was notat all fortuitous. It is the result of the will and talent of a group ofpersons that followed modern industrial objectives aimed at manufacturing asporting and hunting shotgun that could reach international renown. In 1962,the first double barrel left the factory's assembly line. Ten years later cameout the first over/under shotgun, until now the only O/U manufactured in SouthAmerica. Today this industry is equipped with modern machinery for productionof parts and components.
Boito Miura 12 Gauge Users Manual Download
While initial looks can be deceiving, I can tell you that thisshotgun is well finished (both in its bluing and wood to metal fit), accuratelymachined (tight action with a crisp trigger) and full of features that yousimply cannot find in a gun under $2500. My Condor Competition came with allthe features listed above and the nicely figured American Walnut stock lookedlike a grade 2 in my book. If you opt for the Combo version as I did, you willreceive an additional set of 20 gauge barrels and choke tubes.
While price was the primary reason I opted for a Stoeger Condor, Iprobably would not have taken the plunge without all the features I justlisted. The fact that I actually got a two-barrel set for less than the priceof a well-used Citori is a big deal in my world.
All of the bells and whistles aren’t worth two hoots (to coin aphrase) if the gun does not function well. Even though I seriously doubt that Iwill be headed to the Olympics and don’t plan on shooting 10,000+ targets a year,I still want a solid performer I can hand down to my son at some point. Ibelieve the Condor is just the ticket. He can start with the 20 gauge and growinto the 12 gauge. Better yet, I can practice with the 20 gauge and not blow myshoulder off.
My first step was to pattern the gun. I expected to be shootingthe more open chokes and found this gun patterned very well on ImprovedCylinder. I was using the factory chokes, but intend to upgrade soon intoComp-N-Choke extended chokes. I’m told that their ported design helps eliminatepellet flyers and I had a few with the factory chokes.
Next, I was off to the range. I mentioned before that I am abeginner at clays, but I pointed the gun at the birds, it went bang and theyshattered, repeatedly. No, I didn’t go 25/25 every time, but I did every bit aswell as I did with the $100,000 Krieghoff I used at Nemacolin. At this stage ofmy clay shooting career, I’m handicapped more by a lack of talent, not by myequipment.
Now, if I can just start breaking more targets than the guys withthe gold inlayed and extensively scrolled Italian “investment” guns, I can getthem to stop looking down their noses when I show up with my Condor. Thenagain, maybe I’ll just keep enjoying it and laugh all the way to the bank!
Note: This article is mirrored on the Product Review Page for the convenience of Guns and Shooting Online members.