TESTED: Stoeger M3000 Freedom Series Tactical

High on feature content, low on relative price, the Stoeger M3000 Freedom Series Tactical shotgun represents one of the smarter buys in the defensive shotgun class

by David Kelley

The last time I had any valuable training behind a buckshot-loaded firearm was many years ago at Lethal Weapons Training Academy in Crawford County, Pennsylvania. The course focused on defensive handgun and carbine, with shotgun tactics and techniques as an additional learning objective. We fired a demanding course on square ranges, learning best practices for operating the gun and its controls under stress and time constraints, then transitioned to firing from barricades, vehicles, and other obstacles. Before and after that event, I was exposed to pump-action service shotguns carried for short-range lethal engagements and door-breaching in urban environments.

Civilian and military ranges and the scope of training differed, just as the shotguns used then slightly varied from the more common items today. The shotguns that I used in the past were very basic compared to today’s dedicated defensive tools. All were simple designs with no-frills stocks, single front bead sights, and minimal attachment options for slings and necessary accouterments.

The modern defensive shotgun is a step or two away from the antiquated tools of the past. The Stoeger M3000 Freedom Series Tactical is a prime example of a current factory-produced shotgun dedicated to the defense of self and home.

The M3000 Freedom Series Tactical and Ammunition

Unpackaging this semi-automatic shotgun brought a grin to my face. I hadn’t researched the item before delivery and expected a more traditional footprint upon opening. My assumption of the box contents couldn’t have been further from reality.

The heart of the M3000 Freedom Series Tactical, its Inertia Driven® system, was immediately recognized from using and owning older M3000 models. Otherwise, the stock, slammer button, rear and front sights, barrel, and breacher choke tube equally drew my attention.

The buttstock’s grip is more vertical than previous offerings in any Stoeger model line, except for full pistol grip options, and is molded with three M-LOK slots on each side of the stock. QD flush cups for sling mounting are also on both sides below the raised cheek piece. These same M-LOK slots are on each side and bottom of the forearm, with a rotating front sling swivel mounted to the seven-round magazine tube.

A windage and elevation adjustable rear sight is inset to an RMR-compatible cutout. Polymer wings protect the rear ghost-ring sight. The front sight is similarly protected, is windage adjustable, and uses a generously wide .125-inch blade containing a white dot. This shotgun also includes a factory-mounted Picatinny optic base.

Tungsten Cerakote covers the receiver, and the remainder of the metal is blued. An oversized bolt release lever and scalloped loading port reduces effort to load the tube and close the bolt in less-than-ideal positions and situations.

Measuring 18.5 inches, the barrel accepts 2 3/4- and 3-inch 12-gauge shells and is threaded to accept Mobil choke tubes. The provided choke is clearly designed for breaching. Twelve sharp serrations at the muzzle ensure a solid grip when firmly placed against a destructible object, and six ports vent gas to reduce pressure when the muzzle end is covered.

Winchester Defender, a 2 3/4-inch, 9-pellet, copper-plated 00 buckshot load, was used for the bulk of the range time. The shotshell presents manageable recoil and fires a buffered payload at 1145 fps. In addition, standard 2 3/4-inch game and target loads were used to check reliability with low-brass shells.

Range Time

How do you test a defensive shotgun? Aside from general functioning, I focused on a few particulars: handling, how practical and usable the sights are, ease of quick loading, and maximum firing distances that would keep all pellets on the intended targets.

First, IPSC torso targets were posted at 7, 10, and 15 yards. Starting with the closest and working out to the furthest, the front sight blade was centered on each “A” zone, with one round fired into each. Windage and elevation adjustments weren’t necessary after a glance at the near silhouette. Fresh targets replaced the peppered cardboard for a several-shot repeat of each distance. Spreads averaged 3 inches at seven yards, 4.5 inches at 10, and 7 inches at 15 yards.

This dispersion is well below the old generalization of a 1-inch spread for each yard of increased distance. Targets were also placed at 20 and 25 yards to stretch the capability of shells and choke. At the longer yard-lines, where the energy of a slug may be preferred instead of buckshot, the patterns averaged 12 and 16 inches. This spread is still within the frontal width of an average intruder, though not as evenly dispersed as the closer ranges.

The remainder of the range time was spent firing from alternate positions and platforms, conducting reloads, and gaining an overall feel for the shotgun.

The grip angle of the buttstock didn’t take much getting used to. I felt that the grip allowed for a firmer hold, being easier to pull into the shoulder with a more natural hand and wrist position. The wide front sight blade doesn’t disappear on target, and the rear ghost-ring compliments it well. Compared to older M3000 generations, the scalloped receiver to the rear of the magazine tube provides some desirable extra space for the fingers to coax a round into the magazine tube when rapidly reloading. As a bonus, low brass target loads cycled as reliably as the more energetic Winchester Defender buckshot. In a cost-conscious timeframe, reliable firing of more economical shells for training greatly benefits the pocketbook.

For my posture, if I were to continue serious training with this shotgun, I’d slightly build up the cheek piece to bring my eye into better alignment with the rear sight. Overall, the dimensions of this shotgun are more than adequate for a one-size-fits-most firearm.

In Sum

The numerous features that separate the M3000 Freedom Series Tactical from the remainder of Stoeger’s shotgun line contribute to a system that, with proper training, can increase one’s lethality in a defensive situation. Proficient defensive shooting is directly tied to purposeful practice and the ability to operate the firearm with speed and ease. The characteristics of this firearm and ammunition selection contribute to that goal.

This shotgun is nicely seated in a price bracket that offers an exceptional bang for the buck. At a $699 MSRP, it’d be tough to find a comparable item without sacrificing the quality and features that Stoeger is known for.

Stoeger M3000 Freedom Series Tactical Specifications

Gauge: 12-gauge
Chamber: 2 3/4-, 3-inch
Action: semi-auto
Magazine Capacity: 7+1
Barrel Length: 18.5”
Barrel Finish: blued
Stock Finish: black synthetic
Receiver Finish: tungsten Cerakote
Specialty Choke: breacher Choke
Sight: ghost-ring
Drilled & Tapped: yes
Overall Length: 40 in.
Average Weight: 7.2 lbs.
MSRP: $699

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David Kelley

David Kelley is a retired Sergeant First Class, having served on active duty with the 82nd Airborne Division and various organizations within the Pennsylvania National Guard (AGR) during his 22 years of service. He is a High Master card holder in both NRA High Power and Mid-Range Prone. David is an avid hunter with a bow, shotgun, and rifle. His latest obsessions include spring turkey hunting and muzzleloader rifles and shotguns.