Stoeger Condor Review

As you search, you’ll see that many people prefer the over/under shotgun for clay shooting. Many reviews also say that the Stoeger Condor is a reliable shotgun that is excellent for both hunting fowl and for shooting clay targets.

But when you’re trying to decide which shotgun to buy, it can be challenging to find one that won’t cost an arm and a leg and still be of decent quality. It also doesn’t help that there are so many different types of shotguns to choose from.

Is a Stoeger Condor the one for you?

Comparison Table

PRODUCT NAME & RATING	IMAGE	DETAILS	PRICE
Condor Competition		Finish/StockAA-Grade Gloss WalnutGauge12 Gauge, 20-gaugeChambered for2-3/4” and 3”Barrel Length 30”Overall Length47”Weight 8.85 lbs, 7.3 lbs
Condor Field		Finish/StockFinish/Stock: A-Grade Satin WalnutGauge12 & 20, 28, 410-gaugeChambered for 2-3/4” and 3”, 2-1/2” and 3”Barrel Length 26” or 28”Overall Length42” or 44”Weight 7.4 lbs / 7 lbs, 6.8 or 6.9 lbs, 6.0 lbs
Condor Supreme		Finish/StockAA-Grade Gloss WalnutGauge12, 20-gaugeChambered for 2-3/4” and 3”Barrel Length 26”, 28”Overall Length42”, 44”Weight 7.3 lbs, 7.4 lbs, 6.8 lbs, 6.9 lbs
Condor Outback		Finish/StockPolished Nickel, Black-finished Walnut, A-Grade Satin WalnutGauge12-gaugeChambered for  2-3/4” and 3”Barrel Length 20”Overall Length36”Weight  7.0 lbs
Condor Longfowler		Finish/StockA-Grade Satin WalnutGauge12-gaugeChambered for 2-3/4” and 3”Barrel Length 30”Overall Length46”Weight  8.1 lbs
Double Defense Over/Under		Finish/StockBlack-finished Walnut, Over and UnderGauge12-gaugeChambered for2-3/4” and 3”Barrel Length 20”Overall Length36.5”Weight 7.1 lbsType of SightFiber-optic front sight
Condor Youth		Finish/StockA-Grade Satin WalnutGauge20​, .410-gaugeChambered for2-3/4” and 3”,  2-1/2” and 3”Barrel Length 22”Overall Length36.5”Weight  6.9 lbs

What Is the Stoeger Condor?

Stoeger is a manufacturer that has a line of shotguns that are all in the budget price range like the Condor. Despite the lower price, the shotgun is rugged and good quality to boot.

If you’ve ever been to a skeet range or are considering going to one, you can call ahead and see if they have a shotgun to rent. Chances are that they’ll have a Stoeger Condor available for you to try out because their guns can take a beating and keep on going.

The Condor has a trigger that lends itself to a crisp shot from either barrel automatically. You can also add a choke tub if you so desire. With barrels between 22 and 30 inches, the length is fantastic for clay shooting.

Stoeger Condor variety

You can get the Condor in a variety of gauges, too. It’s available in 12, 20, 28, and .410 gauges for compatibility with a variety of shooters. If you want to use a choke, though, that’s only available for the 12 and 20-gauge models. Youth models are also available in the 20-gauge model.

Do keep in mind that it is a heavier gun, weighing in at nearly eight pounds for the larger models. There are good and bad points to this.

For one, a heavier gun will give you a lower recoil because the weight is better able to absorb the kick.

On the other hand, a heavier weight will create more fatigue at a faster rate.

Be aware that the accuracy of the Condor is dependent on you as the shooter. It will shoot the exact same way every single time you press the trigger. It’s the perfect example of point and shoot.

In other words, if you’re continuously missing the target, the problem is not the gun. It’s reliable like that.

What Makes the Stoeger Condor Unique?

The Stoeger Condor is made to last. These shotguns have rightfully earned a reputation for being workhorses. Stoeger is also part of the Beretta Holding Group, and so have a direct connection to the legendary firearms manufacturer.

The performance is stellar throughout the entire Condor line. The shotguns can also go through all types of rounds with the exception of steel shot. You’ll also find an excellent recoil pad that helps in absorbing the kick when you pull the trigger.

Pricing

There are five different models in the Condor line. They are:

• Condor Supreme
• Condor Outback
• Condor Longfowler
• Condor Field
• Condor Competition

The Condor Competition model retails for close to $700, but the rest of the models have a price tag of around $500.

Differences include the gauge, barrel length, weight, and overall length. They all have the same length of pull (LOP). Weight varies from around six pounds to just under eight pounds.

Here are the specs and starting prices for the Stoeger shotguns so you can see for yourself what you think would work for you.

Condor Competition 

• Finish/Stock: AA-Grade Gloss Walnut
• Gauge: 12-gauge, 20-gauge
• Chambered for: 2-3/4” and 3”
• Barrel Length: 30”
• Overall Length 47”
• Weight: 8.85 pounds/7.3 pounds
• Starting price: $669

Condor Competition 

• Finish/Stock: AA-Grade Gloss Walnut
• Gauge: 20-gauge
• Chambered for: 2-3/4” and 3”
• Barrel Length: 30”
• Overall Length 47”
• Weight: 7.3 lbs

Condor Field 

• Finish/Stock: A-Grade Satin Walnut
• Gauge: 12 & 20 -gauge
• Chambered for: 2-3/4” and 3”
• Barrel Length: 28” & 26”
• Overall Length 44” & 42”
• Weight: 7.4 lbs / 7 lbs

Condor Supreme 

• Finish/Stock: AA-Grade Gloss Walnut
• Gauge: 12-gauge
• Chambered for: 2-3/4” and 3”
• Barrel Length: 26”
• Overall Length 42”
• Weight: 7.3 lbs

Condor Supreme 

• Finish/Stock: AA-Grade Gloss Walnut
• Gauge: 12-gauge
• Chambered for: 2-3/4” and 3”
• Barrel Length: 28”
• Overall Length 44”
• Weight: 7.4 lbs

Condor Supreme

• Finish/Stock: AA-Grade Gloss Walnut
• Gauge: 20-gauge
• Chambered for: 2-3/4” and 3”
• Barrel Length: 26”
• Overall Length 42”
• Weight: 6.8 lbs

​Condor Supreme

• Finish/Stock: AA-Grade Gloss Walnut
• Gauge: 20-gauge
• Chambered for: 2-3/4” and 3”
• Barrel Length: 26”
• Overall Length 42”
• Weight: 6.9 lbs

Condor Outback 

• Finish/Stock: Polished Nickel, Black-finished Walnut
• Gauge: 12-gauge
• Chambered for: 2-3/4” and 3”
• Barrel Length: 20”
• Overall Length 36”
• Weight: 7.0 lbs

Condor Outback

• Finish/Stock: A-Grade Satin Walnut
• Gauge: 12-gauge
• Chambered for: 2-3/4” and 3”
• Barrel Length: 20”
• Overall Length 36”
• Weight: 7.0 lbs

Condor Long​Condor Longfowler​​​fowler

• Finish/Stock: A-Grade Satin Walnut
• Gauge: 12-gauge
• Chambered for: 2-3/4” and 3”
• Barrel Length: 30”
• Overall Length 46”
• Weight: 8.1 lbs

​Condor Longfowler

• Finish/Stock: A-Grade Satin Walnut
• Gauge: 20-gauge
• Chambered for: 2-3/4” and 3”
• Barrel Length: 30”
• Overall Length 46”
• Weight: 7.0 lbs

​Condor Field

• Finish/Stock: A-Grade Satin Walnut
• Gauge: 20-gauge
• Chambered for: 2-3/4” and 3”
• Barrel Length: 26” or 28”
• Overall Length 42” or 44”
• Weight: 6.8 or 6.9 lbs

​Condor Field

• Finish/Stock: A-Grade Satin Walnut
• Gauge: 28-gauge
• Chambered for: 2-3/4”
• Barrel Length: 26”
• Overall Length 42”
• Weight: 6.0 lbs

​Condor Field

• Finish/Stock: A-Grade Satin Walnut
• Gauge: .410-gauge
• Chambered for: 2-1/2” and 3”
• Barrel Length: 26”
• Overall Length 42”
• Weight: 6.0 lbs

​Double Defense Over/Under

• Finish/Stock: Black-finished Walnut, Over and Under
• Gauge: 12-gauge
• Chambered for: 2-3/4” and 3”
• Barrel Length: 20”
• Overall Length 36.5”
• Weight: 7.1 lbs
• Type of Sight: Fiber-optic front sight

​Condor Youth

• Finish/Stock: A-Grade Satin Walnut
• Gauge: 20-gauge
• Chambered for: 2-3/4” and 3”
• Barrel Length: 22”
• Overall Length 36.5”
• Weight: 6.9 lbs

Condor Youth

• Finish/Stock: A-Grade Satin Walnut
• Gauge: .410-gauge
• Chambered for: 2-1/2” and 3”
• Barrel Length: 22”
• Overall Length 36.5”
• Weight: 6.9 lbs

How the Stoeger Condor Compares to Other Shotguns

The Stoeger Condor is not going to compare equally to other high-end shotguns like those from Benelli or Beretta, but it shouldn’t be expected to do so.

To go into a little more depth, Benelli shotguns have their patented Inertia Drive Bolt System to enhance performance and still keep the overall design simple. The Condor doesn’t utilize any such features, but that doesn’t take away from the efficiency with which the Condor can shoot.

The Condor also comes with a brass bead sight with the exception of the Double Defense model. That one comes with a fiber-optic sight. Depending on your personal preference, you may or may not care about the sight, but some may prefer a different sight than the one that is factory installed.

Something else to keep in mind is that because Condors are such a budget shotgun, there are not too many aftermarket accessories, barrels, or stocks that have been made to accommodate this gun. You won’t be able to find more than maybe a couple of different chokes that you can use, so do be aware that there are limitations on what you can add to this gun to customize it.

If you want something that has more options or variations, then you’re going to want to choose a more expensive model. Beretta, Benelli, and Browning models tend to have more aftermarket parts that you can purchase to make your shooting experience uniquely suited for you.

Real Reviews from Real People

Rich Mitchell from The Typical Shooter is a competitive shooter and took the Stoeger Condor out for a spin. “Starting in December, I averaged 3,000 shells a month in practice. December and January were shot only with the 12-gauge barrels, a 1 oz 1150 FPS load, and February and on have been with the 20-gauge barrels- 7/8oz 1155 FPS load.” He agreed that this gun would not hold up if it was expected to fire competition loads, but even still, it was entirely reliable. “In all of this shooting, 7,000+ shells, the gun has only failed-to-fire (FTF) twice. Both failures were out of the same set of reloads and were caused by the primers being seated too deeply. Since fixing the tissue on the loader, (4,000 or so targets ago) not one fail-to-tire. The gun has been shot in temperatures from 18 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit with no difference in reliability.”

Robert Geisler, a gun enthusiast over at Chuck Hawks, also had positive things to say about the Condor Competition model. “I mentioned before that I am a beginner at clays, but I pointed the gun at the birds, it went bang and they shattered. No, I didn’t go 25/25 every time, but I did every bit as well as I did with the Krieghoff I used at Nemacolin. At this stage of my clay shooting career, I’m handicapped more by a lack of talent, not by my equipment.”

Over at Pew Pew tactical, their staff feels as though the Condor is the best over/under shotgun available for the price. “I’m happy with this gun. It’s solid and I know that it’s going to work every time I pull the trigger..as long as I remember to disengage the safety. Sure, there are nicer guns out there but this isn’t some Ferrari. This is a working man’s pickup truck. It’s not something you’ll show off to your friends but you’ll always remember it fondly. I like those kinds of cars and I like those kinds of guns. While I would never turn down a super fancy high-end shotgun if it was given to me, I’d much rather spend my money on a plain gun that will be a good friend.”

You may hear that shotguns such as this one are slow, but that’s not entirely true according to a Gunivore expert named Sam. “One of the biggest complaints about traditional shotguns is that they’re too slow. Well, that’s just user error. In my experience, over/undress like the Condor can put tons of rounds down range as fast as any other shotgun out there, especially with the auto ejectors. In fact, I recently found this video where they put the notoriously fast lever-action Adler A110 Shotgun up against a double barrel and the first to fire 10 shots wins. In the end, it was just about dead even. That being said, don’t let anyone dissuade you from buying an over/under or side by side because “it’s not fast enough.”

What We Think

Stoeger shotguns are competitively priced for the type of gun you get compared to the price you’re paying. For under a thousand dollars, you’re going to get a quality over/under shotgun that can take shot after shot that you throw at it.

Purchasing a Stoeger Condor is a solid investment, especially is you’re new to shooting clay targets. They are stepping stone guns for a reason because they allow you to perfect your aim while providing you with a reliable shot.

If you were to accidentally destroy it, which is hard to do, or lose it, which is admittedly easier if you accidentally drop it in the middle of a lake, you’re only out a few hundred dollars as opposed to a few thousand dollars.

Overall, this gun is a fantastic choice for shooters of all sizes and ages. All that’s left is for you to try one out, so call around and see if you can try one before you buy it. Chances are that you’ll love what you see. Happy shooting!