Stoeger’s Home Defense Shotgun: Double The Fun?

Shotguns are fun. Sure, they have tons of uses, too, but, let’s be honest, they’re just a lot of fun to shoot.

Now, most shotguns that you see are either single barrel or side-by-side double barrel. Which you pick probably mostly depends on how often you like reloading. But is there another barrel configuration option?

Yes, yes, there is (at least for one manufacturer’s configuration options), and the suggested MSRP will appeal to many people. Linas Cernauskas writes,

Stoeger Industries offers the Double Defense double-barreled shotguns available in both over/under and side-by-side configurations. Both models are available in 12- or 20-gauge at manufacturer-suggested retail of $449 for the over/unders and $489 for the side-by-sides. That’s a great value, especially for a firearm that probably won’t be restricted any time soon.

I still prefer my ARs for home defense, but Stoeger’s Double Defense gives a viable defensive option to folks who live in states that like to restrict their civil rights. As a bonus, I added a light and red dot, and it kept the whole defensive package just under $600!

The Double Defense is a dressed-up Stoeger Condor for defensive use. The shotgun itself is made by E.R. Amantino in Veranopolis, Brazil. The company has been making shotguns for Brazilian military and law enforcement since 1962.

What does that mean? It means that they know how to make a fighting shotgun. The Double Defense is purely utilitarian; there’s nothing pretty about it, nor should there be. It’s meant to throw ball, lead, and slug loads at people looking to do you harm.

The 12 gauge is chambered for shells up to 3 inches and features 20-inch barrels. Additionally, the stock on the 12 gauge comes in black synthetic, while the 20 gauge is black-finished walnut. The Double Defense has a single trigger—not too light and not too heavy with very minimal take-up.

Now, Cernauskas really disliked that this shotgun’s tang safety engages when you close the action on each reload, but, as pointed out, it does that for safety, so, some folks may like that feature.

You can see the shotgun in action below.

Of course, this won’t be a gun that everyone will like (is there a gun that everyone passionately likes?), but, then again, not everyone is used to shotguns. (Those folks may not have had the chance to shoot one.)

If you are a person looking for a shotgun, though, and you want one that’s basic, practical, and does the job, then, the Stoeger Double Defense may be one to consider.