terry while the actions are similar, whoever told you the story about lawyers and buyouts was blowing smoke up your [ahem]. Beretta owns both Stoeger and Benelli (and a vast network of other European gunmakers as well). As is the case with many multi-gun company owners/holders they use parts/actions/designs from various guns in the manufacture of other lines. Beretta likewise owns Franchi and they are esentially a 3.5" M1 Benelli. Yet they are a few hundred cheaper than a SBE or the Beretta Xtrema.

From what I have seen of Stoeger, they are "ok" for the price but the fit and finish isnt quite the same as their more expensive counterparts. One of our customers ordered a Stoeger O/U with both 12 and 20ga sets. He was quite happy with it, and good for him. I however declined to comment about how cheap the fit and finish was on the gun which wasnt that much cheaper (it was $1k) versus a Browning Citori or a Beretta 686 for only a few hundred bucks more.

I hope you enjoy your new gun,
RA