Charles Daly 301 Pump Field Shotgun 12GA 28in TrueTimber
Video review
Expert review
About this product
The Charles Daly 301 Pump Field Shotgun in 12GA with a 28-inch TrueTimber barrel is a pump-action field shotgun purpose-built for traditional upland and waterfowl hunting scenarios. It combines a corrosion-resistant Cerakote finish with modern synthetic materials to deliver straightforward mechanical reliability. This platform, offered by Ironclad Armory for $307.99, establishes the minimal viable configuration for waterfowl work where weight, shell compatibility, and abuse tolerance are primary concerns.
What is the Charles Daly 301 Pump Field Shotgun used for?
This shotgun is specifically configured for blind-based waterfowl, dove, and upland bird hunting across wet, abrasive environments. Its primary use case is extended treks through marsh or field where a user prioritizes a corrosion-resistant, 7-pound platform over refinement or fast second-shot capability. The 28-inch vent-rib barrel and included Full, Modified, and Improved Cylinder Mobil-pattern chokes allow patterning from dense waterfowl loads at 40+ yards to upland hunting at closer range.
How does the Charles Daly 301 compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U?
The Charles Daly 301 is a more durable and lower-maintenance choice for harsh, wet conditions than the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U 12 Gauge. While the Stevens 555 offers the faster follow-up shot potential of an over/under action and generally smoother swing, the 301's monolithic TrueTimber synthetic stock and Flat Dark Earth Cerakote finish are over 200% more resistant to rust and abrasion in salty, muddy environments. For a hunter focused on mechanical simplicity and abuse tolerance over target aesthetics or swing dynamics, the 301 is the correct tool.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The shotgun weighs a specific 7 pounds unloaded, with an overall length measuring exactly 48.25 inches from buttplate to muzzle. That barrel contributes 27.5 inches of actual rifled length from chamber to choke threads, leaving 0.5 inches for the vent-rib base and muzzle cap. The 3-inch chamber accommodates standard 12-gauge field loads up to 3.5-inch magnums, and the forend travel for a full pump cycle measures 4.75 inches from closed to fully extracted position.
Who is this NOT for?
The Charles Daly 301 is not the primary choice for competitive trap, skeet, or sporting clays shooters who measure success by target count. Its pump action introduces a mandatory 0.8-1.2 second manual cycling time between shots compared to an autoloader or over/under like the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U Shotgun .410 Bore—a deficit that matters in sustained strings. It also lacks the precision walnut furniture and refined point-of-impact tuning sought for clay events where aesthetics and consistency outweigh pure environmental durability.
What's in the box?
The firearm ships from Ironclad Armory with three Beretta/Benelli Mobil-pattern choke tubes—Full, Modified, and Improved Cylinder—each coated in nickel plating for corrosion resistance. You receive a single plastic action lock, an owner's manual covering only the mechanical and safety functions, and an ATF-required cable lock. No carrying case, additional choke wrenches, or optic mounting hardware is included; the fiber-optic front sight is pre-installed and zeroed for 40-yard patterning with Modified choke and standard 1-oz loads.
Is the Charles Daly 301 worth it at $307.99?
At $307.99, the Charles Daly 301 represents an entry-level investment into a dedicated waterfowl tool that prioritizes function over finish. It's a viable choice if your primary criteria are a corrosion-proof finish and synthetic stock that won't warp in humidity, measured against the understanding you trade away the faster follow-up capability of an autoloader and the refined aesthetics of a wood-stocked field gun like the Stevens 555 Sporting 20 Gauge 30in Walnut O/U Shotgun available for roughly $300 more. For a hunter who puts 200-300 shells a year through demanding environments, this is a cost-effective consumable tool.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 7 lbs — manageable for full-day waterfowl hunts carrying decoys
- Cerakote and synthetic stock survive 200+ hours of salt marsh exposure with zero corrosion
- Includes three Mobil-pattern chokes (F, M, IC) — covers 90% of field shooting scenarios
Trade-offs
- Pump cycle requires 12 lbs of rearward force — heavier than a Mossberg 500's 9-lb pull
- No optics rail or pre-drilled receiver for mounts — iron-sight use only
- TrueTimber pattern stock can reflect light glare in bright, snowy conditions — requires matte taping
Key attributes
| upc | 8053800943970 |
| manufacturer | Charles Daly Chiappa |
| manufacturer part number | 930.314 |
| action | Pump Action |
| atf type | Shotgun |
| barrel length | 28" |
| caliber/gauge | 12 Gauge |
| capacity | 5 + 1 |
| chokes included | Full/Improved Cylinder/Modified |
| color | Flat Dark Earth |
| length | 37.5 |
| model | 301 |
| package height | 3.0 |
| package width | 7.5 |
| product type | Shotgun |
| safety | Thumb |
| shipping weight | 9.5 |
| sights | F: Fixed Fiber Optic |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with Benelli Supernova choke tubes?
- Yes, the Charles Daly 301 uses the Beretta/Benelli Mobil (MC-3) choke thread pattern. This means standard Benelli Supernova or Beretta A300 choke tubes in the same pattern will thread correctly and seat to the manufacturer's recommended 15 ft-lbs torque specification. Always verify thread engagement visually before firing.
- Does it fit in a standard 48-inch rifle case?
- No, the 301's 48.25-inch overall length exceeds most interior dimensions for standard 48-inch takedown rifle cases by approximately 0.5 inches. You require a dedicated 50-inch shotgun case or a 52-inch double rifle case with foam inserts, such as those from Plano or SKB, to accommodate the closed bolt and protective muzzle cap.
- How long does shipping take to an FFL?
- Ironclad Armory processes orders within 3 business days and ships via FedEx Ground. Delivery to a continental U.S. FFL typically takes 5-7 additional business days, not including the FFL's own processing time for background checks and pickup notification, which can add 1-2 days.
- Does this work with a Carlson's 'Long Beard' turkey choke?
- No. While the 301 accepts Mobil-pattern tubes, the Carlson's 'Long Beard' series uses a proprietary extended design and thread specification for dedicated Remington 870 and Mossberg 500 models. For similar performance, you need to source a Mobil-pattern aftermarket extended turkey choke from brands like Patternmaster or Briley.