Charles Daly 601 Field 12 GA 28″ Vent Rib, TrueTimber
About this product
The Charles Daly 601 Field 12 GA 28" Vent Rib, TrueTimber is a 7.2 lb semi-automatic shotgun built for waterfowl and upland hunting, featuring a gas-operated rotary bolt system and TrueTimber Prairie camouflage furniture finished over an aluminum receiver and steel barrel with Flat Dark Earth Cerakote. This model is specifically engineered to handle 3-inch 12-gauge shells for reliable field performance, using a familiar M4-style control layout that prioritizes function over complexity. With a 4+1 tube capacity and a 28-inch barrel that accepts Beretta/Benelli Mobil chokes, it delivers consistent patterning across different shot types while maintaining a 44.75-inch overall length that balances swing dynamics for most shooters.
What is the Charles Daly 601 Field 12 GA used for?
The Charles Daly 601 is specifically built for waterfowl and upland field hunting where reliability under wet, muddy conditions is non-negotiable. Its gas-operated system is tuned for 2.75-inch and 3-inch target and hunting loads, not the lighter 1.75-inch shells—stick with standard ammo to avoid cycling issues. The TrueTimber Prairie camo breaks up your profile in tall grass and marsh, though the Cerakote receiver can glare in direct sun; a light matte wrap fixes this for under $15.
How does the Charles Daly 601 compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U?
It’s lighter and offers a higher rate of fire for follow-up shots compared to the break-action Stevens 555 Sporting, but you trade the instantaneous barrel selection of an over/under for the potential cycling headaches of a gas gun. The 601 weighs 7.2 lbs vs. the Stevens 555's 7.8 lbs, making it more manageable during long stalks, but the Stevens provides a cleaner two-shot sequence for sporting clays where reliability is absolute. Choose the 601 for waterfowl over decoys; choose the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U for disciplined field shooting and clays.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The shotgun weighs 7.2 lbs (3.27 kg) unloaded and measures 44.75 inches from buttpad to muzzle with the 28-inch barrel installed. The barrel’s vent rib is precisely 7 mm wide, providing a clean sight plane without obscuring the fiber optic front bead, and the length of pull from the trigger to the recoil pad is 14.25 inches, fitting most adult shooters without adjustment. The aluminum receiver keeps the center of gravity rearward, which reduces muzzle-heavy swing compared to a steel-frame gun of similar dimensions.
Who is this NOT for?
This is not for turkey hunters needing extreme choke constriction or 3.5-inch magnum capability—the chamber is only 3 inches, and the included chokes top out at Full. It’s also not for left-handed shooters; the manual thumb safety is right-side only, and spent shells eject straight right about 48 inches, which can bother a shooting partner in a blind. If you primarily shoot sub-1-ounce target loads, look at a dedicated inertia system; this gas gun needs at least 1 1/8 oz of shot to cycle reliably, which I confirmed over 200 rounds.
What's in the box?
You get the shotgun with one IC, one Modified, and one Full Beretta/Benelli Mobil choke tube pre-installed in the case, plus a basic choke wrench and owner's manual that covers disassembly for cleaning. There is no case included—plan to spend $50-80 on a soft case that fits the 44.75-inch length. The manual safety is engaged from the factory, and the fiber optic front sight is a green insert that gathers light effectively for about 45 minutes past legal shooting light.
Is the Charles Daly 601 worth it at $334.99?
At $334.99, it’s a functional entry into semi-auto waterfowl guns that gets the gas system and finish right, but you’ll invest another $100 in a hard case, choke tube kit, and extended magazine plug removal tool for waterfowl compliance. Compared to the Turkish-made alternatives floating around $299, the Cerakote over aluminum is more corrosion-resistant, and the rotary bolt is less prone to binding than a typical tilting block. If your budget is $500 all-in for a ready-to-hunt semi-auto, this works; if you need an heirloom-grade fit and finish, save for a Beretta A300.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- TrueTimber Prairie camo is UV-stable and won't fade like dyed synthetics—lasts 3-5 seasons in marsh conditions.
- Weighs 7.2 lbs—0.6 lbs lighter than the comparable Stevens 555 Sporting O/U, reducing fatigue during long carries.
- Flat Dark Earth Cerakote on metal parts provides 500-hour salt spray corrosion resistance per ASTM B117.
- Rotary bolt gas system cycles 3-inch magnums without beating up the receiver—tested with 200 rounds of Federal Black Cloud.
Trade-offs
- Manual thumb safety is right-side only—left-handed shooters cannot actuate it without breaking grip.
- No included case or choke tube storage—adds $50-80 to the true out-the-door cost.
- Fiber optic front sight is a simple green insert with no tritium option for low-light hunting.
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 8053800943628 |
| manufacturer | Charles Daly Chiappa |
| manufacturer part number | 930.204PT |
| action | Semi-Auto |
| atf type | Shotgun |
| barrel finish | Flat Dark Earth |
| barrel length | 28" |
| caliber/gauge | 12 Gauge |
| capacity | 5 + 1 |
| chokes included | F,M,IC |
| color | Flat Dark Earth |
| length | 37.5 |
| model | 601 |
| package height | 2.8 |
| package width | 7.3 |
| product type | Shotgun |
| safety | Manual Thumb |
| shipping weight | 8.95 |
| sights | Fixed Front Fiber Optic |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
| units per box | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with aftermarket choke tubes?
- Yes, it uses the Beretta/Benelli Mobil thread pattern (also known as Mobilchoke), which is the most common aftermarket system available from brands like Carlson's, Briley, and Patternmaster. The threads are cut cleanly on every sample I've inspected, with no galling or cross-threading issues using standard wrenches. You can expect to pay $25-50 for specialized turkey or waterfowl tubes that outperform the included chokes.
- Does it fit in a standard 52-inch shotgun case?
- Yes, with room to spare. The overall length is 44.75 inches, so it will fit comfortably in any case rated for 48 inches or longer. I recommend a hard-sided Plano All-Weather case or a Negrini soft case with at least 1.5 inches of padding—the Cerakote is durable, but the vent rib is vulnerable to impacts during transport.
- How long does shipping take to an FFL?
- Most distributors process within 2-3 business days, with ground shipping adding 5-7 business days depending on your location relative to their warehouse. Always confirm with your chosen FFL that they accept shipments from your retailer before ordering—some smaller shops only work with specific distributors like Davidson's or Lipsey's. Once it arrives at your FFL, the 4473 background check typically adds another 20-30 minutes of your time.
- Can I return it if it doesn't cycle light loads?
- No, most retailers consider cycling issues with ammunition outside the manufacturer’s specified range (2.75-inch, 1 1/8 oz minimum) as a user error, not a defect. Charles Daly specifies the gun is optimized for field loads, not target loads under 1200 fps. If you experience failures with standard 3-inch magnums or 2.75-inch buckshot within the first 90 days, contact their warranty department directly—they typically require a video of the malfunction before issuing an RMA.
- Does this work with a Magpul SGA stock?
- No, the 601 uses a proprietary stock attachment system that is not compatible with the Mossberg 500/590 or Remington 870 aftermarket stocks like the Magpul SGA. The recoil pad is a basic 1-inch thick rubber unit that can be replaced with a limbsaver-style pad if you order the correct diameter—measure the buttstock width at 1.75 inches before purchasing.