Charles Daly 500 SxS Field Shotgun 20 Gauge 26″
About this product
What is the Charles Daly 500 SxS Field Shotgun 20 Gauge 26″?
The Charles Daly 500 is a side-by-side break-action field shotgun built for upland hunting and clays. This specific configuration features a 20-gauge chamber, a 26-inch barrel, and a checkered walnut stock, delivering a traditional handling profile with modern choke-tube versatility. It’s a two-shot design from Chiappa’s Italian factory, combining straightforward mechanical simplicity with Beretta/Benelli mobile choke compatibility.
What is the Charles Daly 500 used for?
This shotgun is engineered for dynamic upland game and informal sporting clays where quick handling and a light carry outweigh high capacity. The 26-inch barrel and 5-pound weight create a 43-inch overall swing length for a fast-mounting, fast-swinging profile ideal in thick brush for quail or grouse. Its manual safety and single-selective trigger provide a fundamental, uncomplicated shooting experience suitable for new wing-shooters seeking to master fundamentals.
How does the Charles Daly 500 compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U 20 Gauge?
The Charles Daly 500 offers a fundamentally different mechanical and handling philosophy than the over-under Stevens 555 Sporting. The SxS action shaves weight and complexity, resulting in a shotgun that is 0.8 pounds lighter and swings faster due to its narrower profile, which is better for instinctive snap-shooting in the field. The Stevens 555’s over-under action is inherently more durable for high-volume clay shooting, provides a single sighting plane, and its ejectors are more aggressive for competition use.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
This shotgun weighs 5.0 pounds (2.27 kg) unloaded, which is critical for all-day carry. The barrel is 26 inches (660 mm) long with a 3-inch chamber, creating an overall length of 43 inches (1092 mm) from buttpad to muzzle. The walnut stock features a 14.5-inch length of pull and a narrow pistol grip designed for a classic shooting stance.
Who is this NOT for?
Do not buy this if your primary use is high-volume trap, skeet, or 3-gun competition where ejectors, a single sighting plane, and sustained-fire ergonomics are non-negotiable. Its two-round capacity and manual extractors are too slow for most competitive formats. It is also not optimized for home defense where a pump-action's higher capacity and faster reload under stress are superior, such as the Stevens 334's bolt-action reliability for a different use case.
What’s in the box?
You receive the shotgun with three Briley-compatible choke tubes (Cylinder, Improved Modified, Full), a steel choke wrench, and a standard carrying case. Inspect the box upon arrival; Chiappa ships the shotgun with factory grease on internal components, which requires field-stripping and proper lubrication before first use. The paperwork includes a standard manual covering basic disassembly.
Is the Charles Daly 500 worth it at $608.99?
At $608.99, this shotgun makes financial sense if you value a simple, durable field gun for upland hunting over the long-term corrosion resistance and refined finishes of a $1,500+ gun. It provides a functional, classic platform with modern choke interchangeability, paying for itself in a few seasons of hunting. For a shooter intending to fire thousands of rounds annually or requiring a dedicated competition gun, the investment is better placed in a more expensive, over-under design engineered for sustained abuse.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 5.0 lbs (2.27 kg)—significantly lighter than most over-under shotguns for all-day carry.
- Includes three factory choke tubes (Cylinder, IM, Full) compatible with the vast Beretta/Benelli Mobile aftermarket.
- Simple break-action design requires no gas system and only basic lubrication for reliable function.
- 26-inch barrel length creates a fast, 43-inch overall package ideal for quick mounting in brush.
Trade-offs
- Manual extractors (not ejectors) require you to pull shells from the chamber, slowing reload times compared to most over-under designs.
- Action lockup is adequate but lacks the bank-vault feel of a higher-end boxlock or sidelock SxS.
- The matte black finish on the barrels is functional but is a relatively soft bluing that will show wear with heavy field use.
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 8053800947411 |
| manufacturer | Charles Daly Chiappa |
| manufacturer part number | 930.387 |
| action | Side By Side |
| atf type | Shotgun |
| barrel length | 26" |
| caliber/gauge | 20 Gauge |
| capacity | 2 |
| chokes included | Cylinder/Full/Improved Modified |
| color | Black |
| model | 500 |
| package height | 2.5 |
| package width | 8.3 |
| product type | Shotgun |
| safety | Manual |
| shipping weight | 8.85 |
| sights | F: Bead |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Are the chokes compatible with Beretta/Benelli Mobile Chokes?
- Yes, this shotgun uses the widely available Beretta/Benelli Mobile Choke tube pattern. This means you can use any aftermarket choke from companies like Briley or Carlson’s designated for that thread. Three tubes—Cylinder, Improved Modified, and Full—are included.
- Does the included case provide adequate protection for air travel?
- The included soft case offers minimal protection suitable for transport in a private vehicle, but it does not meet TSA or airline requirements for checked baggage. For air travel, plan on purchasing a TSA-approved hard case with foam inserts. We do not ship directly to airlines.
- How long does shipping to an FFL take?
- Once your order is processed and your local FFL’s license is verified (typically 1-2 business days), shipping via FedEx Ground or UPS Ground takes 3-7 business days depending on your location. You will receive tracking information once the package is in transit.
- Is this shotgun California compliant?
- Yes, in its factory configuration, this shotgun is compliant in California. It has a fixed, two-round magazine capacity, a manual safety, and no folding or telescoping stock. It is not classified as an assault weapon under California law. Always confirm the most current regulations with your local FFL dealer prior to purchase.
- What is the barrel choke thread?
- The barrels feature a standard Beretta/Benelli Mobile Choke thread. This is the most common choke thread in use today for aftermarket compatibility. The wrench provided will fit any choke tube in this system.