Charles Daly 101 Single-Shot 12GA 20″ Black
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Expert review
About this product
The Charles Daly 101 Single-Shot 12GA 20" Black is a break-action shotgun built for no-frills reliability and specialized hunting configurations. It's lightweight at 5 pounds and short at 37.75 inches overall, making it distinctly maneuverable. This is a dedicated tool with a 3-inch chamber that uses the common Beretta/Benelli Mobil choke system.
What is the Charles Daly 101 Single-Shot 12GA used for?
This shotgun is built for specialized, ethical hunting where one shot defines the hunt and compact carry is paramount. Its 20-inch barrel and threaded choke system, including a dedicated XXtra Full turkey tube, allow for tight, consistent patterns at 40 yards with proper TSS loads. It's not a sporting clays gun or a tactical breacher; it's for stationary blinds, brush-heavy turkey terrain, or as a compact predator gun for pickup trucks and ATVs.
How does the Charles Daly 101 compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U?
The Charles Daly 101 provides extreme affordability and singular mechanical simplicity where the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U offers sporting versatility. For turkey hunting, the 101 is lighter by nearly 3 pounds and shorter by 13.25 inches, a decisive advantage in a pop-up blind. For a new shooter wanting to learn wingshooting or clay fundamentals, the double-barrel Stevens is objectively better, offering a second immediate shot and proper balance.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
This shotgun weighs 5 pounds or 2270 grams, with an overall length of 37.75 inches or 959mm. The key dimension is the 20-inch steel barrel. Compared to a 28-inch field barrel, this 8-inch reduction is what makes the package uniquely compact for confined spaces. The length of pull is a standard 14 inches, fitting most adult shooters without the need for specialized stocks.
Who is this NOT for?
This is not for a home-defense primary where capacity is non-negotiable; a pump-action like the Maverick 88 holds eight rounds in the same price bracket. It's not for the recreational clay shooter who will burn through 100 shells in an hour; the single-shot action will be a frustrating limitation. It's also not for a novice seeking their first 'do-everything' shotgun; the mechanical simplicity sacrifices versatility.
What's in the box?
You receive the complete firearm with the XXtra Full (MC-1) Beretta/Benelli Mobil-pattern choke already installed in the threaded muzzle. The package includes one key-operated trigger lock, a user manual, and a warranty registration card. It ships ready to fire with standard 12-gauge ammunition, requiring only that you verify the choke tube is secure to 15 inch-pounds of torque.
Is the Charles Daly 101 worth it at $146.99?
At $146.99, this shotgun presents exceptional value for a single, defined role. You are paying less for the receiver and furniture, and more for the functional, threaded steel barrel and choke system—components that would cost nearly as much alone. For the dedicated turkey hunter, predator caller, or paddock owner who needs a reliable, compact tool that will see limited but hard use, this price is difficult to criticize.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 5 lbs — 3 pounds lighter than a typical over/under like the Stevens 555 Sporting
- 37.75-inch overall length — 8 inches shorter in the barrel than a standard 28" field gun
- Includes XXtra Full Mobil choke — a $25-35 value, optimized for TSS turkey loads at 40 yards
- Picatinny rail pre-installed — ready for optic mounting with no gunsmithing required
Trade-offs
- Single-shot only — mandatory reload/re-cock between every shot, a critical limitation for follow-up or multiple targets
- Synthetic stock has minimal texturing — can feel slick with wet hands or gloves compared to stippled or overmolded alternatives
- No open cylinder or modified choke included — requires additional purchase for general-purpose or small game shooting
Key attributes
| upc | 8053800942782 |
| manufacturer | Charles Daly Chiappa |
| manufacturer part number | 930.269 |
| action | Single Shot |
| atf type | Shotgun |
| barrel length | 20" |
| caliber/gauge | 12 Gauge |
| capacity | 1 |
| chokes included | XX-Full |
| color | Black |
| length | 23 |
| model | 101 |
| package height | 2.0 |
| package width | 9.0 |
| product type | Shotgun |
| safety | Thumb |
| shipping weight | 5.95 |
| sights | Fiber Optic Front Sight |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with Beretta Benelli Mobil chokes?
- Yes. The barrel is directly threaded for the Beretta/Benelli Mobil choke system (also known as the Mobilchoke pattern). It includes the XXtra Full (MC-1) tube and will accept any aftermarket or factory Mobil pattern choke tube. Use a choke wrench and torque to 15 inch-pounds.
- Does it fit in a standard shotgun case?
- Yes. Its 37.75-inch overall length fits easily into any standard 42-inch or longer takedown shotgun case. For the most compact transport, a 38-inch hard rifle case from Plano or Pelican would be a perfect fit with room for a choke tube case and a box of shells.
- How long does shipping take?
- For this 'Online Only' item, once the mandatory 3-5 business day processing period is complete (which includes verification of your FFL's license), shipping typically adds 2-5 business days via FedEx or UPS ground. Transit from our warehouse to your chosen FFL averages 7-10 total business days after order confirmation.
- Does this work with a red dot sight?
- Yes, the receiver is drilled and tapped with a Picatinny rail section mounted directly to it. This provides a solid, non-reciprocating platform for mounting micro red dots like the Holosun 407K or full-size optics. Ensure you use thread-locker on the mount screws as shotgun recoil can vibrate them loose.