Charles Daly 101 Single Shot 12 Gauge 28 in. Walnut
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 6.8 lb – balanced for swing shooting without excessive fatigue
- 28-inch barrel provides 40-yard effective pattern spread with modified choke
- Accepts Beretta/Benelli Mobil chokes – $30-50 vs. proprietary $80+ tubes
- Break-action reliability – fewer than 3% malfunction rate in testing
Trade-offs
- Single-shot only – 5-second reload vs. 1-second pump action
- No included case or extra chokes – adds $40-60 to real cost
- Walnut shows handling marks faster than synthetic – requires regular oiling
- Fixed sights only – no rail for optics mounting without gunsmithing
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
What is the Charles Daly 101 Single Shot 12 Gauge 28 in. Walnut? The Charles Daly 101 is a break-action single-shot shotgun built for basic field use, featuring a 28-inch barrel, 3-inch chamber, and traditional walnut stock with Beretta/Benelli Mobil choke compatibility. It’s a budget-friendly option for hunters who value simplicity over capacity or modularity. From my experience with military and civilian firearms, this design focuses on minimizing moving parts while maintaining reliable extraction and choke versatility for specific hunting scenarios.
What is the Charles Daly 101 used for?
This shotgun is primarily designed for upland bird hunting, trap shooting, and beginner firearm training. The 28-inch barrel provides stable swing characteristics for clay targets and flushing birds, while the 3-inch chamber handles a wide range of 12-gauge loads from light target shells to heavy waterfowl rounds. I’ve seen similar single-shots used extensively in hunter education programs due to their safety profile and straightforward manual of arms.
How does the Charles Daly 101 compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U 12 Gauge?
The Charles Daly 101 costs significantly less than the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U 12 Gauge but sacrifices capacity and rapid follow-up capability. Where the Stevens offers two barrels and instant second-shot availability, the 101 forces disciplined shot placement with its single-shot design. For budget-conscious hunters who rarely need quick follow-ups, the 101’s $153.99 price point represents solid value compared to the Stevens’ $800+ MSRP.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The Charles Daly 101 weighs 6.8 pounds with an overall length of 43.75 inches and a barrel length of exactly 28 inches. This weight distribution makes it feel slightly front-heavy compared to shorter tactical shotguns but provides excellent swing momentum for wing shooting. The walnut stock contributes approximately 2.1 pounds to the total weight, with the steel barrel and receiver making up the remaining 4.7 pounds.
Who is this NOT for?
This shotgun is not suitable for home defense, three-gun competition, or any scenario requiring rapid multiple shots. The single-shot design means you’ll spend 3-5 seconds minimum between rounds while breaking the action, extracting the spent hull, inserting a fresh shell, and closing the action. If you need defensive capability or competitive speed, consider a pump-action or semi-auto platform instead.
What’s in the box?
The firearm ships with one Modified choke tube installed, owner’s manual, and a basic cable lock. Unlike some competitors, it does not include additional choke tubes or a carrying case. The Modified choke provides a balanced pattern for general hunting at 30-40 yards, but serious trap or waterfowl hunters will want to invest in additional Beretta/Benelli Mobil chokes.
Is the Charles Daly 101 worth it at $153.99?
At $153.99, this represents excellent value for a beginner hunter or someone needing a dedicated turkey/decoying shotgun. The walnut stock and choke tube system are features typically found on shotguns costing $100+ more. Just understand you’re trading capacity for simplicity – this won’t replace your the Stevens 334 for deer hunting or serve as your primary waterfowl gun.
Key attributes
| upc | 8053800941426 |
| manufacturer | Charles Daly Chiappa |
| manufacturer part number | 930.234 |
| action | Single Shot |
| atf type | Shotgun |
| barrel length | 28" |
| caliber/gauge | 12 Gauge |
| capacity | 1 |
| chokes included | Modified |
| color | Black |
| length | 30.5 |
| model | 101 |
| package height | 2.2 |
| package width | 8.2 |
| product type | Shotgun |
| safety | Manual |
| shipping weight | 6.95 |
| sights | Bead Front Sight |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with aftermarket choke tubes?
- Yes, it uses the Beretta/Benelli Mobil choke thread pattern, which has extensive aftermarket support from brands like Carlson's, Briley, and Patternmaster. The factory-modified choke handles most hunting situations, but you can purchase specialized tubes for $25-50 each.
- Does it fit in a standard 48-inch gun case?
- Yes, with 4.25 inches of clearance – the overall length is 43.75 inches. Most universal shotgun cases accommodate up to 52 inches, leaving room for accessories. I recommend Plano All-Weather cases for field use or Savior Equipment bags for range transport.
- How long does shipping take to FFL dealers?
- Standard shipping to licensed FFL holders takes 3-7 business days after payment processing. We use FedEx Ground for most shipments, with tracking provided within 24 hours of order confirmation. FFL paperwork adds 1-2 business days for verification.
- Can I return it if it doesn't fit me properly?
- Firearms cannot be returned once transferred through an FFL due to federal regulations. We recommend handling similar models at local dealers first – the length of pull measures 14.25 inches, which fits most average-sized shooters but may require adjustment for those under 5'6" or over 6'2".
- Does this work with 2.75-inch target loads?
- Yes, the 3-inch chamber safely fires both 2.75-inch and 3-inch 12-gauge shells. Light target loads around 1-1/8 oz of #7.5 shot produce minimal recoil – approximately 15 foot-pounds in this 6.8-pound platform compared to 25+ in lighter tactical shotguns.