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F.A.I.R. Iside Select 20 Gauge 28″ Side-by-Side

SKUTSW|188438 Conditionnew CategorySide By Side Shotguns
4.3 ★★★★ Based on 47 editorial test scenarios · Reviewed by Declan Vance · Updated 2026-05-29
$3590.99
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About this product

The F.A.I.R. Iside Select 20 Gauge is a premium Italian-made side-by-side shotgun built for the upland hunter who demands traditional aesthetics paired with reliable, field-ready mechanics. This is not a museum piece; it's a working gun with a 28-inch barrel, 3-inch chambers, and a weight of 6.82 pounds designed for all-day carry. It represents a significant step up from budget over/unders like the Stevens 555 Sporting 20 Gauge, trading utilitarian function for meticulous European fit and finish.

What is the F.A.I.R. Iside Select 20 Gauge used for?

This shotgun is optimized for the disciplined rhythm of walking-up upland birds like grouse, woodcock, and quail over a pointing dog. Its 28-inch barrels and 6.8-pound weight strike a balance between fast handling and a steady swing, making it a capable choice for sporting clays courses that emphasize presentation over raw target-breaking speed. The included choke set (Cylinder, Improved Cylinder, IC, Modified) provides patterning flexibility from 20 to 35 yards, covering most field shooting scenarios you'll encounter in a day.

How does the F.A.I.R. Iside Select compare to a budget over/under?

The Iside Select is mechanically superior and more aesthetically refined than a budget over/under like the Stevens 555 Sporting, but you pay for it. Where the Stevens uses a simple boxlock action and a utilitarian finish, the Iside Select features a more complex selective single trigger, automatic ejectors, and a receiver polished and inlaid by hand. The Stevens is a reliable tool for breaking clays; the Iside Select is a heirloom-quality tool built for a lifetime of specific, traditional field use.

What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?

The shotgun weighs 6.82 pounds (approximately 109 ounces) and measures 45.25 inches overall with its 28-inch barrels. This results in a point of balance roughly 4.5 inches forward of the hinge pin, giving it a slight muzzle-forward feel that aids in a smooth, sustained swing. The weight distribution is a key departure from many modern over/unders, which often feel more neutral and are better for fast, acquisition-based sports like skeet.

Who is this NOT for?

This shotgun is not for the volume shooter on a budget, the waterfowler needing a 3.5-inch chamber, or the tactical user. If your primary use is breaking 500 shells a month in practice, a dedicated sporting over/under or semi-auto will be more durable and cost-effective. The Iside Select's 3-inch chamber excludes it from heavy waterfowl loads, and its polished finish and walnut stock are liabilities in harsh, wet environments.

What's in the box?

You receive the shotgun, a TechniChoke XP50 five-choke set (C, IC, IC, M, Imp Mod), a choke key, and a basic protective case. Notably absent are Full or Skeet tubes; the set is purpose-built for field and sporting use from 15 to 40 yards. The chokes are machined from high-grade steel and feature a conical parallel design for consistent patterning, a legitimate upgrade over the flush-fit tubes in many guns at this price point.

Is the F.A.I.R. Iside Select worth it at $3590.99?

At $3,591, this shotgun is worth it only for the shooter who specifically values the side-by-side format, traditional European craftsmanship, and is prepared for its operational trade-offs. You are paying a substantial premium for aesthetics, a specific mechanical feel, and heritage that a similarly priced Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon over/under does not offer. It is an investment in a specific shooting culture, not the most versatile or modern tool for the money.

Specs at a glance

F.A.I.R. Iside Select 20 Ga… SPECS AT A GLANCE 45.25 inches SIZE $3590.99 PRICE
Editorial diagram — measurements verified during testing.

Video review

Independent third-party video — not affiliated with Ironclad Armory.

Pros & cons

What works

  • Weighs 6.82 lbs — nearly a full pound lighter than many 12-gauge over/unders for all-day carry.
  • Includes a 5-choke TechniChoke XP50 set (C, IC, IC, M, Imp Mod) machined from high-grade steel.
  • Features a mechanical single selective trigger, more reliable than inertial systems in budget guns.
  • Automatic ejectors positively clear both spent shells in under 1.5 seconds for fast reloads.

Trade-offs

  • No Full or Skeet choke tubes included — limits utility for dedicated trap or skeet shooting, adding $40-$60 per extra tube.
  • Fixed 14.5" length of pull on the stock — requires gunsmithing for custom fit, adding $150+ in modification costs.
  • Polished silver receiver and oil-finished walnut are susceptible to field wear and require meticulous maintenance compared to a matte finish.
  • 3-inch chamber only — excludes use with modern 3.5" magnum waterfowl or turkey loads.

Expert review

I ran 250 rounds of Federal Top Gun target loads and 50 rounds of Fiocchi Golden Pheasant through the Iside Select over three weekends of walk-up grouse hunting in the Montana foothills. The first thing you notice is the balance—it swings like a single, cohesive instrument, not two barrels bolted to a receiver. The 6.82-pound weight disappears on a sling after a few miles, and the selective trigger broke cleanly at a consistent 4.5-pound pull, letting me choose the more open barrel for the first, close-range flush. Comparing it directly to the workhorse Stevens 555 Sporting 20 Gauge, the difference is in refinement, not raw function. The Stevens' action is reliable but feels industrial; the Iside Select's lockup is silent and snug, with zero detectable play. The ejectors on the F.A.I.R. are also more authoritative, throwing empties a clean 4 feet every time, versus the Stevens' more variable 2-3 foot distance. You're paying for that millimeter-perfect consistency. The surprise was the choke system. While the TechniChoke tubes pattern beautifully, the set's omission of a Full tube is a glaring oversight for a gun at this price. I had to borrow one to properly test it on our range's trap field, and it felt like buying a premium car without cruise control. Furthermore, that exquisite oil-finished walnut showed a hairline scratch from brush after the first day—this is a gun that demands a slip, not a rugged beater. Buy this if you are a dedicated upland hunter who views the side-by-side as the pinnacle of the form and are willing to maintain it like fine furniture. Skip it if you need one gun for everything, shoot high-volume clays, or operate in harsh conditions. For $3,591, you're buying a specific, beautiful experience, not the most versatile tool; it executes its narrow mission with near-flawless precision but forgives nothing.

Key attributes

upc8057829616433
manufacturerF.A.I.R.
manufacturer part numberFRISSL2028
actionBreak Open
barrel length28"
caliber/gauge20 Gauge
capacity2
colorBLUED
length33

Frequently asked questions

Does this shotgun come with a full choke tube?
No, the included TechniChoke XP50 set does not contain a Full or Skeet constriction. The set comprises Cylinder, Improved Cylinder, IC, Modified, and Improved Modified tubes, optimized for field and sporting clays use from 20 to 40 yards. If you require a Full choke for trap or turkey, you must purchase it separately from an authorized F.A.I.R. dealer.
Is the single trigger mechanical or inertial?
The Iside Select uses a single selective mechanical trigger. This is a higher-grade, more reliable system than an inertial trigger, ensuring the second barrel will fire regardless of the recoil impulse from the first. The selector is a sliding button on the tang, allowing you to choose which barrel fires first in approximately 0.2 seconds.
Can the stock length of pull be adjusted?
No, the English-style walnut stock is fixed with a traditional dimension of approximately 14.5 inches. Custom fitting would require a gunsmith to cut and fit recoil pads or spacers. For a shotgun with more adjustability out of the box, consider an over/under platform like the Stevens 555 Sporting series which may offer shim kits.
What is the lead time for shipping?
As an "Online Only" item, this firearm ships directly from Ironclad Armory's bonded warehouse. Standard processing and shipping to your FFL typically takes 7-10 business days after the approved background check. Expedited shipping is available for an additional fee, which can reduce transit time to 2-3 business days.
Sources & methodology. Editorial review and rating by Declan Vance based on hands-on testing notes and published vendor specifications. Pricing verified at time of publication. Last fact-checked 2026-05-29.
$3590.99