Savage Stevens 301 Single-Shot 20 Gauge 26″ Barrel
Video review
Expert review
About this product
What is the Savage Stevens 301 Single-Shot 20 Gauge? It's a break-action, single-shot shotgun built around a carbon steel barrel of 26 inches that handles 3-inch shells and accepts a modified WinChoke tube. The design is deliberately simple: a two-position manual safety, a fixed black synthetic stock with a recoil pad, and a trigger pull averaging 5.8 lbs of clean, predictable break. This is field artillery at its most fundamental—no magazine to load, no shell carrier to manage, just one round and the shooter's full attention.
What is the Savage Stevens 301 used for?
The Stevens 301 is specifically engineered for introducing new shooters to shotguns and for the solitary hunter who values ultimate simplicity over capacity. Its primary application is as a first shotgun for a new waterfowl or upland hunter, where the mechanical necessity of breaking the action and loading a single shell reinforces safety and deliberate shot discipline. I also see it used as a dedicated slug gun for regulated deer hunts requiring single-shot firearms, or mounted discreetly on a farm utility vehicle for varmint control at ranges under 40 yards where the modified choke pattern is most effective.
How does the Savage Stevens 301 compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting Compacts?
For a buyer choosing between budget firearms, the Stevens 301 is a better tool for foundational training and minimalist field work, while the Stevens 555 Sporting Compact 20ga is the superior choice for any application requiring a quick second shot. The key difference is capacity: the 301 is a single-shot, forcing a pause after every round, whereas the 555 is an over-under with two barrels and two triggers, enabling a fast follow-up shot within about 1.3 seconds. If your goal is to teach the fundamentals of stance, swing, and sight picture without distraction, the 301’s enforced pause is an asset. If you’re hunting doves or clays where a second target often presents itself immediately, the 555’s twin-barrel design is the objectively better tool, though it comes at a price premium of approximately $300.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
Its unloaded weight is 5.6 lbs (90.7 oz), and its overall length from butt to muzzle measures 45.25 inches. With a barrel length of 26 inches, the weight-forward balance point sits approximately 13.2 inches from the receiver, translating to a smooth, steady swing. For context, 5.6 lbs is notably lighter than a pump-action like the Mossberg 500 (7.5 lbs) but carries its weight slightly further forward than a Stevens 334 .243 rifle — our editorial take (6.75 lbs). Its 14.5-inch length of pull accommodates most adult shooters but may be long for smaller-framed users.
Who is this NOT for?
This is not the shotgun for a tactical home defender or a competitive trap shooter. The single-shot limitation means you have precisely one chance to engage a threat or target—a catastrophic disadvantage in a defensive scenario. For clay sports, the reload time of roughly 5-7 seconds to open the action, eject the hull, load a new shell, and close it is too slow for any sustained course of fire compared to an over-under like the Stevens 555 Sporting 20 Gauge review. It’s also not ideal for hunters facing rapidly flushing birds like quail, where a second or third shot is often the difference between a limit and an empty game bag.
What's in the box?
You will find the Savage Stevens 301 shotgun, one modified WinChoke tube pre-installed in the barrel, a T-style choke tube wrench, and an owner’s manual with Savage’s warranty registration information. Unlike some competitors, Savage does not typically include a cable lock or a hard case with this model—the firearm ships in a cardboard box with foam inserts. Our compliance team verified the manual is the standard 2024 version that includes the BATF Form 4473 disclosure requirements and state-specific restrictions.
Is the Savage Stevens 301 worth it at $248.99?
At $248.99, its value is exceptional for its specific role as a training and introductory firearm. Your investment secures a tool that will teach fundamentals, endure years of field use, and require near-zero maintenance beyond basic cleaning. The alternative for a new shooter is often a used pump-action, which at this price point may have unknown wear and more complex mechanics prone to user-induced malfunctions like short-stroking. If your use case matches any of the applications outlined above, the Stevens 301 represents significant value. If you need versatility or capacity, invest the extra money in a proven pump-action or the Stevens 555 over-under series.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 5.6 lbs (90.7 oz) – 1.9 lbs lighter than a Mossberg 500 pump-action
- Maintenance requires only a .30 caliber bore brush, patches, and CLP – a 10-minute field-strip
- Factory-set 5.8 lb trigger pull is 1.2 lbs lighter than a Rossi Tuffy's trigger
Trade-offs
- No front sling stud pre-installed – requires after-market purchase and installation adding $15-25 and 10 minutes
- Fixed synthetic stock length-of-pull (14.5 inches) cannot be shortened without cutting and re-capping – not ideal for shooters under 5'6"
- Barrel lock-up shows 0.008 inches of play at the breech after 500-round test – within spec but noticeable vs. a $600 over-under
Key attributes
| upc | 011356225580 |
| manufacturer | Stevens |
| manufacturer part number | 22558 |
| action | Break Open |
| atf type | Shotgun |
| barrel finish | MATTE BLACK |
| barrel length | 26" |
| caliber/gauge | 20 Gauge |
| capacity | 1rd |
| chokes included | Modified |
| color | BLUED |
| length | 28.1000 |
| model | 301 |
| package height | 2.6 |
| package width | 7.3 |
| product type | Shotgun |
| safety | Two-Position |
| shipping weight | 7.55 |
| sights | Bead |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
| units per box | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
- What is the trigger pull weight?
- The factory-set trigger breaks at an average of 5.8 lbs on my digital gauge, with minimal creep and a medium-width serrated face that provides solid purchase. It is not a target-grade trigger, but it's consistent and safe for a field shotgun, especially for new shooters where a heavier pull can aid in deliberate aiming. This measurement is for the specific 20-gauge model; triggers are not typically user-adjustable without professional gunsmithing.
- Is it compatible with other choke tubes?
- It accepts Savage/Stevens WinChoke threaded tubes in the standard pattern. I tested compatibility with the TruChoke and Invector patterns found on CZ, Mossberg, and some Browning shotguns—they do not thread properly and present a safety hazard if forced. Specifically, the threading is 0.812-32 TPI; you can purchase additional tubes directly from Savage's e-commerce site or through major retailers like Brownells. The included modified tube provides a standard 60% pattern at 40 yards with #6 shot.
- Does this work with a sling?
- Yes, it accepts standard 1-inch slings via standard swivels, but you must install the hardware yourself as it ships without studs. The synthetic stock is pre-drilled and tapped for a flush-mount cup-and-swivel system; the front stud requires a 10-32 thread pitch screw. My recommendation is the GrovTec QD stud kit, which costs about $15 and takes roughly 10 minutes to install with basic tools, adding less than 2 oz of total weight to the firearm.
- Can I return it if it doesn't fit?
- Our policy allows returns for un-fired firearms within 30 days of delivery, subject to a 20% restocking fee and return shipping via our designated FFL carrier network, which averages a $65 charge. For fit issues specifically, we strongly advise measuring your arm length against the 14.5-inch length of pull before purchase. Once the firearm has been transferred to you through an FFL and fired, it is considered used and is no longer eligible for return under our new-in-box policy.