Weatherby Element 2 Upland Compact 20 Gauge 24″ Walnut

About this product

The Weatherby Element 2 Upland Compact 20 Gauge is a shortened, inertia-driven semiautomatic shotgun purpose-built for upland hunters and shooters with reduced length of pull requirements. It leverages a proven mechanical system inside a compact, walnut-stocked package to deliver reliable handling where fast swings and all-day carry matter. This isn't a target gun or a tactical tool—it solves a specific ergonomic problem for a specific user.

What is the Weatherby Element 2 Upland Compact 20 Gauge used for?

This shotgun is used for upland bird hunting over a dog or navigating thick cover where a fast-handling, lightweight platform is non-negotiable. The primary role is connecting on flushing birds like grouse, quail, or pheasant from a carried position, requiring a gun that can be mounted and swung efficiently in confined spaces. The 24-inch chrome-lined barrel and included choke system provide consistent patterning at the typical 15- to 35-yard engagement distances of upland hunting, while the 6.2 lb weight allows for carrying it over miles of terrain without undue fatigue.

How does the Weatherby Element 2 Upland Compact compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting Compact 20ga?

The Weatherby Element 2 Upland Compact provides superior mechanical reliability in dirty, cold, or damp field conditions compared to the gasless Stevens 555 Sporting Compact 20ga O/U. The Weatherby's inertia system has fewer small parts and ports to foul with powder residue or grit, making it less prone to short-stroking with lighter target loads after a day of shooting. However, the Stevens 555's over-under twin-trigger design offers a faster, more deliberate second-shot selection for specific pairs, which some disciplined shooters prefer for formal sporting clays.

What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?

The shotgun weighs 6.2 pounds (2.81 kg) and measures 45.25 inches (114.9 cm) in overall length. The critical dimension is the 13.5-inch length of pull, which is a full 1.25 inches shorter than a standard adult shotgun stock and is the primary feature enabling proper fit for smaller-statured shooters or those wearing bulky winter layers. The 24-inch barrel features a 1/4-inch wide vent rib that pulls the eye forward quickly, and the walnut stock has a 1.5-inch drop at comb and a 2-inch drop at heel.

Who is this NOT for?

This gun is not for a shooter who requires a standard 14.5-inch to 14.75-inch length of pull, as the compact stock will force an overly-cramped shooting stance. It is also not for a high-volume clay shooter who plans to run 500 shells in a weekend, as the inertia system transmits more felt recoil impulse to the shooter's shoulder per shot compared to a gas-operated semiauto, a trade-off for its field reliability. Finally, anyone needing more than a 2+1 capacity for waterfowling or other regulated hunting should look at a dedicated 3-gun or extended-magazine model.

What's in the box?

The shotgun ships with three Crio Plus choke tubes (Full, Modified, Improved Cylinder), a chamber flag, a synthetic stock spacers kit for adding up to 0.75 inch of additional length of pull, and the owner's manual containing the factory test-fire target. Weatherby does not include a hard case; the gun is packed in a cardboard box with high-density foam inserts. You will need to source your own cleaning rod, bore brush, and lubricant for post-field maintenance.

Is the Weatherby Element 2 Upland Compact worth it at $830.99?

Yes, at $830.99, it is worth the investment for the shooter whose primary need is a compact, reliable, no-frills field gun that will cycle 2.75-inch and 3-inch shells interchangeably without adjustment. You are paying for a mechanically simple, over-built inertia system housed in a genuine Turkish walnut stock, a combination that avoids the cost of more complex gas pistons or the double-barrel machining of an over-under like the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U. For someone who has struggled with shotgun fit, the out-of-the-box correct ergonomics solve a problem that often costs $200+ in aftermarket stock modification.