{"id":67711,"date":"2017-01-05T12:33:02","date_gmt":"2017-01-05T17:33:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/?p=67711"},"modified":"2017-01-05T12:33:02","modified_gmt":"2023-08-20T15:14:46","slug":"sub-700-shotgun-stevens-555-full-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/sub-700-shotgun-stevens-555-full-review\/","title":{"rendered":"A Sub-$700 Over-Under Shotgun? The Stevens 555\u2014Full Review."},"content":{"rendered":"

To learn more, visit https:\/\/www.savagearms.com\/firearms\/model\/Stevens555<\/a>.<\/p>\n

To purchase on GunsAmerica.com, click this link: https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/Search.aspx?T=Stevens%20555<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Shooters on tight budgets are always looking for a great deal. So, it was welcome news when Stevens announced the addition of three compact models to expand out their popular value line of 555 shotguns<\/a>. Already, the flagship 555 in 12-gauge has earned high praise from shooters and outdoor writers alike for its modest beauty, solid performance and ridiculously wallet-friendly price (under $700) for an over\/under shotgun. These three new compact models (in 20-gauge, 28-gauge and .410-bore offerings) only build on that reputation and provide a host of options for the sub-gauge fan.<\/p>\n

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Available in .410 bore as well as 12, 20 and 28 gauges, the Stevens 555 is a great gun for the money. Image courtesy of Savage Arms.<\/p><\/div>\n

Back in the 1980s and 90s, the shotgun world seemed to be experiencing a resurgence of bigger is better mentality not seen since the market hunting days of the early 1900s. The 3 \u00bd-inch 12-gauge shell had been introduced and was growing in popularity among waterfowlers and turkey hunters. Working as an assistant editor for one of NRA\u2019s magazines, I recall us even publishing a couple of reviews for new 10-gauge shotguns and in fact, tried one on a buckshot deer hunt with devastating results for a large doe slipping past my stand. Indeed, virtually every big manufacturer rolled out a long-chambered shotgun and store shelves were stacked with the virtually everything-thumping heavy payload shells of the 3 \u00bd-inch 12 gauge. These guns, even in smooth operating semi-autos, were not for the recoil sensitive.<\/p>\n

What a difference a decade or two make as just the opposite seems true today. Thanks in part to incredible advancements in shotshell technology, shooters are getting tighter patterns and longer distances from their scatterguns. This means they can often trade down a gauge (or even two) and without sacrificing killing impact or clay-busting performance while reducing the recoil they experience and the weight they must tote through the field or around the clays course.<\/p>\n

I know where turkey hunting is concerned, after first experiencing the extended-range performance of early Hevi-Shot loads and more recently, Winchester\u2019s Long Beard XR, I\u2019ve all but traded in my favorite 12-gauge for a 20. I\u2019m not so concerned about recoil\u2014in 40 years of hunting, I\u2019ve never once noticed recoil when shooting at a live animal\u2014but I will confess to enjoying less weight to tote on those long run-and-gun hunts. In fact, less weight during any shooting activity is welcome. Most shooters will agree. That is why I was very excited to try out the Stevens 555 in .410 bore for myself.<\/p>\n

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Simply move the safety when on safe right or left to select whether you want the over \u201cO\u201d or top barrel to fire first when you pull the trigger or the under \u201cU\u201d or bottom barrel.<\/p><\/div>\n

SPECS<\/strong><\/h2>\n