The Stevens 555 Compact 20 Gauge Over/Under Shotgun: Your Essential Field Companion

Are you searching for a lightweight, reliable, and exceptionally balanced shotgun that excels in various shooting disciplines? Do you need a firearm that’s perfect for new shooters, smaller-framed individuals, or seasoned hunters navigating dense cover? Look no further. The Stevens 555 Compact 20 Gauge over/under shotgun, available at DEGuns, is engineered to meet these precise needs, offering an unparalleled blend of performance, aesthetics, and value. This isn't just another shotgun; it's a meticulously crafted tool designed to elevate your shooting experience from the very first pull of the trigger.

Who is the Stevens 555 Compact Designed For?

This versatile shotgun is an ideal choice for a diverse range of users:

• Youth and Beginner Shooters: Its compact dimensions, lighter weight (approximately 5.5 lbs), and manageable 20-gauge recoil make it far less intimidating than heavier, larger-gauge firearms. This allows new shooters to build confidence and develop proper shooting fundamentals without fatigue or flinching. Many instructors recommend 20 gauge for this exact reason.
• Smaller-Framed or Female Shooters: The ergonomic design, including a shorter length of pull and reduced overall length, ensures a comfortable and natural fit, promoting better control and accuracy.
• Upland Bird Hunters: When you’re spending long days walking through fields and forests in pursuit of pheasant, quail, or grouse, every ounce matters. The 555 Compact’s featherlight design reduces fatigue, allowing for quicker swings and more consistent shots on fast-moving game. Its two-barrel configuration also allows for different chokes, a huge advantage when flushing birds at varying distances.
• Sporting Clays and Skeet Shooters: While often associated with field use, the 555 Compact's superb balance, responsive handling, and ability to quickly acquire targets make it a surprisingly capable companion on the sporting clays course or skeet field. Its single selective trigger allows for quick barrel changes, adapting to different presentations.
• Hunters in Dense Cover: The 24-inch barrels are agile and maneuverable in tight spaces, making it easier to navigate thick brush and bring the shotgun to bear quickly when a shot opportunity arises.
• Anyone Seeking a Dependable, Elegant Over/Under Shotgun: Beyond its practical advantages, the 555 Compact exudes a classic charm with its Turkish walnut stock and black receiver, appealing to those who appreciate traditional firearm aesthetics and the inherent reliability of an over/under action.

Solving Common Shooting Challenges

The Stevens 555 Compact directly addresses several common problems faced by shooters:

• "How do I find a shotgun that isn't too heavy for long hunts?" The 555 Compact’s approximate weight of 5.5 pounds is a game-changer for extended periods in the field, drastically reducing carrying fatigue compared to heavier models.
• "What’s the best shotgun for a young person learning to shoot?" Its manageable recoil (due to the 20 gauge chambering and thoughtful design) and compact dimensions create a positive, encouraging learning environment.
• "I need a versatile shotgun for both hunting and occasional clay target shooting." With its interchangeable choke system and adaptable performance, the 555 Compact transitions seamlessly between demanding field conditions and recreational target practice.
• "How can I improve my swing and target acquisition in tight hunting scenarios?" The 24-inch barrels offer superior maneuverability, allowing for faster and smoother swings, especially when pursuing upland birds in challenging, overgrown areas.
• "What shotgun offers classic looks without sacrificing modern performance?" The beautiful Turkish walnut stock paired with the black receiver provides a timeless appearance, while internal mechanisms ensure consistent, reliable operation.

Deep Dive into Features and Their Benefits

The Stevens 555 Compact is not merely a collection of parts; it's a symphony of design choices aimed at delivering an optimal shooting experience.

1. 20 Gauge Chambering: The choice of 20 gauge is strategic. It offers a significant reduction in recoil compared to a 12 gauge, making it more comfortable for a wider range of shooters, especially those sensitive to recoil. Yet, it still delivers ample knockdown power for common upland game birds, small game, and even some larger waterfowl with appropriate loads. The 20 gauge provides a sweet spot between effective performance and shooter comfort.
2. 24-inch Chrome-Lined Barrels:
   • Maneuverability: The shorter 24-inch barrels are key to the "Compact" designation. They significantly reduce the overall length of the shotgun (approximately 40.5 inches), making it far easier to handle in confined spaces, dense brush, or inside a hunting blind. This agility translates directly to quicker target acquisition and more fluid swings.
   • Balance: Despite their shorter length, the barrels contribute to the shotgun's excellent balance point, allowing for intuitive pointing and follow-through.
   • Chrome Lining: A critical feature for longevity and easy maintenance. Chrome-lined barrels resist corrosion and pitting, which is particularly beneficial when shooting corrosive ammunition or in damp environments. Cleaning is also much simpler, as fouling has less tendency to adhere to the slick surface. This directly contributes to the firearm's enduring reliability.
3. 2-Round Capacity with 3-inch Chambers: As an over/under shotgun, the 555 Compact holds two rounds, one in each barrel. This traditional capacity is perfect for hunting regulations in most areas and simplifies operation. The 3-inch chambers provide versatility, allowing you to use both standard 2 ¾-inch and more powerful 3-inch shotgun shells, expanding your ammunition choices for different game and situations. Whether you're using light target loads or heavier hunting loads, the 555 Compact accommodates.
4. Black Receiver with Semi-Gloss Oiled Turkish Walnut Stock:
   • Aesthetics: The combination of a sleek black receiver and the rich, figured grain of Turkish walnut creates a visually stunning firearm. Turkish walnut is renowned for its strength, durability, and beautiful patterns, making each stock unique. The semi-gloss oil finish protects the wood while allowing its natural beauty to shine through, and it's easily maintained.
   • Ergonomics and Feel: The stock is designed for an ambidextrous hand, meaning it provides a comfortable and secure grip for both right- and left-handed shooters. The checkering on the fore-end and pistol grip enhances purchase, providing a non-slip surface even in wet conditions. The feel of real wood also adds a classic, tactile connection to the shooting experience that synthetic stocks cannot replicate.
5. Single Selective Trigger: A hallmark of quality over/under shotguns, the single selective trigger allows the shooter to choose which barrel fires first (top or bottom). This is invaluable for hunters who may want to use a different choke in each barrel (e.g., a more open choke for close-range shots and a tighter choke for follow-up shots on outgoing birds). This feature provides tactical flexibility in the field, enhancing your success rate.
6. Extractors (Not Ejectors): The 555 Compact features extractors that lift spent shells slightly out of the chambers for manual removal. While some premium O/Us feature ejectors that automatically kick out spent shells, extractors are often preferred by field hunters as they prevent spent hulls from being thrown into the brush, making them easier to retrieve and preventing litter. This is a practical advantage for environmental consciousness and shell reloading.
7. Manual Safety: The top tang safety is intuitive and easily accessible with the thumb, allowing for quick and positive engagement or disengagement. This provides an additional layer of security, giving shooters peace of mind in the field or on the range.
8. Interchangeable Choke Tubes (5 Included): The Stevens 555 Compact comes standard with a full set of five screw-in choke tubes: Full (F), Improved Modified (IM), Modified (M), Improved Cylinder (IC), and Cylinder (Cyl). This comprehensive selection allows you to precisely tailor your shot pattern for different ranges and types of game. For instance, an Improved Cylinder choke is excellent for close-quarters flushing birds, while a Modified or Full choke is better for longer shots or denser patterns. This adaptability is a significant benefit for any discerning shooter.

Why Choose the Stevens 555 Compact for Your Next Adventure?

• Exceptional Value: Stevens, a brand with a rich history of producing reliable firearms, has positioned the 555 Compact as an incredibly accessible over/under. It offers features and performance often found in shotguns costing significantly more, making it an outstanding investment for both new and experienced shooters.
• Built for Performance: Every aspect of the 555 Compact is geared towards reliable performance. From the robust break-action design to the durable chrome-lined barrels and the crisp single selective trigger, this shotgun is engineered to deliver consistent results shot after shot.
• Lightweight Advantage: At approximately 5.5 lbs, it stands out in its class. This characteristic is not just a specification; it translates directly into less fatigue during long hunting expeditions, easier carrying, and quicker target acquisition.
• Legacy of Quality: Stevens firearms have been a trusted name for generations. The 555 Compact carries on this tradition, offering a firearm that balances classic aesthetics with modern manufacturing techniques for dependable service.
• A Natural Fit for Growing Shooters: For families introducing youth to shooting sports or hunting, the 555 Compact is often highlighted by shooting instructors and experienced parents as one of the best choices available, thanks to its reduced recoil and perfect sizing.

Maintaining Your Stevens 555 Compact

Proper maintenance is crucial for the longevity and continued performance of any firearm. The Stevens 555 Compact, with its traditional break-action design and chrome-lined barrels, is relatively easy to care for:

• Regular Cleaning: After each use, especially if used in damp or dusty conditions, clean the barrels with a bore brush and patches, and wipe down all external metal and wood surfaces. Pay attention to the chamber area.
• Lubrication: Apply a thin layer of gun oil to all moving parts, especially the hinge pin and locking lugs, to ensure smooth operation and prevent corrosion.
• Storage: Store your shotgun in a clean, dry, and secure location, ideally in a humidity-controlled environment to protect the beautiful Turkish walnut stock and metal finish.

By following these simple steps, your Stevens 555 Compact will remain a reliable and beautiful companion for many years of shooting enjoyment.

Your Next Step

Whether you’re a seasoned upland hunter, a parent looking for the perfect first shotgun for your child, or a sporting clays enthusiast seeking a nimble and elegant firearm, the Stevens 555 Compact 20 Gauge over/under shotgun represents an exceptional choice. Its thoughtful design, quality materials, and superior handling characteristics make it a standout in its category.

Discover the difference a purpose-built, lightweight, and versatile over/under can make in your shooting pursuits. For more information and to purchase the Stevens 555 Compact 20 Gauge Over/Under Shotgun, visit DEGuns today. Experience the perfect blend of tradition, performance, and value.

Feature	Description	Benefit
Model	Stevens 555 Compact	Trusted Stevens brand, renowned for quality and value.
Gauge	20 Gauge	Reduced recoil and lighter ammunition, ideal for comfortable shooting, especially for new or smaller shooters, while maintaining effective power.
Barrel Length	24 inches	Enhanced maneuverability and quicker target acquisition, perfect for dense cover or fast-moving targets.
Capacity	2 Rounds	Standard for Over/Under shotguns, reliable, simple, and compliant with most hunting regulations.
Chamber Size	3 inches	Versatile ammunition options, compatible with both 2 ¾-inch and powerful 3-inch shotgun shells.
Stock Material	Turkish Walnut, Semi-Gloss Oiled Finish	Classic aesthetics, durable, provides a comfortable grip, and adds a touch of timeless elegance.
Handedness	Ambidextrous	Comfortable and natural fit for both right- and left-handed shooters, ensuring wider appeal and ease of use.
Receiver Finish	Black	Sleek, durable finish that protects against the elements and complements the walnut stock.
Action Type	Over/Under (Break Action)	Inherently reliable, simple to operate, and allows for quick visual confirmation of chamber status.
Trigger	Single Selective	Allows shooter to choose which barrel fires first, providing tactical flexibility with different chokes for varying shot distances.
Choke System	5 Screw-in Chokes Included (F, IM, M, IC, Cyl)	Customize shot patterns for specific game, ranges, and shooting disciplines, maximizing effectiveness in diverse scenarios.
Barrel Lining	Chrome-Lined	Increased durability, resistance to corrosion, and easier cleaning, ensuring long-term performance and reduced maintenance effort.
Weight	Approx. 5.5 lbs	Exceptionally lightweight, reducing fatigue during extended periods of carrying and facilitating faster swings and improved handling.
UPC	011356221544	Unique product identifier for easy verification and purchasing.