STEVENS 555

Posted May 19, 2023

The Stevens 555 has been on the market for a little over two decades as an entry-level, budget-friendly over/under shotgun. It's a reliable and straightforward shotgun, and I've seen it used in my shooting classes and competitions as a reliable all-around tool for a variety of functional uses. In this review, I'll walk you through my experience with the Stevens 555, explaining its features, performance, and advantages before giving you my opinion on the gun as a whole.

First off, let's talk about the design and build of the Stevens 555. The most distinctive feature of this shotgun is its 12-gauge, twin barrel design. It has two barrels, one placed atop the other, which each hold three shells. The barrels are made of chrome-lined steel, providing resilience against wear and corrosion. Pulling back the top tang-mounted safety reveals a crisp, mechanical override trigger system. With a barrel length of 28 inches and a weight of 6.75 pounds, it strikes a good balance between being lightweight and having enough heft to handle recoil. The stock is made of Turkish walnut, with a semi-gloss finish and black plastic butt plate that completes the classic look.

As for the performance of the Stevens 555, I was impressed with the smooth action of the twin barrel design. The mechanical trigger and searing action are both responsive and accurate. The gun is also incredibly quick to reload, and the chrome-lined barrels ensure excellent shot patterns with tight spreads. The balance of the gun is very good, making it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. Speaking of maneuverability, the gun's reduced length makes it ideal for shooting in enclosed areas or at close range.

Now, let's talk about the advantages of the Stevens 555. For starters, it's an affordable gun for any budget. As an entry-level model, it offers a reliable over/under shotgun at a fraction of the cost of higher-end models. It's also lightweight, with a quick-action design that makes it a great choice for hunting or tactical shooting. The twin barrels also make it easy to adjust shot patterns and apply recoil reduction, ensuring more flexible and versatile use.

At the end of the day, I think the Stevens 555 is a great shotgun for anyone looking for a reliable and budget-friendly over/under shotgun. The design is classic and straightforward, and the performance is reliable and accurate. The gun is lightweight and maneuverable, and the twin barrels allow you to quickly adjust shot patterns. Even with its affordable price tag, the Stevens 555 is a reliable and powerful shotgun that will serve you well in a variety of shooting environments.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Durable and reliable: The STEVENS 555 shotgun is made with high quality materials, ensuring it will stand up to time and use.

Compact design: The STEVENS 555 measures 46.5 inches in length and weighs 7.25 pounds, making it an ideal firearm to hunt or target shoot with.

Adjustable stock: The stock is adjustable for length and comb height, making it more versatile for different shooters.

Safety features: The STEVENS 555 comes with an internal hammer block safety and tang safety for added protection.

Cons:

Price: The STEVENS 555 is more expensive than some other models of shotguns.

Weight: At 7.25 pounds, the STEVENS 555 is relatively heavy compared to other shotguns on the market.

Trigger pull: The trigger pull is heavy at 8.5lb, making it less ideal for target shooting.

Who Should Buy

The STEVENS 555 is a hunting shotgun designed for practical, comfortable use in hunting and other shotgun-based activities. As a result, anyone who plans to participate in these activities and is looking for a reliable and accurate shotgun should consider purchasing the STEVENS 555. Since the shotgun is designed for hunting, it is not a suitable choice for those who wish to use it as a home defense or military rifle. As such, individuals who do not plan to participate in hunting and other shotgun-based activities should avoid purchasing the STEVENS 555.

Comparisons

Product	Chamber	Trigger System	Sight	Safety	Stock
STEVENS 555	Over/Under	Tang Safety	Fiber Optic	Manual	Turkish Walnut
Franchi Affinity	12 & 20 gauge	Inertia-Driven	Mid Bead	Manual	Composite
Mossberg Silver Reserve	12, 20, 28 gauge and .410 bore	Single Selective	Brass Bead	Manual	Walnut
Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon	12 & 20 gauge	Mechanical	Steel Low Profile	Manual	Walnut
Browning Citori White Lightning	12, 20 gauge	Mechanical Trigger System	Mid and FOB	Manual	Grade II/III Walnut

Features / Specs

•Gauge: 12, 20, 28 & .410

•Barrel: 28" ventilated rib

•Ejectors: Standard

•Action: Over & Under

•Stock: Walnut

•Sights: Hi-Viz front fiber optic

•Safety: Manual tang safety

•Chokes: Multi-choked with 5 chokes

•Weight: 7lbs 12oz

•Finish: Satin oil

Popular Accessories

Stevens 555 Speed Crown Stock

Stevens 555 Trigger Guard

Stevens 555 Magazine Extension

Stevens 555 Extended Bolt

Stevens 555 Forend Handguard

Stevens 555 Cheek Rest

Stevens 555 Optics Rail

Stevens 555 Front and Rear Sights

Stevens 555 Recoil Pad

Stevens 555 Barrel Band Accessories

Accuracy

The STEVENS 555 is renowned for its accuracy, and it lives up to its reputation with every shot. Created with precision and care, the STEVENS 555 is designed to produce fantastic results in terms of accuracy. The accuracy produced by the Stevens 555 is the result of its 28-inch barrel, which provides an optimum spin to the ammunition, and recessed muzzle, which provides a tighter tolerances than many similarly sized barrels. Additionally, the use of a floating Forsythe-style barrel sweetens the deal, creating a better seal in the barrel-bore interface at the muzzle, producing tighter groups and more consistent accuracy. Furthermore, the chrome-lined and hand-lapped barrel contributes to improved accuracy, with less imperfections and finer tolerances, providing an incredibly repeatable and reliable result. All these features combined result in a gun perfectly suited for Wing shooting, Trap shooting, and Skeet shooting.