Charles Daly Triple-Barrel Shotgun Review: A Fresh Take on a Classic Idea

Introduction

Most shotgunners know the drilling, the classic European three-barreled gun that typically pairs two shotgun barrels with a rifle barrel. The Charles Daly triple-barrel shotgun takes that idea and makes it all shotgun. Three barrels, all 20 gauge, arranged in a triangular configuration. It is a design that has been around for a while, but it is not something you see every day.

Charles Daly has a history stretching back to the 1950s, and various companies have made guns under that name over the years. Now the line is made by Chiappa, with assembly in Dayton, Ohio. This particular model is a 20 gauge with 26-inch barrels and a weight just under 8 pounds. It comes with five choke tubes, giving you real flexibility depending on the distance you expect to shoot.

The appeal is straightforward. You get three quick shots without needing to plug a magazine, and you get the option to run a different choke in each barrel. For upland hunting, where birds can flush close or far, that kind of versatility is genuinely useful.

Who This Shotgun Is For

This shotgun is aimed at upland hunters who want more than two shots and appreciate the flexibility of choke tubes. If you hunt quail, pheasants, or grouse in varied terrain, the ability to switch from an open choke for close birds to a tighter choke for longer shots is a real advantage.

It is also a gun for someone who likes the traditional feel of a break-action shotgun but wants a bit more capacity. The triple-barrel design gives you three rounds on tap, which is the same limit that was historically legislated for pump-action shotguns during the market hunting era. With this gun, you do not have to plug anything to stay within that limit.

The weight is worth considering. At just under 8 pounds, it is heavier than many dedicated upland guns. A typical 28 gauge side-by-side might weigh around 6 pounds. That extra weight is noticeable on a long day in the field, but it also helps with swing and follow-through on moving targets.

If you are the kind of shooter who values a quick, lively gun for snap shooting in thick cover, this may feel a bit heavy. But if you appreciate a gun that carries a little mass out front to maintain a smooth swing, the balance point about a half inch to an inch in front of the hinge pin works in your favor.

Design and Handling

The triple-barrel configuration creates a receiver that is both tall and wide. The fence, the part of the receiver where the barrels lock in, has to be wide enough to cover the side-by-side barrels and tall enough to cover the top barrel. The result is a receiver with the height of a 12 gauge over-under and the width of a 20 gauge side-by-side. It makes the gun look a little heavy and clunky at first, though much of that impression comes from what we are used to seeing in shotguns.

The tang safety is traditional and easy to operate. It sits high enough with enough friction that you can push it on and off without fumbling. There is also a barrel selector, though it only selects between the right and left barrels. The top barrel always fires in sequence after the first two.

One notable feature is the mechanical single trigger. Unlike many double guns that use an inertia-set trigger, this one is mechanical. That means you can pull it three times, and if one round fails to fire, the trigger still advances to the next barrel. It is a reliability advantage that is easy to appreciate.

The gun is not an ejector model. When you open it, the three spent rounds lift out, and you pull them free by hand. For shooters who like to reload their own shells, this is a positive. Nothing goes flying off into the brush, and you can pluck the empties out and pocket them.

The checkering is unusual. Instead of traditional cut-line checkering, it looks like a series of holes drilled in a pattern, creating flat-topped peaks. It provides good grip without being sharp or cutting into your fingers. The wood sits proud of the steel, which is intentional. If you ever need to refinish the stock, you can sand it down without going below the metal line.

There are swivel studs for a sling, a nod to the German drilling tradition of carrying the gun over the shoulder on long hikes. The front sight is a fiber optic rather than a gold bead. Some shooters prefer the traditional gold bead, and fiber optics can get lost or break over time, but many hunters never look at the sights on a shotgun anyway.

Three Shots, Three Options

The core advantage of this gun is the three-shot capacity combined with choke flexibility. With a double barrel, you get two choke options. With this triple, you get three. You could run an improved cylinder for close-flushing quail, a modified for mid-range pheasants, and a full choke for longer crossing shots, all instantly available.

The firing sequence follows a triangle pattern. The standard order is right barrel, then top, then left. You can select which side barrel fires first, but the top barrel always comes second. That consistency is helpful once you learn it, because you always know which choke is coming up next.

The mechanical trigger produces three distinct clicks as it resets the firing pin springs for the next shot. It is a satisfying confirmation that the gun is ready to fire again.

For upland hunting, this three-shot capability can make a real difference. A pheasant that flushes close might be missed on the first shot but caught on the second. A grouse that gets up between trees might give you a quick snapshot and then a second chance as it crosses an opening. Having that third round available is a genuine advantage over a traditional double.

Field Performance

In practice, the gun handles well for its weight. The muzzle-heavy balance helps you get on target and maintain your swing through the shot. Anyone who has done wing shooting knows that stopping your swing usually means a miss. The extra weight out front works in your favor here.

On pheasant-style flushes through heavy brush, the gun comes up quickly enough, and the three-shot capacity gives you multiple opportunities as the bird angles away. On low-flushing quail, the open choke in the first barrel is ready for a close shot, and the tighter chokes are there if the bird keeps going.

For grouse hunting, where snap shooting is the norm and things happen fast between trees, the gun is a little heavy. Getting it up quickly takes more effort than a lighter 28 gauge. But it is still workable, and the three-shot capacity can save you when a bird flushes unexpectedly and you need a second or third shot in a hurry.

The recoil is not a concern. An 8-pound gun in 20 gauge is quite manageable, even with the hard factory recoil pad. The pad is removable, and the design appears to allow for swapping in a longer or softer pad to adjust length of pull if needed.

Buying Advice

This is not a gun for everyone. If you want the lightest possible upland gun for long days in steep country, a 6-pound 28 gauge will serve you better. But if you value three quick shots, choke versatility, and the novelty of a design that stands out in the field, the Charles Daly triple-barrel shotgun is worth a serious look.

The mechanical trigger is a standout feature, and the ability to run three different chokes is genuinely practical. The weight is the main trade-off, but it contributes to a smooth swing that many shooters will appreciate.

For hunters who like to reload their own shells, the non-ejector design is a plus. For those who prefer a gold bead front sight, the fiber optic might be a minor disappointment, but it is easy enough to ignore when you are focused on the bird.

Conclusion

The Charles Daly triple-barrel shotgun is a refreshing take on a classic idea. It brings the three-shot capacity of a pump or semi-auto to a break-action platform, with the choke flexibility to handle a wide range of upland hunting situations. The mechanical trigger, the consistent firing sequence, and the thoughtful touches like swivel studs and proud wood all point to a gun designed with real field use in mind.

It is heavier than many upland guns, and the receiver looks a bit bulky until you get used to it. But the balance works, the swing is smooth, and the three-shot capability is a genuine advantage. Whether you are chasing pheasants through brush, quail along the edges, or grouse between the trees, this gun can get the job done. It is a unique option for hunters who want something different without giving up practicality.