The Stevens 301 is a single-shot .410 break-open shotgun with a 22-inch barrel, 36-inch overall length, 3-inch chamber, and 4.60 lbs weight. The receiver is carbon steel with a matte black finish. The stock is synthetic. Sights are a simple bead. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Brand: Stevens 
• Model Name: 301 
• Caliber/Gauge: .410 GA 
• Barrel Length: 22 inches 
• Overall Length: 36 inches 
• Capacity: 1 round (single shot) 
• Weight: 4.60 lbs 
• Action Type: Break Open 
• Chamber Size: 3 inches 
• Sights Type: Bead 
• Stock Material: Synthetic 
• Receiver Material: Carbon Steel 
• Finish Color: Black (Matte Finish) 
   

Detailed Features 

 
At 36 inches and 4.60 lbs, this is a genuinely compact and light shotgun. The break-open action is about as simple as a firearm gets, one shell, one shot, then reload. That enforced cadence has real value for new shooters learning fundamentals. The carbon steel receiver is durable and the synthetic stock holds up to outdoor use without requiring care. 
 
The .410 produces noticeably less recoil than 20 or 12 gauge, which makes this a reasonable starting point for youth or recoil-sensitive shooters. 
 

Usage Scenarios 

 
Small game (rabbits, squirrels, dove) is where the .410 and this barrel length work well. The single-shot design keeps ammunition use deliberate and focused. It is also used for pest control at short range. Effective range is shorter than larger gauges; at close distances it performs exactly as expected.

The Stevens 301 Compact .410 gets consistent positive feedback for what it is: an affordable, lightweight, no-frills single-shot for smaller shooters or those new to shotguns. The 4.60-lb weight and compact 36-inch length come up repeatedly as practical advantages for youth hunters and those with smaller frames.

Accuracy at close range draws favorable comments. Users report it is adequate for small game when used within the .410's effective range. The price point is a common selling point. It's an accessible entry-level gun that doesn't ask buyers to overcommit.

A few owners raise build quality observations on fit and finish, which are minor for a gun in this price category. The more substantive discussion is around caliber limitations: the .410 is noticeably less effective at distance than 20 or 12 gauge, so it suits close-range applications and beginners better than hunting scenarios demanding range or pattern density.