While attending the SHOT Show® 2023 Industry Day at the Range, I had a chance to try out the new-to-2023 Stevens by Savage 560 semi-automatic field shotgun. It was on January 12, 2023 is when Savage publicly announced the release of the gun. I was impressed with the lightweight shotgun and connected with Savage on getting a sample for T and E.
The Stevens 560 semi-automatic field shotgun is an ultra-affordable, well-made firearm. Outfitted to accept 3” magnum loads, the shotgun could be a perfect first or second shogun for someone just getting into dynamic shotgun shooting sports/hunting. Or perfect just because you want another gun.
While having the Stevens 560 for a little over a year, I exclusively used this shotgun as my go-to when engaging in shotgun sports. While I haven’t been in the field in a dog’s age to hunt, the 560 was dragged all over New Jersey, into Pennsylvania, and down to Virginia on sporting clays shoots.
To be perfectly honest, I probably could have given a solid rundown on this firearm after taking it to the clays course and a couple of subsequent visits to the trap field, but I wanted to put the time in and get out with it.
Did I shoot cases and cases of rounds through the gun? No. And, important to note, I shot only low brass target loads while using it. That said, I think it’s important to point out right away that there were maybe two or three malfunctions with the firearm failing to fully eject a spent shell between shots. No other failures or malfunctions. It’s hardly broken in, really.
In the year of having the 560, which was offered to me at an editorial price because I needed more than the customary 90 days to test the gun, I got it out more than five or so times.
I like how easy to handle the 560 is. The lightweight aluminum receiver has the gun clocking in at 6.61 lbs total and all of the controls are easy to access and manipulate. The safety and bolt release are easy to engage and disengage. A 28” field barrel makes the firearm swing and get on targets quickly with ease.
The bolt handle departs a bit from a traditional curved lever and embraces a more tactical and rugged stippled construction. Pulling back on the bolt handle came without difficulty and the design is both functional and aesthetically appealing.
Cycling of the gas-operated semi-automatic action seemed to be nearly flawless. As noted above, there were a handful of issues with shells not fully ejecting, but let’s be honest, the gun is still just a baby with only around 700 shells having been pushed through it. That, and as I also explained, I used target loads only when firing the gun.
When the firearm would cycle, the action was fairly crisp. I have some old semis that sound like Optimus Prime changing over from a truck to a humanoid robot when they cycle shells. If you’re really paying attention, you can hear the action on the 560, but it’s not jarring like a sack of doorknobs falling down a set of glass stairs. In short, it’s impressively smooth, especially for the moderate price point.
I grew up popping ducks and shooting clays with 300 series Berettas. While this is comparing different guns from different eras, I can say that only someone paying attention and attuned to the guns would notice an action difference.
The trigger on the 560 is about par for the course on a field shotgun. I measured the weight using a Wheeler Professional Digital Trigger Gauge that they sent me for T and E use. After taking six measurements, the average trigger weight came to 6 lbs 12.5 oz. The trigger is advertised to be 5 lbs. My low was 6 lbs and 3.3 oz and my high of 7 lbs 5.3 oz. A little over a pound and a half difference between my observed and the advertised weights.
The furniture on the 560 is made of Turkish walnut. The stock and forend are handsome and give a splash of class to this shotgun of a newer design with some modern elements.
How’d I do with the 560 on the course? Great! I shattered every single bird that I shot at with the 560! That’s 100% false. How would I say I performed? Fair. I don’t get out to the field as much as I’d like, but while running the 560, I enjoyed myself and broke plenty of birds.
While revisiting Central Virginia Sporting Clays, the day after a shoot to take some lifestyle photos and do some filming unrelated to this evaluation, there was a fellow shooter there I met who was running solo. I invited him to come out on the course to try the shotgun. The gentleman had a matching set of 20 and 12-gauge Caesar Guerini shotguns with him.
I don’t know if the guy was trying to be nice or what, but he expressed that he was super impressed with the gun after shooting it. People in that area of Virginia I notice tend to be much more kind than the folks I’m accustomed to from Jersey. He asked a little more about it and what the price was. I explained to him the MSRP was $499.00 and he was shocked.
The only real negative thing that I have to say about the gun really has nothing to do with the gun at all. For what you’re getting at the price point, this is a great choice. My gripe actually was with the manual. The owner’s manual was lacking a little.
Some information was missing, in particular a key for the choke tube designations. After a little research, I was able to figure them out, but that information should have been in the manual laid out in full. A brand new gun owner might have found the lack of information to be frustrating, or worse yet, them not knowing what they need to know about chokes, etc.
“We’re thrilled to introduce the 560 Field and 334 to our line of new firearms for 2023,” said Beth Shimanski, Director of Marketing at Savage Arms, at the time of the 560’s release. “It’s no secret that with the Stevens name comes proven accuracy and classic exterior touch. These shotguns and rifles are perfect for any type of shooter or hunter looking for the right gun, with unmatched features, at the right price.” I certainly agree that the 560 is a shotgun that’s more than capable.
After spending some time with the 560, I have to say I have no buyer’s remorse. I’m holding onto this one. While I won’t be turning to it for my everyday go-to for shooting clays, it’s a nice piece to have in the safe and a gun I’m more than comfortable with lending out to a friend if they need one when we’re hitting the course. Should I find myself chasing after birds again in the future, I’ll probably take the 560 out.
For more information on the Stevens 560 by Savage, you can check the gun out on its information page HERE.
Some of the advertised features of the 560:
- 3” Chamber Gas Operated Shotgun
- Turkish Walnut Stock & Fore-end
- Raised ventilated rib with fiber optic front sight
- Lightweight Aluminum Alloy Receiver
- Hard Chrome Lined Barrel
- Manual Safety
- Over-sized Controls
- Trigger Guard Safety
- Includes 3 Chokes (IC, IM, F)
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