Few shotguns turn heads quite like the Charles Daly Triple Crown. With three barrels stacked in a triangular pattern, it’s a design that immediately invites curiosity, and once you pick it up, appreciation. Built on an enlarged break-action frame, this 12-gauge shotgun offers three shots in quick succession from a single trigger. It’s not your typical hunting gun, but it’s a well-executed blend of style and function.
Out of the Box
Inside the included classy case, the Triple Crown is well presented. Coming with the shotgun are cloth sleeves for both the barrel assembly and the receiver, giving the unboxing experience a sense of class that matches the shotgun’s premium look. Alongside the gun are five RemChokes (Skeet, Improved Cylinder, Modified, Improved Modified, and Full), providing flexibility for everything from close dove shots to longer clays. Also included is an owner’s manual and choke wrench.
The gun arrives clean and ready for assembly. Fitting the barrels and forend takes only a moment; simply align the lugs, swing the lever to secure the action, and snap the forend in place. Everything locks up tight with the satisfying feel you’d expect from a finely fitted break-action.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Charles Daly
- Model: Triple Crown
- Action: Break-Open Over/Under (Three-Barrel)
- Gauge: 12 Gauge
- Chamber: 3”
- Barrel Length: 28”
- Overall Length: 45”
- Capacity: 3 Rounds
- Receiver Material: Steel
- Finish: Matte Blue
- Stock: Checkered Walnut
- Sights: Fiber Optic Front, Vent Rib
- Weight: 8.7 lbs
- Trigger: Single-Stage
- Chokes Included: SK, IC, M, IM, Full (RemChoke Thread Pattern)
- Safety: Top Tang Button
- Case: Hard Plastic with Protective Sleeves
Design and Build Quality
The Triple Crown is built with craftsmanship and presence in mind. Between its polished steel receiver, checkered walnut furniture, and gold-plated trigger, it exudes a kind of old-world style. I feel like I should be roaming the grounds of some English castle, smoking a cigar to be handling this shotgun. The 28-inch barrels are topped with a vented rib that helps manage heat during long sessions and keeps the sight picture consistent. Utilizing a matte texture on the ribs effectively eliminates glare. Also, the simple red fiber optic bead provides a quick, intuitive aiming reference.
The overall weight, at just under nine pounds, gives it a solid feel without being cumbersome. It’s heavier than a typical over/under, but that added mass helps reduce felt recoil, especially when firing 3-inch shells. The walnut stock is sturdy, well finished, and offers just enough checkering for a confident hold even during humid or misty conditions.
The breech lever is skeletonized and slightly flared, making it easy to reach and operate. Opening the action requires a firm pull. It’s not a light break, but that resistance comes from the mechanism cocking all three internal strikers at once. While automatic ejectors would have been a nice touch, spent ones are pulled out easily enough.
Trigger and Function
This shotgun uses a single trigger to sequentially fire each barrel. My measured pull weight came in around seven pounds for the right barrel, followed by five pounds for the other two. There’s a smooth short take-up before a defined wall and a crisp break. The reset is short, allowing fast follow-up shots.
The tang-mounted safety also acts as a barrel selector. It’s easy to manipulate, even with gloves, and allows the shooter to switch barrel order on the fly. Throughout my testing, the trigger cycled through all three barrels without any mechanical hiccups or misfires.
Field Experience
I took the Triple Crown dove hunting and later used it for casual clay shooting. While the weight may deter some from carrying it long distances in the field, it performed admirably throughout my testing. The extra mass actually helped settle the gun on target.
What really stood out was the ability to have three different chokes ready at once. For fast-moving doves at mixed ranges, I could choose the barrel with the choke best suited for the shot. It’s not a feature that everyone will need, but it adds versatility for unpredictable scenarios. In a clay setup, the same logic applies. Close pairs can be handled with a wider choke, while the third barrel can reach out for a long follow-up.
During several outings in humid conditions, I didn’t encounter any rust or finish issues. The action remained tight but smooth, and cleanup was straightforward. Removing the forend releases the barrel assembly, and everything stows neatly in the included case.
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On the Range
Ammunitiontogo.com is the official ammo sponsor for this review. I ordered a case of Winchester #7 2&3/4″ shells for testing this rifle, and it was on my doorstep within the week. They offer a wide selection of competitively priced ammunition, an easy-to-use online website, quick shipping, and competitive prices. Go check them out! Also, for those who want to read up on what 12 gauge rounds might be best for dove hunting, go read up on Ammunitiontogo’s article: Dove Hunting
For sporting clays, the Triple Crown offered a fun change of pace. The unique firing sequence takes a few shots to get used to, but once familiar, it’s intuitive and fast. The balance point sits slightly forward due to the three-barrel cluster, which helps with follow-through and target tracking. Transitioning between multiple birds was easier than I expected, given the weight, and the recoil impulse was slightly gentler than most 12-gauge doubles I’ve used.
Triple Crown Final Thoughts
The Charles Daly Triple Crown is a shotgun that combines novelty with substance. It’s not meant to replace a lightweight field gun or a competition-grade over/under, but rather to deliver a unique shooting experience in a well-crafted package. With its three barrels, RemChoke versatility, clean trigger, and classic walnut-and-steel build, it’s as functional as it is eye-catching.
At an MSRP of around $2,200, it sits above most traditional doubles. However, from its included case and choke set to its solid performance in the field, the Triple Crown feels every bit the premium gun it’s intended to be. For me, it delivered an enjoyable and memorable shooting experience. It’s a conversation starter that’s still built to hunt, and one that looks every bit as classy as it shoots.
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