If a shooter favors the looks and feel of a semiautomatic, the Model 828U may be just the ticket. The latter has laser-cut panels of fish scale checkering at its lower rear corners along with floral scroll engraving designs in panels on the top, sides and bottom. Both inserting and withdrawing shells and spent hulls, even with a gloved hand, is noticeably less difficult than with many other over-unders and a real boon in the field when reloading. YMMV. True to Vignarolis characterizations, the 828U proved to be a very dependable gun and ejection of spent hulls was in fact very energetic. Everyone who shot the gun had positive things to say about its neutral balance, ease of pointing and light weight. I have never seen one being shot in person. Think I'll just order from soortsmans and they say i can always decline it when it shows up if it's not my cup of tea. Copyright 2023 National Rifle Association. Print Thread: Benelli 828U Sport or Beretta 694 Sporting #8514994 01/27/22 02:45 PM: Joined: Dec 2010. I might sell a kidney to get one. Poor gun fit increases felt recoil, and insufficient drop is the main culprit, but the 828's three-tiered shim system lets you go from 42.5mm to 65mm of drop in 2.5mm increments until you get the perfect fit. I think the Sporting version does have an all steel receiver. The Benelli didn't fill me with the same inspiration. My first impressions of the gun, shooting at quick, going-away presentations, was one of seamlessness as it came from the high-ready position to my face. Why are you disassembling it so often? They usually have a couple under glass for sale. Both chokes however would screw into the bottom barrel with absolutely no issue. I bought an 828U Sport May 2019 - 30" tubes, travelled some distance to buy one with a decent bit of wood - some of them look like they have stocks made from reclaimed pallets. They have sold so few new ones there simply aren't many on the street.Look on Gun Broker. Current offerings are in 12 gauge with 3" chambers and 26" or 28" barrels. Benellis Over/Under Shotgun Cant Beat Browning, Low profile silver nitride, with roll engraving, Grade II/III checkered walnut, gloss oil finish. Written and photographed by Ralph Winingham, using evaluations from Gun Tests team testers. Download the appropriate manual for your Benelli shotgun or rifle. I'm trying to be the person my Little Brown Dog acts like I am. That the 828U breaks with the tradition of previous over-under shotguns and with all other guns that have come from its family before it is without question. The sporting model is almost $4000. Our trip to the patterning board before field testing on the clay target range with the Browning was an eye-opener. In the case of the Benelli 828U, it's a matter of 'easy if you know how', and even then both removal and refitting of the breach face baffled me for some time. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! A forum community dedicated to Shotgun owners and enthusiasts including the Remington, Beretta, and Mossberg shotguns brands. After that round I omitted the Benelli 828 from my list of "want to try". After all, its corporate parent since 2000, Beretta, had been in the gun business 441 years longer and, during that time, had managed to turn out more than a few fine side-by-sides and over-unders. Also, for the $$, there's a lot of quality gun options competing with it. Press J to jump to the feed. We achieved very few hard, solid breaks with either of the two test loads fired at various targets, both close and far, using the Benelli. A replaceable, solid carbon-fiber vented sighting rib measuring 0.280" wide is topped with an 0.078" red fiber-optic pipe set about 1" back from the muzzle. The new model features a rounded forearm designed with a slight palm rest, high-relief engraving on the receiver, and ivory front and mid-bead sights. And that brings up another major point in describing how the 828U is different from traditional over-unders. When I picked up the 828u it felt very similar to me, probably the first o/u that I really liked the feel of. The breech block also contains the spring-loaded firing pins, making them easily replaceable should the need arise. Buddy of mine bought one because he duck hunted with s SBE. On another thread someone mentioned that street price for a new 828U Sport was already in the $3300 range. Says they are LH in 12 gauge, but should give you a feel for the gun and you can order what you want then. But Is It Really That Good?Prior to going afield with the 828U in South Dakota, our party of writers had the opportunity to try it on machine-thrown clays launched off a bluff at the ranch, which overlooks the scenic Missouri River Valley. Just to clarify, I am interested in the sport model (black steel receiver with SPORT written on the side). My buddy bought one for a retirement present for himself. And that it does so confidently and beautifully is difficult to deny. It is a pen that a lot of people use for writing, especially in college. The internal recoil system did nothing for me, although I have had 4 shoulder surgeries. It then recocks the strikers and resets the automatic safety unless a spring steel clip (below, l.) is removed. Citori. Benelli is not giving me any additional information, but have stated it is damaged and they will not repair or replace the wear I have apparently done. Im not a shotgun expert by any means but before I bought the super vinci a few years ago I picked up as many shotguns as I could and that one felt right immediately to me. You must log in or register to reply here. The 828U is what you would expect from Benelli - a hardworking, lightweight and low-recoil shotgun. BE SURE TO SHOOT IT FIRST! You don't want opinions on the gun, but that's the truth. The stock A subject close to my heart, and one I can grasp more easily than the benefits of a replaceable breech face, is gun fit. With this in mind, this is an easy to use pen that you can write with on the inside of your computer. I believe his 828 has 30's and that might have been by choice as he is a smaller guy. I am not/have not advertised it; but, I'd likely sell it, it is just sitting there unused and unappreciated. In combination with five drop shims and four cast shims, each of which fits between the receiver and buttstock, a few minutes of tinkering can result in 40 different combinations of stock adjustment. The gun's main appeal is the weight, and it is light. The Benelli 828U differs from its' break-open brethren in several ways. Our shooters documented no handling problems in any of our testing. As far as technology is concerned, the Benelli 828U Shotgun stands out from the crowd with the help of next generation of recoil reduction and progressive comfort; custom fit with the QuadraFit Buttstock and Custom Fit Stock that is adjustable drop and cast; and Crio system for more uniform pattern. Ridiculously overpriced. While some will pan the 828U because it doesnt fit their notion of what an over-under should be, othersparticularly fans of Benellis unique style of engineeringalong with those apt to being open-minded about unexpected new offerings, may find the 828U difficult to resist. The Benelli 828U is a major disappointment and an outright embarrassment. Excellent - 95%+ condition with or without box. The block also contains spring-retracted firing pins that are impacted by strikers during firing. Instead I have a set of four rather specific questions that I think are appropriate to ask to the group of (knowledgeable) strangers on this forum. The chambers are then machined directly into the monobloc to ensure precise chamber alignment and finish. It is held just forward of the receivers face by two small springs when the action is open, and, as the gun closes, a lug in the monobloc under the lower barrel engages a recess at the blocks bottom, and a groove on the monoblocs upper end engages a lip at the blocks top, locking the two together and pressing the block reward against the receivers face. They are not cheap as they run about $2,300 for the black receiver and $2,600 for the silver receiver. I dont have one, but have fondled one a few times at the local shop. Even with the light loads used in the testing, recoil was significantly more noticeable than with shots fired in the Browning. To whatever extent we guessed where they were headed merely validated the instincts of a company that manages to stay one step ahead of the market. Overall, no major complaints were registered regarding the 828Ua testimony to the guns overall design. In 2014, early production samples were unveiled during an upland hunt at Browns Hunting Ranch near the town of Gettysburg in the pheasant-rich game fields of South Dakota. Benelli says that they subjectively estimate the felt-recoil reduction at around 30 percent. Two small springs (arrow) hold the block away from the receivers face when the action is open so that it is positioned to interlock with the monobloc as the action hinges shut. It fit me very well (needed to switch to a lower drop shim). Technical innovation must drive it, and function and durability must trump styling, but, ultimately, the styling must be distinctive. Benelli 828U Black Anodized & Blued 12 Gauge 3in Over Under Shotgun - 28in - A shotgun that feels and shoots like a Benelli from the moment you pick it up to the moment you break it open. He has used it in S.D. Benelli 828U Sport The action was not at all stiff. This new field model patterned well, broke targets well, and looked good while doing its job. It was in the shop more than on the range. It may not display this or other websites correctly. 828U Sport, always black, steel action so heavier, better recoil characteristics. Firing the Winchester Extra-Lite No. It features a single, selective inertia trigger system with a tang-mounted barrel selector/safety button. Here's the inside story of what they found and how they're rebuilding an industry giant. According to Vignaroli, The modularity of the design means that the function of the various subassemblies is almost independent. He added that, Wherever it is needed is strong material; wherever it is not needed is light material. For instance, the aluminum receiver is unstressed, and departs even from other aluminum-receiver shotguns in the sense that its hinge and locking components do not directly bear the brunt of firing stresses. In the past I've found that Gunbroker is not a reliable indicator of street price, though I certainly could be wrong on this one. Here are our findings: This is another in a long line of solid, fine-handling over and unders. So we had to pay particular attention to the right angle and the right ergonomics of this lever through its geometry, Vignaroli said. Click to reveal The Beretta you have will run circles around it if it fits you. Has anyone on this site purchased a Benelli 828 U? Hello I purchased a 828U several months ago in 12 gauge, and have had nothing but problems. Beretta A400 Xcel "Black" Cole Special - Beretta A400 Xcel 20 Gauge - Beretta A400 28 Gauge -. For younger shooters or shooters with shorter arms, the new Benelli 828U Compact comes with a 26-inch barrel and 14-inch length of pull, shortened from the 828U's original 14 3/8 inches. At this point, its worth noting that the 828U was designed for easy access to its breech. Results with the Improved Cylinder choke were substantially worse. A carbon-fibre rib sits atop the 30in barrels, and a unique, patented steel locking system has been developed by Benelli's engineers to reduce wear and tear on the action. The pen is very comfortable to write with, and is the perfect size for comfortable writing. In addition, the Model 828U has a unique lever that re-cocks the hammers when pushed to the right, rather than relying on opening the action to reset the hammers as in standard over-and-unders. Unfortunately, this is a gross misconception that needs to be rectified. I would have it. JavaScript is disabled. The fore-end iron attaches in such a way that the fore-end itself is nothing more than a cosmetic cover. It was about as loon as my A400 xcel reciever, balance from what I remember felt so so, it didn't fit me at all, and it felt like it swung light, as a field gun should or would. Somebody with too much money paid about $700 to take one shot with it and decide he didn't like it. I'm not sure why I need to get short and rude responses. So maybe nearer 10,000 shells down the tubes and an intermittent problem has appeared when the gun is warm - the bottom barrel fails to fire, all I hear is that faintest of clicks - rather than the typical sound of a triggered firing pin, the primer of the shell is untouched (have eliminated low primers, changed brand of shell to no avail), when cool it's back to . The 828U is not cocked by any system of rods or levers, but rather by the top lever itself. Oof. (20-gauge) While the aforementioned is readily apparent by examining the guns exterior, it is inside that the Benelli departs from, or, more properly, defies convention. I've seen/read a LOT more dissatisfied comments and very few positive ones. These old-fashioned scatterguns are often viewed as traditional and many believe they simply can't compare to modern semi-auto or pump-action models. This tendency to shoot low and left went a long way toward explaining why our teams target busting experience with the Benelli was much less than satisfactory. However, a guy at our club has a new 30" 828U Sport and it felt really nice (I didn't get to shoot it). Have only shouldered one, never had a chance to shoot one. Our conclusion was that the Model 828U system doesnt like light loads not a good thing in a light firearm. Perhaps because of the well-known reputation of Benelli as the maker of fine semiautomatics, even a casual observer will notice the new Model 828U almost appears to have been constructed with some semiautomatic parts or features. The 828U and it's sporting counterpart are simply ill designed for heavy sporting use. The Benelli 828u is a pen that I received as a gift. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. A. . Maybe it's not beautiful in every way, but the ability to adjust this firearm makes it a fine choice for . The solid carbon-fiber rib is another potentially customizable component, requiring only the loosening of a single screw for removal. Our Team Said: This shotgun, whose predecessors date back more than 40 years, is a true tribute to the solid, reliable, high-quality Browning over-and-unders on the market today. It's the OU that folks love to hate, I guess it bucks traditional builds and some folks just aren't receptive to that. This Benelli test target is "within parameters" according to Benelli. I actually bought one for my daughter, she probably shot 100 rounds through it on the Skeet field, it was too light for her, odd, she is a whopping 110 lbs., she ended up liking my old 325 the best, that is what she is shooting. An 828U sport with 30 inch barrels. The plate features four contact points with the barrel and moves forward and backward on springs as the shotgun is opened and closed. It's your money - your decision, asking strangers won't really help you decide- good luck. Good to see an honest and thorough review too many around that arent. I shot 50 rounds and was impressively sore. Benelli 828U Black Anodized & Blued 12 Gauge 3in Over Under Shotgun - 28in, https://www.benelliusa.com/shotguns/828-u-upland-performance-shop-shotguns, Recommendation for a tarp for my pack - mostly going to use to put quarters on but, FORLOH AllClima Softshell and AllClima Stretch Woven Pant Review. Such is the case with the new Benelli Model 828U that made a big splash at the January 2015 SHOT Show. I have shot one and it's definitely no slouch but after years of growing up on Bronwing SO's and now Beretta 68x guns I just can't get with it, it's just too "different" for me to get comfortable with. And due to the stupid barrel overlap at the receiver, you can't use sub gauge tubes. 10701 12 Gauge, $2,500 GUN TESTS GRADE: C Although Benelli has a reputation for producing high-quality semiautomatic shotguns, we found the company's new over/under was lacking in both appearance and performance. I shot it and it didn't fit me , pretty sure that I swallowed a couple of fillings that day. We found the Browning hit targets hard when the shooter puts the pattern in the right place at the right time. Secondly, the polyurethane comb cushions any residual impact to your face. She praised the guns appearance, calling it nice and light and adding that it balanced and came to the face well. It has a nice weight and balance, and has a battery that lasts up to 3 hours. Poor patterns, weak target hits, and uninspiring features all contributed to our low grade for this shooting tool. A point of potential mechanical wear, the hinge pins, while relatively small in diameter, are made of steel and serve only to pivot the monobloc on the receiver. People are not being rude, but they are probably of the opinion that casting rose petals on a pile of dooty will not improve the stench. The action on the Benelli Sport II is strong, fast, and flawlessly cycles pretty much any target load you try to feed it. Rather, the guns strikers are cocked by operating the top-mounted opening lever. Most noticeable is the shotguns patented locking mechanism that incorporates a free-floating locking plate in the front of the aluminum receiver. with pheasant hunting every year has one and likes it. American Rifleman Assistant Editor Christopher Olsen, a dedicated hunter and clays shooter, described it as fast-handling and its balance as perfect. His sentiments were reinforced by his sister, Samantha, another NRA employee and a collegiate-level trap shooter. A tool (below, r.) is included to detach the module from the gun. https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/benelli er-shotgun. Want more gun reviews? In the field, my first shot on a live bird brought a similar, satisfying experience. A U-shaped spring steel wire clip attached to the cocking plate automatically activates the safety when the gun is broken open, but can be removed by the user to deactivate that feature. Recently, in a move unexpected by nearly everyone. " But if you look at the under side of the safety lever with the trigger group out and work it back and forth you can see studs on both sides that ride under spring arms. Benelli 828U Sport RRP 3,545. The Price for a Benelli 828U has decreased in cost by $483.54 in 2023 compared to 2022. I have been wanting to buy some benelli pens for a while now, so Im glad I bought it at a discounted price. Your email address will not be published. The modified choke in the top barrel produced a 39-61 percent pattern, with 306 hits (46 percent) in the 20-inch circle around the center. I'm seriously into shooting, I'm not a troll, and I have a lot of respect for the knowledge and experience of the people who post here frequently. Come join the discussion about optics, hunting, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! This field shotgun provided a solid, well-balanced platform for handling clays and birds, as expected. The companys first attempt at offering shooters a stack-barrel, rather than a semiautomatic, prompted our readers to call for our shotgun test team to put together a match-up of the Benelli 828U with a comparable model made by another firearm manufacturer. Assistant Editor Christopher Olsen, a dedicated hunter and clays shooter, described it as fast-handling and its balance as perfect. His sentiments were reinforced by his sister, Samantha, another NRA employee and a collegiate-level trap shooter. A plain top lever lies just ahead of the safety along the left side. in front of their join at the monobloc to a point 2" from the muzzle. A forum community dedicated to Shotgun owners and enthusiasts including the Remington, Beretta, and Mossberg shotguns brands. Poor patterns, weak target hits, and uninspiring features all contributed to our low grade for this shooting tool. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. And if Benellis track record is any indication, there are likely to be extensions to the new over-under linea scaled 20 gauge would be a neat trick indeedin the years ahead. But 30" in the 828u Sport (target gun). I hear it's dead easy to disable, but blimey the number of swear words during out 60 clay trying was rather large :-) 2) During our test, there was a case where the gun didn't close. Required fields are marked *. I decided that I wanted to become a member and contribute to this community, and posted some questions in a respectful manner. You are using an out of date browser. Same thing happened again first time I attempted to assemble/disassemble the firearm. Seems to me most of the guys shooting this gun are hard-core SBE shooters with a well developed sense of loyalty. Although Benelli has a reputation for producing high-quality semiautomatic shotguns, we found the companys new over/under was lacking in both appearance and performance. This pen is currently only available for $39.95 at benelli.com, and it is available in 16 different colors. When you are in a hurry, it is easy to forget to hold the pencil, or not to look at your phone. The swing was beautiful but the recoil destroyed me. The company promoted the design as Inertia Drivea form of delayed-blowback operationbut, in a twist of literary serendipity, the ID label came to be synonymous with its corporate identity. The pen is a very small, lightweight pen in a nice color. We have patterned several Browning shotguns featuring the Invector DS (Double Seal) chokes and found the tubes seem to pattern very well. Discuss firearms, politics, 2nd amendment news. You know, the funny thing is that I've probably spent hundreds of hours reading these forums over the last few years. There were 202 hits in the 20-inch circle with the Modified choke and 164 hits with the Improved Cylinder choke. Back at the office, during the course of several weeks shooting in different settings and throughout several hundred shells worth of varied ammunitionwhether plastic- or paper-hulled, having high or low brass heads and in various payload weights and velocitiesan informal test group encountered no failures with our nickel-finish, 28"-barreled test sample. Wasn't that. My understanding is that there is a major difference in handling and recoil between the 828U and the 828U sport. Only broken it down 2-3 times. I don't particularly care for the looks but I'm old school. They are generally not well regarded, in spite of several glowing articles by gun writers. The construction of the barrel assembly is fairly unconventional. Error Code pii_email_a42277285fa7a777ff7e Solved, Personally identifiable information PII doesnt belong in your email University Information Technology The University of Utah, How to Get Rid of the pii_email_e7ab94772079efbbcb25 Error. A tweak here and a tweak there have been billed as making the new Model 725 Field a top pick for clays and birds. At the same time, and with a lot less fanfare, over/under manufacturer Browning Arms introduced a field version of its popular Citori Model 725, which is the latest in the Citori Model 25 line that dates back to the 1970s. Lithe, purposeful and menacing in black, the 828U Sport looks like it's spoiling for a fight straight out of the box. Realize, too, that this was legitimate wild-bird hunting among wide-open crop fields and across rolling terrain that was as natural as pheasant habitat gets. 828U. Benelli used everything they know about making shotguns simple, easy to carry all day, and reliable, to create their first over-under. I showed my wife, asked her which one she likes better, she said the silver receiverfunny how when I told her it was $500 more, she changed her mind to the black one. Until now, over-unders have been the province of traditional gunmaking, in which the various mechanical functions were interrelated by mechanisms that had to be finished by hand to ensure reliability. Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. Realize, too, that this was legitimate wild-bird hunting among wide-open crop fields and across rolling terrain that was as natural as pheasant habitat gets.