Connecting with birds under such conditions can be a challenge, and it requires a gun that points naturally, swings fast and predictably and is capable of shooting tight patterns. That makes bringing it to the target nearly effortless. The length of pull was 14.75 inches. 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. One of the problems with using it is that I cant write without it, and it is really tough to write without it. An included tool allows easy removal of the module from the gun. The breech block also contains the spring-loaded firing pins, making them easily replaceable should the need arise. Pressing it fully through its arc first withdraws two barrel locking pins from their recesses in the monobloc then rotates a lever fitted with a roller within the receiver that presses back a cocking plate in the trigger module to load the striker springs. The shotgun just does not have the feel and look of a standard over-and-under. The 828U is a lightweight gunimportant for a long session of upland hunting in which it is likely to be carried much more of the time than it is shotbut it is the distribution of the weight. Benelli has very little experience with over/unders. For a gun with some familiar features, such as a walnut buttstock and fore-end, the 828U also has quite a few unexpected innovations. BE SURE TO SHOOT IT FIRST! We should note that the version of the Benelli made available to us was a 26-inch-barrel anodized-aluminum receiver model, while the Browning provided featured 28-inch barrels and a silver nitrite receiver. I have used it for hours at a time, and it is very comfortable to write with. And that it does so confidently and beautifully is difficult to deny. Overall, our test team members were satisfied with that configuration. It may not display this or other websites correctly. The Benelli 828U differs from its' break-open brethren in several ways. If you take a look at some of the videos that I have been sharing on YouTube, you will see that people are not always sure what they are doing. It makes the gun handle, and perform better in the long term. I have only seen one in the wild as well, a guy had one last year at a local shoot, 30 inch tubes, and black reciever, totally different looking gun in person then in videos and internet pictures etc. I shot 50 rounds and was impressively sore. I shoot quite a bit, so I know that this should tell me something! I have no idea what I could be doing to cause this issue. It worked. That is always the answer before buying a new gun. It seems like the 828U Sport is a better gun than the original/field model 828U, certainly so for clay shooting. A guy at a field trial I was at a year ago had one and I really liked it. The Benelli does beat the weight issue, at some cost IMHO. I did get an exceptional deal on it. Posted by 2 years ago Archived This offers added durability and eliminates the need . I would have it. Should not take a lot of force to snap closed. JavaScript is disabled. The other issue already mentioned is long term durability due to the alloy receiver. 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. Maybe one of those that you either love it or hate it. Internally, the Browning has a mechanical trigger system, back-bored barrels with lengthened forcing cones, and the Invector-DS internal choke tube system, with Improved Cylinder, Modified, and Full tubes included with the Field model, the same features introduced when the original Model 725 hit the market. A colleague of mine had one of the sporting versions. Buy, Sell, and Trade your Firearms and Gear. Poor patterns, weak target hits, and uninspiring features all contributed to our low grade for this shooting tool. Elsewhere, we thought the stock, forearm, and barrel finish on the Benelli seemed to closely resemble the features of a semiautomatic, rather than exhibiting the typical look and style of an over-and-under in its price range. The Benelli 828U Cannot for the life of me find one on the shelf to shoulder. 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. 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. I like the unusual appearance, most people don't. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Hardly ever. Connecting with birds under such conditions can be a challenge, and it requires a gun that points naturally, swings fast and predictably and is capable of shooting tight patterns. We had plenty of semi-automatics, so we wanted to go in a complementary sector by adding a product that would match the needs of other Benelli customers, said Vignaroli. To subscribe to the magazine,visit theNRA membership page here and selectAmerican Rifleman as your member magazine. Make one with a steel receiver, adjustable rib 30" and 32" barrels, improve the trigger a little bit, and get rid the funky comb and people would be breaking down their door to buy one. To consistently break targets, particularly those with any distance on them, we had to hold high and right, not the accepted and typical practice of shooting where you look. As noted earlier, this is the latest version of a long line of Browning over-and-unders that have found favor with the shooting public. The fore-end iron attaches in such a way that the fore-end itself is nothing more than a cosmetic cover. With birds in the air, we should note we were particularly impressed with the trigger-pull touch-offs of 4.5 pounds for the bottom barrel and 4.25 for the top barrel. I like the unusual appearance, most people don't. I am not/have not advertised it; but, I'd likely sell it, it is just sitting there unused and unappreciated. I thought it felt very much like my super vinci in regards to the balance and mounting. The Beretta you have will run circles around it if it fits you. JavaScript is disabled. Ridiculously overpriced. You are using an out of date browser. I decided that I wanted to become a member and contribute to this community, and posted some questions in a respectful manner. 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. https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/benelli er-shotgun. For our firing tests, we set up at the patterning range where we quickly discovered that the Crio Flush Fit chokes (Cylinder, Improved Cylinder, Modified, Improved Modified and Full) included with the package were not a match for the Browning. In fact, Benelli became so well-known for its semi-automatic shotguns that it found itself a bit typecast. Nsca # 540300. Thanks, won't be out that way until end of Aug. 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. The First Benelli 828u video of UK Stock and we thought. We value freedom of speech as much as we do the right to keep and bear arms. Only broken it down 2-3 times. Along the way, it earned the respect of a new generation of hardcore duck and goose hunters beset by the same kind of weather and environmental conditions that had caused their fathers to rely on pump guns. As if I could actually write with my pen. Oof. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. The pen is a nice size, and has a nice weight. Vignaroli used the term global comfort to describe the 828Us combination of weight, balance and ergonomics. AgainI shot a very limited number of times. Maybe it's just me but I'm not a fan of field O/U's with aluminum receivers. If you're only going to drag it out for upland a dozen hunts a year or less I think one could justify it. I had the opportunity to shoot a guys Benelli 828 12 ga. at some clays yesterday. In the field, my first shot on a live bird brought a similar, satisfying experience. Your email address will not be published. A 60/40 pattern is 3 inches high, a 70/30 pattern is 6 inches high at 40 yards. A transverse passage in each chamber contains a floating pin that is bumped a few thousandths of an inch to actuate sears on the ejector body on either side of the monobloc, causing the extractors to forcefully throw empty hulls free of the gun. It is designed to provide a stronger, tighter seal, but to our eyes, it looks like something that could be found in a semiautomatic shotgun. I doubt anyone would have bet that the most innovative gun of the year would be an over-and-under, but that's what Benelli pulled off with the 828U, earning an Innovator's Award for 2015. Your Worst Nightmare About benelli 828u problems Come to Life - Skeet Action Shooting Your Worst Nightmare About benelli 828u problems Come to Life If you take a look at some of the videos that I have been sharing on YouTube, you will see that people are not always sure what they are doing. Our conclusion was that the Model 828U system doesnt like light loads not a good thing in a light firearm. - Benelli. 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 828U is not cocked by any system of rods or levers, but rather by the top lever itself. It swings well, points naturally, and has a classic ribbed target barrel that makes it super easy to draw a bead on fast-moving targets. Time will tell. Lots of 'creep' and pretty heavynot knowing the formal measurement. But it pointed well, swung nicely without being too whippy or too sluggish. In addition, such guns were usually made with steel receivers that bore the stresses of firing, meaning that their bolting and hinge mechanisms had to be made to account for wear that occurs after repeated use. The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time. I shot it and it didn't fit me , pretty sure that I swallowed a couple of fillings that day. My buddy bought one for a retirement present for himself. I personally have doubts about it holding up to heavy shells and shooting at volume. The gun's main appeal is the weight, and it is light. I have good things to say about all of them. It consists of a cast steel fire control housing pinned to an aluminum trigger guard. JavaScript is disabled. (12-gauge); 26, 28 in. If anyone that owns a benelli says they dont like the 828U they have deeper issues than we should get into on rockslide. It handled very well on the clay-target course, excelled on the patterning board, and helps a shooter look sharp to his compatriots while serving as a solid shooting tool. 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. May just be magic beans but reading and listening to the reps the action design is very interesting and the first major divergence from the John Browning friction design. Unfortunately, I think it would be great for other people as well. Excellent - 95%+ condition with or without box. Have only shouldered one, never had a chance to shoot one. The 828U makes some guys turn into hostile teenage girls. I am wondering if anyone can give me insight as to what I am doing wrong? I know steel inserts in the breech face are part of the 828U design, but the lack of weight mid point I suspect hurts it as a target gun. They do support the Franchi line, which isn't exactly an endorsement. Has anyone on this site purchased a Benelli 828 U? 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Do they make these in longer barrel lengths yet? This pen is currently only available for $39.95 at benelli.com, and it is available in 16 different colors. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! Culminating in the 1993 introduction of the Super Black Eagle, one of the first semi-automatics capable of firing 2", 3" and 3" shells, the Inertia Drive system proved reliable to a fault throughout two-and-a-half decades of service in a series of models. Hello I purchased a 828U several months ago in 12 gauge, and have had nothing but problems. There were only 38 pellet hits above the center of the target and several large areas with no strikes at all. Shooters of all ages seem to be fascinated with new toys from names they know particularly if the latest and greatest will help break a few more clays or help fill up the game bag a little quicker. Most noticeable is the shotguns patented locking mechanism that incorporates a free-floating locking plate in the front of the aluminum receiver. Defiantly not my favorite sporting gun but it wasn't designed for that. Wasn't that. Each barrel is soldered to protrusions machined over the one-piece, heat-treated monobloc. The lever cocking the firing mechanism felt very solid and is a new concept you don't see on other guns. The 828U differs in a couple of important respects. Its weak, problematic ejection, vulgar aesthetics, high recoil and annoyingly violent gun movement is topped-off with a nosebleed price. It is released by pressing a button at its front. And due to the stupid barrel overlap at the receiver, you can't use sub gauge tubes. Somebody with too much money paid about $700 to take one shot with it and decide he didn't like it. A tweak here and a tweak there have been billed as making the new Model 725 Field a top pick for clays and birds. Discuss firearms, politics, 2nd amendment news. He has used it in S.D. I even tried to tell her I wanted to buy her a new shotgun didnt fly when she saw the price tag. 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. But againit's hard to build a field gun with a steel receiver under 7.0 lbs in 12 ga. Very nice gun and I liked the slim profile, but didn't impress me enough that I would buy one. That's harsh Randy, but I certainly appreciate the thoughts. This Benelli test target is "within parameters" according to Benelli. When innovation and inspiration collided the 828U was born the first over/under worthy of the Benelli Not sure how far you are from Ogden UT or Salt Lake City, looks like Impact Guns has a few in stock. I feel like when I looked at them the longest I could find was a 28, 26" and 28" I believe in the 828uthe field gun. Because of reasons like their better handling ability, two-choke option, and the fact that most clay target shooting is limited to taking only two shots at a time, stackbarrels reign over clays. The construction of the barrel assembly is fairly unconventional. Gun Value Conditions explained: New in box - 100% condition in unopened box. Again, unlike shotguns of old, which required fitting by an expert and labor-intensive, permanent changes to the stock, the Benelli system is relatively simple to customize by the end user simply by referring to a fitting table in the owners manual. 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. Over on Shotgun World in I love my Benelli, there have been some problems reported about the 828 U trigger assembly dropping out, ejector problems and problems with the breech lock popping open. The ammunition, too, obviously, plays an important part, and ours was, somewhat appropriately, an Italian-made. When I first got the firearm it became stuck in the cracked open position not able to come apart or even be closed. Benelli Model 828U No. It is a great pen, and I really like 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. It seems like the 828U Sport is a better gun than the original/field model 828U, certainly so for clay shooting. Key to the 828Us operation is a steel breech block that engages corresponding surfaces on the monobloc as the action is closed, containing the firing forces. Recently, in a move unexpected by nearly everyone, Benelli created an all-new, lightweight over-underthe 828Uand, with it, an opportunity to capitalize on its reputation among brand loyalists, waterfowlers and shotgunners in general. 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. 8 shot and an average muzzle velocity of 1,200 fps. The 828U represents a true breakthrough in over-under shotgun design, and Benelli hopes it will also help the company break through with a whole new group of upland and recreational sport shooters. 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. Have you seen one or held one? B Britlover Member Feb 19, 2020 #5 I bought one about 3 years ago. The most notable difference is that the 828 features a floating steel breech block within its' aluminum receiver. 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. Plus, there are some markets not open to semi-automatics, such as Australia, that we wanted to enterto expand and add an additional horse to the team. He said the gun was initially conceived as being less for competitive clays shooters and more for general sporting and hunting customers. Rather, the guns strikers are cocked by operating the top-mounted opening lever. Technical innovation must drive it, and function and durability must trump styling, but, ultimately, the styling must be distinctive. A. . With that being said, every gun I have bought I have shot beforehand, so it would be uncharacteristic for me to buy one without trying it, though it is clear there aren't many of these around. Recoil with the Browning using the two light loads was well within the comfortable range, and spent shells were ejected with authority each and every time there were no malfunctions of any kind. JavaScript is disabled. Hosts Mark and Robin Braatens comfortable lodge provided an ideal setting in which I was able to discuss the guns design with the Urbino-based engineer who spearheaded it: Marco Vignaroli. The Fire-Lite mechanical triggers in the Model 725 are both smooth and crisp, going the extra step to help a shooter stay on target when touching off a shot. An added benefit of the levers graceful design is that the shooting-hand thumb can rest naturally alongside it atop the receiver. You should make sure the barrel lug is seating firmly on the pivot pin before closing. Women On Target Instructional Shooting Clinics, Volunteer At The Great American Outdoor Show, Marion P. Hammer Women Of Distinction Award, Women's Wildlife Management / Conservation Scholarship, National Youth Shooting Sports Cooperative Program, Weatherby Brings Back the Orion Over/Under Shotgun, Winchesters New King Buck Classic Youth Sporting Clays Event Will Have $10,000 In Prizes | An NRA Shooting Sports Journal, Rifleman Q&A: St. Louis Arms Co. That truism may be one of the reasons why the release of a first-ever over/under produced by veteran semiautomatic manufacturer Benelli was greeted with such fanfare. Thanks for the replies. 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 . More importantly, everything it makes has the performance to match. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It is no stretch to suggest that the new gun offers appealing aesthetics, innovative engineering, precise manufacturing, intuitive handling and satisfying shootability. By the time the shot connected, he was likely 50 or more yards out, but was hit solidly by the center of the swarm, which sent him unceremoniously into the stubble. 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. The 828U Compact, which weighs 6.5 pounds, features an engraved nickel plated receiver and has an MSRP of $2,999. They are generally not well regarded, in spite of several glowing articles by gun writers. Good to see an honest and thorough review too many around that arent. But its also true that the 828U upholds at least one traditionthat of being a uniquely innovative and distinctive firearm bearing the now-famous marque of a motorcycle-turned-gunmaker named Benelli. The 828U opened and closed smoothly and felt solid at lockup. Removing two more screws frees it for access to a nut on a stock bolt that fixes one of two metal drop plates. Both versions have sold very poorly and have had issues. For more than two centuries, Westley Richards has produced some of the worlds finest firearms, each wearing a timeless and classic look with bespoke flourishes. Firing the Winchester Extra-Lite No. 828 U Product Manual (14.83 MB) For: 828 U Shotguns, 828 U Upland Performance Shop Shotguns, 828 U Sport Shotguns. 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. My understanding is that there is a major difference in handling and recoil between the 828U and the 828U sport. One of our test-team members scrounged up a heavier load (a 1-ounce, 1,230 feet per second shell) that did eject from the bottom barrel. Seems like a solid gun if you need a field O/U. 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. Consider that we started from white paper. I have only seen one of the sporting versions in use in the area I shoot. 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. They simply aren't very good and they are more than twice the price they should be. Reinforcing the theme of mechanical modularity is a self-contained trigger module that can be removed from the receiver with an included tool. The block also contains spring-retracted firing pins that are impacted by strikers during firing. The swing was beautiful but the recoil destroyed me. The "U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, Model of 1903," better-known as the M1903 Springfield, has become one of the most popular U.S. military small arms to collect. of No. 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. Be ready for some hate. I'm trying to be the person my Little Brown Dog acts like I am. 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. The 828 is a design that had serious potential, but is extremely lacking in configuration and execution. Everyone that I know that has bought one of these got over them fairly quickly. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. I was in Walker MN this week and Reeds Sports had a few. This field shotgun provided a solid, well-balanced platform for handling clays and birds, as expected. They point and swing super well. I am not asking for opinions on this gun, though of course I respect any opinions that are posted here. Same thing happened again first time I attempted to assemble/disassemble the firearm. The 828U and it's sporting counterpart are simply ill designed for heavy sporting use. Kind of a unique looking gun. They usually have a couple under glass for sale. Over on Shotgun World in I love my Benelli, there have been some problems reported about the 828 U trigger assembly dropping out, ejector problems and problems with the breech lock popping open. 712 shot shells at a range of 30 yards, we found the Modified choke in the top barrel produced a 57-43 percent pattern (57 percent above the center and 43 percent below) and the Improved Cylinder choke in the bottom barrel produced a 62-38 percent pattern. I don't think he wants to scratch it! 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. While we had no problems working the system, our experience leads us to believe that over time, and after extensive use in the field and on the range, we worry that there may be issues that develop with the mechanism. Nice guns. A ragged pattern that might only cause a chip to fly off a clay target is acceptable on the range, but a crippling shot on a bird in the field because of ineffective pellet trauma is not. Title. Turning the lever to open the gun cams the bolt out of engagement with the monobloc, while at the same time uses a lever tipped with a roller bearing to press rearward on the chrome-plated wedge mentioned above, cocking the strikers. I took "that" gun back to Scheels and showed them the issue and they like me knowing the issues I have had with the two different guns couldn't believe it either. You must log in or register to reply here. Benelli 828U Sport The action was not at all stiff. I'd like to hear from thoughts from some owners. And just for the record my go to gun is a SBE. The internal recoil system did nothing for me, although I have had 4 shoulder surgeries.