Make your own decision. It is held just forward of the receiver’s 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 block’s bottom, and a groove on the monobloc’s upper end engages a lip at the block’s top, locking the two together and pressing the block reward against the receiver’s face. The Ethos Sport was designed to be the ultimate sporting clays shotgun, but it’s also a great choice for upland hunting and other wingshooting sports. C ... Come join the discussion about targets, clays, hunting, gunsmithing, gear reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! This stock is adjustable via a shim and spacer kit, not to mention its interchangeable comb inserts. 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. Back in 2018, the 828U Sport was finally revealed to US consumers and once again we were taken by surpris Marlin Model 1895: Top-Selling Lever-Action Rifle of 2020, New for 2021: Browning Maxus II Wicked Wing, New for 2021: Mossberg International Gold Reserve Series, Over There: Sniper Rifles and Shotguns in World War I, © 2021 National Rifle Association of America. That’s fine by me. ... Receiver depth of the new Benelli 828U is only 2.340 inches, and while width is a bit greater than for some other over-unders, it carries comfortably in one hand. The breech block also contains the spring-loaded firing pins, making them easily replaceable should the need arise. This pretty efficient too, from my O/U layman’s perspective. Zent, reflecting on those early discussions about the 828U in Italy, said of the gun that he was finally able to hold and shoot, “I think what we see now is very close to what was on the drawing board then. 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. in front of their join at the monobloc to a point 2¼" from the muzzle. The ammunition, too, obviously, plays an important part, and ours was, somewhat appropriately, an Italian-made. That’s why, when the folks at Benelli called and said they wanted me to try and shoot some pheasants with an over/under – the relatively new (introduced in 2015) 828U -- I balked. That’s when Thompson explained the 828U’s Progressive Comfort recoil reduction system– a brilliantly simple, spring-free fold of flexible “leaves” that reside in the stock. In other words, the gun not only didn’t get in the way of my shooting—which is, admittedly, not of particularly high order—it carried through the entire process without being in any way disruptive. 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 design provides steel-on-steel lockup that fully contains the forces of firing. 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 owner’s manual. Moreover, it is also a design quite unlike any other over-under shotgun I … When innovation and inspiration colided the 828U was born. Review: Benelli Ethos Sport Shotgun. Two small springs (arrow) hold the block away from the receiver’s face when the action is open so that it is positioned to interlock with the monobloc as the action hinges shut. As to the stock, Vignaroli said, “The grip shape and wrist have been developed through studies of different hands and gloves to ensure a better fit and better approach to the trigger.” A replaceable polymer cheekpiece allows for changes in comb height, and the Progressive Comfort recoil-mitigation system inside the buttstock—a series of interlocking polymer tines that flex to soften the gun’s movement into the shooter’s shoulder—is capped with a soft rubber recoil pad radiused at the heel to encourage snag-free mounting of the gun. The Benelli 828U for sale is an over and under shotgun with undeniable performance in the field. That makes bringing it to the target nearly effortless. It’s also just completely “tune-able” for and to an experienced shooter. F.A.I.R. So, when the first rooster got up quite behind me, I simply turned and swung the gun in its direction, keeping my eye on its beak and firing as soon as I could. The 828U differs in a couple of important respects. Just a little. Vignaroli used the term “global comfort” to describe the 828U’s combination of weight, balance and ergonomics. The stock’s soft cheekpiece also reduces felt recoil. A Benelli 828U will run you from $2,499 to $2,999 MSRP, depending on the model and options you choose. But I’ll listen (a little bit) to this issue. It is released by pressing a button at its front. The 828U offers something completely different. Freed of the function of powering recocking, the 828U barrels open more easily, though this probably would be more noticeable in a light game gun than a hefty competition piece. Quail Forever went on a South Dakota hunt with Benelli’s 828U over/under shotgun. (Note that this is easily turned off with needle-nose pliers if you want, for sporting clays or skeet.). But the complaints I heard about the 828U were regarding its appearance. Part if it was having a new gun in hand (I’ll give that some of the blame, couldn’t be user error, right? 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. Benelli is finally releasing their popular 828U over/under in a 20-gauge configuration. Technical innovation must drive it, and function and durability must trump styling, but, ultimately, the styling must be distinctive. Posted April 7, 2017 in Guns & Gear, Reviews, Shotguns by Rusty S. with 16 Comments Tags: "Buy a shotgun buy a shotgun", 828, 828U, Benelli, Break-open, o/u, over under. Especially when I posted a picture of it on social media. It is everything most people do not like about shotguns, all rolled into one gun. Each barrel is soldered to protrusions machined over the one-piece, heat-treated monobloc. 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. Key to the 828U’s operation is a steel breech block that engages corresponding surfaces on the monobloc as the action is closed, containing the firing forces. A plain top lever lies just ahead of the safety along the left side. Even if I had to leave my battle-scarred old 870 crying in the corner. They include (l.): a shim kit that offers 40 different combinations of cast and drop adjustment; the Progressive Comfort recoil-mitigation module that resides within the buttstock; and interchangeable cheekpieces that can be swapped out to provide proper stock-to-face fit. Full Forum Listing. It’s worth noting that this is the same system used in Benelli’s popular Ethos semi-automatic shotgun, which is known for its light recoil. The fore-end iron attaches in such a way that the fore-end itself is nothing more than a cosmetic cover. Boy it felt good to smoke the next bird. And the birds we encountered were not only tough and of good size, but wary, running and flushing sometimes hundreds of yards ahead of the dogs. “So we had to pay particular attention to the right angle and the right ergonomics of this lever through its geometry,” Vignaroli said. 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. Jump to Latest Follow 1 - 19 of 19 Posts ... My wife has the M2 semi she uses for deer, upland bird, and duck. Thanks to Benelli's Performance Shop, this incredibly lightweight gun features custom work and high-end enhancements that'll make other upland … There is zero stress and wear on the receiver, and it should stay nice and tight for a lifetime. The cryogenically treated barrels, which are highly polished and blued, do not have side ribs, leaving a gap of approximately 5/16" between them starting 37⁄8" in front of their join at the monobloc to a point 2¼" from the muzzle. And that it does so confidently and beautifully is difficult to deny. So, the 828U was not designed to be the lightest gun out there, but to kick the same or less than a heavier gun. An added benefit of the lever’s graceful design is that the shooting-hand thumb can rest naturally alongside it atop the receiver. All of these guns have always impressed me, and have been an absolute pleasure to shoot, but let's face it we need the right tool for the job When innovation and inspiration collided the 828U was born – the first over/under worthy of the Benelli badge. The barrels are cryogenically treated down to -300 degrees F, which means the barrels need less hammer forging (makes them stronger), and the surfaces are silky-smooth inside for better patterns and easier cleaning. C ... Come join the discussion about targets, clays, hunting, gunsmithing, gear reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! The company's first ever over-under shotgun, the 828U comes with an aluminum receiver and a walnut stock. My first hunting shotgun was a Benelli. Two versions are available: one with a black anodized receiver and one with a silver-tone receiver said to be the result of a nickel-based treatment. Call me blue-collar. Its weak, problematic ejection, vulgar aesthetics, high recoil and annoyingly violent gun movement is topped-off with a nosebleed price. Shells are partially extracted, not ejected, for complete control of loading and unloading. At less than 6.5 lbs., this gun is a joy to carry all day. The breech block also contains the spring-loaded firing pins, making them easily replaceable should the need arise. 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. 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 828U is light, at just 6½ pounds, so you’d think that this wispy 12-gauge would kick the stuffing out of the shooter, but Benelli’s engineers built in special features to prevent felt recoil. When the new Benelli Model 828U was introduced, devoted fans of Benelli semiautomatics rushed to get more information. The 828U comes with a shim set stock adjustment system that provides five different drops so you can bring your head up or down, and four different casts (left and right adjustment) so you can line up your head down the barrel. Esthetics are important, yes. Note the texture in the solid carbon-fiber rib and the recesses for the barrel locking pins that keep the action closed. I’ve always liked the design, looks, handling, and shootability of Benelli shotguns. It then recocks the strikers and resets the automatic safety unless a spring steel clip (below, l.) is removed. A tool (below, r.) is included to detach the module from the gun. Editorial Director John Zent tests out the new 20-gauge 828U Field, from Benelli. When pheasants burst from their hiding places in a flurry of feathers, imagine putting a bead on your next ring-necked rooster with one of the world's finest shotguns – the Benelli Performance Shop 828U Upland Over/Under Shotgun. Benelli’s 828U Over/Under Shotgun does not disappoint. The 828U may have been a departure at the time for Benelli, but we’ve found the design to be an innovative one, worthy of its rather upscale price tag—and the changes made to the Sport result in an even more versatile and competition-ready over-under. It is no stretch to suggest that the new gun offers appealing aesthetics, innovative engineering, precise manufacturing, intuitive handling and satisfying shootability. Recently, in a move unexpected by nearly everyone, Benelli created an all-new, lightweight over-under—the 828U—and, with it, an opportunity to capitalize on its reputation among brand loyalists, waterfowlers and shotgunners in general. Further isolating the fore-end and barrels from the receiver are what Benelli refers to as “impulse activated” ejectors. The first O/U worthy of the Benelli badge. 828 is, essentially, Urbino’s UNESCO zip code. Rather, the gun’s strikers are cocked by operating the top-mounted opening lever. It will be nice for us quail hunters when a 20-gauge option is available. In fact, Benelli became so well-known for its semi-automatic shotguns that it found itself a bit typecast. At less than 6.5 lbs this gun is a joy to carry all day. When pheasants burst from their hiding places in a flurry of feathers, imagine putting a bead on your next ring-necked rooster with one of the world's finest shotguns – the Benelli Performance Shop 828U Upland Over/Under Shotgun. But the chance to hunt wild South Dakota birds with some fellow upland bird nut cases at. Enjoy the benefits of the 828U over/under optimized for fast handling and accuracy. On the 828U, a lockplate absorbs all that recoil and stress. Advantage: This would be an ideal gun for young shooters and new shooters. Benelli Armi SpA of Urbino, Italy, is a relative newcomer to the gun business, having emerged in 1967 from its parent motorcycle manufacturing concern with an idea for a new type of shotgun action. The fore-end iron attaches in such a way that the fore-end itself is nothing more than a cosmetic cover. March 05, 2019 By Steve Gash. July 16, 2015 By Layne Simpson. The 10 Best Upland Shotguns Ever Made. The 828U is what you would expect from Benelli – a hardworking, lightweight and low-recoil shotgun. The Great Ammo Shortage of 2020: When Will It End? When the new Benelli Model 828U was introduced, devoted fans of Benelli semiautomatics rushed to get more information. This gun has been a huge success. The pheasant division of our upland wildlife conservation org. Benelli 828U Shotgun Review. You get three leaf sets with the shotgun, for everything from light loads (doves or grouse anyone?) The slightly shorter length of pull and 24inch barrels promote control and speed. Monday, October 19, 2015. 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. Explore Our Forums. “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. He shares his experience shooting and hunting with Benelli's 828U over and under shotgun. The chambers are then machined directly into the monobloc to ensure precise chamber alignment and finish. Randy Wakeman reviews the Benelli 828U O/U 12 gauge Shotgun. Posted April 7, 2017 in Guns & Gear, Reviews, Shotguns by Rusty S. with 16 Comments Tags: "Buy a shotgun buy a shotgun", 828, 828U, Benelli, Break-open, o/u, over under. The 28-inch barrel models weigh 6.6 pounds, the 30-inchers 6.7 pounds. 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. " It features a single, selective inertia trigger system with a tang-mounted barrel selector/safety button. Lengthened forcing cones team with included Triple Threat ® chokes to produce tighter patterns over longer ranges. Wingman Todd Helms reviews Benelli's 828U. Citing the gun’s operation as part of the global comfort theme, Vignaroli said the 828U’s unique breeching system eliminates the need for a close-tolerance fit at the locking catch, making the gun easy to open. The shotgun looks fine to me. Thanks to Benelli's Performance Shop, this incredibly lightweight gun features custom work and high-end enhancements that'll make other upland … An included tool allows easy removal of the module from the gun. That's pretty good for walking after bowhites all day, scouring the shortgrass and brush for scalies, or wandering the desert for Gambel's. The detachable trigger module has a cocking plate that is pressed rearward by a projection when the top lever is moved to open the action. Back at the office, during the course of several weeks’ shooting in different settings and throughout several hundred shells worth of varied ammunition—whether plastic- or paper-hulled, having high or low brass heads and in various payload weights and velocities—an informal test group encountered no failures with our nickel-finish, 28"-barreled test sample. Benelli 828U Shotgun Review. Barrels are soldered to a monobloc that is machined to accept sears that are set to either extract shells or, if activated by the impulse of the shell’s expanding hull, forcefully eject them from the gun. 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. “Consider that we started from white paper. 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 … I was looking at attractive bluing, nice scrollwork on the nickel receiver edition, and a beautiful AA-grade satin walnut stock on every gun. Overall weight? The Benelli 828u, is an interesting concept deviating somewhat from the traditional functioning O/U. For a gun with some familiar features, such as a walnut buttstock and fore-end, the 828U also has quite a few unexpected innovations. The little 26-inch barrel model I latched onto came in at an honest 6.5 pounds. So, How Does It Handle?Perhaps more than any other type of firearm platform, a shotgun is designed to function as an extension of the shooter’s body. But I am a pump gun guy through and through. 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. 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. Full Forum Listing. This, despite its low build cost, means that the 828U is a product condemned to please no one. Benelli 828U Upland Over/Under For Sale. In the field, my first shot on a live bird brought a similar, satisfying experience. ozs. The unspent one stays down. The chambers are then machined directly into the monobloc to ensure precise chamber alignment and finish. Hosts Mark and Robin Braaten’s comfortable lodge provided an ideal setting in which I was able to discuss the gun’s design with the Urbino-based engineer who spearheaded it: Marco Vignaroli. Moreso to some folks than others. Benelli 828U O/U 12 gauge Shotgun By Randy Wakeman. The good mix of great engineering that enables easy shooting and increases reliability makes this gun a wonderful upland or waterfowl gun. Vic Harker slowly fell for the sleek, modern looks of this Benelli over-and-under as he successfully smoked more and more targets! The slightly shorter length of pull and 24-inch barrels promote control and speed. Jump to Latest Follow 1 - 16 of 16 Posts. My first hunting shotgun was a Benelli. Each of these are well balanced, easy-to-carry guns, making them perfect for hunting upland … Call me old-school. True to Vignaroli’s 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 was a little worried about recoil from such a light little gun (more on that later). 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. Current offerings are in 12 gauge with 3" chambers and 26" or 28" barrels. The Benelli 828U over/under is known for its original version and innovative technology. Combine those conditions with several inches of snow on the ground and a temperature that failed to rise above the single digits, and the hunt proved to be the ideal opportunity to test the mettle of a gun that, at that point, still posed far more questions than it answered. Her biggest complaint involved the force required to operate the opening lever: Because she had to press on its tip to gain an advantage in leverage, she found that the barrel selector on the safety button could be inadvertently moved to select the bottom barrel. The nearly seamless union is not adorned on its exterior as in many traditional guns. At less than 6.5 lbs., this gun is a joy to carry all day. Benelli 828U 20-Gauge. Zent, reflecting on those early discussions about the 828U in Italy, said of the gun that he was finally able to hold and shoot, “I think what we see now is very close to what was on the drawing board then. Each barrel is soldered to protrusions machined over the one-piece, heat-treated monobloc. Back at the office, during the course of several weeks’ shooting in different settings and throughout several hundred shells worth of varied ammunition—whether plastic- or paper-hulled, having high or low brass heads and in various payload weights and velocities—an informal test group encountered no failures with our nickel-finish, 28"-barreled test sample. The solid carbon-fiber rib is another potentially customizable component, requiring only the loosening of a single screw for removal. As far as I'm concerned, the 828U is Benelli's first truly big mistake and will be a remarkable sales disaster. Review: Benelli 828U Shotgun. Through a thick Italian accent, the Benelli technical director and 20-year company veteran enthusiastically explained the ins and outs of the 828U’s development, but it wasn’t long into that conversation that I realized the 828U would require little translation to resonate with certain American shooters. The 828U is light, at just 6½ pounds, so you’d think that this wispy 12-gauge would kick the stuffing out of the shooter, but Benelli’s engineers built in special features to prevent felt recoil. Lightweight, fast-shooting and perfectly balanced with instinctive pointing, Benelli upland shotguns feature attributes upland-game hunters insist on. Barrel lengths vary from 26 to 30 inches. The ammunition, too, obviously, plays an important part, and ours was, somewhat appropriately, an Italian-made Fiocchi GPX offering consisting of 2¾" shells carrying 13⁄8 ozs. CSH GUN TEST BENELLI 828U SPORT. There are no cocking rods. ... Receiver depth of the new Benelli 828U is only 2.340 inches, and while width is a bit greater than for some other over-unders, it carries comfortably in one hand. Especially when you're a quail hunter. The 828U’s carbon fiber rib save precious ounces, and you can replace the standard one with one that’s higher and or wider if need be. The nearly seamless union is not adorned on its exterior as in many traditional guns. 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 Ambassadors, NRA Outstanding Achievement Youth Award Presented by Brownells, National Youth Shooting Sports Cooperative Program, Mossberg 590 Shockwave: Top-Selling Pump Shotgun in 2020. 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. Back to Shotgun Information Benelli's new 828U was one of the hottest guns at the 2015 SHOT Show media day. The 828U is a lightweight gun—important for a long session of upland hunting in which it is likely to be carried much more of the time than it is shot—but it is the distribution of the weight that is key. Benelli's 2015 release of the original 828U O/U shotgun, revealed a revolutionary design and a truly refreshing surprise from Benelli, a renowned Italian manufacturer better known for their semi-automatic shotguns. Adjust things as you go, or grow. Fortunately, outfitter Brett Waibel has plenty of roosters flying around Bad River, and redemption was at hand. It consists of a cast steel fire control housing pinned to an aluminum trigger guard. Rather, pressures are contained by way of a 1 1/4" wide by 2 3⁄16" high by 15/16" steel breech block. Benelli 828u Review. Finally, once the barrels do open, only the spent shell pops up. 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. Benelli 828U Shotgun in Stock at the Best Price. On the other hand, I was also the perfect candidate to shoot Benelli’s first foray into the over/under market and see what this shotgun was all about. Check out more details on the Benelli 828U. The rounded action body, which melds into distinctive side panels, is modern in conception, yet still genuinely attractive. Removing two more screws frees it for access to a nut on a stock bolt that fixes one of two metal drop plates. The 828U’s price, too, is not out of line considering the quality of the gun’s construction and the adaptability that it allows shooters of differing physiques. But it’s also true that the 828U upholds at least one tradition—that of being a uniquely innovative and distinctive firearm bearing the now-famous marque of a motorcycle-turned-gunmaker named Benelli.