NRA Gun of the Week: Benelli 828U Sport

by
posted on August 14, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Benelli’s 828U Sport over-under shotgun is distinctly different from the inertia-operated semi-automatics we’ve seen imported by the Italian maker in years past. The over-under 828U design was originally designed for 12 ga. shotshells and utilizes a lockup system that is unique to Benelli—a solid steel breech block, separate of the receiver, locks into the monoblock once the action is hinged closed—which allows for a system that is robust and designed to last a lifetime.

Black shotgun receiver with wood stock attached.

The 828U Sport is built on a steel receiver for increased weight and enhanced balance versus aluminum used for the company’s field models. Benelli provides bolt-on weights for tuning the gun’s balance point. In addition, an optional model boasting the company’s Progressive Balance stock system can further be adjusted to shooter. Benelli offers its well-regarded Progressive Comfort recoil reduction system for its 828U Sport as well.

Man wearing ballcap and protective shooting gear shooting a shotgun pointed toward camera.

The Sport model in Benelli’s 828U lineup contains features that benefit clay-target shooters by way of adjustability—the gun’s balance, choke constriction, sighting rib, stock and trigger can all be manipulated by the shooter for a custom fit without the need for specialized work. Though suited for chasing trophies, the 828U Sport in 12 ga. provides a chamber cut for 3” shells, so users wanting to hunt upland game can do so. Cryogenically treated barrels of 30” or 32” are available and Benelli supplies a full set of extended Crio choke tubes with each gun, as well as a custom-fitted carrying case.

Black shotgun barrels on white background.

Benelli provides an innovative and robust design with its 828U Sport. The competition-grade shotgun is not only smooth shooting, it is attractive, too. AA-grade walnut with fish-scale texturing comes standard with the 828U Sport. Compared to the high-end market of over-under guns the 828U enters, it commands a retail price lower than expected.

Black shotgun receiver open on gray background.

Check out our NRA Gun of the Week video, above, to learn more about the Benelli 828U Sport.

Benelli 828U Sport Specifications
Manufacturer: Benelli Armi S.p.A.
Importer: Benelli USA Corp.
Action Type: lock plate over-under shotgun
Chambering: 12 ga.; 3”
Receiver: steel
Barrel: 30” cryogenically treated steel
Trigger: 3-lb., 6-oz. pull
Sights: carbon fiber ventilated rib, red fiber-optic bead
Stock: walnut
Weight: 8 lbs., 1.9 ozs.
MSRP: $4,399
benelliusa.com

Further Reading:
Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 Shotgun Review
Celebrating 25 Years of the Benelli Super Black Eagle
Benelli’s 28-Gauge Legacy
Benelli 828U Shotgun Review
Poetry in Motion: Benelli's Ethos

Extras:
Benelli 828U Shotgun Review

Benelli M4 Tactical Shotgun

Ruger Mark IV Hunter

Pacific War, Pearl Harbor, Part 2

Latest

Proof Research
Proof Research

The PROOF Research PXT: A New Approach to Barrel Rifling

PROOF Research has introduced PROOF eXponential Twist (PXT)—an advancement in rifling that improves durability, accuracy and shootability—to the commercial market.

Review: Springfield Armory Model 2020 Heatseeker

Back when American Rifleman reviewed Springfield's Model 2020 Waypoint, we noted that we ...couldn’t help but wonder if a tactical-version Model 2020 rifle might be a logical future offshoot of the Waypoint hunting rifle." With the Model 2020 Heatseeker, that version is finally here.

Marlin Goes Mad: The Marlin Mad Pig Customs Model 1894

Marlin’s latest Model 1894 lever-action rifle, a collaboration with Mad Pig Customs that is a far cry from traditional, delivers “modern, factory‑installed features previously found only on custom builds.”

I Have This Old Gun: The Southern Derringer

People carrying small firearms for personal protection is not a new concept, and in the middle of the 19th century, many pocket pistols were designed with self-defense in mind. One such gun, the Brown Manufacturing Southern Derringer, was among the earliest cartridge-firing self-defense guns.

The Jewish Community Is Embracing Our 2A Freedom

In this episode of the NRA’s The Armed Citizen Podcast, we interview Gayle Pearlstein, COO and co-founder of Lox & Loaded, a Jewish-owned and -operated gun club that now—after being launched only a year ago—has 50 chapters around the United States.

Affordable & Feature-Rich: The Springfield Armory Echelon Alpha 4.0C

Springfield Armory entered the world of modular, striker-fired handguns in 2023 with its Echelon line of pistols, and for 2026, Springfield is introducing an entry-level Echelon model with the Alpha 4.0C.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.