A Benelli First: The 828U Over-and-Under

Bucking convention while honoring classic design has always been the Benelli stock in trade, and the advent of their new 828U over-and-under shotgun promises to exceed that expectation nicely.

For the double-gun purist, Benelli’s newest offering delivers the mandatory point-ability, custom comb and drop adjustments and the kind of ergonomic feel and balance inherent to all fine shotguns. And the Benelli faithful who are familiar with the brand’s iconic semi-auto’s will instantly see the trademark Benelli performance design aesthetic. The 828U is at once both contemporary and beautifully practical, from the smooth body and exquisite checkering to the wide, low-profile rib bridge, no side rib and monoblock treatment.

Functionality and safety of the 828U is a given, with an auto-safety, easy-operating opening lever and steel lock-plate opening system, paired with impulse-driven ejection to keep unfired shells handy. Constant opening means no recocking, and for both the traditionalist and the contemporary camps, the 828U fulfills the requirement of Benelli quality—floating crio barrels and crio chokes, weight-reducing carbon fiber rib and high-grade alloy receiver, complimented by fine walnut stock, and forearm. Durable steel-on-steel hinges, removable guard and easy-to-remove trigger system make for easy cleanup when the hunt is done.

The 828U comes in nickel-engraved and black anodized models and both sport interchangeable 26” or 28” barrels. Drop and cast fine regulation means the gun can be tuned to 40 unique, personal settings in order to get that perfect fit and sight picture. One traditional element wasn’t lost on the design team—the patented, recoil-taming Progressive Comfort System already popular with many Benelli shooters is nicely integrated into the 828U and helps keep muzzle flip to a minimum.

The 828U is the result of several years of development, and its near-perfect mix of design innovation and practical functionality came from exhaustive research of the marketplace, the competition and the personal insights of shooters, engineers and product development experts.

“From the first prototype to the final design, the 828U started and finished as a hunter’s shotgun—the style, weight and comfort which field and sport shooters appreciate is apparent the first time you pick one up,” said Tom Kaleta, VP of Marketing for Benelli USA.

While the 828U may seem like a departure from the Benelli line of semi-automatic shotguns for which the brand has earned its loyal following, the company’s devotion to customer preference and legacy of pushing both the design and performance envelope made the decision to produce the 828U a natural for the company. “We’ve always created markets at Benelli—but we do so by knowing the market and building the shotgun that customers want to own and shoot,” said Tom Debolt, Benelli USA General Manager. “We know there’s a market for a fine Benelli over-and-under shotgun that incorporates so many features, points and shoots like a dream and fits the budget for so many customers.”

With the nickel-engraved version coming in at $2,999 retail, and the black-anodized model at $2,499 retail, Benelli anticipates the 828U’s competitive price will spark high demand for their newest product. The first production run is near completion and the 828U will be available at Benelli authorized dealers in the summer of 2015.

COMMON SPECIFICATIONS:  Gauge: 12-Gauge  Barrel Length: 26″ and 28″  Weight: 6.5 and 6.6 lbs  Finish: AA-Grade satin walnut with anodized receiver  Crio® Chokes: C, IC, M, IM, F  Sights: Fiber-optic front sight with red insert  Length-of-Pull: 14 3/8″  Drop at Heel: 2 1/8″  Drop at Comb: 1 1/2″  MSRP: $2,499

COMMON SPECIFICATIONS:  Gauge: 12-Gauge  Barrel Length: 26″ and 28″  Weight: 6.5 and 6.6 lbs  Finish: AA-Grade satin walnut with nickel-plated receiver  Crio® Chokes: C, IC, M, IM, F  Sights: Fiber-optic front sight with red insert  Length-of-Pull: 14 3/8″  Drop at Heel: 2 1/8″  Drop at Comb: 1 1/2″  MSRP: $2,999

Benelli is a world leader in manufacturing quality semiautomatic shotguns and rifles that are known for their ultra-reliability and high-performance standards. For the latest news and product information visit www.benelliusa.com