24-Jul-2026
When Benelli, a company that built its name on inertia-driven semi-automatics, announced it was building an over-and-under, plenty of seasoned shooters raised an eyebrow. The Italian firm had no heritage in break-action guns at all. What it delivered in the 828U, though, was not a copy of anyone else’s shotgun. It was a clean-sheet design that does several things differently from every established name in the market, and a decade on it has earned a loyal following among UK game and rough shooters.
If you have been searching for a Benelli 828U for sale in the UK, or weighing one against the usual suspects from Beretta and Browning, this review covers what makes the 828U different, how the Field Black and Field Silver versions compare, what it is like to live with, and what to look for when buying used.
What makes the 828U different
Most over-and-unders are built around a traditional low-profile boxlock action machined from steel. Benelli threw that convention out. The 828U pairs a lightweight aluminium receiver with a steel locking plate that engages the barrel breech directly, so the strength is where it needs to be while the overall gun stays remarkably light. A 12-bore 828U typically comes in noticeably lighter than the equivalent Beretta 686 or Browning 725, a difference you feel by mid-afternoon on a long walked-up day.
The second departure is the opening system. Rather than a conventional hinge pin, the 828U uses a patented locking system with a steel breech block that rotates into the barrel assembly. The action opens with a light, almost effortless lever throw, and lock-up remains impressively tight. The ejectors are another Benelli quirk: they are impulse-activated rather than driven by conventional springs and hammers, ejecting fired cases smartly while leaving unfired cartridges raised gently for removal.
Finally, there is the stock system. Benelli brought across the Progressive Comfort recoil-reduction module from its semi-auto range, housed inside the buttstock, along with shim adjustment for drop and cast. Very few over-and-unders at any price let you tailor fit this easily without a visit to a gunsmith.
Field Black vs Field Silver
UK buyers will mostly encounter two versions. The Field Black wears a matt black anodised receiver and understated furniture, a thoroughly modern, almost tactical look that suits the gun’s engineering-led character. The Field Silver adds a nickel-plated receiver with engraving and a slightly more traditional presentation for those who want their game gun to look the part on a driven day.
Mechanically the two are the same gun, so the choice is cosmetic and budgetary; the Silver commands a modest premium both new and second-hand. Both are usually found with 26in, 28in or 30in barrels, and both take Benelli’s Crio-treated chokes. There is also a 20-bore version and, more recently, a Sport model with weightier barrels and a higher rib aimed at clay shooters, though field versions dominate the UK used market.
Handling and recoil in the field
The 828U’s defining trait is liveliness. The light overall weight and between-the-hands balance make it exceptionally quick to mount and swing, a genuine asset for walked-up shooting, pigeon in the hide, and rough days where the gun is carried far more than it is fired. Shooters used to heavier Italian over-and-unders sometimes find it almost too eager at first; it rewards a smooth, controlled swing rather than brute force.
Light guns normally punish you with recoil, and this is where the Progressive Comfort system earns its keep. The internal flexing buffers absorb a meaningful amount of the impulse, and most owners find the 828U softer-shooting than its weight would suggest, even with heavier game loads. It will never feel like an 8lb sporter with 21-gram clay loads, but for a field gun it is impressively civilised.
Trigger pulls are crisp for a mass-produced gun, and the oversized safety and barrel selector work well with cold or gloved hands, small details that matter in a January hedgerow.
The 828U on the used market
Because the 828U has been on sale in the UK for around a decade, there is now a healthy supply of second-hand examples, and used values represent strong value against an equivalent Beretta or Browning. Searches for 828U value and used prices have been climbing, and listings tend to move quickly when priced sensibly.
When inspecting a used 828U, the usual over-and-under checks apply: confirm the action closes up tight with no perceptible looseness, check the barrels for dents and the bores for pitting, and make sure the chokes are present and free in their threads. Two 828U-specific points are worth adding. First, confirm the shim kit and spare chokes are included, as replacements add cost. Second, cycle the ejectors with snap caps, the impulse ejector system is reliable but is the component most worth verifying on an older example. Service history from a reputable gunsmith is always a bonus on any used shotgun; you can read more general guidance in our guide to buying your first shotgun in the UK.
How it compares to the competition
Against the Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon and Browning 725, the 828U is the outlier. The Beretta and Browning are more traditional, slightly heavier, and arguably better suited to high-volume clay use; the Benelli is lighter, faster-handling and more adjustable out of the box. If your shooting is mostly driven or walked-up game, the 828U’s weight advantage is a daily benefit. If you shoot hundreds of clays a week, a dedicated sporter, or the 828U Sport, is the better tool.
It is also worth remembering Benelli’s semi-auto pedigree if a self-loader might suit you better: our comparison of the Benelli Vinci and M2 covers the firm’s inertia-driven classics.
FAQ
Is the Benelli 828U a good gun for game shooting? Yes, its light weight, quick handling and effective recoil reduction make it particularly well suited to walked-up and driven game shooting, where the gun is carried all day.
What is the difference between the 828U Field Black and Field Silver? They are mechanically identical. The Field Black has a matt black receiver; the Field Silver has an engraved nickel-plated receiver and typically costs slightly more.
Does the Benelli 828U hold its value? Used 828U prices in the UK have remained steady, helped by the model’s distinctive design and Benelli’s reputation. Clean examples with chokes, shims and case sell readily.
Is the 828U available in 20 bore? Yes. The 20-bore 828U is exceptionally light and has a strong following among rough shooters, though it appears less often on the used market than the 12.
Find your Benelli 828U on Rightgun
Whether you are after a Field Black workhorse or a Silver for driven days, you can browse new and used Benelli 828 listings from sellers across the UK on Rightgun, or explore the full range of shotguns for sale. And if you have an 828U gathering dust in the cabinet, listing it on Rightgun takes minutes and puts it in front of buyers actively searching for this exact model.
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