Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 12 Gauge 3.5″ Shotgun 28″ Satin Walnut

Description

The Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 in 12 gauge with a 28-inch barrel and satin walnut stock delivers reliable cycling for waterfowl and upland hunting. For the American hunter who demands a shotgun that cycles everything from light target loads to heavy 3.5-inch magnum shells, this platform has been a field-proven choice for decades. Whether you are working a cattail slough for mallards or walking a Nebraska cornfield for pheasants, the SBE 3 is built to keep you in the action.

What This Product Is and Who It’s For

The Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 is a semi-automatic shotgun chambered in 12 gauge with a 3.5-inch chamber, designed for hunters who need versatility across multiple game species. This specific model features a 28-inch barrel and a satin walnut stock, offering a traditional aesthetic combined with modern cycling technology. It is primarily intended for waterfowl and upland bird hunters, but its capabilities extend to turkey hunting and even some clay target sports. This shotgun is not marketed as a home defense or concealed carry firearm; it is a dedicated field gun for the shooter who prioritizes reliability in adverse conditions.

Key Specifications

• Gauge: 12 Gauge
• Chamber: 3.5 inches (accepts 2.75-inch, 3-inch, and 3.5-inch shells)
• Barrel Length: 28 inches
• Overall Length: Approximately 49.5 inches
• Weight: Approximately 7.2 pounds (unloaded)
• Stock: Satin walnut with a rubber recoil pad
• Receiver: Aluminum alloy with an anodized finish
• Barrel Finish: Blued steel
• Sights: Red bar front sight with a metal bead
• Chokes: Benelli Crio system with five interchangeable choke tubes (C, IC, M, IM, F)
• Capacity: 3+1 rounds (includes a magazine plug for migratory bird hunting compliance)
• Action: Inertia-driven semi-automatic
• Length of Pull: 14.375 inches
• Drop at Comb: 1.5 inches
• Drop at Heel: 2.25 inches

Feature Deep-Dive

The Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 is built around the company’s proven inertia-driven operating system, which uses the gun’s recoil to cycle the action rather than relying on gas ports or pistons. This design keeps the internal mechanism cleaner, as it does not vent combustion gases into the receiver. For the hunter who spends long days in wet, muddy, or dusty environments, this means less time cleaning and more time hunting. The inertia system also allows the shotgun to cycle a wider range of shell lengths without manual adjustment, from light 2.75-inch target loads to heavy 3.5-inch magnum shells.

The Progressive Comfort recoil reduction system is a notable upgrade on the SBE 3. This system uses a series of chevron-shaped recoil reducers built into the stock, which compress progressively based on the force of the recoil. With lighter loads, the system provides minimal compression, keeping the gun’s handling quick. With heavier 3.5-inch loads, the system compresses further to absorb more recoil, reducing felt kick without adding significant weight to the shotgun. This makes the SBE 3 more comfortable to shoot over the course of a long day in the field, especially when using heavy steel shot loads for waterfowl.

The stock and forend on this model are made from satin-finished walnut, selected for its grain and durability. The pistol grip is designed with a slight palm swell to fill the hand naturally, promoting a consistent hold. The forend features a slim profile that allows the shooter to reach forward easily for a controlled grip on the barrel. The entire stock assembly is coated with a satin finish that resists moisture and provides a non-slip surface, even when wet. The rubber recoil pad at the butt is textured to prevent the gun from slipping off a shoulder during a quick mount.

The barrel uses Benelli’s Crio system, which involves cryogenically treating the steel before finishing. This process is intended to relieve internal stresses in the metal, resulting in a more consistent bore and choke interface. The 28-inch barrel is a versatile length for most hunting situations, providing a balance between swing speed and sight radius. The barrel is also fitted with a ventilated rib that has a red bar front sight and a mid-bead, aiding in quick target acquisition in low-light conditions. The five included Crio choke tubes allow the shooter to tailor the pattern density for different ranges and game species.

The receiver is machined from aluminum alloy to keep the overall weight manageable, and it is anodized in a matte black finish to reduce glare. The controls are oversized, including the bolt handle, bolt release, and safety button, making them easy to operate with gloved hands. The loading port is beveled to facilitate quick reloading in the field. The magazine tube holds three 2.75-inch shells, but it includes a removable plug to reduce capacity to two rounds for migratory bird hunting regulations. The bolt is designed with a rotating head that locks into the barrel extension, providing a secure chamber seal for consistent ignition and pressure handling.

The trigger on the SBE 3 is a single-stage design with a crisp break, which aids in accurate shot placement. The trigger guard is enlarged to accommodate gloved fingers. The shotgun also features a system that automatically resets the trigger after each shot, allowing for fast follow-up shots without manual reset. The overall fit and finish of the wood-to-metal interface is consistent, with no sharp edges or gaps that could snag on clothing or gear. This attention to assembly detail is a hallmark of Benelli’s manufacturing process, ensuring the shotgun functions reliably from the first round through the thousandth.

Ideal Use Cases

This shotgun is designed primarily for waterfowl hunting, including ducks and geese, where the ability to cycle 3.5-inch shells reliably is a key requirement. It is also well-suited for upland bird hunting, such as pheasant, quail, and grouse, where the 28-inch barrel provides good swing and handling. The SBE 3 can be used for turkey hunting with appropriate choke selection, and it is capable on a sporting clays or trap range for practice or casual shooting. It is not intended for concealed carry, home defense, or competition shooting, as its barrel length and capacity are optimized for field use.

Compatibility Notes

The Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 accepts all standard 12-gauge shells with a 2.75-inch, 3-inch, or 3.5-inch length. It is compatible with all Benelli Crio choke tubes, and aftermarket chokes from manufacturers like Carlson’s or Patternmaster will fit as long as they are designed for the Crio thread pattern. The shotgun uses a standard Beretta/Benelli Mobil choke thread pattern, which is widely available. For accessories, the receiver is drilled and tapped for mounting a scope or red dot sight using a Benelli-specific mount. The stock can be replaced with aftermarket options from companies like Mesa Tactical or Kick-eez, but it is not compatible with AR-style buffer tube adapters without significant modification. Magazine extensions are available from manufacturers like Nordic Components, but they will increase the capacity beyond the standard 3+1 configuration. The shotgun does not use detachable box magazines; it loads directly into the tubular magazine under the barrel.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can this shotgun be shipped directly to my home in the U.S.?
No. As a licensed FFL retailer, we ship all firearms to a licensed Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealer in your state. You must select a local FFL holder to receive the transfer. We will include a copy of our FFL with the shipment. Please confirm with your chosen dealer that they accept transfers from online retailers before placing your order.

2. How does the FFL transfer process work?
After you place your order, we will need your selected FFL dealer to send us a copy of their license via email or fax. Once we verify the license, we ship the shotgun to that dealer. You then visit the dealer, complete a Form 4473, and pass a NICS background check. The dealer will charge a transfer fee, which varies by location. You should expect to pay this fee directly to the dealer at the time of pickup.

3. What ammunition is compatible with this shotgun?
This Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 is chambered for 12-gauge shells up to 3.5 inches in length. It will cycle 2.75-inch, 3-inch, and 3.5-inch shells reliably, provided they are within standard pressure limits. It is designed to handle steel shot, lead shot, and bismuth loads. For optimal cycling with lighter target loads, we recommend using shells with at least 1,200 feet per second velocity. Avoid using non-toxic shot types that are not rated for steel shot barrels, though this barrel is steel-shot rated.

4. What warranty does Benelli offer on this shotgun?
Benelli USA provides a limited lifetime warranty to the original purchaser. This warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship for the life of the product. It does not cover damage from misuse, neglect, improper maintenance, or the use of incorrect ammunition. To file a warranty claim, you must contact Benelli USA directly with proof of purchase. We recommend keeping your sales receipt and registering the firearm on Benelli’s website after purchase.

5. What is your return policy for firearms?
Due to federal regulations and the nature of firearm sales, we cannot accept returns on firearms once they have been transferred to your FFL dealer. If there is a manufacturing defect, the warranty process through Benelli USA applies. If the firearm is damaged in transit or there is an error in the model or specification shipped, we will work with you to resolve the issue. Please inspect the firearm at your FFL dealer before completing the transfer. If you have questions before purchasing, contact us to confirm the specific configuration.

The Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 12 Gauge 3.5″ Shotgun with a 28-inch barrel and satin walnut stock is available for purchase and ships to your chosen FFL dealer anywhere in the United States. We maintain a consistent inventory of this model and can process your order with standard lead times. If you have additional questions about compatibility, FFL transfer, or shipping, contact our team directly before placing your order.