Benelli Super Black Eagle 3, Semi-Auto 12 Ga, 28″ Barrel, 3.5″, 3rd, Shadow Grass Blades

Description

The Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 (SBE 3) in 12 gauge with a 28-inch barrel, chambered for 3.5-inch shells, and finished in Shadow Grass Blades camo is a semi-automatic shotgun engineered for the demanding conditions of American waterfowl and upland hunting. Whether you are working a flooded timber hole in Arkansas, walking a South Dakota cornfield for pheasants, or setting decoys on a Great Lakes marsh, this shotgun is built to cycle reliably in mud, ice, and snow. For the U.S. shooter who expects a firearm to perform without hesitation in the field, the SBE 3 represents a proven platform refined over generations.

What This Product Is and Who It Is For

The Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 is a semi-automatic shotgun designed primarily for waterfowl hunters, turkey hunters, and those who need a reliable 3.5-inch chambered firearm for heavy payloads. It is also well-suited for upland bird hunting, predator control, and occasional target shooting at the range. This is not a home defense or concealed carry firearm; it is a full-size, long-barreled shotgun optimized for hunting scenarios where fast follow-up shots and dependable cycling under adverse conditions are required. The Shadow Grass Blades finish is a proven camo pattern for marsh and field environments, making it a practical choice for hunters who spend long hours in variable cover. Collectors and enthusiasts will appreciate the third-generation refinements to the Inertia Driven system, but this is first and foremost a working tool for the American hunter.

Key Specification Breakdown

• Gauge: 12 Gauge
• Action: Semi-Automatic, Inertia Driven
• 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 (varies slightly with camo finish)
• Stock and Forend: Synthetic with Shadow Grass Blades camo finish, Crio-treated metal components
• Sights: Red bar front sight, metal bead mid-sight (compatible with aftermarket fiber optic or ghost ring sights)
• Chokes: Crio system with interchangeable choke tubes (typically includes Full, Modified, Improved Cylinder, and IC/M or Skeet)
• Capacity: 3+1 rounds (with 3.5-inch shells; 4+1 with 2.75-inch or 3-inch shells, depending on magazine plug)
• Receiver: Aluminum alloy with anodized finish, drilled and tapped for scope mounts
• Safety: Cross-bolt type, located at the rear of the trigger guard
• Length of Pull: 14.375 inches (with standard stock; shim kit available for adjustment)
• Drop at Comb: 1.5 inches (adjustable via shims)
• Drop at Heel: 2.25 inches (adjustable via shims)

Feature Deep-Dive

The Benelli SBE 3 is built around the third-generation Inertia Driven system, which uses the recoil energy from the fired shell to cycle the action. This system has fewer moving parts than gas-operated designs, which reduces the need for frequent cleaning and maintenance in dirty field conditions. The bolt and inertia spring assembly are redesigned from the SBE 2 to provide faster cycling and improved reliability with light target loads, while still handling heavy 3.5-inch magnum shells without adjustment. This means the shooter can transition from a box of 2.75-inch dove loads to 3.5-inch goose loads without flipping a switch or changing a gas piston.

The barrel features Benelli’s Crio treatment, a cryogenic process that relieves stress in the steel and improves consistency in the bore. This is paired with the Crio choke tube system, which uses a longer, tapered design to reduce pellet deformation and produce tighter, more uniform patterns. The 28-inch barrel length is a versatile choice for waterfowl and upland hunting, offering a good balance between swing speed and sight radius. The barrel also includes a ventilated rib with a red bar front sight and a mid-bead, which provides a clear sight picture in low-light conditions common during early morning or late afternoon hunts.

The stock and forend are made from a synthetic material that resists moisture and temperature extremes, with the Shadow Grass Blades camo applied using a durable dipping process. The stock features Benelli’s Progressive Comfort recoil reduction system, which uses a series of chevron-shaped pads inside the buttstock to progressively absorb recoil as the force increases. This design helps tame the sharp recoil of 3.5-inch shells without adding significant weight or altering the balance of the shotgun. The comb is also designed to reduce cheek slap, which is a common issue with high-recoil loads in lightweight shotguns.

Ergonomics have been refined on the SBE 3 with a redesigned bolt handle and bolt release button that are larger and easier to manipulate with gloved hands. The loading port has been opened up and beveled for faster, more intuitive reloading, which is critical when birds are coming in fast. The trigger guard is oversized to accommodate gloved fingers, and the cross-bolt safety is positioned for easy access without shifting the firing grip. The gun also includes a shim kit that allows the shooter to adjust drop at comb, drop at heel, and cast to achieve a custom fit, which can improve mounting consistency and shooting accuracy.

The receiver is made from lightweight aluminum alloy and is drilled and tapped for scope mounts, allowing the use of red dot sights or low-power scopes for turkey hunting or slug use. The bolt is nickel-plated for corrosion resistance and smooth operation, and the entire action is designed to shed water, mud, and debris through the ejection port and bolt channels. This is a shotgun that can be submerged in water and then fired without malfunction, provided the barrel is clear. The SBE 3 also includes a magazine cutoff feature, which allows the shooter to chamber a different shell (such as a slug) without unloading the magazine tube—a useful feature for hunters who may encounter a mixed bag of game.

Finally, the SBE 3 uses a rotating bolt head with dual locking lugs that engage directly into the barrel extension, a design that contributes to the gun’s strength and reliability. The barrel is made from chrome-moly steel and is proof-tested for high-pressure loads. The entire firearm is assembled in Italy and meets Benelli’s standards for fit and finish, which are consistently high across their product line. While the SBE 3 is not inexpensive, the materials and engineering justify the price for a shooter who expects a long service life with minimal issues.

Ideal Use Cases

• Waterfowl Hunting: The 3.5-inch chamber and Shadow Grass Blades camo make this a primary choice for duck and goose hunting in marshes, fields, and timber. The Inertia Driven system cycles reliably in wet, muddy conditions where gas guns may foul.
• Upland Bird Hunting: The 28-inch barrel swings well for pheasants, grouse, and quail. The lightweight design reduces fatigue during long days of walking, and the Crio chokes provide flexibility for different bird sizes and distances.
• Turkey Hunting: With the ability to mount a red dot sight and use tight chokes, the SBE 3 is effective for spring turkey seasons. The Progressive Comfort stock helps manage recoil from heavy turkey loads.
• Predator Control: Coyotes and other predators can be taken with this shotgun using buckshot or slugs. The magazine cutoff feature is useful for loading a slug quickly when needed.
• Target Shooting: While not a dedicated competition gun, the SBE 3 can be used for informal trap, skeet, or sporting clays practice. It cycles light target loads reliably after a short break-in period.

Compatibility Notes

• Ammunition: This shotgun cycles 2.75-inch, 3-inch, and 3.5-inch shells from major manufacturers (Winchester, Remington, Federal, Kent, etc.). Light target loads (1 oz or lighter) may require a break-in period of 50-100 heavy loads before cycling reliably. Steel shot, bismuth, and tungsten-based non-toxic shot are safe through the Crio-treated barrel and chokes.
• Chokes: Uses Benelli/Beretta Mobil-style Crio choke tubes. Aftermarket chokes from Carlson’s, Patternmaster, and others are available in this thread pattern.
• Holsters and Slings: Not applicable for holsters. Uses standard sling swivel studs (factory or aftermarket) for two-point slings. Buttstock shell holders and side-saddle mounts are available from makers like Allen, Butler Creek, and Mesa Tactical.
• Magazines and Accessories: The shotgun has a fixed tubular magazine. Extended magazine tubes are not standard but aftermarket options exist from Nordic Components and similar. The receiver is drilled and tapped for scope bases (typically Weaver or Picatinny).
• Optics: Compatible with red dot sights or low-power scopes using a dedicated mount. The vented rib can also accept clip-on fiber optic sights.

FAQ Section

1. Can this shotgun be shipped directly to my home in the U.S.?
No. Federal law requires that all firearms shipped from a licensed FFL (Federal Firearms Licensee) retailer, such as CS Firearms, must be transferred to another FFL dealer in your state. You will need to select a local FFL holder during checkout, and we will ship the firearm to that dealer for you to complete the background check and pickup. We ship to all 50 states where the firearm is legal for purchase.

2. How does the FFL transfer process work?
After you place your order, we will ask you to provide the name and contact information of your chosen receiving FFL dealer. That dealer must send us a copy of their FFL license. Once we verify the license, we ship the firearm via a common carrier (UPS or FedEx) to that dealer. You then visit the dealer, complete the ATF Form 4473 and a background check (NICS), pay any transfer fees the dealer charges, and take possession of the shotgun. Transfer fees vary by dealer and are not included in our price.

3. What ammunition is compatible with this shotgun?
The Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 is chambered for 2.75-inch, 3-inch, and 3.5-inch 12-gauge shells. It is designed to handle lead shot, steel shot, and other non-toxic shot types (bismuth, tungsten, etc.).