Description
The Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 semi-auto 12-gauge handles 3.5-inch shells with a 28-inch barrel and Mossy Oak Optifade Marsh finish—ready for waterfowl and upland hunting. For U.S. hunters who spend cold mornings in duck blinds or walk CRP fields for pheasants, this shotgun delivers reliable cycling across a wide range of loads. It’s built to perform where wet, muddy, and icy conditions are the norm.
What This Product Is and Who It’s For
The Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 (SBE 3) is a semi-automatic shotgun designed for waterfowl and upland hunters who need a gun that cycles 2.75-inch, 3-inch, and 3.5-inch 12-gauge shells without adjustment. It’s also suitable for turkey hunters, dove hunters, and shooters who want a reliable field gun for clay sports or range practice. This is not a home defense or competition shotgun—it’s optimized for hunting in demanding environments. Collectors may appreciate the Mossy Oak Optifade Marsh finish and the third-generation design improvements over previous SBE models.
Key Specifications
- Gauge: 12 Gauge
- Chamber: 3.5 inches (accepts 2.75, 3, and 3.5-inch shells)
- Barrel Length: 28 inches
- Overall Length: 49.5 inches
- Weight: Approximately 6.8 pounds (unloaded)
- Finish: Mossy Oak Optifade Marsh on barrel and receiver; Patriot Brown stock and forend
- Stock: Synthetic with Comfort Tech 3 recoil pad and shim-adjustable drop and cast
- Sights: Red bar front sight with fiber optic insert; no rear sight
- Chokes: Crio system with five flush-mount chokes (C, IC, M, IM, F)
- Magazine Capacity: 3+1 (with 3-inch shells); 2+1 (with 3.5-inch shells)
- Receiver Material: Aluminum alloy with anodized finish
- Action: Inertia-driven semi-automatic
- Length of Pull: 14.375 inches (adjustable via shims)
- Drop at Comb: 1.5 inches (adjustable)
- Drop at Heel: 2.25 inches (adjustable)
Feature Deep-Dive
The Benelli SBE 3 uses the company’s proven inertia-driven system, which relies on recoil energy to cycle the action rather than gas pressure. This design keeps the receiver cleaner and reduces the need for frequent lubrication, which matters when you’re in a wet marsh or dusty field. The inertia system also allows the gun to handle a wider range of shell lengths without adjustment—simply load and shoot, whether you’re using light 2.75-inch target loads or heavy 3.5-inch magnums.
The 28-inch barrel is a versatile length for waterfowl and upland hunting. It provides a good balance of swing speed and sight radius for crossing shots, while the Crio-treated bore and choke tubes deliver consistent patterns. The Crio system uses cryogenic treatment to relieve stress in the steel, which can improve pattern density and reduce shot deformation. The five included chokes let you tailor the spread for decoying ducks, pass-shooting geese, or flushing pheasants.
Comfort Tech 3 recoil reduction is built into the stock, using a chevron-shaped recoil pad and a spring-loaded buttplate to absorb up to 48% of felt recoil according to Benelli’s testing. This is especially noticeable with 3.5-inch loads, which generate more recoil than standard 12-gauge shells. The stock is also shim-adjustable for drop and cast, allowing you to customize the fit without a gunsmith. The forend has a textured grip surface that remains secure even with wet gloves.
The Mossy Oak Optifade Marsh finish is a specialized camo pattern designed for open-water and marsh environments. It breaks up the gun’s outline against cattails, water, and sky, which can reduce the chance of spooking wary waterfowl. The finish is applied to both the barrel and receiver, and it’s durable enough to resist scratches from brush and boat gunnels. The Patriot Brown stock is a dark, matte brown that blends well with the camo pattern without adding glare.
Loading and unloading are straightforward with the SBE 3’s enlarged bolt handle and bolt release button. The carrier is redesigned from the SBE 2 to be easier to load with gloved hands, and the shell drop lever allows you to unload the magazine without cycling rounds through the chamber. The trigger is crisp with a pull weight around 3.5 pounds, which is suitable for fast follow-up shots on moving targets.
Field maintenance is simplified by the tool-less disassembly. The barrel, bolt, and forend can be removed without tools for cleaning. The inertia system has fewer moving parts than gas-operated shotguns, which reduces the potential for malfunction in cold weather. Benelli’s engineering focus on reliability means the SBE 3 cycles consistently across a wide temperature range, from freezing mornings to hot afternoons.
Ideal Use Cases
Waterfowl hunting: The 3.5-inch chamber and Optifade Marsh finish make this shotgun a natural choice for ducks, geese, and other migratory birds. The 28-inch barrel provides the reach needed for pass-shooting, and the inertia system cycles quickly for follow-up shots on decoying flocks.
Upland hunting: For pheasants, quail, or grouse, the SBE 3’s light weight (under 7 pounds) helps you carry it all day. The adjustable stock lets you dial in the fit for snap-shooting in thick cover, and the Crio chokes allow you to switch from open to tight patterns as needed.
Turkey hunting: With a full or extra-full choke (not included but available separately), the SBE 3 can be used for spring turkey. The 3.5-inch chamber allows you to use heavy turkey loads, and the recoil pad makes extended sits more comfortable.
Clay sports: While not a dedicated target gun, the SBE 3 can be used for casual skeet, trap, or sporting clays. The 28-inch barrel and adjustable stock help with swing and pointability, and the inertia system 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 12-gauge shells. Light target loads (1 oz or less) may require a break-in period of 100-200 rounds of heavier loads before cycling reliably. Steel shot, bismuth, and non-toxic loads are safe in the Crio-treated barrel. Do not use steel shot with the included flush chokes—use only steel-rated choke tubes (Benelli’s extended steel chokes are compatible).
Holsters and slings: No holster is available for a full-size shotgun. Use a sling with quick-detach swivels (the stock and forend have pre-installed sling studs).
Magazines and accessories: The SBE 3 uses a tubular magazine with a capacity of 3+1 with 3-inch shells. Extended magazine tubes are available from aftermarket manufacturers. The receiver is drilled and tapped for scope mounts (Benelli’s proprietary mounting system). Benelli offers a range of replacement chokes, recoil pads, and stock shims.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can you ship this shotgun to my home address?
No. Federal law requires all firearms to be shipped to a Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder in your state. We ship to the FFL dealer you select during checkout. You must be at least 18 for long guns (21 in some states) and pass a background check at pickup.
2. How does the FFL transfer process work?
After you place an order, we will contact your chosen FFL dealer to confirm they are willing to accept the transfer. You will need to provide the dealer’s name, address, and license number. Once the firearm arrives, you complete the ATF Form 4473 and undergo a NICS background check. The dealer may charge a transfer fee (typically $20–$50).
3. What ammunition can I use in this shotgun?
The SBE 3 is chambered for 2.75-inch, 3-inch, and 3.5-inch 12-gauge shells. It cycles most loads after a break-in period of 100-200 rounds with 1.25-ounce or heavier loads. Use only steel-shot-rated chokes for steel ammunition. Do not use 3.5-inch shells in 2.75-inch or 3-inch chambers—check your barrel markings.
4. What is the warranty on this Benelli shotgun?
Benelli USA offers a limited lifetime warranty to the original owner for defects in materials and workmanship. The warranty covers the receiver, barrel, bolt, and stock. Normal wear, finish damage, and misuse are not covered. Register your firearm on Benelli’s website within 30 days of purchase to activate the warranty.
5. What is your return policy for firearms?
All firearms sales are final due to federal regulations. If the firearm arrives with a manufacturing defect or damage from shipping, please contact us within 48 hours of delivery. We will work with Benelli to arrange repair or replacement. We do not accept returns for change of mind or incorrect selection.
Closing Call to Action
The Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 in Mossy Oak Optifade Marsh is available now at csfirearms.com. We ship to licensed FFL dealers across all 50 U.S. states. If you have questions about compatibility, stock fit, or the ordering process, contact our team—we’re here to help you get the right shotgun for your hunting season.
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