I have bought a benelli 828u sport a few months ago. I am wondering why opinions on this gun seem so harsh? Just a friendly discussion here but, I love this gun. I did my research before buying and read a lot of negative reviews however it seems a vast majority of people that have opinions on this gun have never owned or shot one. The other side of the fence is that many people are giving opinions based on the field model being used for sporting. I agree I would not want to shoot clays with that field model and it's not designed for that. However I have the sporting version and love it. No issues either. Just curious on anyone's opinion on the sport that has actually shot or own the gun. I think it's been unfairly judged and is a fantastic shotgun. Little recoil. Patterns excellent with carlson chokes. Nice trigger. And it honestly just fit me like a glove. Ive had zero issues and shoot well with it. It's adjustable in fit and weight/ballance. It's not traditional and I get that but I like the look of it as well. I love beretta and browning and others but this gun felt like it was made for me and I feel it is a very quality shotgun. Yes I've put right at a 1000 rounds through it so it's been used. I know that's not 10,000 but it has held up and I see no reason why it won't keep on being awesome. I am prepared to hear some harsh comments. I love the gun regardless lol. Just curious am I the only here? I really believe this gun is fantastic and has been unfairly judged.
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Benelli 838u sport
Mikejones
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Never seen one. But I can say they're fantastic shotguns judging from the videos. 
What do you mean? Of course it will necessitate a new receiver/stock interface, but the advantage of getting correct stock dimensions would be worth it. I have an A400, as do several of my friends, and we have all put the shims in to maximize fit for each of us and they are all different. If nothing else Beretta should be using this gun as a test bed and then moving forward with a 686 that uses shims.
I own an 828U field model in 20 gauge. It's an awesome field gun and after adjusting the stock dimensions using the shim pack it fits me like a glove. Its light weight, balances perfectly and swings like an English game gun. What more could someone want in an upland gun??? Oh...its has some recoil. Name any 6lb field gun that doesn't. Its the trade off...I'll soak up a little extra recoil with a half dozen...maybe 10 rounds on a good day chasing pheasants walking miles in a cornfield versus lugging an 8 pound gun around any day of the week. And as I said...once you get the stock dialed in with the shims it does a much better job of distributing the recoil.
I think the Sport model is a great option for someone not wanting to drop $2k into a custom stock. And the one that I've shot handled really well...
I've admittedly become more of a Benelli fanboy the last 5 or 6 years. Their semi-autos are superb field guns and function under extreme conditions--they dominate the duck blinds where I hunt and easily outnumber other makes 2-1. . I own a couple Benelli Lupo bolt action hunting rifles and they have replaced my old Sako's because they cycle like butter and beat anything Ive owned with a few exceptions for out of the box accuracy. Not traditional at all in the looks department...but they perform wonderful in the field and under adverse conditions. I got over how a gun looks years ago. Much more concerned with how it performs in the field. Just like the 828U the Lupo comes with shims and I can dial in the stock for a perfect fit with 15 minutes and a few simple tools. Name ANY modern rifle you can do that with...
I think the Sport model is a great option for someone not wanting to drop $2k into a custom stock. And the one that I've shot handled really well...
I've admittedly become more of a Benelli fanboy the last 5 or 6 years. Their semi-autos are superb field guns and function under extreme conditions--they dominate the duck blinds where I hunt and easily outnumber other makes 2-1. . I own a couple Benelli Lupo bolt action hunting rifles and they have replaced my old Sako's because they cycle like butter and beat anything Ive owned with a few exceptions for out of the box accuracy. Not traditional at all in the looks department...but they perform wonderful in the field and under adverse conditions. I got over how a gun looks years ago. Much more concerned with how it performs in the field. Just like the 828U the Lupo comes with shims and I can dial in the stock for a perfect fit with 15 minutes and a few simple tools. Name ANY modern rifle you can do that with...
Fabarms L4s Initial Hunter Compact, Syren Elos D2, Ithaca Model 37s
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4,219 Posts
The 686 receiver can't have shims, by definition.
It relies on the fit of the stock ears into the receiver notches, and the parallel sided of the receiver to keep the stock on straight and tight on both sides. The stock bolt will cross-thread if the butt stock is angled. And if you put a 686 stock on crooked and shoot it, it'll crack. The trigger unit isn't removable, now recognized to be a good feature.
Beretta owns Benelli. This is what they developed and sell, besides their classic designs and semi-autos.
They released one with shims
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920 Posts
If the gun fits, you can kill game or targets with it regularly, and it’s esthetically pleasing to you why be concerned about the opinions of others.
Based on experience with the game gun I found it too light, with too much recoil, and really ugly. I shoot with two people who both have the sporter and they love them. But, I will regularly chide them on their selection suggesting that the guns are so ugly that if anyone looks at the guns too long they will turn into a pillar of salt. They couldn’t care less about my opinion. That is as it should be.
Based on experience with the game gun I found it too light, with too much recoil, and really ugly. I shoot with two people who both have the sporter and they love them. But, I will regularly chide them on their selection suggesting that the guns are so ugly that if anyone looks at the guns too long they will turn into a pillar of salt. They couldn’t care less about my opinion. That is as it should be.
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683 Posts
Ouch. How about spending 8K on a new DT10L back in 2004? The Mrs. recently hit the 150k with ejector springs a broken bead and stripped out trigger screw being the only issues. Fixed for inflation is that an even comparison? You can tell her she should feel insulted.😳I think if you like it then that is what matters! Plenty of folks look at guys with $10k Perazzis and Kolars and think 'what an idiot' so you won't be alone in that.
And if it makes you feel any better IMO the $3k 828 is no bigger an insult to customers than a $14.5k machine engraved DT11L.
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28 Posts
I love that gun. Only reason I don't have one is they didn't make one with 32" barrels when I was buying.
I bought the 828U Sport late last year and recently started shooting trap with it. The gun is so comfortable shooting after I shimmed it for my perfect fit, I am hitting 23 to 24 every round with it now. The gun, to me, looks absolutely beautiful and shoots the same. Kind of like a race car look to it. At our trap club I get a lot of comments on it and they are all good. So, shoot what works for you and don't worry about any negative comments.
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16 Posts
I agree. I have put about 2500 rounds through mine now also and never an issue as of yet. Loving this shotgun.
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564 Posts
Benelli isn't the only company to come out with a slightly different looking break open shotgun based upon advancements that really didn't take off.
Browning had the Cynergy, Beretta had the UGB25 (which I own and shoot occasionally) and Cosmi has… well the Cosmi and out of the three, the 828 is probably the closed to a normal shotgun out of the group.
I for one like guns that are slightly different. So long as they still shoot and break clays or drop game.
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Browning had the Cynergy, Beretta had the UGB25 (which I own and shoot occasionally) and Cosmi has… well the Cosmi and out of the three, the 828 is probably the closed to a normal shotgun out of the group.
I for one like guns that are slightly different. So long as they still shoot and break clays or drop game.
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