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Benelli
Super Black Eagle 3

An inertia-operated semi-automatic for wildfowling

Super Black Eagle 3 · USSBE 3 · USSuper Black Eagle 3

Drawing of a Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 from the right: one barrel, a rib, a receiver with an ejection port and enlarged controls, a black synthetic stock with diagonal chevrons and an inset comb pad, a recoil pad and a fore-end with an angular cap.
Drawing: 12-gauge, 28 in, black synthetic, right side

he Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 is an inertia-operated developed for wildfowling.1 Its synthetic versions have diagonal Comfort Tech 3 chevrons and a separate Combtech pad.2 The US gun has enlarged controls and a triangular magazine cap with pronounced edges.3

The Inertia Driven system uses recoil energy to work the .4 The Easy-Locking bolt system uses a spring-loaded ball detent to guide the bolt into its locked position.2 Advanced Impact versions pair a dedicated barrel with its matching as one system.5 US guns come with either standard Crio or A.I. Crio equipment.3, 6

Specifications

12-bore · game

LockingEasy-Locking bolt system7, 8
LockworkInertia Driven system7, 8
Made inUrbino, Italy9
Introduced201710, 11
Bore12-bore
Chambers76 mm (3 in)
Barrels26 in
ChokesCrio; IC and M extended, C, IM and F flush; removable; 5 tubes
Weight3.084 kg (6 lb 13 oz; catalogue, 26 in)

12 Compare specifications

Specifications

ConfigurationBoreChambersBarrels, inFore-endGradeChoke systemYearsWeightMarketsStock
Wood1512-bore89 mm (3½ in)28Walnut; WoodFxWoodCrio; removable; 5 tubes2024Pistol grip; Walnut; WoodFx fore-end; 365 mm pull
BE.S.T.1612-bore89 mm (3½ in)26, 28, 30Black technopolymerBE.S.T.Crio; removable; 5 tubes2024Pistol grip; Black technopolymer fore-end; 365 mm pull
BE.S.T. Labrador Grey1712-bore89 mm (3½ in)28Optifade Timber technopolymerBE.S.T. Labrador GreyCrio; removable; 5 tubes2024Pistol grip; Optifade Timber technopolymer fore-end; 365 mm pull
Black1812-bore89 mm (3½ in)26, 28Black technopolymerBlackCrio; removable; 5 tubes2024Pistol grip; Black technopolymer fore-end; 365 mm pull
Black left-hand, left-handed1812-bore89 mm (3½ in)26, 28Black technopolymerBlack left-handCrio; removable; 5 tubes2024Pistol grip; Black technopolymer fore-end; left-handed; 365 mm pull
MAX 71912-bore89 mm (3½ in)26, 28Max-7 technopolymerMAX 7Crio; removable; 5 tubes2024Pistol grip; Max-7 technopolymer fore-end; 365 mm pull
MAX 7 left-hand, left-handed1912-bore89 mm (3½ in)28Max-7 technopolymerMAX 7 left-handCrio; removable; 5 tubes2024Pistol grip; Max-7 technopolymer fore-end; left-handed; 365 mm pull
Cerakote Tungsten Optifade Timber1912-bore89 mm (3½ in)28Optifade Timber technopolymerCerakote Tungsten Optifade TimberCrio; removable; 5 tubes2024Pistol grip; Optifade Timber technopolymer fore-end; 365 mm pull
Optifade Marsh1912-bore89 mm (3½ in)28, 30Optifade Marsh technopolymerOptifade MarshCrio; removable; 5 tubes2024Pistol grip; Optifade Marsh technopolymer fore-end; 365 mm pull
Mossy Oak Bottomland1912-bore89 mm (3½ in)26, 28Bottomland technopolymerMossy Oak BottomlandCrio; removable; 5 tubes2024Pistol grip; Bottomland technopolymer fore-end; 365 mm pull
Optifade Timber1912-bore89 mm (3½ in)26, 28Optifade Timber technopolymerOptifade TimberCrio; removable; 5 tubes2024Pistol grip; Optifade Timber technopolymer fore-end; 365 mm pull
Game
Game1212-bore76 mm (3 in)26Three-inch; black, Max-5, Bottomland or TimberCrio; IC and M extended, C, IM and F flush; removable; 5 tubes20213.084 kg (6 lb 13 oz; catalogue, 26 in)US
Game1212-bore76 mm (3 in)28Three-inch; black, Max-5, Bottomland or TimberCrio; IC and M extended, C, IM and F flush; removable; 5 tubes20213.13 kg (6 lb 14 oz; catalogue, 28 in)US
Game1220-bore76 mm (3 in)26Three-inch; black, Max-5, Bottomland or TimberCrio; IC and M extended, C, IM and F flush; removable; 5 tubes20212.631 kg (5 lb 13 oz; catalogue, 26 in)US
Game1220-bore76 mm (3 in)28Three-inch; black, Max-5, Bottomland or TimberCrio; IC and M extended, C, IM and F flush; removable; 5 tubes20212.676 kg (5 lb 14 oz; catalogue, 28 in)US
Game728-bore76 mm (3 in)2628-gauge20222.495 kg (5 lb 8 oz; catalogue, 26 in)US
Game1312-bore89 mm (3½ in)26Standard; black, Bottomland or TimberCrio; IC and M extended, C, IM and F flush; removable; 5 tubes20263.13 kg (6 lb 14 oz; catalogue, 26 in)US365.125 mm pull
Game1312-bore89 mm (3½ in)28Standard; black, Bottomland or TimberCrio; IC and M extended, C, IM and F flush; removable; 5 tubes20263.175 kg (7 lb 0 oz; catalogue, 28 in)US365.125 mm pull
Game1312-bore89 mm (3½ in)28BE.S.T.; black syntheticCrio; removable; 5 tubes20263.175 kg (7 lb 0 oz; catalogue, 28 in)US
Game1428-bore76 mm (3 in)26Standard; black, Bottomland or TimberCrio; IC and M extended, C, IM and F flush; removable; 5 tubes20262.495 kg (5 lb 8 oz; catalogue, 26 in)US365.125 mm pull
Game1428-bore76 mm (3 in)28Standard; black, Bottomland or TimberCrio; IC and M extended, C, IM and F flush; removable; 5 tubes20262.54 kg (5 lb 10 oz; catalogue, 28 in)US365.125 mm pull
Game1428-bore76 mm (3 in)28BE.S.T.; black syntheticCrio; removable; 5 tubes20262.54 kg (5 lb 10 oz; catalogue, 28 in)US
Game2012-bore76 mm (3 in)28Three-inch; black, Max-7, Bottomland or TimberCrio; removable; 5 tubes20263.13 kg (6 lb 14 oz; catalogue, 28 in)US
Game2012-bore76 mm (3 in)26Compact; black syntheticCrio; removable; 5 tubes20263.039 kg (6 lb 11 oz; catalogue, 26 in)US333.375 mm pull
Game1428-bore76 mm (3 in)26Compact; black syntheticCrio; removable; 5 tubes20262.449 kg (5 lb 6 oz; catalogue, 26 in)US
Game, left-handed1312-bore89 mm (3½ in)28Left-Hand; black or Max-7Crio; removable; 5 tubes20263.175 kg (7 lb 0 oz; catalogue, 28 in)USleft-handed
Game1428-bore76 mm (3 in)24Bottomland Original / Patriot Brown CerakoteCrio; removable; 5 tubes20262.449 kg (5 lb 6 oz; catalogue, 24 in)US
Game1312-bore89 mm (3½ in)28Satin walnut; Progressive ComfortCrio; removable; 5 tubes20263.175 kg (7 lb 0 oz; catalogue, 28 in)US
Game2112-bore89 mm (3½ in)28BE.S.T.; black syntheticCrio; C, IC, M, IM and F; removable; 5 tubes20253.175 kg (7 lb 0 oz; catalogue, 28 in)US
Game2120-bore76 mm (3 in)28BE.S.T.; black syntheticCrio; C, IC, M, IM and F; removable; 5 tubes20252.676 kg (5 lb 14 oz; catalogue, 28 in)US
Game2128-bore76 mm (3 in)28BE.S.T.; black syntheticCrio; C, IC, M, IM and F; removable; 5 tubes20252.54 kg (5 lb 10 oz; catalogue, 28 in)US
Wildfowl
Wildfowl2212-bore89 mm (3½ in)28A.I. Cerakote; Max-7/FDE, Bottomland/Patriot Brown, Marsh/Midnight Bronze or Timber/CobaltA.I. Crio; C, IC, M, IM and F; removable; 5 tubes20263.175 kg (7 lb 0 oz; catalogue, 28 in)US365.125 mm pull
Wildfowl2320-bore76 mm (3 in)26Standard; black, Bottomland or TimberCrio; IC and M extended, C, IM and F flush; removable; 5 tubes20262.676 kg (5 lb 14 oz; catalogue, 26 in)US365.125 mm pull
Wildfowl2320-bore76 mm (3 in)28Standard; black, Bottomland or TimberCrio; IC and M extended, C, IM and F flush; removable; 5 tubes20262.722 kg (6 lb 0 oz; catalogue, 28 in)US365.125 mm pull
Wildfowl2320-bore76 mm (3 in)28BE.S.T.; black syntheticCrio; removable; 5 tubes20262.722 kg (6 lb 0 oz; catalogue, 28 in)US
Wildfowl2220-bore76 mm (3 in)28A.I. Cerakote; Max-7/FDE, Bottomland/Patriot Brown, Marsh/Midnight Bronze or Timber/CobaltA.I. Crio; C, IC, M, IM and F; removable; 5 tubes20262.722 kg (6 lb 0 oz; catalogue, 28 in)US365.125 mm pull
Wildfowl2228-bore76 mm (3 in)28A.I. Cerakote; Max-7/FDE, Bottomland/Patriot Brown, Marsh/Midnight Bronze or Timber/CobaltA.I. Crio; C, IC, M, IM and F; removable; 5 tubes20262.54 kg (5 lb 10 oz; catalogue, 28 in)US365.125 mm pull
Wildfowl2320-bore76 mm (3 in)26Compact; black syntheticCrio; removable; 5 tubes20262.585 kg (5 lb 11 oz; catalogue, 26 in)US333.375 mm pull
Wildfowl, left-handed2320-bore76 mm (3 in)28Left-Hand; black syntheticCrio; removable; 5 tubes20262.722 kg (6 lb 0 oz; catalogue, 28 in)USleft-handed
Wildfowl2320-bore76 mm (3 in)24Bottomland Original / Patriot Brown CerakoteCrio; removable; 5 tubes20262.631 kg (5 lb 13 oz; catalogue, 24 in)US
Wildfowl2112-bore89 mm (3½ in)28A.I. BE.S.T.; Optifade Timber and grey BE.S.T.A.I.; C, IC, M, IM and F; removable; 5 tubes20253.175 kg (7 lb 0 oz; catalogue, 28 in)US
Wildfowl2412-bore89 mm (3½ in)28A.I. Cerakote; Max-7/FDE or Bottomland/Patriot BrownA.I.; C, IC, M, IM and F; removable; 5 tubes20253.175 kg (7 lb 0 oz; catalogue, 28 in)US
Wildfowl2120-bore76 mm (3 in)28A.I. BE.S.T.; Optifade Timber and grey BE.S.T.A.I.; C, IC, M, IM and F; removable; 5 tubes20252.676 kg (5 lb 14 oz; catalogue, 28 in)US
Wildfowl2420-bore76 mm (3 in)28A.I. Cerakote; Max-7/FDE or Bottomland/Patriot BrownA.I.; C, IC, M, IM and F; removable; 5 tubes20252.676 kg (5 lb 14 oz; catalogue, 28 in)US

Scroll for more columns.

Identify and date

The range includes 12- guns with either three-inch or 3½-inch chambers, as well as three-inch 20- and 28- versions.3, 25, 26, 27 The US Left-Hand mirrors the standard gun's layout.3 The international Wood has walnut furniture and Progressive Comfort, while the BE.S.T. has black technopolymer furniture and a carbon-fibre .28, 29

Italian national sit on the receiver and barrel.30 The Italian year stamp dates the proof test.31 CS stands for 2017, CT for 2018 and CU for 2019.32 From 1 June 2020, the replaced the letter code with the year's last two digits in a rectangle.33, 34, 32

WhereMarkings
Receiver and barrelItalian national 35
Front of Benelli internal One to five notches identify Full through Cylinder36

Proof date

The stamp gives the year of proof. CZ applies up to 31 May 2020, and 20 from 1 June 2020. The later stamp encloses the year’s last two digits in a rectangle.31, 32, 33

Proof date codes

Before you buy

  1. Match the and length to the intended ; Benelli prohibits cases longer than the .4
  2. Match the set to the version: standard US guns have two extended and three flush Crio tubes, while A.I. Cerakote has five extended A.I. Crio tubes.3, 6
  3. Read the fitted 's steel-shot marking; Benelli requires “STEEL SHOT – OK” and marks its Full and Improved Modified internal tubes unsuitable.37
  4. Check fit for the exact configuration: US 12- and 20- Compacts have a 13⅛-inch pull, compared with 14⅜ inches on their standard versions.25, 26
  5. Pattern the gun; in an Outdoor Life comparison, one SBE3 shot wholly above the aiming point at 35 yards.38
  6. If the seller reports cycling trouble, ask which cartridges they used; the action needs enough recoil energy, and a new gun may need breaking in before it cycles light target loads.4
  7. Check for residue in the firing mechanism and bolt assembly; Benelli calls for both to be cleaned and lubricated, and recommends oiling parts exposed to atmospheric corrosion.4

History

Benelli introduced the original Super Black Eagle in 1991.39 The Super Black Eagle 3 followed in 2017 as the Super Magnum wildfowling version.1 The US range added three-inch 12- and 20- guns in 2021 and a new 28- in 2022.40, 41, 42, 43

The 2024 international catalogue lists Wood, BE.S.T. and Labrador Grey configurations.28, 29, 44, 45 The 2025 US catalogue lists A.I. BE.S.T. and A.I. Cerakote in 12 and 20 .46, 47, 48 For 2026, the A.I. Cerakote adds 28 and comes in four camouflage and Cerakote combinations.6, 49

DateChangeObservable feature
2021Three-inch 12- and 20- versions join the US range12Three-inch specification
2022The US range adds a 28-728- with a three-inch
2025A.I. BE.S.T. and A.I. Cerakote appear in the US range50Advanced Impact barrel-and- system
2026A.I. Cerakote adds a 28-2228- A.I. Crio

Sources

  1. The history of the Benelli Inertial System, sbe3-2017. Benelli Armi, 2022-06-30. maker website · Archive
  2. Benelli USA 2025 workbook — Super Black Eagle 3, comfort-and-locking. Benelli USA, 2025. maker catalogue · Archive
  3. Benelli USA 2026 workbook — Super Black Eagle 3, standard-and-best. Benelli USA, 2026. maker catalogue · Archive
  4. Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 Line owner manual, ammunition-and-care. Benelli Armi, 2016-01. manual · Archive
  5. Benelli technologies and model names, advanced-impact. Benelli Armi. maker website · Archive
  6. Benelli USA 2026 workbook — Super Black Eagle 3, ai-cerakote. Benelli USA, 2026. maker catalogue · Archive
  7. Benelli USA 2022 workbook — new 28 gauge SBE3, pp. 14–15, New 28 gauge. Benelli USA, 2022. maker catalogue · Archive
  8. Benelli USA 2025 workbook — Super Black Eagle 3, Comfort and locking. Benelli USA, 2025. maker catalogue · Archive
  9. Benelli Sustainability Report 2024, p. 17, Urbino and Beretta ownership. Benelli Armi, 2024. maker website · Archive
  10. The history of the Benelli Inertial System, SBE3 2017. Benelli Armi, 2022-06-30. maker website · Archive
  11. Benelli USA 2026 workbook — Super Black Eagle 3, 2026 edition; Standard and BEST. Benelli USA, 2026. maker catalogue · Archive
  12. Benelli USA 2021 workbook — new three inch SBE3, pp. 16–17, Three inch range. Benelli USA, 2021. maker catalogue · Archive
  13. Benelli USA 2026 workbook — Super Black Eagle 3, Standard and BEST. Benelli USA, 2026. maker catalogue · Archive
  14. Benelli USA 2026 workbook — Super Black Eagle 3, Twenty eight gauge. Benelli USA, 2026. maker catalogue · Archive
  15. Benelli international 2024 catalogue — Super Black Eagle 3, Wood. Benelli Armi, 2024. maker catalogue · Archive
  16. Benelli international 2024 catalogue — Super Black Eagle 3, BEST. Benelli Armi, 2024. maker catalogue · Archive
  17. Benelli international 2024 catalogue — Super Black Eagle 3, Labrador Grey. Benelli Armi, 2024. maker catalogue · Archive
  18. Benelli international 2024 catalogue — Super Black Eagle 3, Black. Benelli Armi, 2024. maker catalogue · Archive
  19. Benelli international 2024 catalogue — Super Black Eagle 3, Camo. Benelli Armi, 2024. maker catalogue · Archive
  20. Benelli USA 2026 workbook — Super Black Eagle 3, Twelve gauge three inch. Benelli USA, 2026. maker catalogue · Archive
  21. Benelli USA 2025 workbook — Super Black Eagle 3, A.I. and BEST. Benelli USA, 2025. maker catalogue · Archive
  22. Benelli USA 2026 workbook — Super Black Eagle 3, A.I. Cerakote. Benelli USA, 2026. maker catalogue · Archive
  23. Benelli USA 2026 workbook — Super Black Eagle 3, Twenty gauge. Benelli USA, 2026. maker catalogue · Archive
  24. Benelli USA 2025 workbook — Super Black Eagle 3, A.I. Cerakote. Benelli USA, 2025. maker catalogue · Archive
  25. Benelli USA 2026 workbook — Super Black Eagle 3, twelve-gauge-three-inch. Benelli USA, 2026. maker catalogue · Archive
  26. Benelli USA 2026 workbook — Super Black Eagle 3, twenty-gauge. Benelli USA, 2026. maker catalogue · Archive
  27. Benelli USA 2026 workbook — Super Black Eagle 3, twenty-eight-gauge. Benelli USA, 2026. maker catalogue · Archive
  28. Benelli international 2024 catalogue — Super Black Eagle 3, wood. Benelli Armi, 2024. maker catalogue · Archive
  29. Benelli international 2024 catalogue — Super Black Eagle 3, best. Benelli Armi, 2024. maker catalogue · Archive
  30. Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 Line owner manual, proof-marks. Benelli Armi, 2016-01. manual · Archive
  31. Beretta USA catalogue 2004: National Proof House Year Stamp Markings, proof-year. Beretta USA; PDF hosted by BerettaWeb, 2004. maker catalogue · Archive
  32. Conarmi: Italian proof marks and year codes, code-table. Consorzio Armaioli Italiani. magazine · Archive
  33. Cambio marchio anno di prova, numeric-stamp. Banco Nazionale di Prova, 2020. proof house · Archive
  34. Cambio marchio anno di prova, change-date. Banco Nazionale di Prova, 2020. proof house · Archive
  35. Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 Line owner manual, Proof marks. Benelli Armi, 2016-01. manual · Archive
  36. Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 Line owner manual, Internal choke identification; Choke marks. Benelli Armi, 2016-01. manual · Archive
  37. Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 Line owner manual, choke-marks. Benelli Armi, 2016-01. manual · Archive
  38. Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 test, pattern-test-context. Outdoor Life. magazine · Archive
  39. The history of the Benelli Inertial System, super-black-eagle-1991. Benelli Armi, 2022-06-30. maker website · Archive
  40. Benelli USA 2021 workbook — new three inch SBE3, three-inch-range. Benelli USA, 2021. maker catalogue · Archive
  41. Benelli USA 2021 workbook — new three inch SBE3, edition. Benelli USA, 2021. maker catalogue · Archive
  42. Benelli USA 2022 workbook — new 28 gauge SBE3, new-28-gauge. Benelli USA, 2022. maker catalogue · Archive
  43. Benelli USA 2022 workbook — new 28 gauge SBE3, edition. Benelli USA, 2022. maker catalogue · Archive
  44. Benelli international 2024 catalogue — Super Black Eagle 3, labrador-grey. Benelli Armi, 2024. maker catalogue · Archive
  45. Benelli international 2024 catalogue — Super Black Eagle 3, edition. Benelli Armi, 2024. maker catalogue · Archive
  46. Benelli USA 2025 workbook — Super Black Eagle 3, ai-and-best. Benelli USA, 2025. maker catalogue · Archive
  47. Benelli USA 2025 workbook — Super Black Eagle 3, ai-cerakote. Benelli USA, 2025. maker catalogue · Archive
  48. Benelli USA 2025 workbook — Super Black Eagle 3, edition. Benelli USA, 2025. maker catalogue · Archive
  49. Benelli USA 2026 workbook — Super Black Eagle 3, edition. Benelli USA, 2026. maker catalogue · Archive
  50. Benelli USA 2025 workbook — Super Black Eagle 3, A.I. and BEST; A.I. Cerakote. Benelli USA, 2025. maker catalogue · Archive

Revised