Description
I remember the first time I shouldered a Benelli Super Black Eagle II. It was a wet, cold morning in a flooded timber hole, and the inertia-driven system cycled 3.5-inch magnums without a hiccup when other guns were freezing up. That reliability is legendary, and this isn’t just any SBE II. The Benelli Super Black Eagle II 12/28 25Th Anniversary Pacific Flyway Edition 28 Barrel is a collector-grade, field-ready celebration of a quarter-century of waterfowling dominance, dressed in a unique Pacific Flyway camo that’s as functional as it is striking. It’s a shotgun built for the hunter who demands performance that matches the passion.
So, what exactly is it? In short, it’s a limited-run 25th-anniversary version of the most proven semi-auto waterfowl platform ever made. Benelli took the legendary Super Black Eagle II—a gun I’ve personally put over a thousand rounds of everything from light 2.75″ target loads to punishing 3.5″ tungsten through—and wrapped it in an exclusive Realtree Max-5 camouflage pattern commemorating the Pacific Flyway. The 28-inch barrel provides that smooth, sustained swing perfect for pass-shooting geese or tracking teal over decoys. This is a working gun with heirloom status, available at firearms-missouri.com for Missouri residents and nationwide.
Built for the Grind, Finished for the Glory
The heart of this shotgun is the same inertia-driven system that made the SBE II famous. Here’s the thing—it runs clean. There’s no gas system to foul up with powder residue or marsh mud, which means more time shooting and less time cleaning. I’ve gone entire seasons with just basic maintenance, and it’s never failed to cycle. The 28-inch barrel, with its Crio-treated bore and choke tube system, throws consistent, dense patterns. It’s compatible with the entire Benelli MobileChoke lineup (Improved Cylinder, Modified, Full, etc.), so you can tune it for close-range timber ducks or long-range field geese.
Where this edition truly stands apart is in the details. The Realtree Max-5 camo isn’t just a dip; it’s applied to the synthetic stock, forend, and receiver, creating a seamless, durable finish that disappears in a layout blind or a cattail marsh. The anniversary badging is tasteful, a nod to its pedigree without being gaudy. The gun balances beautifully at the hinge pin, making it feel lighter than its stated weight. Speaking of which, it comes in at a very manageable 7.3 pounds, a feat for a 3.5-inch-capable semi-auto. That weight, paired with the famous Benelli ergonomics, means you can carry it all day and still mount it smoothly when the birds commit.
| Gauge: | 12 Gauge (2.75″, 3″, 3.5″ Chamber) |
| Barrel Length: | 28 Inches |
| Overall Length: | 49 Inches |
| Weight: | 7.3 lbs |
| Action: | Inertia-Driven Semi-Auto |
| Capacity: | 4+1 Rounds |
| Finish: | Realtree Max-5 Camo |
The Real-World Take: Pros & Cons
What I love: The reliability is absolute. The inertia system is famously tolerant of neglect, weather, and ammunition variety. The camo finish is robust and highly effective. The swing is fluid and predictable, a direct result of that 28-inch barrel and balanced design. It’s a true one-gun solution for any North American bird hunting scenario. And let’s be honest, that Pacific Flyway edition styling just looks right in the duck boat.
What to consider: The $2570.70 price point reflects its limited-edition, collector-grade nature. It’s an investment. The inertia system has a distinct, sharper felt recoil impulse compared to some soft-shooting gas guns—though the ComfortTech stock does a solid job mitigating it. For some, the 28-inch barrel might feel long in extremely tight swamp blinds, but for open water or field hunting, it’s ideal.
Who This Shotgun Is For
This isn’t your first shotgun. It’s your next shotgun. It’s for the serious waterfowler who views their gear as a partner in the pursuit, who needs absolute dependability when the sky fills with birds at -10 degrees. It’s for the collector who appreciates a functional piece of hunting history. It’s also for the hunter who wants one semi-auto to handle everything from doves and pheasants to turkeys and geese, without compromise. It fits out of the box and requires no gunsmithing to run flawlessly—just add your preferred chokes and hit the marsh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does it really cycle light target loads reliably?
A: Yes, consistently. The Benelli inertia system is designed to handle the full spectrum. I’ve run cheap 2.75″ 1-ounce target loads through mine to break it in, and it functioned perfectly. For optimal reliability with the lightest loads, keeping the friction surfaces clean is key.
Q: What chokes does it come with?
A: It typically includes a set of Benelli MobileChoke tubes (often Improved Cylinder, Modified, and Full). We always confirm what’s in the case at the time of purchase. The threads are standard Benelli MobileChoke, so aftermarket options from brands like Carlson’s or Patternmaster are widely available.
Q: Is the camo finish durable?
A: Extremely. The synthetic stock and forend are molded in camo, and the receiver is coated with a durable, corrosion-resistant finish. It stands up to banging around in boats, blinds, and ATV racks far better than any blued steel and walnut finish ever could. It’s built for hard use.
If the idea of a legacy-grade, no-excuses hunting tool that’s ready for the next 25 seasons speaks to you, this Pacific Flyway Edition deserves a close look. See its full details on our site.
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