Stoeger M3500 12 Gauge
Model: 31810
Stoeger M3500 12 Gauge
Model: 31810
Full Specifications
About This Firearm
The Stoeger M3500 is the M3000 with a longer chamber. That single spec change — from 3 inches to 3.5 inches — opens the gun to the full range of steel waterfowl loads, including the heaviest 3.5-inch magnum loads that the M3000 cannot cycle. The inertia-driven operating system is licensed from Benelli and functions the same way as Benelli's own inertia guns: the bolt recoils against a spring, then uses that stored energy to eject and chamber. No pistons, no gas ports, and fewer components to clean after a day in a marsh blind.
At 122.4 oz (7.65 lbs) with a 28-inch barrel and 50-inch overall length, it's a field gun built for waterfowl and turkey hunting, not a tactical platform. The drilled-and-tapped receiver allows an optic mount for slug hunting. Four choke tubes are included (IC, M, F, XFT), a shim kit for stock adjustment, and a recoil reducer — a more complete out-of-the-box package than most guns in its price range. The fiber optic front bead is a real advantage for tracking birds in poor light.
The M3500's strength is 3.5-inch magnum capability at $849 MSRP. The Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 handles the same 3.5-inch loads but retails for roughly twice the price. Inertia guns need some recoil to cycle, and the tradeoff is that the M3500 can feel punishing with heavy steel loads — an expected characteristic of lightweight inertia systems.
Best For
Strengths & Limitations
- 3.5-inch chamber capability at $849 MSRP is the M3500's clearest advantage. Getting the same capability from the Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 costs roughly twice as much for the same fundamental inertia operating principle.
- Ships with four choke tubes (IC, M, F, XFT), a shim kit, and a recoil reducer — most guns at this price include two or three chokes and no stock fitting kit. The XFT choke alone covers turkey season without a separate purchase.
- Inertia guns need sufficient recoil to cycle reliably. The M3500 is documented to short-cycle on light 2-3/4-inch promotional loads (7/8 oz target loads especially) — a real limitation if you want one gun for both hunting and casual range days.
- At 122.4 oz (7.65 lbs) with a 28-inch barrel, it's heavier than the Benelli M2 at 108.8 oz with the same barrel length. The M3500's 3.5-inch chamber and synthetic construction account for some of that — but owners report the extra weight is noticeable on full days of walking.
- The blued finish on the receiver and barrel is less corrosion-resistant than the anodized finishes on Benelli's own guns. Waterfowl hunters who consistently hunt in rain or saltwater environments report needing more attentive maintenance to prevent surface rust.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Stoeger M3500 accept Benelli choke tubes?
The M3500 uses Benelli-style Crio choke threads, which are the same thread pattern as Benelli's Crio and Crio Plus choke system. Aftermarket chokes made for Benelli typically fit the M3500 without modification. However, Benelli's Crio Plus chokes, which use a different extended design, may not seat properly in the M3500's shorter choke threads — check the manufacturer's compatibility list before buying. Standard Benelli Crio chokes, and most aftermarket chokes labeled for the Stoeger M3000/M3500, thread in correctly.
What is the minimum load the Stoeger M3500 will reliably cycle?
Stoeger specifies a minimum 3-dram equivalent, 1-1/8 oz load for reliable cycling. In practice, owners report consistent cycling with standard 1-1/8 oz 3-dram field loads in 2-3/4-inch shells, but light promotional loads under 1 oz (common at big-box stores) frequently cause short-cycling in both new and broken-in guns. The 3.5-inch chamber does not help here — the inertia system requires a minimum recoil impulse regardless of shell length. If you plan to shoot lighter training loads frequently, a gas gun like the Beretta A300 Ultima handles light loads more consistently.
