Blaser FBX Buyer's Guide: Blaser's New Fat Body Sporting Clays Shotgun

Blaser's F3 has been a benchmark in premium sporting clays shotguns for over two decades, and the new Blaser FBX — short for "Fat Body" — is the next chapter in that lineage. It keeps the F3's proven mechanics and modularity while tackling the one complaint long-time F3 shooters have consistently raised: felt recoil. Here's what serious clay shooters need to know before pulling the trigger on one.

Blaser FBX Key Specs

  • Gauge: 12 gauge

  • Barrel lengths: 30" or 32"

  • Chamber: 3"

  • Weight: 8 lbs 9 oz

  • Length of pull: 14½"

  • Stock: Adjustable comb standard, integrated rear weight system

  • Trigger: Striker-fire, removable trigger group (approx. 3 lb 9 oz first pull, 3 lb 15 oz second pull)

  • Chokes: Briley S2 thin-wall multi-choke (fixed choke options available)

  • Finish: DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coating on all steel components

  • Rib: Tapered flat rib (10mm to 8mm) with mid bead and fiber optic front

What Makes the Blaser FBX Stand Out

The FBX isn't a ground-up redesign — it's a smart evolution of the F3 platform aimed squarely at recoil and balance. Blaser widened the receiver, redesigned the barrels with longer forcing cones and lighter thin-wall choke threading, and built in a dual weight-tuning system. The grip is about 4mm larger than the F3's, and the fore-end was reshaped into a semi-beavertail profile for more consistent hand placement regardless of where you grip.

The real story is the integrated balancer system. Up to four tungsten cylinder weights thread into the stock from the rear, and the fore-end has its own weight channel that holds up to five more. That gives shooters a wide range of adjustment to lower the center of gravity and dial in balance to personal preference — the gun settles in the hands rather than fighting you through the swing.

Build quality is where the premium positioning shows up. The DLC coating on all visible steel is considerably tougher than typical Cerakote, which matters on a shotgun that will see heavy range use. The monocoque receiver has a removable faceplate for easy cleaning and firing pin access, and the entire trigger group pulls out with two screws.

Best Use Cases

The Blaser FBX is purpose-built for sporting clays. The weight, barrel options, adjustable comb, and tuning system are all aimed at high-volume target shooters who want a consistent mount and smooth swing across a full course. It will hold its own on a skeet or trap field, but this isn't a hunting gun — the Fat Body design and deliberate weight distribution are optimized for breaking clays, not carrying through uplands.

For competitive shooters, the trigger alone is a selling point. No pre-travel, minimal creep, clean break — the kind of trigger that rewards precision on hard targets and doesn't fatigue you over a long round.

Blaser FBX.TFL

How the FBX Compares to Alternatives

The most obvious comparison is the Blaser F3 itself. The FBX carries over the same proven striker-fire mechanism (running in the F3 since 2003), the same modularity, and the same trigger feel. What's different is how it sits on the shoulder and rides between the hands. If felt recoil on the F3 ever bothered you, the FBX is Blaser's direct answer. One thing worth knowing: F3 wood stocks don't swap over — the inletting is different because the receiver profile changed.

Shoppers at this tier are typically also looking at the Krieghoff K-80, Perazzi competition models, Caesar Guerini's higher-end Invictus lineup, and Beretta's DT11. Krieghoff and Perazzi remain the traditional benchmarks for hand-fit and heritage. Caesar Guerini is often the go-to for shooters who want serious build quality with more configuration flexibility. Beretta's DT11 is the workhorse competition gun you'll see on podiums worldwide. Where the FBX distinguishes itself is the dual weight-tuning system and the fit-and-feel refinements over the F3 — it's a genuinely different shooting experience, even if the mechanical bones are shared with its predecessor.

Typical Price Range

Prices fluctuate based on configuration, condition, and market demand. Check current listings on ShotgunFind for real-time market pricing on the Blaser FBX. Keep in mind that as a new release, configurations are limited — the plain black DLC version is the baseline, with a couple of wood upgrade options available and more on the way.

Who Should Buy the Blaser FBX?

This is a gun for serious sporting clays shooters who already know what they want from a high-end competition over-under. If you're running an F3 and wishing it rode a little softer and felt a little more planted between the hands, the FBX was built specifically for you. If you're stepping up from a mid-range sporting shotgun and ready to commit to a premium platform, it's a strong candidate — especially if the adjustability of the dual weight system appeals to your tuning instincts.

It's not the right pick for a first shotgun, a dedicated hunting gun, or a shooter who won't put in enough volume to justify the investment. But for competitive clay shooters and enthusiasts who value build quality, tunable balance, and Blaser's proven mechanics, the FBX is one of the most interesting premium releases on the market right now.

Browse current listings of the Blaser FBX on ShotgunFind.

For a full hands-on review, read the complete breakdown at Target Focused Life.