[bratch]

A couple weeks ago I shot a buddies M2 at the local sporting clays range and fell in love. It just plain felt good to hold and shoot.

I'm not really wanting to drop a G on a shotgun right now so I started looking at the other Benelli guns and came across the Super Nova. I've always shot pumps and enjoyed them.

How does the Super Nova feel compared to a M2? Both have the Comfort Tech stock but the Super Nova is a full pound heavier. Would the Super Nova be a good middle ground or should I start saving my pennies?

[Smitty in CT]

Sorry to break the news to you.... but.... you answered your own question in the first sentence when you said, "I shot a buddies M2 at the local sporting clays range and fell in love"

The Super Nova is a nice gun, but it is not an M2, and you will shell out the money now for the pump only to trade it in a year or two down the road on an M2, you'll wind up loosing money on the trade in.

If you really want an M2, try looking for a used one, or pick up a side job here or there to pay for your new found habit.... it only gets worse...

[waterhouse]

I'd start saving pennies, as well as looking at both used M2s and M1s. I've found used M1s for $625-750 depending on how they were set up. Check the regular big sites like gun broker but also check the duck hunting forums and shotgunworld.

[jmr40]

I did exactly what waterhouse suggested. I found a great buy on a lightly used M1 about a year ago after duck season ended. The previous owner traded it in for the M2.

I tried the Nova a few years ago and while I think it has a lot of great features and is probably a reliable gun it did not point well for me at all. In a pump I'll keep my 870.

[jefmad]

Another option may be to buy a Stoeger M2000. It is not finished as nice but uses the same recoil system and is owned by the same company that owns Benilli. They go for around $400 at Dick's.

[chris in va]

I had one of the early Nova 20ga versions. I really tried to like the gun, but had some issues with it and sold it. Much happier with my Mossberg 500 now.

[1KPerDay]

What's the difference between the M1 and M2?

[waterhouse]

IIRC, the differences are fairly minor.

The M2 has a slightly different stock set up which is supposed to reduce recoil, but I didn't notice any difference when shooting them side by side, and it has a slightly different recoil spring set up. The m2 has a different feeling fore end, but I don't remember how. The M2 has a larger trigger guard for gloved fingers, and it has some extra "texture" on the plastic stock to aid in gripping with wet hands. I also think the choke tubes are longer with the M2, and possibly Crio treated, but don't quote me on any of this.

[627PCFan]

I cant speak for the M2 but I have SBEII and a Nova. The Nova is the absolute perfect gun for me as it feels like part of me and the SBEII feels like an extension of me. I have shot the supernova, and would take one anyday, probably over another semiauto especially if money were involved. Supernova, anyday everyday-

[charby]

I bought a Nova, I hated it and its on consignment sale at a local gun store and I have a Super Black Eagle on layaway.

The Nova has the safety in front on the trigger instead of behind like the rest of the Benelli, Beretta and Franchi repeating shotguns.

I kept trying to click the saftey off from behind when I was duck hunting because I was used to Berettas and Remingtons.