[Marko Kloos]

My Nova project is almost where I want it. My gunsmith added a Weaver rail to the top of the receiver, and I put a BSA red dot on it.

At one point, I had a side saddle on it, but I didn't like that arrangement for various reasons.

Now I just need to find a magazine extender that doesn't cost more than a kidney.

The base is very low, but the red dot with its built-in base is just high enough that you cannot use the ghost ring sights through the red dot tube. You can, however, index the front sight post in an emergency, and the red dot sight comes off very quickly if needed.

I'm a huge fan of red dot sights, and I have the same brand on my CETME battle rifle. I prefer them to iron sights of any kind for 0-200 yard work. The red dot makes target acquisition very fast, and its main assets are low-light sight visibility and the ability to keep both eyes open.

Here's the Nova with the new accessories:

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=502159

[Marko Kloos]

Here's the rail in detail:

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=502161

[Skunkabilly]

Very slick! The skunk likes!!!! :cool:

[Correia]

Marko, since Benelli mag extensions cost so much, maybe you would be better off having a local machineist just make you an extension. It is just a piece of tubing after all.

[vertigo7]

Thanks for the excellent pictures. I have a project to spend my Christmas money on now.&nbsp&nbsp :D

vertigo7

[Marko Kloos]

Cost for the whole project, including rail, gunsmithing fees, and red dot scope, was under $100.

[Gordon]

Hope gunsmith anchored the mount with 10-32 screws AND epoxy. I wonder if the BSA scope could survive 200 rounds of Buck or Slugs?: :cool:

[Mike-SoCal]

Marko,

A couple of questions:

--- Why didn't you like the side saddle on the new setup?

--- If one wanted to use a red dot sight, would it make any difference whether one bought a Nova with rifle or ghost ring sights?

--- How long is the barrel and are you going to choke it?

--- Lastly, how do you like the Nova's trigger?

Thanks for your comments.

Mike

[Benjamin]

looks like a very nice setup.

I was under the impression that the receiver of the Nova is largely polymer with metal inserts at wear points, and that this is workable since the bolt locks up into the barrel extension. [If I am mistaken in this, please disregard the question]

Is there enough metal there to mount the rail to securely?
Is it simply attached with adhesive?
Something else entirely?


-Ben

[Marko Kloos]

--- Why didn't you like the side saddle on the new setup?

The attachment pins had to be screwed in with a wrench, making quick field-stripping without a tool impossible. The original trigger group pins can be pushed out with the nose cap of the magazine tube. Also, you could disable the trigger by overtightening the attachment pins, and I didn't want to sacrifice reliability.

--- If one wanted to use a red dot sight, would it make any difference whether one bought a Nova with rifle or ghost ring sights?

Neither of them will allow you to use the sights through the red dot, since the RD will sit too high. I do like the ghost ring sights for backup, though...it gives the gun very good iron sights in case I have to remove the RD, or it breaks on me.

--- How long is the barrel and are you going to choke it?

The barrel on the Special Purpose Nova is 18.5". Since the SP Nova has ghost rings, it makes a fine slug gun, and choking it would eliminate the ability to shoot slugs.

--- Lastly, how do you like the Nova's trigger?

It's not bad, just your typical shotgun trigger. Since it's polymer, it has a bit of a Glock feel to it.

I was under the impression that the receiver of the Nova is largely polymer with metal inserts at wear points, and that this is workable since the bolt locks up into the barrel extension. [If I am mistaken in this, please disregard the question]

The Nova receiver has a metal skeleton and a polymer shell covering the steel frame. I like the arrangement, since it's the ultimate in light weight and corrosion resistance.

Is there enough metal there to mount the rail to securely?
Is it simply attached with adhesive?

The rail is attached to the receiver via screws that are secured to the metal receiver skeleton underneath the plastic. The gunsmith had to drill through the plastic to get to the steel, but he says it's no big deal to do.