[Phillip H]

I am looking at getting a Benelli pump 12ga.

The Nova is $429 MSRP and the SuperNova is at $499 - is the extra $70 worth it?

Rattle? I have a Mossberg 500 and it rattles like there is no tomorrow.

How about reliability?

Thanks in advance,
Phillip

[BrianB]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=295623&highlight=Nova+versus+Supernova

I'm a little biased, as I own the Super and haven't shot the Nova. My understanding is that the Super is MUCH more comfortable to shoot. My Supernova in 12 ga. has less felt recoil than my Dad's semi-auto 16.

Good luck,
B

[seanie!]

I'd say splurge and go for the Supernova, because that's what I did. The ComforTech stock really does make shooting much more comfortable.

[chas08]

If you got to have a benelli, get the supernova.

[rcmodel]

If you go Benelli, just be 100% sure you get exactly the barrel length & stock set-up you want to start with.

Unlike other brands, extra barrels & accessory parts for Benelli's are made from Unobtainium, and priced accordingly.

rc

[chas08]

Unobtainium
:D heh..heh..heh..I like that. (LOL):D

[sbarkowski]

The Nova has a one piece stock and reciever and has been known to crack due to stress of really heavy loads but the gun is slimmer than the Supernova. For the difference in price I would go with the Super, the rattle problem has been fixed and the stock is interchangeable with their pistol grip one if thats something that interests you. I personally found the reciever very long on Supernova as well as being forward heavy, so I would go with the 26" barrel instead of the 28" if you can find one. What's the main purpose of this gun?

[WutUpGeez]

The Nova has a one piece stock and reciever and has been known to crack due to stress of really heavy loads but the gun is slimmer than the Supernova. For the difference in price I would go with the Super, the rattle problem has been fixed and the stock is interchangeable with their pistol grip one if thats something that interests you. I personally found the reciever very long on Supernova as well as being forward heavy, so I would go with the 26" barrel instead of the 28" if you can find one. What's the main purpose of this gun?

haha, do you own one personally or did you just hear on the interwebz that they crack?

I have over 4,000 rds through my Nova...using a mixed bag of 3 1/2", 3" and 2 3/4" loads....Guess what, my gun hasn't cracked!

The polymer is reinforced by steel. I've yet to see an example either in picture or real life of a cracked stock on a Nova.

[SnakeLogan]

I got the SuperNova mainly because I love the Benelli pistol grip, which isn't an option on the Nova.

[TheGrimReaper]

YES!!! Go for the Super Nova!!! I got 2 and love them both!!!

[throdgrain]

4000 rounds is practically nothing though ....

[sbarkowski]

haha, do you own one personally or did you just hear on the interwebz that they crack?

I have over 4,000 rds through my Nova...using a mixed bag of 3 1/2", 3" and 2 3/4" loads....Guess what, my gun hasn't cracked!

The polymer is reinforced by steel. I've yet to see an example either in picture or real life of a cracked stock on a Nova.
No I dont own the Nova. When I bought my Supernova I did alot of research on the differences between the two and the most common complaints to come up was the loose forearm and cracking stocks on the Nova. That was enough to steer me away from the Nova and pay a little more for a gun without problems. Glad to hear yours is working out well for you.

[WutUpGeez]

The forearm on my nova is just as tight if not tighter than my old 870 wingmaster...I think any newer Novas have the forearm "problem" fixed. Not to mention it's not very hard to tighten it with an allen wrench if it ever got bad. I've yet to see any proof of these cracking stocks.

[WutUpGeez]

4000 rounds is practically nothing though ....

Maybe if it was all birdshot...but I'm shooting a lot of magnum slugs and buckshot.

[Phillip H]

What's the main purpose of this gun? No real "main purpose", just most anything one would do with a shotgun, such as shooting varmints in the chicken house, skeet shooting, small game hunting, killing crows that like corn too much, self defense, etc.

[ilmonster]

I have a Supernova, and chose it over the nova due to the stock shims that come with it that allow me to adjust the stock height and cast on/off so it fits me. The comforttech stock seems to attenuate recoil well too.

[shotgunjoel]

I have the Nova and have zero complaints.

[arizona98tj]

Never shot a Nova and I can't think of a reason to trade my SuperNova for any other pump. No reason to do so.....100% happy with it. Mine isn't a bird gun but it will eliminate those varmints in the chicken coop if need be.

[chevyforlife21]

i had the nova sold it for a mossy 500. it was a good gun,when the forearm starts to rattle you tighten the allen heads on each side slightly, then its back to almost perfect. and there is no way the receiver would crack it has steel plates inside. and all the stress is on the bolt head not the receiver cuse its a rotating bolt that locks into the barrel. get either gun, if your scared of the stock breaking get the super but i doubt youll have a problem i had 500 rounds threw mine with alot of magnums.

[shotgunjoel]

When I bought my Supernova I did alot of research on the differences between the two and the most common complaints to come up was the loose forearm and cracking stocks on the Nova. That was enough to steer me away from the Nova and pay a little more for a gun without problems. Glad to hear yours is working out well for you.
sbarkowski is offline Report Post Quick reply to this message
Um... don't they have the same forearm? So you'd have the rattle with either. Also, you can put a comfortech recoil pad on the standard Nova.

[sbarkowski]

yeah.. u could.. or just get the supernova. and yes the forearms are the same they just fixed the rattle problem. For the difference in price why wouldnt you get the super.

[WutUpGeez]

I'm 27...a little recoil doesn't bother me...now if I was 50+ then I might think about the super nova.

[Micro]

I have the Super Nova Tactical. It's as soft a shooting 12 gauge pump as you can buy. I'd recommend the Super Nova, even though I know the Nova is fantastic, too.

[SnakeLogan]

I have the Super Nova Tactical. It's as soft a shooting 12 gauge pump as you can buy.

Agreed! I couldn't believe how much softer shooting my SNT was than my 870.

[Horsemany]

Super Nova for me. Anyone ever have the carrier hang up and dump shells on the ground when you pump instead of put one up in the chamber? My hunting partner's been having that happen on his SuperNova.

[arizona98tj]

Nope.....I've put hundreds of rounds (buck, slugs, and birdshot) through my SuperNova during a typical training weekend without ever experiencing the problem you stated. My shooting buddy has a SuperNova also.....never seen his do it either.

My first question to your friend would be to ask if it does this with all ammo or one particular brand?

[Horsemany]

It does it with different ammo but not all the time. I was wondering if his magazine cut-off is hanging up or sticky. We're gonna break it down and see if something needs cleaning/lube.

[kansas45]

I have both the Nova & Super Nova. Never had a problem with either one. I do like the adjustability in the Super, but both shotguns preform very well.

[arizona98tj]

I was wondering if his magazine cut-off is hanging up or sticky. We're gonna break it down and see if something needs cleaning/lube.

Certainly worth a look. I routinely depress mine to allow me to "unload" the magazine tube. If it was sticking or worn, I could easily see how it would dump a round (or three) on the ground.