Any gripes for a Supernova??

[P.B.Walsh]

Hey all, me again.

First of all, I went on my first duck hunt this padt weekend and collectively, killed 32 ducks. I myself might have killed 5-6. Made a pretty good shot at about 30-40 yards, couldn't belive it, the lead was probally five yards!! Most misses were because i shot at or behind the duck. I think that I'm hooked, far more exciting than deer hunting for sure!! FOOD WAS AMAZINGLY GOOD!!!!!

But anyway, the first day I used a borrowed Remington 11-87 with a 3" chamber, wood furniture. I will never buy that gun, hated the way you loaded it (behind the shell lifter, you had to press a button to allow the shell lifter to be lifted and load a shell into the magazine).

The next two days, I used a borrowed Benelli Nova, 3.5" chamber with a camo pattern covering the entire shotgun. It was very slick in operation, and even easier to reload. No stupid button blocked my loading process!! The only minor gripe I had was that the saftey was forward of the trigger guard, but I'll chop that up too operator error, considering my inexperience with the gun.

Anyways, I started looking at the Benelli SuperNova and was wondering if their are any gripes with the gun (besides aftermarket support). I am also concidering the Remingto 870 Express Super Magnum, but I know the gripes (poor finish, dosent like cheap ammunition, rough chamber, questionable quality). I know everyone makes accesories for the 870, but I want a shotgun that is right the first time.

Thanks,
P.B.Walsh

 

[gfpd707]

I have had mine for about 2 1/2 years now and love it. I have put roughly 800 rounds through it and have never had a problem. The pumping action is very smooth. If you are interested in aftermarket parts dont get a supernova there just isnt anything for it. now is it any better than an 870 I dont know but it works fine. I bought mine because I liked the way it feels and I didnt want something everyone else has.

 

[rbernie]

I've shot a couple of flats of shells through a Nova in the last month or so, and my only real gripe lays in the fact that pressing rearward on the forearm while pulling the trigger will plumb lock up the action until the trigger resets. It's not a huge deal, once you get used to a complete trigger reset before trying to rack the slide, but I had to unlearn some cheater habits from my 870 to effectively use the Benelli.

Other than that - it just seems to work.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Thats kinda what I get from these shotguns "It just seems to work".

 

[CowTipper]

I got a 26" Supernova Field and I love it. Had it for 2-3 months and already put 1000+ rounds through it, shooting trap/skeet/clays. I've always wanted a Benelli and I'm super happy with it. Cleaning is easy and it's eaten all the Walmart ammo I've put through it. The shim kit was nice to get an almost perfect fit on me. Recoil isn't bad at all considering it's a pump.

All that being said, I do kind of wish I got the Tactical version and then bought a field length barrel. The Tacticals come with taps so you can put an optics rail on top. I'll need to bring mine to a gunsmith if I want optics. As stated above, there are basically no aftermarket accessories for these guns. You can get aftermarket tube extensions and other Benelli barrels. That's just about it.
I've never noticed the issue between the trigger and the rearward forearm pressure, but the shotgun always just rests in my left. I don't usually put any rearward pressure when I'm holding it.

One last thing between the Supernova and most 870s, I have somewhat shorter arms and I noticed that I'd always be really reaching to hold the forearm on factory 870s, since their forearms are a bit shorter. I think that normally allows unloading of a shotgun with the action open, since it doesn't cover the loading port. With the Supernova, the forearm will cover the loading port, but that's not a problem. If I need to, I just open the action while pushing the mag stop button, which prevents a cartridge from being released from the magazine, take out the one from the chamber, close the action, then dump the rest from the tube.

 

[HarcyPervin]

If I need to, I just open the action while pushing the mag stop button, which prevents a cartridge from being released from the magazine, take out the one from the chamber, close the action, then dump the rest from the tube.

Great feature by the way...especially when negotiating terrain and you need to unload one shell without unloading the whole gun...also works great when jumping on the 4 wheeler and not wanting to have a loaded gun but still want to be able to load up quickly...

I've owned both the 870 and the benelli nova, not the supernova...and I love my nova...like you say, its just right, the first time. They've gotten some bad press, but I can't seem to figure out why.
I have the 26'' barrell and full camo...and I've had that gun in some pretty ugly situtations...the synthetic stock resists damage and the camo holds up really well...not a lot of parts to wipe down or worry about...

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Should I try the pistol griped stock or the regular one? The Nova didnt point just amazing, and it had a regular stock.....

 

[jmr40]

I think the Nova/SuperNova guns may become the new standard for pump shotguns. I've had a couple and have a lot of respect for them. My only real complaint is that I'm just too used to other guns. I don't like that they are so thick through the receiver. If I were just getting started with shotgunning and had never used anything else I'd probably love them.

 

[2WheelsGood]

I have a Supernova Tactical. I couldn't be happier with it. About the only thing I'd trade it for is a Benelli M2.

 

[HKGuns]

They tend to rattle around in the forearm and they are a pump. For Duck's the rattling won't matter, I wouldn't use one for Turkey hunting.

 

[arizona98tj]

HKGuns.....do you have a Nova or SuperNova?

 

[P.B.Walsh]

and they are a pump

Ummmm, duh, I know that it is a pump.

 

[rbernie]

One thing to remember about the Nova/SuperNova pumpguns is that they have a chrome-lined bore. That may prove important for someone that's waterfowling or likely to keep the gun in a non-climate-controlled space for any length of time. It sure does make them clean up fast, too.

It has proven interesting to compare the rattling of my Nova 20ga against my Wingmaster 20ga; the Remington actually has about the same level of rattle, once you tighten the forearm screws on the Benelli. I would not have thought so, but a side-by-side comparison tells the tale.

They do 'shuck' very differently - the Remington makes a pronounced mechanical CLACK! CLACK! and the Benelli is more of a SHWOPP! SHWOPP! kind of a noisemaker. Some folk do not seem to like the wide rear section of the Benelli forearm, but I find that it helps keep my hand out front instead of migrating rearward on the forearm. The Benelli is also easier to break down and reassemble than the 870 - getting the bolt back onto the action bars and the whole mess reassembled is a LOT easier with the Benelli than the Remington.

I will admit that I find the Remington to be more aesthetically appealing and potentially more durable due to its steel-receiver construction, but the Benelli is certainly more functional and probably a better value for the money spent.

 

[2WheelsGood]

...and potentially more durable due to its steel-receiver construction

It's not like most Tupperware guns; it's a durable plastic skin over steel. Durability shouldn't be an issue, and actually the plastic is much better at hiding small scratches.

 

[rbernie]

I was of the impression that the Nova/SuperNova guns are plastic over aluminum and not steel....

 

[2WheelsGood]

I was of the impression that the Nova/SuperNova guns are plastic over aluminum and not steel....

I have a Tactical model. Not sure about the other models, but this is from Benelli's site:

Benelli’s SuperNova Tactical embodies a modular design concept in a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun sight. At the heart of this new pump gun is a lightweight steel skeleton framework over-molded with a high-tech polymer, making the SuperNova Tactical super-light, super-strong and almost completely impervious to any weather condition. But the SuperNova Tactical isn’t just tough on the outside. Dual-action bars and a two-lug rotary bolt head that locks up steel to steel inside the barrel ensures that the SuperNova Tactical is rock solid to the core and capable of handling everything from light loads to 3-1/2" Magnums.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

I think that I will go will the SuperNova, then add an extra barrel down the road for HD. Quite Excited!!