870 tactical v. (super)Nova tactical

[Sebastian the Ibis]

I am thinking about getting a Remington 870 express tactical or a Benelli (super)nova & tacstar extension for HD and the occasional shotgun class.

I want rifle sights and an extended tube at a reasonable price. The above options seems to offer this. The 870 has more aftermarket parts, but the Benelli seems to be put together a bit nicer.

Does anyone have a preference between the Benelli & Remington offerings? Or is there something else I should consider like an 870p with an extension?

I am not interested in a pawn shop wingmaster and swapping out the barrel and tube, at that price point I would just get an FN SLP. I've got a mossberg 500, but want something else. I don't think Ithacas and Brownings come with rifle sights, and the Stevens HD only has a 4 rnd tube.

 

[Inebriated]

I prefer the 870. Feels a little more solid to me. Can't go wrong with either.

 

[Gordon]

I've taken SG classes with both. I don't normally like PGs on my SG , but the new Super Nova stock allows one to get the LOP down to 13" or so where you can do good inside and CQB with A LOT cheaper than the machining required to do the Nova correctly like I did. The Nova is NOT put together better than an early 90s and earlier 870 by any means! The Nova rifle barrel with the LPA sights are very accurate with sligs and have a good heavy wall and chrome plateing. The Police 870 RS barrels are good too especially the ones made 5 years ago or so when they thickened them and switched from cyl to Imp. Cylinder on the 18" RS version. The 2 3/4" and 3" 870s when broken in or especially when slicked up go snick snick with a flick of the wrist. The longer 3.5" Nova action require a much longer stroke and is never gonna be as smooth or quick in real life as a sweet 870. Some of the latest 870s seem real rough turds and Nova quality has allways been consistent. Benelli MAY have better customer service. it certainly seems like it on my Benelli autos. Benellis are not as affected by rust as an 870 for obvious reasons.
Buy a good used 870 esp. a police RS if you can find one or rebuild and build up a vintage one. I prefer the 3" Magnum ones incase all you have is 3" to shoot or throw a 3" in by mistake.
That said the Benelli Nova makes a great wet area gun and I have one for such purposes like on my boat.
My latest 870 Police Magnum built with what I learned works for me

An older Police Magnum with what was hot in the late 80s early 90s, I pumped a bazillion rounds thru her after Robar built it. The Choate folder I put on and tweaked ugly but comfortable and portable

My first 870 magnum which I actually used as a popo reservist in early 80s' the light and foreend went on 5 years ago and this is my RV gun. Ouchie mama on the stock!

my benelli Nova

 

[Gordon]

BTW the side saddles went on the old 870s these last 10 years or so, I like them they work a lot better than what came berfore IMHO. This gun saw the most training rounds thru it. It had Winchoke installed in the barrel before there were Rem chokes! Robbie Barkman tefloned it and fabricated the Ghost rings when he first went in business I think. I cut the Choate folder off as much as I could and glued using The Right Stuff the Limbsaver on . Then I bent the bar on the stock to give me the cast off I wanted. The stock is rock solid. When the gun was first bbuilt It had a Choate fixed stock on it but I discovered in the late 90s the LOP was too long and there was no way to correct it. This gun is incredibly smooth BTW. Now it is my back up to the newer Police Magnum when I go train, the POlice Magnum is so good that makes it retired!

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

Gordon,

Thanks for your post, that is exactly what I wanted to hear. That top 870 is exactly what I want to get my hands on.

I went to the LGS and have ruled out the Benelli Super Nova. The slide release has to be pressed beyond flush with the trigger guard to work the slide. Getting my fingernail in there to make it function is just not going to work on a HD weapon. Also the receiver has a sharp corner which lines up with the slide, I am sure this would lead to a few pinches and blisters. Finally, the fit and finish was just not as nice as the 870 Express. The plastic components really reminded me of the Remington 877 - which pinches even worse and seems like the worst of all possible worlds.

It looks like I'll keep on looking for the 870 express.

 

[Isaac-1]

Is the light on the first 870 a 918? it looks longer than my 618FA?

Ike