Which of these is the better of the two and why? I'm partial to 870's but have been looking at the Nova at a local shop. The action feels good but I don't know if I could get used all that plastic. The 870 has a proven track record of 50+ years. OTOH Benelli has proven itself, as well. Opinions please...
Benelli Nova or 870?
- Thread starter JL
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Wildalaska
member
Do you want a 50 year old design made mostly out of metal that has proven itslef over and over angain for which parts and service are readily available, of a plastic new shotgun with no real track record from a company that has lousy service?
WildgowiththeRemingtonAlaska
WildgowiththeRemingtonAlaska
Marko Kloos
Moderator Emeritus
The Benelli is relatively new, but it is acquiring a track record as an excellent field gun. It has a bunch of very neat features, among which are a polymer-coated receiver, a magazine cutoff button, and a very simple takedown procedure. It can also chamber 3.5" shells, and there's space for a recoil buffer in the butt.
The 870 has a great reputation, of course. It's been around for decades. That doesn't make the Nova automatically an inferior choice.
The 870 has a great reputation, of course. It's been around for decades. That doesn't make the Nova automatically an inferior choice.
BerettaNut92
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Too bad Benelli ain't selling the one that takes an optic here in the US.
I have an 870, but pick up a Nova every chance I get, it seems to be a solid gun and I would really like to have one to play with.
With an 870 you are guaranteed a shotgun that will last a lifetime. Parts are all over if needed, and cheap. Most of the things that can break can be made if need be. All steel and solid as can be.
With the Nova you have the next step in pumpgun technology. It is lighter, and appears to be dead solid. Parts? Who knows. Life? Should be good but again it would be a guess.
I would say you should get an 870. I don't know enough about the Nova to recommend one, but admit I am darn curious too.
If someone were to donate a Nova for serious testing I culd guarantee a minimum of 20K rounds and 60 days in the field in a years time..........
Yup, not gonna hold my breath, I am gonna have to buy one and try it like anyone else.
Good luck with watever you pick.
With an 870 you are guaranteed a shotgun that will last a lifetime. Parts are all over if needed, and cheap. Most of the things that can break can be made if need be. All steel and solid as can be.
With the Nova you have the next step in pumpgun technology. It is lighter, and appears to be dead solid. Parts? Who knows. Life? Should be good but again it would be a guess.
I would say you should get an 870. I don't know enough about the Nova to recommend one, but admit I am darn curious too.
If someone were to donate a Nova for serious testing I culd guarantee a minimum of 20K rounds and 60 days in the field in a years time..........
Yup, not gonna hold my breath, I am gonna have to buy one and try it like anyone else.
Good luck with watever you pick.
Marshall
Member
How much do you plan on shooting it? A Benelli shotgun fired a dozen times a year should last a lifetime regardless of what or how new it is. Unless you plan on beating it on rocks and throwing it around in the back of pickups, I would have no concern.
Kahr carrier
Member
I like them both myself and they are both reasonable priced.
Wildalaska
member
Change pickup to airplane and you have alaska hunting...
WildmygunsalwyslookedgoodtillImoveduphereAlaska
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
I like the Nova, with some minor reservations.
The trigger needed work on those I've handled, and that forearm rattle would drive me insane stillhunting.
The other matter is longevity. As near as I can tell, nobody in the high volume games is using one as a mainstay. Until people start racking up use lives of over 50 K rounds and still going, the final results aren't in. For casual shotgunners this may pose no problems, but my shotgunning is FAR from casual.
Meanwhile, I'll stick with my "50's Technology" 870s.
The trigger needed work on those I've handled, and that forearm rattle would drive me insane stillhunting.
The other matter is longevity. As near as I can tell, nobody in the high volume games is using one as a mainstay. Until people start racking up use lives of over 50 K rounds and still going, the final results aren't in. For casual shotgunners this may pose no problems, but my shotgunning is FAR from casual.
Meanwhile, I'll stick with my "50's Technology" 870s.
Fed168
Member
I have both. They sell like hotcakes around my area, so there must be something good about the gun.
I am kinda torn between the two. I agree about the trigger though on the Nova, it needs some work. Would also like to have a rail or mount for an optic and a dedicated foreend for a light, but Surefire is going to make one.
Both guns get used pretty often and neither one has hiccupped on me.
I am kinda torn between the two. I agree about the trigger though on the Nova, it needs some work. Would also like to have a rail or mount for an optic and a dedicated foreend for a light, but Surefire is going to make one.
Both guns get used pretty often and neither one has hiccupped on me.
BerettaNut92
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When'd you hear that? Since when? Sweeeeeeeet!
Fed168
Member
Skunkabilly, apparently I mistyped (it's early). I emailed Surefire after I bought my Nova about a foreend, and they said that they had no plans on making one.
Sorry, I want one too. I think Surfire is missing out by not making it.
Sorry, I want one too. I think Surfire is missing out by not making it.
BerettaNut92
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You can probably mount one using one of their mounting solutions but I think I have a phobia for cables running on my gun.
I hope they make 'em for the M4 Super 90.
I hope they make 'em for the M4 Super 90.
lnebelsick
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What would better suit a beginner the Benelli nova or the Remington 870 i Cant decide:banghead:. thanks much
I have tried to like the Benelli. Bought 2 and sold them and went back to the 870. From a mechanical stand point there is a lot that I like. For me the real difference was in being able to hit what I was shooting at. The 870 works better for me. If the Benelli were the first gun I had ever used I might feel different.
A few things to consider: The overall length of the Benelli will be about 2" longer than the 870 given equal barrel lengths. The thickness of the reciever is nearly twice as much as well. Compare them side by side. Let me also add that a lot of people think the 3 1/2" 870 has a longer reciever than the standard gun. Same length, just a larger ejection port.
A few things to consider: The overall length of the Benelli will be about 2" longer than the 870 given equal barrel lengths. The thickness of the reciever is nearly twice as much as well. Compare them side by side. Let me also add that a lot of people think the 3 1/2" 870 has a longer reciever than the standard gun. Same length, just a larger ejection port.
lnebelsick
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I have heard that the fore arm makes a annoying rattle on the benelli how bad is this.
toivo
Member
The old ones rattled a lot, but they have fixed the problem. New Novas don't rattle and the SuperNovas never did. There are some older ones still on store shelves, though, so buyer beware.
chris in va
Member
Wow, nice thread resurrection there Inebelsick.
But anyway, I had an early Nova 20ga. The action was really clunky and recoil was stiff being so light. Never got used to the sight ramp angle either. Accessories were hard to find and the stock was all one piece.
My vote is a standard 870 or old Wingmaster if you can find one.
But anyway, I had an early Nova 20ga. The action was really clunky and recoil was stiff being so light. Never got used to the sight ramp angle either. Accessories were hard to find and the stock was all one piece.
My vote is a standard 870 or old Wingmaster if you can find one.
lnebelsick
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Does the benelli nova in the 20 gauge have the crio treaated barrel, and can you get the shock reducer for it.
thanks
thanks
jack the toad
Member
Having owned numerous 870's and currently one Nova (12) and two 870's (12 & 20), I recommend the 870.
Not saying there's anything wrong with the Nova though. Just personal preference.
Not saying there's anything wrong with the Nova though. Just personal preference.
Fred Fuller
Moderator Emeritus
I'd say 'good use of the search function' myself 8^).
Unless things have changed with the 'nelli, it's hard to adjust the LOP by trimming the stock on it. OTOH, it's easily done on the 870, either by changing stocks or shortening/adding a recoil pad etc.
Not an issue if the 'nelli fits you out of the box, best bet in any case is to shoot both for a bit and then decide which you like better.
lpl/nc
Unless things have changed with the 'nelli, it's hard to adjust the LOP by trimming the stock on it. OTOH, it's easily done on the 870, either by changing stocks or shortening/adding a recoil pad etc.
Not an issue if the 'nelli fits you out of the box, best bet in any case is to shoot both for a bit and then decide which you like better.
lpl/nc
birdbustr
Member
1950 is the first year of production for the 870, so 58 years, give or take a few months. And people still try to argue the Mossberg is better than the 870? Give me a break. Mossberg 500's first year of production was 1962, so why don't they have the following and popularity?
MCgunner
Member
In the waterfowl marsh, everyone I know with a Benelli absolutely loves it. I'd rather my Mossberg than an 870, frankly. I've owned both, Mossberg wins with me mainly on ergos, but it's a great shooting gun in its own right and a rugged SOB. If I were to get another pump gun, I'd be weighing the Benelli against a Browning BPS camo, personally, not the 870.
I don't care how long the 870's been around. Hell, the 1897 Winchester has been around 110 years. There are still versions available, cheap versions. If age of design is your parameter, there ya go.
I don't care how long the 870's been around. Hell, the 1897 Winchester has been around 110 years. There are still versions available, cheap versions. If age of design is your parameter, there ya go.
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