Benelli Nova Pump-Anyone have one?

[woodfiend]

I've been thinking about getting one of these. I don't particularly want a Mossberg and I really don't want a Remington or Winchester. I love the design and features of the Benelli. My main question is, for just an all around gun, should I get the 28" or 18.5" barrel? I might go hunting every now and then, but will mostly use it for home defense and plinking.

Also another thing, how much do extra barrels cost? I have seen them cost more than the gun itself.

If you have anything to add about reliability, or anything else, please do.

 

[jmr40]

Have had 2 and sold them. Nothing wrong with the guns, but I hit better with an 870. I would get the 24" barrel on a Benelli. Whatever you get, do not plan on buying replacement barrels. One of the reasons I sold mine was because replacement barrels were almost non-existant and the cost was just under what the whole gun cost. Mossberg and Remington have reasonably priced barrels that allow you to just change barrels and convert your hunting shotgun into a home defense gun quickly and cheaply.

 

[woodfiend]

May I ask what you were shooting? Trap shooting, birds, etc.

 

[jmr40]

I am primarily a hunter who shoots clay targets informally just to stay in practice. I also keep one of my 870's with a 20" slug barrel on it for home defense.

From a mechanical standpoint I like the Benelli. It had a lot of features I liked but when it came down to hitting clays and birds I missed more often with the Benelli. If I had not used the Remington for years and had started with the Benelli my opinion may be different.

Both guns weigh about the same but the receiver on the Benelli is both longer and much thicker. It made carrying it awkward for me. The reason I suggested the shorter barrel is because of the length of the Benelli receiver. Stand a Remington next to a Benelli with both having the same barrel length. The overall length of the Benelli will be about 2" longer.

I do not think they are bad guns. They just did not suit my tastes as well.

 

[woodfiend]

Thanks, that's good information.

 

[jack the toad]

Having owned the following pumps:
Browning, Ithaca, Win, Moss, Rem, Ben, among others, I'll say this.
IMO the Nova is a fine gun but I still prefer the 870.

 

[sbarkowski]

Started my shotguning with an 870 express. Great gun, pointed well but had issues with jamming shells (the cheap winchester bulk packs "low brass" which is all i use for clay shooting) even after polishing the chamber plus some rusting issues. Recently sold it and got a Supernova and I am very pleased with it. Light to carry, comes to the shoulder fast and points right where I look. Smooth, effortless action and has cycled everything i've put through it. It is fairly long but that helps for a smooth swing being the gun is so light. Find one with a 26" barrel or less if you can it would probablly be easier to manouver in the thick bush. Be sure to handle one. With it having such a long reciever it doesnt fit everyone. I have a little clip of it with a small review on youtube somewhere. Sorry dont have a link I just uploaded it last night.
Titled "Benelli Supernova 12ga" by sbarkowski

edit: BTW barrels and accessories are nearly IMPOSSIBLE to find and are very costly in comparison to an 870. As far as reliability, i'd trust my life on it. With good ammo of course.

edit: Found the link, its up and running now. Just me and some friends having some fun. It was so cold out the hand thrower broke so we had to improvise a bit. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIns7w9u0yM

 

[ReadyontheRight]

I sold mine. A round jammed in the receiver during trap shooting. To the point where I needed to stop shooting and use tools to get it out.

I have never had that happen before - or since - with a pump gun.

Great concept...and I like how it's apparently indestructable, but I did not particularly like the way it pointed and swung for me. When it jammed, I decided that I was fine with an 870.

 

[actaylor]

I have a Nova. I bought it for duck hunting because I didn't want my Brownings to undergo the abuse a duck hunting gun gets. I love the Nova. Mine has performed flawlessly and I think it's a great gun for the money.

 

[DUCKNDAWG]

I bought one for the same reason as actaylor. I could not see messin up my good 870's bangin on ducks! the gun has been put thru hell and keeps on a shootin!!

 

[JonB]

Only shotgun I own is a Benelli Nova. 24" barrel. I use it for ducks, geese, pheasant, and this last weekend got a turkey with it. Great gun for the money.

But I agree with others - forget different barrels. They cost the same as buying another gun. So if that is important to you maybe look at an 870. I have no use for other barrels so I am sticking with the Nova. In fact, I would buy another Benelli before any 870 or Mossberg.

 

[627PCFan]

+1 on the Nova. I have a SBE 2 and the Nova is my preferred gun. I think it just fits me very well, and if it is a 12 gauge shell of whatever type, it'll fire it.

 

[goose2]

I like the Nova and it seems to be a good gun.
For a pump I like the Browning BPS the best.

 

[zammyman]

My dad bought a Nova, and compared side by side with my Mossberg, I feel it's not as well made as the Mossberg or Remington.

 

[BrianB]

I love my Supernova (skip the Nova) in 18.5" and still have fun hitting the clays.

Great thing about the Supernova is the lower recoil and modular setup. If/when you hunt, you could always invest in an interchangeable field length barrel.

 

[sbarkowski]

Anyone have the Nova with the mercury tube and a good but pad? Just wondering how much it helps the recoil. I found a nova in a 20ga that fits my wife perfectly but she's fairly small and recoil sensitive.

 

[actaylor]

I put the mercury tube in mine. Not sure I can tell any difference, but I usually only shoot my Nova when I'm duck hunting and I'm usually wearing enough cold weather clothing to absorb any recoil! A fellow hunter shot mine and complained about the recoil, but I really don't notice it.

 

[Trash]

If you want an inexpensive shotgun with many aftermarket parts, get the 870 Express. If you buy anything above that in the Remington line you'll be paying as much or more than you would for the Nova.

I've used both, and while the 870 is a nice gun, it was more finicky cycling ammo than the Nova. The stroke is slightly longer on the Nova, but it has never jammed or hiccuped. Ever. The 870 hasn't been so fortunate.

Nova aftermarket barrels are very difficult to find (ableammo has some) and very expensive. You'd be better off buying another shotgun unfortunately. Tube extensions are easier to find and reasonably priced.

The Nova (28" barrel) has done everything I've asked of it. Shotgun plinking, quail, trap, doubles trap (that was a challenge) etc. Heck, I could use the thing as an orr in a canoe if need be and not worry about it getting dirty or rusting. It's brutally simple to break down and clean.

The Nova with an 18.5" barrel would suit you fine and work great. Paying for a longer barrel to hunt with would be the biggest drawback.

Good luck.

 

[quickshot001]

my buddy has a nova and has never once had a problem with it. its an extremely dependable gun. im getting a new shotgun from santa this year and was planning on a nova but i decided on the 870 instead because its lighter and the nova has a pretty bad rattle to it. it is a very good gun tho! btw this is my first post so hello to all!

 

[ilmonster]

I have a 24" SuperNova, and use it both as an under the bed HD gun, and a fun gun for the clays field (my dedicated clays gun is a Citori XT). I have had no problems with it, having fed it Remington Reduced Recoil buckshot loads (used for HD), Win. AA Target loads, and some of my reloaded 7/8 oz. skeet rds. I had an 870, but the stock just didn't fit me, so I got the SuperNova with the shim adjustable ComfortTech stock. Would love to have the iconic 870, but a shotgun has to fit!

 

[kmrcstintn]

I have a black synthetic Nova that is pre ComfortTech stock; 3 1/2" chambered; like it alot; only major complaint is the recoil pad...too hard to absorb recoil effectively;

there is a mercury filled cylinder that can be retrofitted into the empty space in the buttstock...but the cost is very ineffective (a local shop has the mercury cylinder for $60 and the required adapter for $45

I think I'll try the cheaper method of removing the OEM recoil pad and replacing it with a Sims Limbsaver slip-on recoil pad that WallyWorld has for $19.99

 

[shotgunjoel]

I got mine a little over a year ago and have had zero problems of any kind. sbarkowski, I have a limbsaver pad on mine and it seems to work well. The gun feels way more durable than the 870 plus you have the option of shooting 3 1/2 shells if you ever go crazy/ want to. The magazine cut of button, you din't think that you will use it but you will. The saftey and slide release are in way more logical places than on the 870.

 

[ugaarguy]

I like how it's apparently indestructable

We've seen a few Novas at the shop with stocks broken at the receiver. They're far from indestructible. The problem with the Nova is that the stock and receiver are a single unit. Break the stock and the gun is going back to Benelli for replacement with a new one. The new one also has to be sent to a dealer because you get a new gun, with a new serial number, and that means a 4473 must be completed.

The Super Novas have separate stocks and receivers, so get one of those if you must have a Benelli pump shotgun.

 

[sbarkowski]

I agree on the mag cut off button. Dont know how I've managed this long without it. Nice little feature to have.

Will the limbsaver pad for the nova fit the supernova?

 

[woodfiend]

Thanks guys that's great info. I like the Nova because it's not as "mundane" as a Mossberg. If you guys had a choice though, would you choose this or a Mossberg?