Benelli Nova vs. New production 870 Express

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Jason_W

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Whats the better buy?

I currently have a Mossberg 835, but I don't care for it all that much. I know I like how the 870s handle, but I've read mixed reviews on the new production models.

My intention is for the gun to be a sort of jack of all trades gun. One barrel for bird hunting, and a shorter smooth bore for use with buckshot and slugs.

I'm going with a DSG for sabot slug use, but that's a whole other thread entirely.
 
I would have to go with the Nova. I'm a Remington guy through and through but the QC has been questionable lately. Now, if you were talking an older Express or Wingmaster, my choice would be Remington, hands down.
 
If you're looking for one shotgun to play numerous roles a Benelli is the last gun I would look at. Additional barrels are very difficult to find and will cost almost as much as a new gun. Barrels for the Remington and Mossberg are inexpensive and can be bought anywhere. Also, the stock and receiver are one piece on the Nova so you cannot change the stock.
 
I have a Benelli Nova black 26" barrel. My intent was the same as yours, have the stock barrel for most uses, then get a slug or rifled barrel for deer hunting. However, I soon found that with the price you have to pay for a new (or additional) Benelli barrel, you're better off just buying a new gun altogether.

What should also be mentioned is Benelli's customer service. When I bought the gun, I found that one of the chokes wasn't properly threaded and wouldn't screw into the muzzle. I called up their customer service line, explained the issue, they said "no problem," and promptly sent my new choke 1 3/4 YEARS :uhoh: later. I actually forgot about it until it showed up (this was after calling about 3 and 7 months after I had made the initial call, to which they told me my request was still logged and the part was on order). Uh what? I'd hate to know what the wait would be like if something major happened.

That said, the fit and finish of the Benelli is far superior albeit mostly plastic. I wanted to buy American, and was initially going to get the Remington, but its finish and especially FIT is pure crap. It is absolutely despicable, and the owners, management, and workers responsible for it should be ashamed to put the Remington name and American stamp on it. It wasn't always this way, go find a nice used 870 Wingmaster from the 80's and grab the fore-end grip - give it a little shake - nice and tight. Look at that finish - BEAUTIFUL! I would be honored to own one of the this, and intend to.

Now go and pick up a new 870. The finish is garbage. Look at that beautiful plastic trigger! Give the fore-end grip a shake. "Wait is this thing attached properly? Here, lets try another one. What the hell?" It rocked from side to side so much, I thought I was going to break it off from the leverage in the amount of space that it moves (probably could if I didn't treat it like a baby in the showroom).

Obviously, the 870 and the Benelli have a reputation for reliability, but is that the ONLY factor in this game? Personally, I don't think so.

I'm sure Remington's customer service is just fine. There's also no question as to the accessories available for the 870 - walk into most sporting goods stores, and you'll find stuff for it.

In the end, knowing what I know now, I wouldn't buy either. I'd either find a very nice used 870 from the glory days, or save up and buy a premium gun from someone else.

Hope that helps.
 
Jason,

I recently (February) picked a Benelli Nova over an 870 Express. The 870 looked and felt like complete JUNK when I held it. I agree with xanderzuk that everybody involved with the 870 Express from CEO, stock holders, engineers, workers, sales, and marketing should be totally embarrassed to claim that as a Remington.

I like my Nova. It fits me well and has given me 0 problems although I only have about 100 shells through it.

I really have no intention of getting a second barrel, and if I was, that may have been a deal breaker. They are outrageously expensive.

Ktn65
 
I know I like how the 870s handle
Click to expand...

My Express does NOT handle like an equivalent Wingmaster. The barrel contours are different. Don't assume an Express will handle like Wingmasters you've shot.
 
Look for a good older (pre-magazine tube dimples), non-bubba'ed Express on the used rack, and save yourself both money and concern over QC on current Express guns. Or look for a good used Wingmaster, Special Purpose or Police trade-in. I've been shooting 870s for about 40 years and have yet to buy one new in the box.

If you don't know what to look for when buying a used gun, find someone to help you shop who knows 870s well enough to know what to look for. There really isn't much that will go wrong with an 870- obvious neglect/abuse being one thing, and kitchen table gun butchery being the other major threat. Few 870s ever wear out- most of them just wear in.

fwiw,

lpl
 
About when did 870 express quality go downhill? I got a 20 ga model for my 12th birthday (almost 18 years ago) that has seen heavy use over the years and I've never had a single problem with it.

If I go used, I should be able to reference the serial number for a date of manufacture.
 
As I said, look for one made before magazine tube dimples came along. That seems to be the best 'dividing line' I can find between old and new. You can't really tell the date 870s were made by serial number without calling the factory with the serial number for a 'born on' date. And barrel date codes aren't always reliable, as so much barrel swapping goes on with 870s.

The older Express guns really are just Wingmasters with a bead blasted finish and birch furniture. Our oldest Express gun actually has very plain walnut furniture with a matte finish. And before Express guns came along, Remington made an 870 variant stamped Sportsman 12 for a couple of years in the mid-1980s- sometimes those turn up as good buys because no one knows what they are. You can see a couple of them at GunBroker-

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=161418328

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=161135089

Shop around, take your time, and find a good one- it pays...

lpl
 
I had a 870 Express (2007 production). It was alright. It had the laminated stock, was sturdy. There was some wiggling in the fore-arm. But it worked, and it never jammed on me. However, the ejector seemed pretty weak and wouldn't eject shells far enough for me to like. Also, the steel receiver was strong, but heavy. It swung, and was okay, but it could have been better. I didn't like the finish because it would tear up my gun rag, and was annoying to oil etc and rusted easily. I sold it recently, because I realized that I should have just gotten a Wingmaster or a nicer one that fit me. The express fit me, and I could hit with it, but eventually you want something better. I would also look at hte mossberg 500.
 
In September I was going through the same thing you were, and ended up buying a new remington 870. The finish is not the best but I don't mind because I didn't buy it to look pretty. Not once has it jammed, no FTF, FTE, FT anything. I did end up buying a new trigger plate because I prefer steel to plastic.
 
I just bought a new 870 Express this past christmas because I tacti-cooled out my old one. The finish on my new one is fine, plain but fine, and the action is tighter and smoother than my old 870 (although my other 870 has more than a few thousand rounds through her.) I got a great deal on a thumb-hole pistol grip laminate stock and put that on as well an a UTG M87 saddle mount and a Tasco pro-point red/ Green dot that I've had lying around for awhile. I can't wait to shoot it.
 
Won't even go near an Express. Like both the Nova and my Wingmaster (70's era)

My 2 cents in a nutshell.

Nova cons-HEAVY shotgun and swings like a 2x4.

Nova pros-Reliable and inexpensive. Also easy to disasemble easy to clean and maintain. Great bang for the buck.

Early Wingmaster pros-Lighter and balanced better with smoother action. Plus it prettier. Inexpensive if found used. There are a ton out there to be found.

Early Wingmaster cons- I can seem to only find fixed choked models on the used rack mostly in full. Replacement barrels = extra cash.
 
Like Lee said. A used WM is not hard to find, or an early Express. I do not care for the Express barrels, but barrels are easy to swap and to find.
 
Benelli super nova

I was looking for the same thing you are in a gun over all versatility If you want a reliable gun pick up a benelli super nova It has a removable stock and doesn't have that notorious rattle in the forearm. Plus it comes in a 3.5 inch receiver. I have experienced nothing but reliable cycling easy cleaning and always being on target. this baby will drive a tack at 35 yards when fully choked. some people don't like the benellis but i personally love em,.
 
I ended up with a nova. A friend had the super nova and it is definitely a better shotgun. I just found the nova at a price I could not turn down and in camo ready for waterfowl. I already own an 1980 870 police and it still far better than either of the benellis and the 870 has many thousands of rounds through it. I have not had trouble getting parts from benelli for their autos ( I think they know me by name by now) but have never had any issues with the pumps.
 
nova vs Rem

I would think a better comparision would be the nova against the 887 nitro mag. Both made similar, look similar. What do you guys feel?
 
I prefer the Benelli Nova even to earlier made Remington 870s in terms of feel, handling and function (the Nova pump-action is Model 12 smooth and effortless to work). That said, in terms of aesthetic subjectivity, I positively hate the "futuristic" looks of them. :barf:
 
Save the hassle and get a Winchester 1300. Mine came with a regular barrel and a slug barrel. No problems whatsoever, shoots any ammo, functions perfectly through thousands of rounds.
 
Grousefeather said:
I would think a better comparision would be the nova against the 887 nitro mag. Both made similar, look similar. What do you guys feel?
Click to expand...
I compared the NOVA with the REMINGTON NITRO MAG...........

I DO like the NITRO MAG so much that I want one!
I know it's a "hunting" gun, but it's VERY cool for HD with the 18" barrel!...
feels better than the NOVA, to me.
 
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