Benelli Nova vs. Remington 870

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In hope of resurrecting this great debate, I'd like to throw in my opinion on each gun, from the standpoint of a gun salesman who deals mostly with hunters.

The 870 is like the Ford f-150. It's been the most popular shotgun for a long, long time, the parts for it are widely available, the accessories are endless, and they are relatively dependable.

The Nova I guess could be viewed like the Toyota Tundra, not that I like foreign trucks, BUT. It's newer, but it's been around long enough to have most of the kinks worked out, it's sleek, it's got some cool new features, and it's proving itself to be pretty darn reliable. Plus the Nova has plenty of accessories for it, and really the ones that matter.

Both guns can literally be run through the muck and come out swinging. I remember reading about a guy who bought his 870 frozen in the bottom of a boat, thawed it, and shoots his limit with it all the time. This post could be overloaded with stories just like that about the 870. The Nova has its legends though as well. Just the other day a man brought his Nova into the store I work at and needed some gunsmith service on it, because it felt "a little sticky." Sure enough the action was gummed up a little bit so I asked him, "Anything happen to this thing lately?" The man replied, "No nothing unusual." I kept inspecting and said, "This thing is full of sand!" "Oh yeah!" he said, "The other day I dropped it in the lake when I was duck hunting and it took me about 15 minutes to find it. I got my last couple ducks after I found it!" This man had probably been shuffling around the lake bottom kicking mud all over it, and in it, and after shaking it out, it still worked!

Both guns fit differently, and the Nova has a 3 1/2 inch chamber, while the 870..... has been around 60 years now. That seems to be the best argument anyone has for the 870, while the Nova has the ability for magnum loads, and the chamber empty button on the forend. In my opinion, the Nova is much more versatile than the 870, but the 870 has the longer track record for being reliable. That's an unfair reason to give it an edge over the Nova though, because it will ALWays have a longer track record.

I'm getting a Nova, because it can do everything. The 870 can't say that. I still sell way more 870s than I do Nova's though
 
They make 3.5" chambered 870's too.

http://remington.com/products/firea...l-870-express-super-mag-turkey-waterfowl.aspx

I've owned both guns. The Nova may well prove to be the best gun from a mechanical standpoint, but we will have to wait about 50 years before we know for sure.

The Nova is about 1/2-3/4lb. heavier and the thicker receiver and forend give them the handling charestics of a 4X4 post. Good guns mechanically and probably a great choice in a turkey or self defense gun. But for a wing shooting gun the 870 points and balances much better.
 
I shot my 870 for years but a couple of years ago switched to a Nova. I only did this because I wanted the cammo pattern finish and plastic furniture. Besides it was a good reason to buy another gun:)
 
If you're comparing a new 870 to a new Nova, then I vote Nova. Remington has had it's problems lately. Now, if you give me the choice of a new Nova and a 70's-80's 870 Wingmaster, then the 870 wins everytime.
 
When I bought my 870 (I think it was 9 years ago). I went through the same selection process. As said, the 870 comes in a Super-Magnum version too, though having owned a different 3.5" gun I can honestly say I have no interest in shooting 3.5". I don't get any different end results for the increase in cost and recoil.

I also came to the same conclusions as jmr40 regarding the ergonomics of the Nova. It just didn't feel right in the hands, while a 870 feels exactly like a pump shotgun should. A decade later, I've taken many, many ducks, squirrel, and even deer with my 870 (we can hunt deer with buckshot on dog drives here). It's the most reliable gun I've ever owned.

BTW, while I didn't go down the Nova route, I have a cousin who did get one. He shot it for a couple years, but eventually traded it off for an 870. I've never sat him down and really asked in detail why he made the switch, but I do know he made the swap.
 
I'm getting a Nova, because it can do everything.

Does it retrieve the ducks it shoots too? :D
 
Funny! We just ran a stage in our "house gun" match last weekend that had folks shooting both a Nova and an 870 in the same stage. Personally, I like the 870 a bit more. The Nova feels lighter, but bulkier and more plastic-y.

If I had to choose, I think I'd still buy the 870, as I don't see anything it isn't capable of. But, mine's a Mossberg 500 which is hands-down, absolutely, head-and-shoulders ... well, about the same as the other two. :)
 
The Nova is about 1/2-3/4lb. heavier and the thicker receiver and forend give them the handling charestics of a 4X4 post. Good guns mechanically and probably a great choice in a turkey or self defense gun. But for a wing shooting gun the 870 points and balances much better.
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I disagree, but to each his own. I had an 870. It kicked the heck out of me. I also didn’t like the forearm on the 870. It always felt too far forward. The Nova’s forearm extends back towards the receiver more and allows a more natural hand position for me.

I eventually traded my 870 off. It never gave me any trouble mechanically. I just never liked it ergonomically. My SuperNova on the other hand points and balances just fine.
 
I have a Nova and for the most part, I like it.

However, a major disadvantage (at least for me) is that extra barrels for the Nova are hard to come by and when you do, they cost about as much as a whole new gun.
 
Sure enough you can get an 870 in 3.5", but if you walk in to a sporting goods store, and ask for an 870, they will hand you a 3" gun. It's just the standard. Nova's are 3.5" standard. I like both of the guns a lot. Don't get me wrong. I've had my eye on a couple 870s for awhile too, but the standard Benelli Nova, to me, is more versatile than the standard Remington 870
 
Sure enough you can get an 870 in 3.5", but if you walk in to a sporting goods store, and ask for an 870, they will hand you a 3" gun. It's just the standard. Nova's are 3.5" standard. I like both of the guns a lot. Don't get me wrong. I've had my eye on a couple 870s for awhile too, but the standard Benelli Nova, to me, is more versatile than the standard Remington 870
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So you want a 3.5" gun, and an 870 is available as such, but you're discounting it because it's not what the clerk hands you if you ask for an 870 without asking for the 3.5" model? :banghead:
 
Sure enough you can get an 870 in 3.5", but if you walk in to a sporting goods store, and ask for an 870, they will hand you a 3" gun. It's just the standard. Nova's are 3.5" standard. I like both of the guns a lot. Don't get me wrong. I've had my eye on a couple 870s for awhile too, but the standard Benelli Nova, to me, is more versatile than the standard Remington 870
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No offense man, but that is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard.
 
extra barrels for the Nova are hard to come by and when you do, they cost about as much as a whole new gun.
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That right there is enough for me to pick the 870.

That and the Nova stock you get, is the stock you are stuck with for the life of the gun, cause you can't change it.

Stuff for Benelli's is made out of Unobtainium, and priced accordingly.

I paid almost $100 bucks, gunsmith discounted, for a SBE left-hand recoil pad for a guy a couple years ago!!
Then had to wait two mouths for them to ship it.

rc
 
I had the same problem, only my choice was between a Browning BPS and the Nova, I went with the Browning. IF I could only have one shotgun, it would be my BPS.
 
Sure enough you can get an 870 in 3.5", but if you walk in to a sporting goods store, and ask for an 870, they will hand you a 3" gun. It's just the standard. Nova's are 3.5" standard. I like both of the guns a lot. Don't get me wrong. I've had my eye on a couple 870s for awhile too, but the standard Benelli Nova, to me, is more versatile than the standard Remington 870
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The 870 comes in 3" for $326. For the 3.5" it costs $358. The Nova is $380.

The 3.5" 870 and Nova both have synthetic furniture, choke systems, 26" or 24" barrel, and good reputation. Nova DOESN'T have the parts availability or level of customization as the 870. The Nova costs more than the 870. The Nova is heavier than the 870 (870 is 7lbs, Nova is 8). The only thing I see that sets the Nova apart from an 870 in a definitively positive way is it's increased rust resistance.

Also, because you have to ask for the 870 Super Mag by name, doesn't make it less versatile. Let's stick to real facts.
 
Yeah the Nova can do everything but get a pistolgrip stock or a folding stock. I dont have experience with the Nova so im not gonna down it, but the 870 is a different story.Ive put thousands of rounds through my own and company 870's. Its just unstoppable in almost any condition. You can throw it in mud,water,dirt,sand,not clean it,not oil it , and put any type of bogus reload shells in it and all it does is perform flawlessly. Its versatility rivals that of the ar platform. I mean you can take a hunting 870 ,install an 18 in barrel (in like 20 seconds) and you have the same unfailing tactical machine that our military and law enforcement use. However, i was recently offered a used Nova tactical with ghost ring sights for $200 and will probably do some haggaling on it and get it
 
Have both, and I like both. The nova gets pulled out of the safe more often than the 870 express though. I hated the way the Nova felt at first because I grew up with the 870, but now I love the way it feels. I really like the push-button shell-stop and the camo finish. Yeah, it can shoot 3.5s but I never use them. It comes apart easily and has sling mounting points built in as well. The wider and heavier gun balances and swings great for me, and I like the longer forearm as well. At the end of the day, they're both relatively simple pieces of equipment that both get the job done in roughly the same way. Pay a few bucks extra, get a few features. One is going to feel better or have a feature that makes the extra money worth it or not worth it, that's for each guy to decide.

Ford, Chevy or Dodge. Everybody has an opinion, and it seems everybody HAS TO KNOW THAT THEIRS IS THE BEST!! Why can't one or the other just work for you?
 
Except the Nova doesn't have "furniture".

The stock & receiver are molded in one piece so you can't change it.

rc
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I was just saying neither had wood, so it was a fair comparison in price and weight.
 
UGLY

That is about all I can say about the Nova. I have never shot one and have no reason to do so. My 870 or my 590 will do anything I want them to.
 
I got a Remington 870 with 28 inches bird gun from my brother and i havent even shot it yet.
 
I used to have the 870 and added the Hogue stock. I tmade the gun feel entirely different. It felt and handled better and the recoil was significantly less. Then my wife wanted me to buy an Italian shotgun - she's a real sucker for Italian goods. I decided then to buy the Nova tactical. I really like it. The length of pull seems to be shorter than the 870 or even the Mossberg 500, which made it more comfotable for me. I also added the Benelli recoil pad that comes standard on the Super Novas. That's when the shotgun shined. It became the softest shooter to me. So...I kept the Nova and sold the 870.
 
I used to have the 870 and added the Hogue stock. I tmade the gun feel entirely different. It felt and handled better and the recoil was significantly less.
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FWIW, I tried a Hogue and had a completely different experience - mostly with the forearm. The stock itself was OK (though I didn't like the rubber inserts), but the forearm contour just felt wrong for me and was way too short. I still wanted a synthetic stock for waterfowl (my 870 came with wood), so I ended up taking off the Hogue and going to a Ram-line set instead. The Ram-line feels much better to me.
 
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