Benelli Nova

[Springerguy1]

Looking for some feedback on the Benelli Nova. I'm looking to pick up a 12 gauge for my 13 yr. old son- soon to be 14. I've always been a fan of the 870 but he seems to like the look of the Benelli. I was going to pick up a 3 1/2 inch- knowing that he will not be able to shoot the mags until he's a bit older. I have a 870 3 1/2 inch but I'm not able to shoot the 3 1/2 in the gun without ending up with a throbbing headache after shooting a couple of mags. Wondering if the Benelli packs a big kick with the 3 1/2.

[mamohr686]

The older benelli novas used to offer a recoil reduction system that ran another $50 or so when you bought the gun. I don't know if they have changed in the last couple of years but it was basically a shock absorber that was placed in the stock of the gun. The system advertised recoil reduction around 40% on the big 3.5" turkey rounds. The gun has a long stroke so it really depends on the shooter. A 14 yr old may not have long enough arms to make this gun comfortable to shoot. I think dalton sports has Tomm Knapp and a big benelli demonstration comming up this summer. It's a chance to shoot all the benelli guns so you can try them before you buy them.

[riverrat56]

I've got one, don't know about the recoul reduction as I don't have one, but it kicks like a mule, even with a mag 3 in load. If I was you I'd just buy him an 870, recoil with 3 1/2's won't ever be light, but the 870 is a much better quality gun with a shorter stroke forsure. I think the Nova's feel to "toyish" with the perpetualt click while raising the gun.

Check in the waterfowl forum there is some Nova discussion.

[Jay R]

I am going to disagree on the Nova vs 870, I think the Nova beats the pants off and 870. Also remeber there are several grades of 870's. I have shot both and overall quality i give the nod to the Nova. The bolt system they use if flawless, and very smooth. Simple gun to clean and dissasemble etc. Drop it in the mud, and you need one tool which comes witht the gun to totaly break it down and clean it. One thing you might consider is a youth model in the 870. My grand father a rabid Remington collector bought an 870 youth in 20ga for my youngest brother several years ago. That was a sweet handeling gun. I bring this up because the Nova is HEAVY compred to other pumps. I do like the weight to help absorb some kick from the 3 1/2. The Nova was designed with waterfowlers in mind, not upland hunters. So if you sit in a blind for ducks and geese take the Nova, wlaking for Pheasants, grouse etc, 870. Again overall quality I vote NOVA. Good luck

Jay

[Springerguy1]

Jay R,

The Nova would be used strictly for waterfowl hunting. My son already has a youth model 20 gauge in 870- yes, it is a sweet little gun for upland game. Actually, he shot his limit of ducks and canadian honkers with it during the youth waterfowl hunt two years ago in ND. It's OK for ducks but not enough gun for geese. Yeah, he dropped some honkers with the gun but also sailed a couple which isn't a good thing. I would expect that he'll carry the 20 for upland game and the 12 for geese/ducks. I actually carry a 20 double for upland game and an 870 or A500 for waterfowl. The 20 is nice when you spend a day walking for pheasants for sharptails. I thought the Benelli I picked up seemed light for a 3 1/2 in., very similiar to the 870. Of course, compared to the Browning anything seem light.

[Rost]

Both the 870 and the Nova will shoot literally thousands of rounds with out missing a beat.

There's one thing I can't stand about the Nova though. My buddy has one and it is noisiest gun out there. The thing makes a lot of noise just walking with it. Clatter clink, clatter clink....it's like he is carrying a plastic toy gun through the field.

[Quackaddict9]

Quote:

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There's one thing I can't stand about the Nova though. My buddy has one and it is noisiest gun out there. The thing makes a lot of noise just walking with it. Clatter clink, clatter clink....it's like he is carrying a plastic toy gun through the field.

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my thoughts excatly!

I had a nova for 3 years and loved it but the only thing I didnt like was what Rost said about the noise. Mine got stolen last September. It shot well, no problems, only times I had problems was pressing the button under the pump stock that will not insert the 2nd shell in the chamber..So I did that a couple times and it gets frustrating. But overall Benelli Nova is a good gun. I know nothing about the recoil thing but mine didnt kick like a mule though.

[kc0myy]

With my nova I so alot of hunting ducks, gesse, deer, and clays. This is what I would change about my nova if I could.

1. I wish the nova would not look so "toyish"

2. Its heavy but it does help with the recoil of the 31/2

3. it is nosiy. I dont really like deer hunting with it. but for duck goose hunting its fine.

Those are just some things I would change about my nova. over all the nova is a very good gun. I like my nova alot. If you son its going to hunt alot of ducks nova is a good gun. I have walked in the field for some roosters and it does get heavy after the 1st 5 steps. but I really really enjoy my nova. I have around a 22 ave for trap shooting with my nova.

[Rost]

I will add this tid bit about the Remington 870. I read an article about the 870 a few years back. It stated that the model 870 was introduced in 1952. And since then, (with the exception of adding the 3 1/2" model) Remington has NOT made a change to the action design! What does that tell us? It tells us that the 870 has been tried and true for over a 1/2 century! How can anyone argue with that?

I'm not saying the Nova is a bad gun. But I won't guarantee a Nova will shoot flawlessly after 25 years of hard use like an 870 will.

Now, if you want to talk semi auto guns? Benelli all the way! I love my M1.

[benelli_dude2002]

I had a Nova for one season and I sold it. I didnt like the way it rattled and I found myself taking my 870 over the Nova. I see the new ones have the comfort-tek stock on them and also come in the steady grip. Not sure if they fixed the rattle yet. The Nova sold quick though, it came out on the paper on a Sunday morning and was sold at 9 oclock that same morning. Like someone else mentioned about semi-autos, thats a different topic but I love my Montefeltro and SBE. My dad even used my Nova and didnt like it, he has shot an 870 since 1978 and still uses that same gun every fall and bought one more since then so he can shoot 3 inch mags. Shoot safe!

[chucker34]

I've shot both the benelli nova and the 870. I only own one shotgun-the 870 but I'd have to say its apples to oranges. Both have their upsides and downsides. The Benelli is a nice gun but you could probably get the 870 used for a song and let him try it out. Worst case, you always have a back up gun. As for recoil, what about adding pad to the end or a strap on shoulder pad. I've used the ladder for target shooting and duck hunting (doesn't seem to bother my range of motion) and it helps immensely. And no, I'm not afraid of looking like a girly man because most people don't even notice it when I wear it underneathy my sweatshirt or coat. : )

[riverrat56]

Another thing to consider about the Nova if he is used to Remington guns is the safty location, on a Nova it is infront of the trigger, why I have no idea, makes no sense to me to reach in front of the trigger and then back down to it.

If he will be switching between guns it's a problem that you don't get over for awhile, it took me along time to adjust to the Nova and now I miss the safty on my 1100's.

[Tripleplay]

I don't want to take this too far off topic but last summer we were searching hard for a good fitting youth shotgun for my 12 year old son. We found that at his size the 870 pump action was a bit far forward so the Nova had an advantage there. We ended up with something else that will get him through another year or two when he finally outgrows the youth model and we'll be in the same boat you are.

More than anything with kids I think it is about what feels right and fits well and if both fit him correctly I don't think either is the wrong choice--just like others said it is an apples versus oranges decision and both have advantages and disadvantages over each other.

This is coming from an 870 shooter who absolutely loves the feel of throwing a Nova to his shoulder and how it fits even though I've never shot one.

[870Express]

What is the price range for the Nova? Its hard to beat the durability for the price of an 870. Then again I may be a bit biased (username)

[Quackaddict9]

$299 black

$359 camo