My Benelli Nova Review.

eeksplee · February 11, 2012, 04:40 PM

After 20 years with my trusty 1300 and two bad experiences with Mossberg, I realized that it was no longer time to cheap out, and went out and bought a new proper shotgun. The Benelli Nova was going for $549 and I grabbed it while I could. I knew when I bought it that it would be a long lasting gun that I could do anything with.

First impressions when I took it out of the box was that this is a fairly heavy gun, weighing around 8lbs with a 28' barrel. I dont mind that though, I like hefty guns. It incorporates a skeleton frame over molded with durable polymer. The stock and receiver are all one piece. This is a feature a lot of people dont like, but as Im not into the tactical scheme with all of these fancy pistol grip stocks, it dont matter at all. It do feel like a solid gun, a lot better than my former gun, the Mossberg 535. I feel like I could enter a war with this gun. It has a red fiber optic front sight with a mid bead, and a fairly highly raised ventilated rib. Mine came with 3 removable chokes, F, M, and IC. I however, prefer a really tight pattern so I put on an Undertaker HS Strut super full extended choke tube, which proves very effective. Instead of traditional checkering, Benelli have added molded in lines on the grip and forend, which look and feel good. Mine is the black synthetic model, although there are Realtree APG and Max-4 camouflage models if thats what you prefer. The Nova do not have the Benellis famous Comfortech system, but being and 8lb gun, the gun isnt that bad recoil wise. Even with 3.5 inch magnums, its manageable. Although, if you are sensitive to recoil, you have the option of the Supernova, an upgraded version of the Nova. I have put about 500 rounds through this gun, and I have had no failures to cycle or fire. It has been flawless, even when I was working it as fast as I could, it kept pumping those shells.

Overall, I think this is a great shotgun and I would recommend it to anybody looking for a tough, long lasting gun.

jmr40 · February 11, 2012, 07:14 PM

I've had one in the past and like them well enough from a mechanical perspective. They may well prove to be the best pump ever made. I'm just too used to the 870 in a pump, and it has always worked well for me. I really like the Benelli M-1 and M-2 guns. They are some of the lightest, most trim shotguns on the market. I could just ever understand why the Nova had to be so thick, heavy and chunky feeling. I like the gun, it just handles like a fencepost to me.

Where do you live. I can buy them at $419 any day. $549 seems awful high.

eeksplee · February 12, 2012, 05:20 PM

I live in Canada, where our laws and prices are different.

jmr40 · February 12, 2012, 07:18 PM

That explains it. $549 just seemed too high. I think you'll love the gun.

eeksplee · February 13, 2012, 03:39 PM

Its my favorite pump action. I dont plan on selling it. Mine fits me pretty well though.

ripnbst · February 13, 2012, 04:02 PM

Fit is HUGE in a shotgun. Glad you found one you like.

Emuricah513 · February 15, 2012, 09:05 AM

I would have to agree, I purchased the Benelli Supernova last year and have had no complaints. Cycles 2 3/4" up to 3 1/2" with the nice shell stopper feature. Also the recoil reducer in the supernova made it nice because my girlfriend is pretty tiny so shooting guns with a decent kick isn't something she enjoys.

Sphawley · February 16, 2012, 01:48 AM

Great guns! I have two...One Nova and one Nova tactial my favorties for all around use!

LakeCruiser · February 16, 2012, 06:57 AM

I bought mine when they first came out. Never had any trouble with it. I mostly use it for turkey hunting with 3 or 3 1/2" rounds. You won't be disappointed.

February 11, 2012, 04:40 PM	#1
eeksplee Junior Member Join Date: November 18, 2011 Posts: 12	My Benelli Nova Review. After 20 years with my trusty 1300 and two bad experiences with Mossberg, I realized that it was no longer time to cheap out, and went out and bought a new proper shotgun. The Benelli Nova was going for $549 and I grabbed it while I could. I knew when I bought it that it would be a long lasting gun that I could do anything with. First impressions when I took it out of the box was that this is a fairly heavy gun, weighing around 8lbs with a 28' barrel. I dont mind that though, I like hefty guns. It incorporates a skeleton frame over molded with durable polymer. The stock and receiver are all one piece. This is a feature a lot of people dont like, but as Im not into the tactical scheme with all of these fancy pistol grip stocks, it dont matter at all. It do feel like a solid gun, a lot better than my former gun, the Mossberg 535. I feel like I could enter a war with this gun. It has a red fiber optic front sight with a mid bead, and a fairly highly raised ventilated rib. Mine came with 3 removable chokes, F, M, and IC. I however, prefer a really tight pattern so I put on an Undertaker HS Strut super full extended choke tube, which proves very effective. Instead of traditional checkering, Benelli have added molded in lines on the grip and forend, which look and feel good. Mine is the black synthetic model, although there are Realtree APG and Max-4 camouflage models if thats what you prefer. The Nova do not have the Benellis famous Comfortech system, but being and 8lb gun, the gun isnt that bad recoil wise. Even with 3.5 inch magnums, its manageable. Although, if you are sensitive to recoil, you have the option of the Supernova, an upgraded version of the Nova. I have put about 500 rounds through this gun, and I have had no failures to cycle or fire. It has been flawless, even when I was working it as fast as I could, it kept pumping those shells. Overall, I think this is a great shotgun and I would recommend it to anybody looking for a tough, long lasting gun.

February 16, 2012, 01:48 AM	#8
Sphawley Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 272	Great guns! I have two...One Nova and one Nova tactial my favorties for all around use! __________________ If guns kill people, then pencils misspell words, cars make people drive drunk, and spoons made Rosie O' Donnell fat!

February 16, 2012, 06:57 AM	#9
LakeCruiser Member Join Date: January 26, 2010 Location: Central Missouri Posts: 75	Long time owner I bought mine when they first came out. Never had any trouble with it. I mostly use it for turkey hunting with 3 or 3 1/2" rounds. You won't be disappointed. __________________ Be Safe!

February 11, 2012, 07:14 PM	#2
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,809	I've had one in the past and like them well enough from a mechanical perspective. They may well prove to be the best pump ever made. I'm just too used to the 870 in a pump, and it has always worked well for me. I really like the Benelli M-1 and M-2 guns. They are some of the lightest, most trim shotguns on the market. I could just ever understand why the Nova had to be so thick, heavy and chunky feeling. I like the gun, it just handles like a fencepost to me. Where do you live. I can buy them at $419 any day. $549 seems awful high.

February 12, 2012, 05:20 PM	#3
eeksplee Junior Member Join Date: November 18, 2011 Posts: 12	I live in Canada, where our laws and prices are different.

February 12, 2012, 07:18 PM	#4
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,809	That explains it. $549 just seemed too high. I think you'll love the gun.

February 13, 2012, 03:39 PM	#5
eeksplee Junior Member Join Date: November 18, 2011 Posts: 12	Its my favorite pump action. I dont plan on selling it. Mine fits me pretty well though.

February 13, 2012, 04:02 PM	#6
ripnbst Senior Member Join Date: November 24, 2010 Location: Spring, TX Posts: 1,552	Fit is HUGE in a shotgun. Glad you found one you like.

February 15, 2012, 09:05 AM	#7
Emuricah513 Member Join Date: February 9, 2012 Location: North Dakota - From Ohio Posts: 45	I would have to agree, I purchased the Benelli Supernova last year and have had no complaints. Cycles 2 3/4" up to 3 1/2" with the nice shell stopper feature. Also the recoil reducer in the supernova made it nice because my girlfriend is pretty tiny so shooting guns with a decent kick isn't something she enjoys.