In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.
Gun question......Benelli Nova shotgun....
William81
Member Posts: 25,345 ✭✭✭✭
Does anyone own one or had the opportunity to shoot one...
Any feedback appreicated..
Comments
I have one: it's the "entry" model with the 14" barrel and stand off device and it is my first-ever Benelli pump action:
Two weeks ago my neighbor and I drove out to his five acre undeveloped lot and did some shooting using my Benelli, my Mossberg 500, and his Remington 870. There was no comparison, the Benelli's action was super smooth and far easier to operate than the 500 and 870.
All I can say it that I had I've been a Mossberg fan for decades. That changed after our firing the first 25 rounds of 00 buckshot.
Had one, kicked the snot out of any one that shot it.
Notice had one.
Thank you Mark, that is helpful. I bought a Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 last fall and really like it.. I have some older 870's and Ithaca 37's. The newer ones I have fired were just not the same. I handled the Nova last week and as far as I could tell from cycling it in the shop, it seemed much smoother....
They worked with me but kick like a mule.
I've had one pretty much from when it first came out . We went duck hunting one morning and everything got a good coating of mud on the way out to a pit blind. It was raining, sleeting/icing, needless to say it was some tough conditions. My two buddies 870s shutdown almost simultaneously, my Nova never missed a beat or a duck. 😏
Benelli makes a recoil reducer for it.
I have one that I shoot turkeys with. Fore end rattles, action is smooth and it always works. The recoil reducer you can put in the stock helps some. A different butt pads helps more.
I've shot my brother's,,,,,,,,, ONCE! He bought one when they first came out. He's a dedicated waterfowler and thought the 3.5 in shells would get him more geese. It spent 1 day in the blind, got cleaned and shoved to the deepest recesses of the safe. He went back to his magnum auto 5 and never looked back.
I have several. I wouldn't want one as a hunting shotgun but I think they are outstanding for home defense. If they are coming through the door when I start shooting I'm pretty sure I wont notice the recoil!
Good information in this thread. I was going to buy one, but not after reading about the recoil.
I already have a Winchester 1300 that kicks like a mule, so I'll pass on the Benelli.
If the Nova kicks anything like my former Winchester 1300 Defender synthetic good luck. Weight is the factor. Anything light kicks. Sure they are easier to carry but the weight eliminates harsh recoil . I shot a 7.5 pound 300 Win Mag and it put a hurting on the shoulder. My 12.5 pound Remington 300 Win Mag kicks like a normal weight .308. I tend to pass on any plastic stock weapon in larger calibers. And yes you can put a muzzle break on them, however the noise level almost doubles.
I have been kicked by a mule, the closest firearm was a 416 Rigby, even the 500 nitro was not that bad. Depends on the stock and weight of the firearm.
If you ever find a pump shotgun that with a 3 or 3.5" shell and does not kick like a mule, please post it here.
I have several Benelli shotguns, all of which are semi auto. They are used for clays, quail, pheasant & ducks. In my opinion there is no finer shotgun.
Yea, my H&R Handi-rifle in .45-70 ain’t no picnic either. The Benelli can’t be worse than either of these. In my experience, though, there is not much a Limbsaver slip-on pad can’t tame.
It’s reliable and more rust resistant but kicks😀
Thanks all for the input.....Looking for a home defense shotgun. I usually use 2 3/4" shells and have found decent loads in that size. I am concerned about recoil as my old shoulders are not what they used to be which is why I bought the SBE3 for hunting/clays.
It sounds like I would need the recoil reducer and maybe a stock extension...Thanks again..
None of my business but a good youth model Remington 870 20 ga makes a great HD gun. Plenty of power, short and light weight, and not too much recoil. I always kept them in stock.
Remington 870 youth 20 gauge - Pump Action Shotguns at GunBroker.com : 926602131
REMINGTON 870 YOUTH EXPRESS MAGNUM 20ga 21" BBL - Pump Action Shotguns at GunBroker.com : 926918374
Remington 870 Express Youth 20 ga Blue 21" *GORGEOUS LIMITED MANUFACTURE!* - Pump Action Shotguns at GunBroker.com : 926086310
Interesting thought....thanks
A 20 ga is the only way to go for HD, IMO, I have an old Springfield 67F with a cut off barrel (26 1/2") that stands in the corner of the bedroom loaded with #4 buck. It functions every time, and I only have $80 tied up in it. The wife has shot it with no problems.
mine is a Super Nova Tactical 18" barrel, pretty much like what MC has but the barrel is 18" instead of the 14 like his ,
this was shot at 20 yards , aiming point was the 16 , cardboard is 16" square between the creases, load was Winchester 2 3/4 " unplated 00 buck
this was from 10 yards , ignore the 3 far left holes has they where shot from a pistol ,
aiming point , top of the Z and I
remington 2 3/4" 1 oz slugs shot to point of aim at 20 yards , recoil wasn't bad but i do know 3"or 3 1/2" will hurt
@redhawkk480 I never realized how well a pizza box would work for patterning.
"More pizza...and more buckshot please!"
"Do you want extra cheese on that?"
"Yes, but only on the pizza."
yes we save the boxes and reuse them as targets
Whichever Benelli you decide on get the 'Comfortech' stock if it's available. It helps soak up some recoil.
I've got one of their M2 semi's that I use as an HD gun. It's the 'Field' model with a 21" barrel. I added an extended mag tube and a light. 9 shots just as fast as you can work the trigger with everything from the lightest 2 3/4" loads up to the heaviest 3" slug loads with no adjustments.
Save your pennies, it's worth it!
Another fan of the 20 ga for home defense. I was given a Rock Island Arsenal 20 ga pump so far it has been very good I have 500 rounds thru it with out a hiccup. I was a little skeptical of it first for the price they are. But it has function without fail
Take a look at the maverick 88,are by Mossberg. Can be had new for under $200. Then you could have the barrel shortened and choke added, and still cheaper than a Benelli.
Side note, if the 870s went down from rain/sleet/ice, then they were not properly taken care of. ANY gun will fail if abused. The 870s, are great guns for functioning. Yea, there are better, prettier, fancier, and some better at rust prevention. BUT well oiled and clean, these function flawlessly!
12 gauge does 9 00 pellets out of a 2.3/4... a 20 will do 9 pellets but a #1 buck. You won't know the difference aside the recoil. I only use #1 buck in my 12 gauge for deer. 2.3/4 has 15 pellets of .30 Deadly
I won a Nova at a Ducks Unlimited Dinner a few years ago. I have loved my 870 since I was 15, I am now 68! I have shot many pheasants, ducks, and rabbits with it over the years. I have 4 barrels for my old Wingmaster! I was excited when I won the Nova because I have a SBEII and and M-1(LH) Benelli shotguns and thought it would just add to my collection! The first time I shot it I was surprised as I did not like it. The slide was not as tight as my old trusty 870. It was heavier than the 870 which makes some sense as my 870 will only shoot 2.75" shells. However, I thought for the few times I needed 3.5" shells the SBEII was a better choice. They seemed of compatible weight. When I go pheasant hunting I like to use my first two shots to be 2.75" with a third being 3" as back up! Nothing is a good as my M-1 Benelli for that. My best friend from grade school was visiting me. I have teased him for over 50 years about only using a 20 gauge for everything! He was looking over my guns and drooling over the Nova! I just said, "Terry I have always wanted you to shoot a 12 and you have never bought one! I am going to fix that right now! That Nova is yours! As the closest thing to a brother I have, it is all yours! When you are done with it give to your son Andy, my Godson!" I did not like my NOVA but I think I was spoiled by my other two Benelli semi-auto shotguns and my 870. You might like it. PS while visiting Terry a few months later he gave me an old 410 single shot for my grandson and gave me a SS Model 70 Winchester in 300 Win Mag, so I made out on the deal!