Benelli SuperNova Tactical...for home defense?

My home defense shotgun is a SNT and I love it. Only 2 minor complaints and both are about the forend:

1- it's fugly
2- it rattles

I have a Super Nova Tactical as part of my "home team" of home defense guns. I like it very, very much. It is as soft a shooting pump action as you will ever shoot. It patterns nicely with a variety of loads at 25 yards. At 25 yards, shooting offhand, it will group Remington Slugger 1 oz slugs in about an 1 inch group.

ive had the mossberg and benelli tactical i kept the mossberg it seems more reliable the nova will jam if you rack it to fast.

No jams for me.

ive thought the reason to be its a 3 1/2 inch gun trying to chamber 2 3/4rounds and this only happens when i try to shoot 4 rounds in a second and a half. if i shoot it normaly it worked fine

my main reason for liking the mossberg is the safety and action release locations next best is the nova. i love the remingtons but i hate the safety position.

it's a reliable, fair-priced, HIDEOUS gun.


its good stuff

None for me thanks. The 3 1/2" chamber is a hindrance as is the post front sight and GRSs in general.
Sloppy forearm is a no-go as well.

i read people had rattle problem with NOVA, not Super-Nova.

good info here
http://images.google.com/imgres?img...s=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=vY1&sa=N&um=1

personally i like how they look. and i believe it weight less.

Just make sure check the law or search on law, before you put extend mag tube.

We have some at my place of work. They are fair priced, and really cool looking. I take it out and play with it when I can.

$450 or under really limits your choices. I'm partial to my Saiga-12, (a "sporter" S-12 is ~$550). My S-12's HD config, (easily changed), is 8-round stick mags, (loaded with alternating 4 buck and rifled slugs), with a pistol grip, folding stock, a tri-rail handguard mounting a Tango Down vertical foregrip and a Streamlight flashlight.

Restoring her has not been kind to my wallet, but I love the result.

You've seen those Remington 870 trade-ins, right? They're not so pricey and appear still quite solid. I've been tossing around the idea myself.
Personally, I have a Maverick 88 and an IAC/Norinco M97 (Winchester 1897 "riot gun" clone) as I don't really have much interest in shotguns. I've come to the conclusion that I'm likely going to use my M97 for defense with #4 buck. Its function was quite impressive and I like the idea of a hammer on a shotgun.

Though I gravitate more towards firearms of the old-school style, I think the SuperNova looks alright to me.

I believe some folks lump Novas and Super Novas into the same bucket not realizing there are differences between the two. That being said, my Super Nova doesn't rattle. If it did, I most likely wouldn't have it.

They are reliable shooting and run very well. Mine is going back to FS in a couple of months for another 4 day shotgun course. We had such a blast (literally) at the first class that we decided to take it again (that and we have a friend that wasn't there the last time we went).

Get a Maverick 12 ga for less than $200 or a Mossberg 12 ga 18.5/20" barrel for less than $300 and they go bang every time. I think the Benelli SuperNova Tactical is a waste of money for HD

I think the Supernova is a great HD choice. I like the ergonomics of the fore grip very much, it points naturally for me, take down for cleaning is a breeze, shoots well.

I have both a Mossberg 590 (converted to an A1) and a SuperNova Tactical. I like them both.

Now, while I do prefer my 590 for HD, given its greater capacity and front bead sight offering (not to mention the safety button location), I have had no issues with my SNT. In fact, overall, the SNT is a better made weapon IMHO. Sure, it may look too "Star Wars" for some people, but c'mon...this is 2009! Expand your minds a bit people!

Keep in mind, the SNT (as with any Benelli that I know of) is going to be sporting a hard chromed barrel. To me, this is pretty high-end stuff for a sub-$500 shotgun. As for this forend rattle complaint I keep hearing...give it a rest people. My Mossberg rattles just as much...not to mention quite a few other pump shotguns Ive tried. If you guys dont like the look...fine. But, dont dismiss this weapon based on something as trivial as "forend rattle," which again, is noticeable on almost any pump shotgun.

To me, the biggest problem with Benelli shotguns is the lack of aftermarket support, parts replacement availability and/or cost.

Regardless, as much as I love my Benelli, I prefer the 590 for HD. The Benelli is mainly a slug gun now (due to the GR sights and SteadyGrip stock...and the guns somewhat limited capacity). However, I see no real reason why the Benelli SNT would not make for a good HD shotgun. Its a tank and its a good gun...no doubt about it in my mind.

But, in the end, the decision is up to you. Best to try out which weapon "fits" you best and offers the most desireable features/feel based on your particular needs. All else is just mere advice and speculation.

I like mine a lot, very accurate with slugs, buck, and birdshot. I've been using mine in 3-gun competition for 3 years, it has never malfunction. I like the all-black no-nonsense look.

best regards,

Luis Leon

P.S. I have a tacstar extension on it for 7+1 goodness.

To me, the biggest problem with Benelli shotguns is the lack of aftermarket support, parts replacement availability and/or cost.

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My SNT, ready for a the upcoming shotgun class, has a Nordic 2 shot mag extension, Mesa Tactical 6 shot side saddle (includes a picatinny rail), and a Giles sling. These are all solid quality accessories, IMO. That is as much as I ever want on my SNT. The sling comes off at home as I don't need it snagging on things in the house in the middle of the night, should the need arise.



At FS, we get a chance to watch what works during the 4 day course and what doesn't. I lot of the stuff I see listed in the shotgun forums often times breaks and/or falls off during the class. Some of the accessories out there are just a step up from junk....and some aren't that good.

...is a waste of money for HD

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Nothing like betting your life (and the lives of loved ones) on the price of a shotgun.

I have said this before, but the 870 and 500 platforms are so well tested and trusted over the long haul that I would limit my choice to one or the other of these instead of going for some johnny-come-lately.

I like my D choices to have developed a good rep for decades.

I like my Benelli Super Nova Tactical and I do use it for home defense!




My 870 has been retired from home defense duty but I still enjoy it!

P.S. I have a tacstar extension on it for 7+1 goodness.

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Are these Italian made? If so what is legal implications of adding that extension as it concerns 922r?

Nothing like betting your life (and the lives of loved ones) on the price of a shotgun.

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You might have a point if the mentioned shotguns were not proven to be perfectly serviceable. Further money doesn't always make something superior at a task, and price certainly has diminishing returns at a point. If price were the whole name of the game we wouldn't be discussing the SNT would we since there are much more expensive choice. The fact is if you think about what is really needed for a serviceable HD shotgun and you have shot a fair number of guns you'd know there are plenty of shotguns out there that are up to the task. Subjectively we might like one more than the other but many are capable of doing the task asked of them. In fact even the guns you are bashing are more up to the task than most shotgun owners are. I'd take a guy with a maverick or hawk who had been through a couple shotgun courses and knew his weapon than someone with a Benelli or any other more expensive gun but no training.

I have limited experience with the Nova and Super nova. They seemed fine. I wouldn't feel bad having one. Nothing about them made me think they were wonder shotguns or anything though.

Bottom line is: The Benelli SNT is just fine for HD. I mean, many out there are using coach guns for HD! You use what you have. Besides, the SNT has great build quality/reliability (among other brands) on its side. This, along with many hours of practice, is whats really important after all is said and done.

If you like the Benelli SNT and are comfortable with it...then by all means, use it for HD. I cant see many reasons why you would not; particularly if its your only shotgun.

Besides (as has been mentioned before), you can always count on Benelli shotguns having that sweet hard-chromed bore!

ElPrez231, just curious...

How did this ever work out, did you buy a Benelli Super Nova Tactical?

I've had Super Nova for about a year now. At first I didn't like it much (a little too light ... if that makes any sense?), but the longer I own and use it, the more I like it.
Mine's not the "Tactical" Super Nova, just a 28" with the shock-absorbing stock with three chokes. I haven't had the heart to cut it down to 18" and add the mag extention (yet), but I'm seriously thinking about it.
I really like this ugly scatter-gun (only saying "ugly" because everyone says that; I actually kinda like it. "Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder!").