Benneli nova

[Slimjim]

I just handled one in a gun store today, its price was nice, just a tad under 300 dollars, it fires all the shell sizes and such. Anyone hav one, how do you like it, im considering suggesting it to a friend as a first gun. The only thing i have against it is a personal grudge, i really dont like That much plastic in a gun. Im sure 95 percent of the gun was plastic. But its not for me its for a friend, who loves my black 870 synthetic. I know the 870 synthetic is a bit cheaper, but i was gonna suggest this one to him also.
What do you guys think?

 

[DragonRider]

Love mine, has about 3K through it so far and going strong. Mine is a 12 with 28 inch barrel.

John

 

[Harry Tuttle]

its built like a glock

theres a lot of little fiddlely bits in the trigger group
as long as you don't try to disassemble that section
you should be fine

the forearm is a tad rattlely,
but its an overall strong design

i may get another in 20 guage

too bad you can't barrel and bolt swap to a different guage

 

[TrapperReady]

I'm really torn on the Nova.

On one hand, I've got a couple Benelli autos and am extremely happy with them. Also, I've never heard anyone who has one say a bad thing about the Nova. They even seem to fit me quite well of the shelf and have a variety of nice features (easily stripped for cleaning, mag cut-off, etc...).

On the other hand, every time I pick one up I just can't warm up to it. They've got some funky styling, lots of plastic, big-time rattles and leave me cold. I've come close to getting one a number of times... but each time I then wander over to the "Used Shotgun" section and look over the Model 12s, 870s, 37s and so forth.

A couple weeks ago, I watched someone making the choice between a brand-new Nova and a gently-used Browning BPS. They were about the same price, but the Browning was nearly pristine. The salesguy was pushing the Nova pretty hard, and I kept thinking... "That BPS is b-e-a-utiful. Why are you even looking at that toy?"

I think the Nova is probably an excellent firearm, and one could shoot it for many years and it would work great. Just not me.

 

[45R]

The Nova is a face only a mother could love. I had a chance to shoot a forum members Nova. It shot and pointed very well for me. The action was smooth and the gun felt pretty solid at the range. No rattling and it shot like a champ. Its Fugly but it works pretty darn good. I shot the tactical version.

I also own and 870 and I feel that either gun will serve you well!

HTH

45R

 

[Dave McCracken]

IMO, a good shotgun, though highly unlikely to replace 870s here.

Bad forearm rattle, and on the couple I've tried, triggers need attention.

 

[La Pistoletta]

Is it powerful? Magnum loads?

 

[Marko Kloos]

I'm very pleased with my Nova. Mine has been slightly tricked out with an added Weaver rail and a red dot sight.

Good things:

-chambers everything from Aguila Mini shells to 3 1/2" turkey stompers
-receiver is covered in polymer, 100% rust-proof
-nice, oversized pump handle
-magazine cutoff button in the pump handle, very convenient feature
-very easy to field-strip and clean
-lightweight, easy to tote around
-very nice ghost ring sights on the Special Purpose model

Bad things

-pump handle rattles a bit
-light weight makes for lots of recoil with stout Magnum or 3 /12" loads
-fixed one-piece receiver and stock can't be customized...no folding stocks or pistol grips
-limited capacity, 4 rounds of 2 3/4" or 3" shells with the factory mag tube
-mag tube extenders are expensive and hard to find

I prefer the Nova over the Mossy 500s I've owned...I've gotten very used to the magazine cutoff button, and I like the design of the Nova better overall. Still, it'd be hard to go wrong with a Mossy or an 870, either.

 

[9 m&m]

Got a nova 2 years ago and i LOVE it!!! Ive never had any kind of problem with it. I have installed the recoil reducer because i hunt w/ 3 1/2 mag. shells and i couldnt tell the difference in the kick of a light birdshot or the 3 1/2 in shells. cool veeerrryyy cooool!!!!