General purpose shotgun - Benelli Nova or Remington 870?

[Duke of Lawnchair]

Shotguns are about as general purpose as they can get.

The 870 and Nova are excellent shotguns.
With that being said, I'd take the Nova over the 870 any day.

Beauty, fit and finish are in the eyes of the beholder and between this beholder's (me) eyes the Nova wins hands down.

 

[kennyboy]

I just bought a Benelli Nova. I bought it because the only part that ever needs cleaned after a day in the rain is the barrel. Also, I wanted the 3.5 inch ability for turkey hunting. I used to use the Remington 870 express super magnum. However, the receiver rusted and the 3.5 shells did not extract easily, even when unfired. The Benelli remedied both of those problems. The only thing I dislike is the noisy forearm. However, I used some hexagonal wrenches and tightened the screws. The noise was eliminated by at least 85%. Now, Reminton has a 3.5 Wingmaster. That gun may be a keeper. Whatever, go for the gun that your gut tells you, but stay away from Charles Daily and Mossbergs (they're cheap and junky).

 

[ArmedBear]

870 hands down for general purpose.

Infinite variety of options available third party and from Remington, barrels are readily available and cheap, stock can be completely replaced with anything from an extra-fancy walnut trap stock to a CAR-15 stock and pistol grip, receiver stands up to a lot of punishment. Your needs don't call for a 3.5" shell. Newfangled shot has essentially made the 3.5" obsolete for most hunting anyway.

Rust is a problem with the Express. Keep Bullfrog or Barricade gun wipes around and it won't be a big deal.

 

[ArmedBear]

Addendum...

If the Benelli fits you well (no stock changes with the Benelli) and you have the barrel you want (don't count on finding ANY barrels, and there are few options available even if you can find them), there's nothing wrong with it. It shoulders really nice on me.

But if you want a universal gun, that would be the 870.

 

[backlash]

I like my Nova, although I have not shot an 870, but have shot a friends Mossy 500. Stock for stock I liked the Nova (really like the GR sights) compared to the 870. The fact that I can't do much to my Nova is probably a good thing too, mods get expensive

 

[STiTkacik]

I like the Novas, but I like the styling of the 870's better.

 

[556A2]

870, just because of spare parts and easy stock replacement (I have short arms).

 

[Gordon]

I went thru a hour of ITTS/Awerbuck shotgun class with my Nova Tactical. The trigger I had tweaked down to 6 pounds so it was useable instead of 14+#. The Stock was MACHINED down to 13" so it was useable. The dorky front mounted safety had a fabricated pad so it was useable.The sights are great and it shot slugs into 2" at 50 yards and the buck patterns were 12-14" at 25 yards-very nice!
BUT the long shuck for those 3.5" shells slowed me down AND the knife like edge of the action release which is in a rotten position and can't be modified cut me up and made me fumble. So it was back to my beloved 870 , with a smile on my face and a knowing grin on Scott Reitz and Louis Awerbucks mugs!

 

[[email protected]]

the 870 is probably the most reliable shot you will find with s o little moving parts its the most verstile shot gun out there for the money?

 

[Savage.250]

I have a new engraved 870 Wingmaster with which I am very happy.

Always thought Remington 870 was kinda synonymous with reliability/general purpose and just darn good for the money.

Doesn't mean I would mind a nice Benelli of some sort!

 

[bowfin]

Which one fits you best?

Go to a store, ask to see one of each model. In turn, throw each up to your shoulder with your eyes closed, open your eyes and see if you are down on the stock and looking straight down the barrel at the bead. Whichever seems to point more naturally is the best one for you.

All the bells and whistles and bargains are meaningless if you can't hit with it.

 

[Striker]

870

- Stocks and barrels and easy to change. Plenty of parts available to make it whatever you want.

 

[New_geezer]

Over on Shotgunworld this in one form or another is about THE most common question asked. The answers are always about the same and the discussion usually devolves into a Ford versus Chevey versus Whatever kind of argument. 870's and Mossberg 500's are 1&2 in popularity and available accessories. The Nova people either love or hate and there's a small cadre of Winchester 1300 fans. All good guns, all roughly the same price. There are also die hard used gun fans that favor field grade model 12's or Ithaca 37's and there's a host of miscellaneous other good deals out there. My personal favorite is a JC Higgins model 20 from about 1955, sold by Sears, made by High Standard, decent wood, smooth as silk and points like a dream - $150.

Point is within the that price range you have many good and pretty much equal options. So take some time, shoulder them, try them out if you can and get the one that fits best. They're all time proven designs so it's hard to go wrong with any classic pump, especially if you stick with the name players (ie avoid some of the really cheap imports which can be very hit or miss). If you go used, you might want a gunsmith or experienced friend to take a look first.

Find the gun that fits and enjoy. Don't get hung up on small differences

 

[AStone]

How I voted is revealed by my user name.

My recommendations:

1) Reread Dave McC's post on the first page.

2) Then, reread this:

Which one fits you best?

Of course, how to know the answer to that question is yet another question, but one that you should be pursuing, IMO.

Keep asking questions. LOTS of questions. And like Dave has said in a similar thread recently, the SEARCH function is your friend.

Good luck with your choice.

Nem