Ok so I just purchased a new shotgun which is the Benelli Nova at a local gun store brand new for $400. Now I need to know what would be some recommended accessories for this lovely shotgun. I know changing the stock for it is out of the question, but my list of to do's thus far have been to get a tube extender, the recoil reducer, and a side saddle. Any other things you guys would suggest? I am using this as a home defense shotgun also. Thanks!
Must have accessories for a Benelli Nova HELP!
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Gordon
Member
Get buck shot and see how it patterns in your gun. Get use to shooting it with the rounds you'll use. Fire as many as you can since its new.
Strobe/flashlight red,green, or white to disorient them. You want the upper hand.
Strobe/flashlight red,green, or white to disorient them. You want the upper hand.
rbernie
Contributing Member
Other than a light mount, I cannot think of anything that a Nova needs for HD other than that you be highly proficient at using it. Others will disagree with me, but for inside-the-house defense purposes I do not much cotton to sidesaddles and extended magazines and other such things. If your notions of HD include venturing outside and increasing engagement distances beyond 25 yards, then I can see how a sidesaddle and buck-n-slug ammo choices 'on the gun' would be useful. Until then - just make sure that you can use the gun in a hurry and that you can identify your target before you drop the hammer.
Maybe it would be best to spend some of your farkle money on range time - I find that going through shooting drills at a dimly-lit indoor range to be a very useful exercise relative to HD skills....
Maybe it would be best to spend some of your farkle money on range time - I find that going through shooting drills at a dimly-lit indoor range to be a very useful exercise relative to HD skills....
I am pretty experienced with shotguns and I have taken training. I just wanted to know what are some options people would suggest. Thanks for all your input!
rbernie
Contributing Member
Not to beat a dead horse, but I would NEVER put a farkle on a firearm because somebody suggested it. I would only put it on because my training determined that I really needed that farkle for my uses. That's why my HD shotgun will not have a sling or a sidesaddle or an extended mag tube but my truck gun will have at least a sling and an ammo carrier handy.
Uh... what? Just turning a weapon-mounted flashlight on and off indoors is too much disorientation for me. The last thing I want is to walk around with a strobe light.
For HD my accessories priority would be (presuming the shotgun already fits the user):
1. A flashlight. Target identification is mandatory and there may be times when a light is required for that.
Arguably A light is all that is needed. That said I like the following accessories and they fall into the I'd rather have them than not category.
2. Extended magazine tube. A shotgun is a low capacity weapon. If one has a 4+1 gun that they store cruiser safe that is only rounds in the gun when you grab it. I see no reason not to have a few extra rounds if possible. Some will cite balance woes or the like but I see no material drawback to a good mag tube extension. You may not need the 2 extra rounds but I'd just as soon have them and I'd prefer they be in the gun ready to go.
3. Side saddle. This is based on the same logic as the above. Namely that a shogun is a relatively low capacity weapon and you tend to only have what is on the gun when you grab it. With that in mind a side saddle inexpensive and allows one to have some more rounds on the gun. Again I see no real drawback to a properly installed side saddle. I prefer a side saddle to a butt cuff both because of the location of the shells and because a butt cuff messes with the cheek weld if I transition to support side. I don't see changing ammo types being particularly likely in a HD scenario but the option doesn't hurt.
4. Barrel work. I like tight patterning shotguns. For HD most factory cylinder bore guns will be tight enough. If I were to use a Shotgun for HD I have a big open floor plan and shots multiple places indoors that are around 25 yards. I've seen shotguns that start having flyers at that range. Flyers are liabilities I do not want. Ammo selection might avoid it. Some modest barrel mods such as threading the thing for chokes can really tighten a pattern. For me that is something I like. Again probably not needed for most people in most domiciles. If I were living full time in my condo where the longest possible shot would be closer to 7 yards I probably wouldn't think it was adding much value.
I of course would concur that all hardware takes a backseat to knowing how to shoot and run the gun well and good HD tactics. These are not intuitive skills and as such a good shotgun course is highly recommended.
1. A flashlight. Target identification is mandatory and there may be times when a light is required for that.
Arguably A light is all that is needed. That said I like the following accessories and they fall into the I'd rather have them than not category.
2. Extended magazine tube. A shotgun is a low capacity weapon. If one has a 4+1 gun that they store cruiser safe that is only rounds in the gun when you grab it. I see no reason not to have a few extra rounds if possible. Some will cite balance woes or the like but I see no material drawback to a good mag tube extension. You may not need the 2 extra rounds but I'd just as soon have them and I'd prefer they be in the gun ready to go.
3. Side saddle. This is based on the same logic as the above. Namely that a shogun is a relatively low capacity weapon and you tend to only have what is on the gun when you grab it. With that in mind a side saddle inexpensive and allows one to have some more rounds on the gun. Again I see no real drawback to a properly installed side saddle. I prefer a side saddle to a butt cuff both because of the location of the shells and because a butt cuff messes with the cheek weld if I transition to support side. I don't see changing ammo types being particularly likely in a HD scenario but the option doesn't hurt.
4. Barrel work. I like tight patterning shotguns. For HD most factory cylinder bore guns will be tight enough. If I were to use a Shotgun for HD I have a big open floor plan and shots multiple places indoors that are around 25 yards. I've seen shotguns that start having flyers at that range. Flyers are liabilities I do not want. Ammo selection might avoid it. Some modest barrel mods such as threading the thing for chokes can really tighten a pattern. For me that is something I like. Again probably not needed for most people in most domiciles. If I were living full time in my condo where the longest possible shot would be closer to 7 yards I probably wouldn't think it was adding much value.
I of course would concur that all hardware takes a backseat to knowing how to shoot and run the gun well and good HD tactics. These are not intuitive skills and as such a good shotgun course is highly recommended.
Justin
Moderator Emeritus
Put an extended magazine tube on it, and maybe a side saddle.
Then spend the money to take a course, like the one offered by Magpul Dynamics where you'll learn how to really run the thing.
I don't know what's with the notion that you should put a flashing Christmas light on your gun.
Then spend the money to take a course, like the one offered by Magpul Dynamics where you'll learn how to really run the thing.
I don't know what's with the notion that you should put a flashing Christmas light on your gun.
Are you talking about a regular flashlight or a strobe light?
If a strobe IDK.
If a regular light then ask Travis and Chris at the mapuldynamics class.
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Note preassure switch w/light on the other side
If a strobe IDK.
If a regular light then ask Travis and Chris at the mapuldynamics class.
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Note preassure switch w/light on the other side
Well okay I guess I wasn't very clear my mistake haha. It's a home defense/trunk shotgun because recently the area I have grown up in has gotten worse and worse. Thats why I am getting a side saddle/extender. I do use it for clay every one and a while 
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Gordon
Member
What I have now for a light is a TRL 1 Led light I paid $90 for . It has 160 Lumens and the LED makes it bullet proof. I like the Streamlite clamp on the unit better than the Surefire 300 for sure! Shortening the Nova stock PROPERLY is a VERY expensive proposition! Mine is 13" with a Limbsaver. The Benelli rifle sights are the best out there IMHO AND my Nova is by far the most accurate slug gun I own, and I own 870 Vangs and rifled Remington 1100 which is actually more accurate cause it is a scoped sabot shooting deer gun for when I go East.
If I was setting up a Nova in MY world I would have the same light mount on the end of a 14" barrel which would mean NO extension possible!
If I was setting up a Nova in MY world I would have the same light mount on the end of a 14" barrel which would mean NO extension possible!
Justin
Moderator Emeritus
Nice rubber ducky. Do those attach via a side-saddle-like device, or are they compatible with picatinny rails?
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