See a lot of them around. Thinking of getting one of the shorter barreled HD guns. Wondering how the finish holds up over time, as Im having problems with my 870 and don't want the same happening. Also, How much of a aftermarket does benelli have? I see a lot of shotguns but not barrels, etc.
Benelli Shotguns
- Thread starter SPUSCG
- Start date
Depends on what model you are talking about. Their pump guns are the Nova and Super Nova / they're decent guns. As a class of guns - yes they are better than the 870 Express you have now.
They have a big line of semi-autos / super black eagle, M2 - etc - and some tactical M2 Tactical / M4 which is similar to what the Marines are using - and sporting guns, like the Super Sport. I have a Super Sport in 12ga and one in 20ga - and they are great guns - but my hunch is that is not where you're going. The super sport is their "sporting clays" gun and is reatailing now for around $ 1875 new ( but its still a good value, in my opinion).
Are parts available - yes. But there isn't a lot of demand for them / they don't fail much. If you're talking about tactical options - I don't know / that is not my thing.
I have shot the M-4 tactical / I thought it was a good gun. I had a son in the Marines and he spoke highly of the weapon a few years ago / that was when I bought my first Super Sport. Since then 6 of my buddies have bought the Super Sport as well - and you'll see my responses on here, about semi-autos saying it is a very versatile gun. Its my primary travel gun - when I don't want to take an expensive gun on an airline ( like an O/U ) - and its one gun I can hunt quail with, shoot some Skeet, some sporting clays, etc - and I only need to take one gun.
I like the Benelli a lot / in semi-auto they cycle quickly, shoot very cleanly and are a piece of cake to strip and clean thoroughly in under 10 min.
They have a big line of semi-autos / super black eagle, M2 - etc - and some tactical M2 Tactical / M4 which is similar to what the Marines are using - and sporting guns, like the Super Sport. I have a Super Sport in 12ga and one in 20ga - and they are great guns - but my hunch is that is not where you're going. The super sport is their "sporting clays" gun and is reatailing now for around $ 1875 new ( but its still a good value, in my opinion).
Are parts available - yes. But there isn't a lot of demand for them / they don't fail much. If you're talking about tactical options - I don't know / that is not my thing.
I have shot the M-4 tactical / I thought it was a good gun. I had a son in the Marines and he spoke highly of the weapon a few years ago / that was when I bought my first Super Sport. Since then 6 of my buddies have bought the Super Sport as well - and you'll see my responses on here, about semi-autos saying it is a very versatile gun. Its my primary travel gun - when I don't want to take an expensive gun on an airline ( like an O/U ) - and its one gun I can hunt quail with, shoot some Skeet, some sporting clays, etc - and I only need to take one gun.
I like the Benelli a lot / in semi-auto they cycle quickly, shoot very cleanly and are a piece of cake to strip and clean thoroughly in under 10 min.
Then the Nova or Super Nova should work fine for you.
I don't hang lights, etc off my shotguns - so can't help you there / but I don't think its an issue / they make a Tactical model super nova - and I'm not trying to change your perspective - but to me anything you buy with a barrel under 28" long is a "tactical" ....version of something.
I've fired their Nova and Super Nova - they are good basic pump shotguns. But the only pump guns I own / or have a need for are Browning BPS Hunter models with 28" barrels in 12 and 20ga. But other guys that are more into tactical will chime in and help you out / mechanically and durability wise - I'm saying they are good guns.
I don't hang lights, etc off my shotguns - so can't help you there / but I don't think its an issue / they make a Tactical model super nova - and I'm not trying to change your perspective - but to me anything you buy with a barrel under 28" long is a "tactical" ....version of something.
I've fired their Nova and Super Nova - they are good basic pump shotguns. But the only pump guns I own / or have a need for are Browning BPS Hunter models with 28" barrels in 12 and 20ga. But other guys that are more into tactical will chime in and help you out / mechanically and durability wise - I'm saying they are good guns.
This guy seems to like them a lot. I've seen the man shoot and he's amazing. 
Anyway I've fired a Nova and was impressed with the quality. It's a good pump, but they don't sell a ton of them so you don't see a lot of foo-foos in the aftermarket like you do with an 870. I'm a Benelli M1 Super 90 man. I have one and would like a second. There's nothing really to break or go wrong with them and Knapp claims that he put a half million rounds through his before he retired it. That's a bit more than I'm likely to in what's left of my lifetime.
Anyway I've fired a Nova and was impressed with the quality. It's a good pump, but they don't sell a ton of them so you don't see a lot of foo-foos in the aftermarket like you do with an 870. I'm a Benelli M1 Super 90 man. I have one and would like a second. There's nothing really to break or go wrong with them and Knapp claims that he put a half million rounds through his before he retired it. That's a bit more than I'm likely to in what's left of my lifetime.
I've never stripped an 870, but on my Supernova, you just unscrew the cap off the end of the magazine tube and remove the barrel. With the same cap, you punch out the two pins on the receiver and lift out your trigger group. From there you pull the slide forward and you're done.
With regards to aftermarket parts, I have yet to see them for the Supernova. I see a few for the Nova(mag extensions, B-Square mounts), but the only Supernova parts I've seen are by Benelli. For the amount I paid for my Benelli 18.5" slug barrel I could have bought an 870 or 500, but the quality of the receiver made the cost justifiable.
With regards to aftermarket parts, I have yet to see them for the Supernova. I see a few for the Nova(mag extensions, B-Square mounts), but the only Supernova parts I've seen are by Benelli. For the amount I paid for my Benelli 18.5" slug barrel I could have bought an 870 or 500, but the quality of the receiver made the cost justifiable.
I have the Super Nova pump with pistol grip and love it. I don't currently use it for HD as I essentially live in a studio apartment and it's, in my opinion, inappropriate as far as response time. If I'm reaching for a weapon to defend myself it's because I am already seconds away from an attack, and a handgun seems like the only appropriate use for me.
That said, in a normal house or even multibedroom apartment, it would make for a great home defense weapon. It's incredibly light and reliable. I've had a few problems with reloaded shells that were admittedly visually "iffy", where a few whacks against the action with my hand were required to release the problematic shell.
Only limitation it has for home defense is magazine capacity. By design, and style, the magazine is MUCH shorter than the barrel. I believe you can get a magazine extender but in my opinion, if you plan on doing that, you may want to look at another shotgun. I just think it would ruin the look, and besides reliability, one of the things you're buying from the Benelli brand name is looks.
You wouldn't buy a Cadillac and then put a snow plow on the front, would you? Well that might be cool but still lol. My point is that sometimes when you upgrade the functionality, you degrade the quality.
As far as a flashlight goes, I don't think you should do it as a matter of common sense. If you're sweeping your home and theres a guy with a gun who sees a flashlight coming at him, I'd be under the impression that he'd shoot at the light since it's the only thing they'd see, and that puts your torso/neck/face in direct line of fire. I'd keep a high intensity (blinding) light next to your home defense gun (or closer if the hd weapon is a few steps away) and hold it away from your body. Better to take a bullet to your arm/hand than your chest/face. In my opinion.
That said, in a normal house or even multibedroom apartment, it would make for a great home defense weapon. It's incredibly light and reliable. I've had a few problems with reloaded shells that were admittedly visually "iffy", where a few whacks against the action with my hand were required to release the problematic shell.
Only limitation it has for home defense is magazine capacity. By design, and style, the magazine is MUCH shorter than the barrel. I believe you can get a magazine extender but in my opinion, if you plan on doing that, you may want to look at another shotgun. I just think it would ruin the look, and besides reliability, one of the things you're buying from the Benelli brand name is looks.
You wouldn't buy a Cadillac and then put a snow plow on the front, would you? Well that might be cool but still lol. My point is that sometimes when you upgrade the functionality, you degrade the quality.
As far as a flashlight goes, I don't think you should do it as a matter of common sense. If you're sweeping your home and theres a guy with a gun who sees a flashlight coming at him, I'd be under the impression that he'd shoot at the light since it's the only thing they'd see, and that puts your torso/neck/face in direct line of fire. I'd keep a high intensity (blinding) light next to your home defense gun (or closer if the hd weapon is a few steps away) and hold it away from your body. Better to take a bullet to your arm/hand than your chest/face. In my opinion.
xdtactical
New member
I bought a Nova last year great shooter smooth action . my 10 yr old son loves to shoot it
If you get a pistol grip version, shoot it one handed at least once. Who am I kidding, there's no such thing as "just once". After you've done it flinching and nervously dancing on the trigger before pulling it, you'll be hooked lol. Ergonomically superior. You can even shoot large turkey loads one handed.
Singlesix1954
New member
I have had a NOVA for years. It is my go to shotgun. Waterfowel, Upland, Doves, and even clays, if I want to hit it I grab the NOVA. I do like my old 870, but there is just something about the way the NOVA comes up for me. It is easy to field strip, and clean. I would recomend one to anyone who likes pumps! I like pretty wood, but when I held the NOVA (my ugly gun) for the first time I was hooked.
SPUSCG
Most stick guns field strip in generally the same manner, but each has it's specific sequence and methods. Seems the Benelli wants the trigger group removed before you do the bolt.
From eHow, by Chitownbound....
How to field strip Benelli Nova shotgun
Most stick guns field strip in generally the same manner, but each has it's specific sequence and methods. Seems the Benelli wants the trigger group removed before you do the bolt.
From eHow, by Chitownbound....
How to field strip Benelli Nova shotgun
- Unload shotgun. Double check and triple check by cycling the action (depress slide release and move pump back and forth multiple times, visually verify red magazine tube follower through loading port and ejection port)
- Remove barrel retention nut, located towards the muzzle end of the magazine tube. Unscrews counterclockwise.
- Depress slide release and bring slide halfway rearwards to disengage rotating bolt face from chamber end of barrel.
- Remove barrel by pulling forwards away from the action. Do not force, if barrel seems stuck verify slide is halfway back, and barrel retention nut is removed.
- Remove trigger group pins by pressing out using the nub located on the barrel retention nut. Once partially extracted same retention nut can be used to grasp rim of trigger group pins using inner edge.
- Grasp trigger guard and pull away from action.
- The fore-end may now be removed by holding the action upright and lifting the bolt upwards with the fingertips while moving the fore grip off the magazine tube.
- Remove the bolt from the action by holding the action upside down, reach in with your thumb and forefinger and compress the rotating bolt head, then lift the action out of the receiver.
- The major components are now separated into, action/stock/magazine, bolt, trigger group, fore-end and barrel.
- Reassemble in reverse order, note action bars on fore-end must engage bolt properly or trigger group will not install and shotgun will not function properly.