I picked up my shotgun for the 3Gun match
- Thread starter George Hill
- Start date
George Hill
Staff Alumnus
Any doubts as to the Nova's ability has been laid to rest. Went through 200 rounds of 12 Gauge with no problems at all.
My shoulder is another story. Let's just say that the recoil reduction device is now on the "MUST HAVE" list. It's actually not that bad but the combination of the volume of fire and the torn rotor cuff in my shoulder add up to some amount of suffering.
Some guys were throwing clay pidgeons and I was able to get in on it. Had I collected on the bets, I would have won 320 bucks. After a 50/50 split with the guy doing the throwing... I could have taken home $160! I was busting clays left and right and picking up the other guys misses too.
I attribute that not to my extraordinary skill with the shotgun, (because I actually SUCK with a shotgun) but to the way that the Nova fits me. I was able to get ON TARGET faster than the other cat with the Winchester 120 goose gun. Those nice ghost ring sights and an nice open Improved Cylinder bore didn't hurt either.
I'm on 4 tables of Advil right now... hopefully the ache will be settled.
Man. That was FUN!
My shoulder is another story. Let's just say that the recoil reduction device is now on the "MUST HAVE" list. It's actually not that bad but the combination of the volume of fire and the torn rotor cuff in my shoulder add up to some amount of suffering.
Some guys were throwing clay pidgeons and I was able to get in on it. Had I collected on the bets, I would have won 320 bucks. After a 50/50 split with the guy doing the throwing... I could have taken home $160! I was busting clays left and right and picking up the other guys misses too.
I attribute that not to my extraordinary skill with the shotgun, (because I actually SUCK with a shotgun) but to the way that the Nova fits me. I was able to get ON TARGET faster than the other cat with the Winchester 120 goose gun. Those nice ghost ring sights and an nice open Improved Cylinder bore didn't hurt either.
I'm on 4 tables of Advil right now... hopefully the ache will be settled.
Man. That was FUN!
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George, my 12ga double became a pussycat when I installed a cheap aftermarket recoil pad. The one that comes with different thicknesses of inserts so you can adjust LOP.
I started out with too much padding. Turns out the pad would give so much that the recoil was transferred to the trigger guard, and from there to my middle finger of the trigger hand. Yowee.
Reducing the pad thickness to a more normal level leaves my finger alone and my shoulder happy. I can shoot in a T-shirt now.
Try a nice pad first, then spend more on a recoil reducer if you still feel the need.
I started out with too much padding. Turns out the pad would give so much that the recoil was transferred to the trigger guard, and from there to my middle finger of the trigger hand. Yowee.
Reducing the pad thickness to a more normal level leaves my finger alone and my shoulder happy. I can shoot in a T-shirt now.
Try a nice pad first, then spend more on a recoil reducer if you still feel the need.
George Hill
Staff Alumnus
The way the stock is, you would have to use one of those slip on pads. Ugly. Rather not do that. Benelli has a device that goes internally - I want it.
Anyone know who well it really works?
Anyone know who well it really works?
I had one on my Super Black Eagle and didn't care for it. But that's a compeltely different story.
George, I could have sworn I saw some Benelli sidesaddles around...anyway I just checked Cal's Sporting Armory (thought I saw it there) but their site is down.
I too am interested, the Nova will be my next shotty.
George, I could have sworn I saw some Benelli sidesaddles around...anyway I just checked Cal's Sporting Armory (thought I saw it there) but their site is down.
I too am interested, the Nova will be my next shotty.
George, there's no Tablet of Stone writ with a Fiery Finger saying one cannot have a recoil pad that's not part of the shotgun.HMMmm, triple negative. but the meaning's clear.
The wearable pads like the PAST are just the ticket. The one here, nicknamed "The Wonderbra" is marvelous for taking the sting out of long shooting days.
The few Nova fans I know all have the reducer, they recommend same. Between that and the wearable pad, felt recoil would be quite mild.
The wearable pads like the PAST are just the ticket. The one here, nicknamed "The Wonderbra" is marvelous for taking the sting out of long shooting days.
The few Nova fans I know all have the reducer, they recommend same. Between that and the wearable pad, felt recoil would be quite mild.
George Hill
Staff Alumnus
Dave McC, if the slip ons work for you... great. I'm not even a fan of those slip on Hogue grips. Don't like the way they look.
(However if you have soft rubber hogue grip pannels, you can put the slip on under those... that works pretty good. Did that to a SIG 220 and 228. Works great. Anyways, its just a matter of personal prefrence.
MiniZ, that would be great. Next Gathering, I could just shoulder your Nova and try it out that way. No need to swap the parts.
I went to Van Wags today - THEY DO have an extension tube. In camo. I ordered a black one. It'll be in about a week. Good enough. My then my Buck Strider will have sold on Ebay (already have 2 bids on it) and I'll be able to pay for it.
(However if you have soft rubber hogue grip pannels, you can put the slip on under those... that works pretty good. Did that to a SIG 220 and 228. Works great. Anyways, its just a matter of personal prefrence.
MiniZ, that would be great. Next Gathering, I could just shoulder your Nova and try it out that way. No need to swap the parts.
I went to Van Wags today - THEY DO have an extension tube. In camo. I ordered a black one. It'll be in about a week. Good enough. My then my Buck Strider will have sold on Ebay (already have 2 bids on it) and I'll be able to pay for it.
George Hill
Staff Alumnus
Mr? Sheesh...
George Hill
Staff Alumnus
Dude next door is in the Guard and the other day was outside...
The kids in my hood flocked to the soldier.
One kid asked him "Did you fight in the civil war?"
"No," said the weekend warrior "I would have to be 150 years old to have done that."
My son Kade kinda laughed.
The other kid then replies "Kade's Dad did!"
I'm only 32! I listen to Rob Zombie! I have an ear ring!
And other than the Utah Crew here everone thinks I'm an old fart!
The kids in my hood flocked to the soldier.
One kid asked him "Did you fight in the civil war?"
"No," said the weekend warrior "I would have to be 150 years old to have done that."
My son Kade kinda laughed.
The other kid then replies "Kade's Dad did!"
I'm only 32! I listen to Rob Zombie! I have an ear ring!
And other than the Utah Crew here everone thinks I'm an old fart!
Great selection, George!!!
After wanting an 870 for so long, I went to a gunshow and purchased the very same nova you have! I dunno what happened, I didn't find an 870 I liked at the show, so the benelli sort of made me buy it! It fits me okay, though I wish it could be a little shorter. I was at my local gunshop this weekend and asked about a thinner recoil pad, and they did find a couple listed in their benelli catalog. I think the LOP could be reduced to just under 14", something like 13 3/4", but don't quote me on that.
There is a side saddle for it, though we're in the same boat as the newer 870 owners in that we have to get a 4-shot SS. this gun seems to kick less than my 870 with a synthetic stock, as the recoil pad is a little wider than the 870's.
I've been to the beretta defence site, and they have the Nova Special purpose with a picatinny rail! I'll have to write benelli to see why we don't have one. Check out this sweet rig!!!
http://www.berettadefence.com/INGLESE/default_presentazione_Nova.htm
As for a fore end light, I think I'm going to go with the Streamlight M3 unit.
Things I like about the nova SP: Light weight, can eat up to 3 1/2" shells, ghost sights, magazine cut-off button (awesome for slug/buckshot selection drills), and the controls are similar to my 870's.
Things I don't like about the nova SP: Wish they offered a 20" with removable chokes, ability to exchange stocks and recoil pads with ease, and the fact that it's cheaper to buy another nova than to get another barrel for hunting!!!
After wanting an 870 for so long, I went to a gunshow and purchased the very same nova you have! I dunno what happened, I didn't find an 870 I liked at the show, so the benelli sort of made me buy it! It fits me okay, though I wish it could be a little shorter. I was at my local gunshop this weekend and asked about a thinner recoil pad, and they did find a couple listed in their benelli catalog. I think the LOP could be reduced to just under 14", something like 13 3/4", but don't quote me on that.
There is a side saddle for it, though we're in the same boat as the newer 870 owners in that we have to get a 4-shot SS. this gun seems to kick less than my 870 with a synthetic stock, as the recoil pad is a little wider than the 870's.
I've been to the beretta defence site, and they have the Nova Special purpose with a picatinny rail! I'll have to write benelli to see why we don't have one. Check out this sweet rig!!!
http://www.berettadefence.com/INGLESE/default_presentazione_Nova.htm
As for a fore end light, I think I'm going to go with the Streamlight M3 unit.
Things I like about the nova SP: Light weight, can eat up to 3 1/2" shells, ghost sights, magazine cut-off button (awesome for slug/buckshot selection drills), and the controls are similar to my 870's.
Things I don't like about the nova SP: Wish they offered a 20" with removable chokes, ability to exchange stocks and recoil pads with ease, and the fact that it's cheaper to buy another nova than to get another barrel for hunting!!!
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