Benelli Nova Shotgun Review

Hello All,

Today I am going to review the Benelli Nova 12 Gauge Pump Shotgun.

Review score: 5/5 stars

Here's what Benelli says about their shotgun:

"Just when everyone thought that the pump action shotgun couldn’t be improved, Benelli unveiled the Nova Pump. Completely original and innovative, the Nova Pump incorporates its polymer stock and lightweight receiver into a single unit for unsurpassed strength and weather resistance. Italian styling and high-tech ergonomics, such as distinctive grooves on the pistol grip and fore-end in place of conventional checkering, complement the Nova’s innovative engineering.

With dual-action bars and rotary head locking lugs, the Nova will handle anything from target loads to 3½" magnums. To help dampen the recoil of today’s super-heavy magnum loads, the Nova 12-gauge is specially designed to accept a Benelli recoil reducer.

Available in black, Advantage® Max-4 HD™, Timber HD™ and new Realtree® APG HD™ finishes, and as a youth model or slug gun, the Benelli Nova is the most versatile pump-action shotgun ever made — and just when everyone thought the pump gun couldn’t be improved.

Benelli’s Nova is truly a 21st Century pump shotgun. In a revolutionary shotgun manufacturing process, corrosion-proof polymer is over-molded on a skeleton framework to form the one-piece receiver and buttstock. The lightweight polymer stock also provides plenty of room for mounting an optional 14 oz. recoil reducer."

"The button on the underside of the fore-end activates a shell stop, allowing the chambered shell to be removed without releasing rounds from the magazine."

"Checkering was fine for old-fashioned wood stocks, but the Nova uses distinctive grooves that give both unmatched gripping surfaces and an unforgettably distinctive look."

From www.benelliusa.com/firearms/novaPump.tpl

OK, let me say that this is a pretty great shotgun. The camouflage covering seems to be very protective... almost like a rubberized coating. As mentioned above the shell stop button is very convenient while carrying the gun around between hunts. It doesn't replace traditional safe handling but adds another safety measure with added convenience. Removing all shells while walking to the truck may be a little too much for some hunters. What if you see something while walking right? Well, carry the shell in your hand and quickly add it to the gun if an opportunity arises. Then you will have your 3 shots loaded and ready to go before the bird gets out of sight.

The Benelli Nova 12 gauge shoots up to 3 1/2" shells and cycles smoothly and with little effort. The pump handle is not loud and sloppy like most other shotguns priced just below this one. The gun is very comfortable to handle and priced in a range that even poor folk like me can afford it with a little saving. Academy Sports has the black matte 20 gauge for $329.99... I believe that I paid about $350 for my 12 gauge, in Realtree APG, at Bass Pro Shop last year.

Unless you have lots of money and just gotta have the semi-auto, this is the shotgun to buy.

God Bless,
Sean