870 vs. Nova vs. SXP

Healthy Hunter

Healthy Hunter

New member
EE Expired
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
Ontario
I've been shopping for a shot gun for a while, and have narrowed it down to these three models. All are around the same price point. I shoot some skeet, hunt deer and turkey , but am looking to get into duck hunting. I know the Remington has more readily available barrels that will allow me to do all of these things, but for the price of the extra barrels and scope I could get an entry level rifle, like the Savage Axis. What are peoples thoughts?

HH
 
I can tell you that I've never owned a benelli but I have had an 870 and still have a Winchester pump, 2200 not the SXP but I believe same action ....pretty much. The Remington is a rock solid all-around tank BUT, one thing that always bugged me (enough that I got rid of it for the Winnie) was the little 'hitch' on cycling. When you rack the slide, there seems to be just a hint of a hangup as the slide cycles back. The Winchester on the other hand is every bit the workhorse, and butter smooth. Add to that the super-fast cycle rate and you have one reliable shotgun. Just my opinion.
 
I found that the NOVA and SXP fit completely different. I tried a friends 20g nova and felt like crap. My bros SXP fits good comb is high for my needs as on my SX3 I had to double up on the comb dropping shims. And the 870 fits me good right out of the box.

I have a longer neck so I need a low comb and a decent amount of drop at the heel.

So like stated before go and put them to your shoulder and see what fits the best because all 3 gins fit different.
 
I've owned all three. 870 was my first gun and I sold it. I had the express version and after shooting for a while it would jam with a fired shell stuck in the chamber (rough chambers are a common problem but fixable). It also rusted overnight, the finish was not great. The only other 870 I would ever consider is a Wingmaster. I bought a benelli supernova after that. Loved the gun, functioned perfectly without a single issue and was very well made. I did find it a little long for my liking and the forearm was a little more forward than the 870 so it wasn't as comfortable to operate but it pointed better for me. Had to sell it also during a financial crisis. I'd definitely get another if I didn't still have the SXP. The SXP is keeper. Fits me great, lightweight, good recoil pad and functions perfectly. I've got nothing bad to say about it. Keep in mind there are next to zero aftermarket accessories for the SXP except for choke tubes.
 
I had a 870 and sold it cause it would rust in a desert. I also had a supernova...good gun..felt well, no problems. I went to my local gun shop and held a new sxp. Needless to say I now have a sxp and I sold my supernova. I have a friend who has a 870 wingmaster and he swears by it. Good luck with your purchase.
 
There are no flies on the 870, I love mine, I have a rifle sighted smooth bore slug barrel on my wingmaster. I also have an SXP that gets the nod for waterfowling, I have to admit it is nicer then 870 express.
So I geuss to sum things up buy the one that fits you best. I don't know if the area you live and hunt in allows rifles for deer hunting so I will only add consider buying a used rifle as you can often find much nicer rifles for the price of a savage axis.
 
Remmi doesn't do 870 in quality no more. They used to, in fact my first gun was an 870 but not anymore. Nova is plasticky light and expensive. Shoots well though. SPX is the fastest pump on the market right now.
 
I have a 12 ga. 870 super magnum. At first when I shot low brass shells (cheapest Federal), they were getting stuck in the chamber, and sometimes I had to bash it on a bench or rack it really hard to get them out, which meant that chamber needed a hone or polish, but which also meant that extractor was rock solid, because the way I bashed it on the bench, I dunno how it did not fail. I then tried to polish the chamber with steel wool, but it did not work, it was still to tight. I sent the barrel only to Remington and they returned it the same week, with chamber honed and polished, all free of charge, since it was still under warranty. Since then the gun has been VERY reliable, not a single jam, not a single problem.

At first I was noticing some rust (likely because I was shooting in snow) but after I covered it with a few layers of CLP, it is all good, it was sitting out in snow last time I shot it and no rust.

The only thing I would improve in the gun is the dimples in the magazine that prevented me from installing a mag extension, but after I flattened them out using a hammer and a ratchet wrench socket, it is all good.

All in all, the gun is a very tough, no bull**** workhorse. I highly recommend.
 
Ill be the benelli fanboy then. They are an excellent shotgun, weatherproofed well and I have never once had any malfunction in mine (mine is a supernova).. My uncle has had his nova for years now and he has the same experience as me no FTF no FTE .. In a nova the super mags give a wicked kick due to how light they are. If you can get extra cash for a supernova the felt recoil isn't too bad.
 
I can only comment on the Nova and 870 as I don't own an SXP.

The 870 is a good gun that comes in many configurations and Remington sells a ton of them. As such, there is a plethora of aftermarket barrels and accessories available. The quality, fit and finish is more than acceptable, but certainly not perfect. I own one and have shot several and they don't have as smooth of an action as something like a mossy 590, but it's not bad.

I have a Supernova (field version) that I probably shoot more than any other shotgun. The Novas are mainly polymer, but the quality and fit are excellent. They are incredibly simply to completely disassemble and require no tools unless you want to take the stock off. I must have nearly 2000 rounds through mine and have yet to have a single failure of any kind. That includes a lot of cold weather shooting too. It is quite heavy at 8 lbs, but between the weight and the stock design the recoil is quite light. Barrels and accessories are very limited. Having shot 2.75 and 3" chambered shotguns for years, the 3.5 chamber makes the action feel very long.

Honestly, it's going to come down to which one fits you best and which aesthetics you prefer. All three are good choices.
 
I also am for the nova I have a supernova and have no issues with it it's been out in the snow and rain no jams or anything
Aftermarket is slim but I have found a few places that stock Carlson brand barrels and choke tubes and magazine extensions for the nova and the super nova
But like everyone else said it comes to fit and feel
 
I have had all three... I only have the 870 now, it's perfect for me. The benelli I have to say was the best all around pump shotgun, smooth, simple and reliable... It was just to long for me. Didn't like the Winchester at all.
 
Always comes down to whichever gun fits you best.

If your looking at the 870, the best choice is still the wingmaster - I've handled all 3 and its hands down better than the other two mentioned by the OP. I also read a lot about Remington quality as of late, and after handling some of their rifles and 870 express models I would tend to agree with those statements.

Also, depending on what you do more sporting or hunting you may prefer wood over synthetic. But if you want a good long lasting gun for sporting and/or hunting go for the wingmaster - I agree with YFTD that the nova was too long for me, but if you want a durable hunting shotgun thats a good choice, no go on the SXP.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom