Benelli Super Nova Tactical?
- Thread starter Joel
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manbearpig
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Somewhere in the Third World
Benelli didn't make it's name on the Nova.
I've owned both a Nova and Supernova Tactical. Now I own only 870s. I don't consider myself biased or an 870 fanboy: I've owned nearly every pump on the market, kept a totally open mind and simply ended up keeping what worked for me.
A well-broken in 870 action is one of the smoothest pump actions - they just get better with use.
IMO an 870 is a much better platform. There's a massive aftermarket and used parts market for it. Don't like the LOP or ergonomics of the stock? There are hundreds of options you can choose from from just about any retailer on the planet. By swapping a few parts or the barrel you can adapt it to different roles easily.
I'm also not a fan of plastic inside a receiver. With the Benelli action I had parts of the overmolded plastic separating/peeling away from the skeletonized receiver. It didn't affect function at all but I was worried about dirt/moisture getting in there, and strips of peeling plastic inside my receiver just really bothered me.
And here's the only part based on personal bias: I have absolutely nothing against the use of polymers in guns, but the Benelli Nova/Supernova never appealed to me aesthetically. Sure they look cool in promotional photos (doesn't everything?), but in your hands it looks, feels and sounds like a cheap plastic toy. It tries to look all modern and tactical but just ends up looking like it's trying too hard.
manbearpig
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Somewhere in the Third World
The EE?
The new production 870s will be available sooner or later - there is no way they're going to let production of the most popular shotgun lapse for too long.
The new production 870s will be available sooner or later - there is no way they're going to let production of the most popular shotgun lapse for too long.
Non-phixion
CGN frequent flyer
An 870 has nothing on a supernova tactical except for aftermarket accessories, the supernova walks on 870's when it comes time to gunning. I wouldn't listen to any posters trying to dissuade you on the Supernova in favor of an 870, especially when they're trying to sell you on the benelli feeling cheap and toy like which couldn't be further from the truth, as well as ironic considering 870's feel like hot garbage the last 15 years compared to the guns remington used to build.
The benelli can chamber up to a 3.5" 12 gauge round as well which is an awful lot of energy you can put down range if need be. If you don't mind a 3.5" pump stroke compared to a gun only chambered in 2 3/4" the benelli will accommodate a wider range of options for ammunition. Its very accurate with slugs, i've stacked rounds ontop of a bullseye target at 50m benching it with just the ghost ring sites. The adjustable ghost ring sights are great, a much nicer option than what remington and mossberg usually provide for sights. The biggest feature on the benelli that gives it the edge for operation is the button on the pump to isolate your follower for doing a quick shell changeover. Press the button underneath the pump, rack it back, your shell you want to replace with a different load is out, follower cannot pick up a round so you can insert your slug or buck, chamber round and voila. To complete this operation with an 870 is painful in comparison sitting there finger banging the follower to accomplish this compared to the benelli which is intuitive and fast.
Benelli's polymer is rock solid there should be no cause for concern on the durability and feeling of this gun. During my time selling firearms I sent more than enough remington 870's back for warranty claims to know which gun I would pick, not a single benelli...so OP the choice is yours; buy an absolute sleeper of a shotgun in the form the supernova tactical or buy a remington and throw a bunch of money at it to make it suck less. We are truly fortunate to be able to buy a factory benelli pump with a 14" barrel and collapsible stock in this country. Aftermarket accessory limitations aside, the benelli is the better gun. All the gun needs is a mesa tactical side saddle rail for spare rounds to really get you going and you're laughing.
DaveMachine
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- That one place with a cowboy complex
I had a look at the 14" version the other day and I have to say that it seems like a solid unit, admittedly I haven't shot one so i can't tell for sure.
One thing that stuck out to me was the action release being out of reach of my hands. Does anyone happen to know if there is an extended after market version available? Also, what are guys running for light setups?
One thing that stuck out to me was the action release being out of reach of my hands. Does anyone happen to know if there is an extended after market version available? Also, what are guys running for light setups?
I started with an SN tactical, hence my name when I joined here. Tried a ton of other shotguns and came to the conclusion the SN was about the best pump I've owned. I won't use an 870 any more due to serious reliability issues. Every one I owned that came out of a Remington plant had problems with the carrier dog slipping causing it to pile drive shells into the bridge between the mag tube and barrel. Not a simple jam to clear since the lifter locks up in that position. I carry guns in predator country and can not have that happening. The Mossberg lifter design is superior to the 870's. I've had very few issues with Mossberg shotguns from the Maverick 88 to 590A1s. The Supernova was hands down the most reliable. Aftermarket is decent and unlike the Remington they don't need a ton of upgrades. The safety is large, the loading port is big and the lifter has a detent to stay up when loading kind of like Mossberg. Reliability is excellent, sights are good, barrels perform well. If I didn't have an M2 Tactical I'd grab another. The LOP does suck but thats easily fixed with a Mesa Tactical Urbino stock or a hacksaw. I say get one, they're very well priced in todays market with the american made shotguns skyrocketing in price.
I've had a Super Nova Tactical, several 870's, couple 590A1's, Mossberg 500, Winchester SXP and a Fabarm. Best IMO are the Fabarm and Benelli. All are very good. In the end, sold everything that didn't take chokes. Less aftermarket support for the Italian Fabarm and SNova, but they both needed least to be excellent. supernova's comment about 870's locking up is legit, I have only had 870's fail in the field, and more than once.
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- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
Agree 100%, if I had to pick only one of my shotguns and get rid of the rest it would be my Fabarm. Hands down the nicest fit/finish and smoothest action out of the box, I managed to buy a full set of chokes for it and a couple other accessories when I first got it. Fabarm are top notch, I hunted with mine the first few years I moved to the bush and it you would never know it’s been dragged around the bush.
I’ve handled the Supernova and it seemed pretty nice, not a fan of the wierd shell follower disconnect. Just seems like a solution to a non existent problem, just one more thing to go wrong I guess. I want a smooth running but simple mechanical pump gun, less to fúck up and break is a plus if you ask me but it’s a Benelli so I think that should count for a lot.
In the end I’m a big 870 guy and I love an old Ithaca M37, great running pump guns as well.
