Nova or Wingmaster?

Iceman_Chris

Iceman_Chris

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I recently was planning on purchasing a Mossberg 500 as my first shotgun. Just before buying it, a friend of my father's asked to talk to me. He is a long time experienced hunter and we chatted for awhile about shotguns and what to look for and what to avoid. He told me that Mossberg 500's were ok just for trap and skeet but if I do any serious duck or geese hunting that it would break down pretty fast from the magnum loads. Normally, I would argue that Mossberg 500s are great guns for the price but this guy knew what he was talking about. Hunting since he was a young boy and owns more than 75 guns. Anyways, he told me to go for a Remington 870 Wingmaster, not Express, because of the block in the Wingmaster. I asked him what he thought about the Benelli Nova and he said that it was a good gun but was foreign so may be harder to find parts and service. What I'd like to do is buy a Nova (I like the look and $100 cheaper price tag) instead of a 870 Wingmaster. Does anyone have either and care to comment on what you think would be a better choice? Would it be difficult to get parts for the Nova if it broke down?

Thanks in advance, Chris.

PS - Also, I'm looking to get one with a 26 or 28" barrel and a full set of chokes. How much would a spare 18.5" barrel cost?
 
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Have owned both and my choice is Wingmaster hands down. The Nova has some nice design features and functions flawlessly. It was the first(and last) synthetic gun Ive owned. I just prefer wood:) The Remmys are great guns and they are so popular that parts are easy to get. 3.5 chambers are just not needed, in my opinion, unless you are a dedicated Goose hunter. The 3" will do just fine on all winged game. Best thing to do is try them both and go with what feels most comfortable to you. Good luck.:D :D
 
The only difference between an 870 Wingmaster and an 870 Express is the external finish and walnut stock vs birch stock. The parts are all the same. The Express is considerably cheaper because of these cosmetic differences.
 
Does anyone think that the Wingmaster would be better just because of the extra weight of the stock? If the Nova has a hollow synthetic buttstock, then won't it be kind of unbalanced? ie. the front half weighs considerably more than the rear? I like the idea of a lighter gun (Nova) but is there alot to be gained (other than less recoil) with a heavier gun?

Thanks, Chris.
 
My Nova was very nicely balanced. I found the stock slightly long for hunting clothes and adjusting the LOP would be a real pain. Heavier guns do dampen recoil but a heavy shotgun is a chore to lug around the woods all day. Hope you get a chance to handle each one before you buy. By the way my Nova did not have the recoil reducer installed and touching off 3.5" mags was quite an experience.:D :D
 
I'm with the Wingmaster crowd. I had a Nova for awhile and loved it for the look. But when I hoisted the 870, it was just so...compact...tight...well-balanced. After the 870 the Nova just seemed too big & inelegant.
 
I own both and each have their good and bad points. lots of accessories for the Remington, harder (are more $$) for the Benelli.

If you are going to do serious waterfowl hunting, I would suggest the Benelli - it just keeps on shucking no matter how much mud, crud and abuse you throw at it. Easier to maintain in my opinion.

I test fired a couple of 3.5" turkey loads and thought my heart stopped - damn did that hurt. Didnt notice the 3.5s when shooting geese, but will need to by a Limbsaver pad or recoil reducer unit before next turkey season....
 
Both are good guns. The 870 is likely the best pump gun ever made, when you take everything into account.

But as someone else said, handle both of them and buy the one that you are most comfortable with.
 
I think I'm going to go with the Wingmaster. Not only because of the helpful advice on this thread, but because it'd probably still be in my collection in another 30+ years. The Nova seems like something that I would eventually get rid of.
 
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