What do you think of Benelli shotguns?

[DonaldBabbett]

The Benelli Nova pump, a tough looking, budget-priced all-weather gun with synthetic stock, seems good for rough hunting as in ducks.

The Benelli Montefeltro Silver in 20 ga. looks pretty and is lightweight for fair-weather upland shooting but is not a cheap autoloader at about $1,750 retail. This Italian semi approaches over/under prices.

I don't like most over/unders including the pretty engraved Beretta Silver Pigeon simply because they are hard to open even when they cost near $5,000. I don't want to pay a new-car price for an over/under that actually is a "self opener".

The cheapest semi or pump is even much easier to "open" (pull the bolt to the rear) but the Montefeltro Silver has that over/under prettiness with the engraving and checkering.The Montefeltro semi seems the prettiest easiest-opening gun for the money that allows at two follow-up shots (not just one follow-up like an over/under) to be made quickly without manually cycling a shell.

There is a dog engraved on one side and birds on the other side of the receiver.

I have a late-model Remington 870 police pump but I am not impressed with its build quality overall.
I think I will replace that gun with a Nova with a tactical short barrel.

[SamIAm]

I've owned a Benelli M1 since the 90s. Very reliable. I like mine a lot. Its a HD model, under the bed. I own an 870 pump as well, but that stays in the safe.

[PatC415]

Just an FYI: 12 gauge shells will not fit.

[NapalmCheese]

The Benelli Nova pump, a tough looking, budget-priced all-weather gun with synthetic stock, seems good for rough hunting as in ducks.

If it fits that's great, otherwise there's no way (easily) fit a Nova to a shooter.

It's a 3.5 inch gun, so it's a bit on the long side with a long stroke.

It's heavy.

It's pretty thick at the wrist with a tighter pistol grip than something like the standard 870 stock.

It's VERY easy to disassemble, easy enough to do in a duck blind and doesn't require any extra tools (use the mag cap to push the pins out).

It's very reliable.

The plastic finish is basically indestructible for all practical purposes.

The finish on the barrel is (at least IME hunting over salt water) as prone to rust as any 870 express (I spray painted mine).

The shell cutoff is a nice feature if you carry different types of ammo for geese and ducks (I shoot 3's for ducks, prefer something larger for geese).

I like the position of the safety, on the side like an 870 but in front of the trigger guard instead of behind, makes it easy to keep your finger along the receiver and in one motion swipe off the safety and slap the trigger.

Barrels are expensive.

It's a bit rattly.

It handles pretty club like, but points well enough for me.

Ease of disassembly makes it pretty awesome in my opinion.

[newbutold]

I've shot several thousand rounds out of my 20ga Sport II. Completely reliable and fun to shoot.

[-hanko]

I don't like most over/unders including the pretty engraved Beretta Silver Pigeon simply because they are hard to open even when they cost near $5,000. I don't want to pay a new-car price for an over/under that actually is a "self opener".

There is a dog engraved on one side and birds on the other side of the receiver.

I have Beretta SP's in 12 and 20. They get easier to open after you shoot some bullets through them. After years of shooting, both close with the little lever to the right of dead-center. If you have one that flops open like the screen door in a hurricane, it's time to have a good gunsmith do a bit of adjustment.

The 20ga gun has accounted for bunches of doves, pheasants, and more than a few deer.

Just an FYI: 12 gauge shells will not fit.

They'll be too big, and obviously the wrong color.

[Ackrite]

I bought a 20g Montefeltro last year for my annual pheasant hunt in South Dakota and take it to the shotgun range on occasion. It is an awesome shotgun and would recommend it to anyone.

I got the basic Montefeltro for $1K OTD, so that might be an option for you to save some money. Unless you must have the silver.

[PatC415]

They'll be too big, and obviously the wrong color.

[allright]

I bought a used Benelli Vinci from another cal gunner a few years ago. He used it for waterfowl. I have put around 1k rounds through it, all of it for clay pigeons. This gun is great. Lightweight, low recoil, points well, and seems to never ask to be cleaned. I'd buy another without hesitation.

[therealnickb]

The Benelli Nova pump, a tough looking, budget-priced all-weather gun with synthetic stock, seems good for rough hunting as in ducks.
.

Pay a bit more for the Super Nova. Comes with shims to fit you.

They are a tad heavy, but only an slight issue for quail if you're hiking IMO. Otherwise a pure pleasure to shoot.

[ceh383]

I don't like most over/unders including the pretty engraved Beretta Silver Pigeon simply because they are hard to open even when they cost near $5,000. I don't want to pay a new-car price for an over/under that actually is a "self opener".

All O/U's are stiff to open when new, they will break in with use.
If you have one and it is hard to open, you just have not shot it enough.

I have a suggestion, GET OUT AND SHOOT

[Elgatodeacero]

I found the Nova and Supernova stiff and clunky. Weird that Benelli can do such a great job on an autoloader, but their pump just seems rough and unwieldy.

For autoloader Benelli is my first choice (except pass on the Black Eagle 3 due to unresolved mechanical problems), but for pump I prefer a Remington 870 wingmaster or Police model.

[Novak77]

I shoot a SBEII for everything that flys. Liked it so much I bought another

[Jet Setter]

I had one. I will never buy another. Terrible CS. Even their field reps suck.

[therealnickb]

I found the Nova and Supernova stiff and clunky. Weird that Benelli can do such a great job on an autoloader, but their pump just seems rough and unwieldy.

For autoloader Benelli is my first choice (except pass on the Black Eagle 3 due to unresolved mechanical problems), but for pump I prefer a Remington 870 wingmaster or Police model.

? My SN is smooth as silk.