870 Magnum vs. Benelli Nova?

[Bearclaw]

It would be nice if people would list the main differences and pros and cons once in a while, most of the time i just see personal opinion

Here are the FACTS from my own Personal Experience

1st:
I bought an 870 Express Super Mag about 5 years ago. A very good friend of mine bought the Nova about 4 years ago. Both of us maintain our guns well...him probably more so than myself.

2nd:
We both use the guns extensively for Dove, Pheasant, Rabbit, and Duck. And we have both fired thousands of rounds through each of our guns...every thing from light 2-3/4" target loads to 3-1/2" BlackClouds.

3rd:
Both guns were the same price. (within $25)

4th:
We have both shot each others guns. I didn't care for the way his Nova felt in my hands...He wanted to trade.

and 5th:
Just this last duck season, we were out hunting a pond. After 2 birds each...he goes to take a shot. Click. Tries another round. Click. Tries another round. Click. Come to find out his firing pin is broken...yes broken. His morning hunt was over as I proceeded to limit out.

Finally:
I did have some extraction issues with the cheap winchester target loads...but the steel wool polishing trick recommended by aippi (Calgun's foremost shotgun expert) did the trick. And I would rather have to polish my chamber, then have a broken firing pin.

And this folks, is my basis for recommending the 870 over the Nova.

[resident-shooter]

Saiga 12

[hcbr]

whatever fits you the best! but if you want my personal opinion, 870, but I can tell you , can't go wrong with one of the two, just see which one fits you better! that's my advice

[DonFerrando]

why?

No doubt both will get the job done just fine and one can get into arguments whether this or that characteristic of either gun is better or worse than the other which ultimately might only come down to personal preference. For this reason as a new shotgun owner-to-be I would approach this purchase from a purely subjective angle and simply get what at this point is the more widely used and proven design. In that regard the 870 is a shotgun legend. After you got one of those you can get into all the Benellis, Mossbergs and Saigas you want and who knows you might learn that you like them better than the 870, but at least you started off with a really good reference point. Just my 2 cents.