After reading on here, and some other sites, I wanted a Benelli Nova for son for Christmas. However, nearest Bass Pro is out of stock, and selling them as fast as they can get them in. Afterwards, found a Browning Bps at another store, they have one left. The Nova is 299, the BPS is 369. However, may have to pay 339 for a nova at another store, whick has one in stock. How do they compare. Am partial to the wood stock, but others have said that once I use a composite, I will prefer it. Any thoughts?
I've had a BPS for several years. I bought it because I'm a southpaw and it's ambidexterous. It is a solid, well-built, dependable shotgun. I don't think you can buy a better shotgun. It's a heavy gun. The only part that is not steel, as far as I can tell, is the trigger guard. It's aluminum. I've got the model with a composite stock. While I prefer walnut stocks, I must say that, for a utility shotgun, I'm now a fan of composites. They're tough, impervious to water and mud, and always look good when cleaned off.
both are great guns,and i have 1 of each. get the browning,you'll never be sorry of it.
dennis
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Life's journey is not to arrive safely at the grave with a well preserved body,but to come in-sliding sideways,completely worn out,screaming Holy Cow- what a ride!!!
Just to be up front, I haven't shot a Nova, but I do have a BPS 12 Hunter. I compared both and found the BPS was more to my likeing when I was shopping for a shotgun. I bought the BPS and haven't regretted it a day since. It is a fine, high quality and well built shotgun.
The BPS, as already mentioned, is a heavier pump, in fact it might be the heaviest pump 12 gauge on the market, but it's built like a brick ****house with steel and wood (mostly), just like it should be. It's very smooth, fast shotgun, and has been utterly reliable with anything I've loaded it with from ultralight 2 3/4" skeet loads to 3" Mag turkey loads.
If I were to buy another pump shotgun, I'd get another BPS.
I have the Browning BPS 3" 12 ga. it is the best gun I have ever owned.
it is one of the older ones,(I have had it 25 years or longer) I got it second handed.
I retired it about 5 years ago and got a Mossberg 3 1/2" ultra mag 12 ga. after all the trouble I had with that pieace of junk ; I used it for a boat anchor and got the BPS out again.it is still going strong.
it has taken many ,many gobblers , not to count the deer and hogs.a gun well worth the little extra money.
it is a gun that will last him all his life time and his sons also.
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I am not a hunter ; I am a whitetail population reduction specialest
remember keep your back to the sun, your knife sharp, and your powder dry.
THANKS EVERYONE for the replies. Bought the Browning BPS tonight. Really looks and feels good. Having second thoughts about giving it to my son!
2Eagles--use an 870 Wingmaster myself. Bought it used in '75, and while I haven't used it all that much, it has really been a good gun. It still looks almost like new. I can only hope my son's BPS performs as well for him as my 870 has for me. Thought the BPS was very well priced, at $369. At that price I couldn't see spending more to get something else.
Thanks again guys for the help.