all i can speak of is mossbergs...never touched or shot a benelli nova....they are heavy and can double as a boat anchor when your goose hunting.....they arent well made at all...i heard from a true gun guy that they only have one lug(not sure if thats the word or not) but its something that locks the action shut..opposed to every other pump having 2...i have a 500 and use it for my beating small game gun which is going to change...im going to a 20 ga for small game for now on i think....but it served me for 3 or 4 years and ive never had a problem....heavy as can be and doesnt pattern to good.....patterns ok but expect to have to buy aftermarket tubes...i killed my fair share of game with it and hunted in every weather condition and its always fine...if thats all you can afford it will serve you well....but if you can buy better its probally smarter..my turkey gun now is a remington 870....the 21 inch barreld turkey gun..only 3 inch mag but its tiny light and patterns GREAT.....i love it....i cant stand big long heavy turkey guns...i walk way to much and cant stand the forarm rattle/loosness...benellis on the other hand make some of the best shotguns out there and i doubt they let down there reputation on the nova.....good luck.......either on will work but if you are willing to spend a few more bucks i think it would be smarter.....and this comes from a mossberg user....ive shot atleast 2000rds through mine easy and i never had a problem...i just personally dont like it.....