ShoNuff, It really comes down to what type of action you are looking for and how much you can afford to spend. If you are used to a pump action then that is definitely the way to save some money. I don't know all the details of ssternadel's experience, but from the people I have talked to the Benelli Nova is a lot of gun for a relatively small amount of money. I do know you can get a Remington 870 Express for less than $300, and they will last forever if you take care of them. The Browning BPS costs a little more, but it is another solid choice (And because it has bottom ejection it does not matter if you are a lefty).
For a semi-auto I really like the looks of the Franchi I-12. They are owned by Beretta just like Benelli is, so they are using the exact same operating mechanism as the SBE (just scaled to take the 3", not the 3.5".
The Benelli M2 uses this design also, but it will cost you about $300-400 more to get the Benelli name on the side of the gun. If you have never used a pump before, I would recommend staying with a semi-auto. I always used S.A.'s until 2 years ago, and when I got my 870 I found myself forgetting to pump the action. This caused me to miss at least one deer. However, if you have used a pump gun or maybe a lever-action rifle in the past then this might not be a problem for you.

I've had a Nova for about 3 years - great gun, very reliable, good pointer. My only complaint is the forend rattle.

Franchi model 912 in HD MAX, nice freakin gun. Im gonna hit the Gander Mnt and see if they have one i can put my hands on

I have a Nova and love it. I have had it for about 3 or 4 years and have had no problems with it. Well one problem, but that was my fault.

I took the trigger assembly apart to switch the safety to left handed. I got the instructions from benelli on how to do this. Of course once I knew the instructions were available and in the mail I went head and started with out them. I figured I could always use the instructions to get the gun back together when they arrived (typical for me as I am an adventurous soul). Anyway I lost a spring. You know how it goes you hear a ~ping~ and the next thing you know you are on your hands and knees looking for a spring the size of you pinky nail.

Now I told you that story to tell you this story. To replace the spring I didn't find back I called the customer service number and they gave me a number to call. As it turns out it was Bownells. I called them gave them the part number and they charged $5 dollars to my credit card. 2 days later the spring came in the mail. I got the gun back together and the safety worked in the new lefty configuration. The moral to my story is I didn't find the part difficult to get what so ever as another person posted earlier.


If you don't like the Nova nothing I say will change your mind but make no mistake about it the Nova is a fine firearm and a good choice for someone that wants a good pump. Of course I wish they could be a little more flashy with a wood stock and forearm. Sure I like that look but I can tell you this much, the Nova is very rugged the way it is and will last a long time.


In your case I would go with the M2 unless you needed the 3 1/2 chamber I do know the sbe has had some difficulty with some light loads I don't know if the m2 has seen the same problems.