Benelli Nova Vs. Remington 870
 

What are your thoughts on this? I am sorta lookin for a nice lil20 guage that i can hike around with for mountain quail, grouse, squirrels, and can take a good beating. I have an 870 super magnum and was curious if the Benelli was any better or whatnot?

Thanks!

RE: Benelli Nova Vs. Remington 870
 

The Nova is the smoothest pump I've ever used, but the 870 is also hard to beat. Either one would be a fine choice...

RE: Benelli Nova Vs. Remington 870
 

Anyone know anything about Remington's 887?

RE: Benelli Nova Vs. Remington 870
 

I got to see it at the SHOT show back in January. They were pushing it hard, it should make a pretty good utility gun. First impression was that it's a plastic piece of junk. On closer examination they seem to have a decent resonably priced gun that's dipped in plastic for corrosion resistance. It should be a good gun that you canlay on the bottom of the duck boat while bouncing around the salt marsh. If you want something that's pretty(or even one that's just plain looking), get something else.

RE: Benelli Nova Vs. Remington 870
 

I've owned and shot both, can't go wrong with either one. In my opinion the nova was the better quality gun, but its also more expensive.

RE: Benelli Nova Vs. Remington 870
 

I shoot a Nova and love it. I think the 887 has potential but like any new product I'ld let some get out and let Remington fix any last minute flaws before I'ld think about getting one.

RE: Benelli Nova Vs. Remington 870
 

As another poster stated you can't go wrong with either choice. However I prefer the Browning BPS over the 870 and the Benelli.

RE: Benelli Nova Vs. Remington 870
 

Both will work just fine for you, but if you want the perfect upland/small game gun get you a 20ga Ithaca 37. Light as a feather, ultra reliable, and shoots where you point.

RE: Benelli Nova Vs. Remington 870
 

I have both, but I would pick the 870 anyday over the Nova....though both are good guns as pumps go.

RE: Benelli Nova Vs. Remington 870
 

My first shotgun was Remington 870 20 gauge which I still have today. I was just adding up the years and I figure I've had that gun for about 22 years. Of coarse I don't use it as much now, but after shooting my other 12 gauges I can pick up that little 20 gauge and it just falls into place. So I like the 870. I realize a 20 gauge will feel a little different than your supermag but they should be somewhat close. If you are sastisfied with the remington and like how it feels. Why not get another one? If not or you want totry somethingdifferent getthe Nova. Yep you probably couldn't go wrong with either one. Hope I was some help. Good Luck!!!

RE: Benelli Nova Vs. Remington 870
 

Having owned a 870 Express Super Magnum before in a 12 gauge I'd get the Benelli hands down.

RE: Benelli Nova Vs. Remington 870
 

So from the info im getting here...its about 50-50. Come on guys, that aint no help[8D]

RE: Benelli Nova Vs. Remington 870
 

I have two Novas, they shoot great, a little noisy and clunky but bulletproof. The 870 of today is a far cry from the 870 of years ago. Todays model features the cheesiest stocks and poor fit that one could only dread. I've had both and if we are talking brand new, the Nova no doubt.

RE: Benelli Nova Vs. Remington 870
 

So maybe if I could find an older Remington?

Ive heard a lot better things about their older makes.

RE: Benelli Nova Vs. Remington 870
 

I have owned a BPS, Nova, Model 12, Ithaca, and Wingmaster. Of these I personally liked the the Model 12 best. Between the Wingmaster and Nova, I like the Wingmaser better - but only slightly. The reasoning is simple ... it fit "me" better. The Nova is set up as my turkey gun because it handles 3 1/2 inch shells. It is a slick action.

RE: Benelli Nova Vs. Remington 870
 

Knowing what I know now about the 870's if I was to get one it would more than likely be a Wingmaster. However, that being said I would still get the Nova over any of them. The only advantage I see to the 870 Wingmaster is I like the looks.

With the express it jammed a lot, needed work right of the box as it needed the chamber polished. This is a very common problem with expresses. Never heard of it with a wingmaster. It still jammed randomly way too often for me. It also had a pretty crappy finish on the stock and I don't think the finish on the barrel was all that great either. There have been reports of rust but I never experienced that.

That basically sums up why I didn't like the 870 I had and why I'd go with the Nova out of those two. The Browning BPS is another shotgun I'd consider if I wanted a pump. Heck more than likely I'd prick a Mossberg over the 870 although it wouldn't be anywhere near the top of my choices either.

RE: Benelli Nova Vs. Remington 870
 

Stay with your remington 870. I own one in 20 gauge and it is my only shotgun. That being because I can use it for everything. It also is not very expensive and easy to keep clean. I also dont feel as bad if I get it scratched out in the field as I would with a much more expensive gun.

RE: Benelli Nova Vs. Remington 870
 

Sorry, but I'm going to add to the 50-50 problem. I have both. I first bought the Nova combo with rifled cantilever deer barrel and bird barrel with 3 chokes. Got it for $400 BNIB, a real steal. It's almost impossible to find just the cantilever deer barrel for that price. My ONLY complaint about the Nova is the weight. The 3 1/2 magnum chamber makes it just a bit heavy. But I have no qualms about taking it out in the nastiest of weather. I'm typically also not a fan of the 'one-piece plastics' as someone else said, but I really like the feel and fit of the Nova stock. The weight might not be as much as an issue with the 20ga, but I only have the 12.

I subsequently got a used 870 with a cantilever rifled barrel and outfitted it with a Boyd's Thumbhole Stock and it is now my absolute go-to deer gun. I picked up a used bird barrel for the 870 at a great price, but have not tried it with the thumbhole stock. I'm just not sure how the thumbhole will work with wingshooting.
My son has the same thing in 20ga, and it too is a great setup.

They are both great guns, I'd personally go with what fits and feels best. That is ultimately what matters most, IMHO.