Have a dilemna with purchasing my first gun. Found a great deal on a 12ga camo 28" Benelli that had been pawned -- $200. Also like the Mossberg 500 for feel and option of 2nd barrell -- $235 at Walmart and about the same from pawn shop through dealer. I plan to hunt pheasant primarily, but also shoot some clays and maybe someday try deer and turkey. Is it worth it to go for the Benelli and add a slug gun down the road, or should I go for the convenience and frugality of the Mossberg. And of course, what is everyone's opinion of the overall quality and experience with each model. Thanks!

i have a mossburg 500 and used it a lot for awhile. shoots real well and handles nice. mine is magna-ported and has very little recoil however it is very loud. i don't use it much anymore because i got a 20 gauge remington 11-87 i like better.

i never shot a benelli so i can't say anything good/bad

however if i had to do it all over i would go with the benelli

I own both a Mossberg 500 24" ported barrel in camo and a Benelli Nova 24". I like both guns very much and they have both taken a good bit of game. Though I like the Nova better. So far it is more reliable. This is my second Mossberg and the second one to have problems. I don't have a good batting average with Mossberg

Though the bottom line is you... Which one feels better to you and you are more comfortable with? That will be the gun for you.

I have the Nova....great gun for the money. I have it in 24 inch barrel and use it for turkeys. the 28 inch barrel would be good for Pheasant, clays, water fowl.

The nova!!!!!! Also for deer hunting, Ithaca makes and affordable barrel for it with cantelever mounts.

As much as I love my old Mossberg 500, If i had the choice I would pick the Benelli nova