Note: this firearm is older and has been superseded by the Nova 3 Tactical.
The Benelli Nova Tactical has long held a specific niche in the shotgun world. It is the entry point into the Benelli family, offering the brand’s legendary Italian reliability without the premium price tag of their semi-autos. While many pump guns rely on traditional steel or aluminum receivers, the Nova takes a different path with its unique steel reinforced polymer design.
Overview
The Nova is not just a “plastic gun.” It is a steel skeleton overmolded with high strength polymer. This creates a monolithic unit where the receiver and the buttstock are a single piece. For hunters and home defense users, this means a shotgun that is nearly immune to the elements. You can drag it through a swamp or leave it in a damp trunk without worrying about the stock cracking or the receiver rusting.
With the recent introduction of the Nova 3, Benelli has updated this platform with M-LOK slots and a shorter 3 inch chamber for faster cycling, but the core “indestructible” DNA remains the same.
Specifications
- Chamber: 12-Gauge (up to 3.5 inch on original, 3 inch on Nova 3)
- Barrel Length: 18.5 inches
- Overall Length: 40 inches
- Weight: 7.2 lbs (Original) / 5.9 lbs (Nova 3)
- Capacity: 4+1 (Standard) or 7+1 (Tactical models)
- Sights: Ghost Ring or Open Rifle Sights
- Length of Pull: 14 1/4 inches
Usability
The standout feature of the Nova’s usability is the Mag-Stop button located on the bottom of the forend. When pressed, it allows you to cycle the action and eject the shell in the chamber without releasing a new shell from the magazine tube. This is incredibly practical if you need to quickly swap from buckshot to a slug for a longer shot.
However, the Nova has one major ergonomic hurdle: the Length of Pull (LOP). At over 14 inches, it feels very long for shooters with smaller frames or those wearing heavy winter gear or body armor. Because the stock and receiver are one piece, you cannot simply swap the stock for a shorter one. You are essentially “stuck” with the factory dimensions.
The action is remarkably smooth out of the box. Benelli uses a rotating bolt head that locks into the barrel extension, which helps the gun cycle reliably even with light target loads.
Aftermarket and Potential Modifications
The one piece design limits your options for furniture, but there are still ways to kit this out:
- Magazine Extensions: Adding a +2 or +3 tube is the most common upgrade.
- Optics: Most tactical models come drilled and tapped. Adding a Picatinny rail for a red dot is a simple five minute job.
- Recoil Pads: Since you cannot change the stock, many users opt for a LimbSaver or a Benelli Gel Pad to help tame the “kick” of the lightweight polymer frame.
Competitors
- Mossberg 590: The 590 offers more modularity with its replaceable stocks and a tang safety that many prefer for tactical use.
- Remington 870: The 870 has a more traditional “all steel” feel and the largest aftermarket support in history, though recent quality control can be hit or miss.
- Benelli SuperNova: For about $150 more, the SuperNova gives you a separate stock and receiver, allowing you to swap to a pistol grip or a shorter LOP stock. It also includes the Comfortech recoil reduction system.
Conclusion
The Benelli Nova Tactical is a “buy it and forget it” shotgun. It is designed for the user who wants a tool that will work every time they pull it out of the closet or the truck, regardless of how much abuse it has taken. While the longer stock length is a drawback for some, the smoothness of the action and the clever shell stop feature make it one of the best values in the pump action market.
