HerbG

While you can use the 28" barrel with the tactical model, you might want to check to price of a new barrel first. Factory barrels for the Nova are nearly as expensive as the entire gun! Also, the you will probably want to remove the ghost ring sight assembly every time you use the hunting length barrel.

I would strip the gun, remove the bolt, and flush the entire bolt assembly with a good aerosol gun cleaner giving special attention to the firing pin area. If that doesn't solve the problem, I'd return the gun to Benelli. My experience has been that it is usually best to return a gun with serious problems to the manufacturer for repairs. They have the experience, not to mention replacement parts, to fix the problem.

Yes, I've noticed the same thing with my Nova. I suspect it has something to do with the bluing process Benelli uses on these barrels, but I'd be interested in hearing from somebody who really knows the answer.

A cheaper alternative is to have the barrel threaded for screw-in choke tubes. That can usually be done for about $75 plus the cost of the tubes. Of course, if your 18.5 inch barrel is the "Tactical" model with ghost ring sights, you have the problem of sights on a gun you want to use for upland game and waterfowl - not an ideal combination.

Thanks for the great information on the Comfortech! I will be adding one ASAP.

Has anybody on the forum actually added the ComforTech gel recoil pad to their Nova? If so, do you think it is worth the expense?

I added the mercury-filled recoil reduction system to my Nova Tactical about a year ago, and I haven't been very impressed. I would estimate that it reduces recoil about 10% - at the most. The recoil reducer adds about a pound to the gun's weight, and the added weight alone would account for that much reduction in recoil. Frankly, I wish I'd saved the $65! Others who use heavier loads have reported that the recoil reducer does a good job for them. I can't comment since I haven't tried heavy loads.

The updated Benelli website lists the ComforTech recoil pad as a replacement item for the Nova. Nothing on price or availability.

My two year old Nova Tactical did not come drilled and tapped for a rail. I assume newer models are not drilled and tapped either.

I don't know the answer to your question, but since the gun needed repair before you attempted to remove the magazine tube, I would send it back to Benelli and let them worry about it. Having already broken a strap wrench, I would be worried about warping the receiver or maybe breaking off the threaded portion of the magazine tube inside the receiver. Then you would have a really big problem!

The shorter barrel will interchange. However if you get the shorter "Tactical" model barrel it will have a rifle type front sight installed. You would probably want to order a barrel with only the bead front sight unless you plan to add a rear sight to go with the "Tactical" front sight.

The Nova Tactical is a great shotgun for defense, but you didn't specify what you were going to do with your first shotgun. Are you going to use it for hunting in addition to HD? It isn't a good choice for hunting unless you are going to use slugs exclusively. You can always change the barrel for one more suited for wingshooting or sporting clays, but you will also want to remove the ghost ring rear sight.

This question has come up numerous times on the forum, and most posts can be found if you search under "nova stock." One reply quotes a Benelli sales rep. as saying the gun can be returned to the service department, and they can shorten the stock. Several others suggest gunsmiths who can do the job. This seems to be a common compaint from Nova owners. It would be nice if the factory addressed the problem by simply making the stock a shorter. I can't believe it fits the average shooter very well.

As a follow-up to bwnr's comments, you may find that your patterns aren't centered where you are pointing. It isn't uncommon to find a pattern centered considerable away from where you think it will hit. This is especially true if you are only using a bead front sight, and it may not be as noticable when you are using smaller shot. Good luck!

I've found that patterning tells you a lot about buckshot performance. I would experiment with several OO loads from different manufacturers and see how the patterns compare. Also, the full choke you are using might be deforming the shot and causing some openings in your patterns. Why not start with the I.C. tube and then the modified to see how they compare? Unless you spend some time patterning your gun, you're just going to be guessing about what is best.

If you are a Nova owner and have been tempted to try those neat little 1 & 3/4 inch Aguila shotshells being imported from Mexico by Centurion Ordnance, save your money! I picked up a box of the Aguila 7/8 ounce slugs and a box of the buckshot loads, and neither functioned through my Nova Tactical. Fired shells would not eject and shells from the magazine would not feed. However, the slugs easily blasted through a pine 4x4 and a one-inch board and produced good accuracy when single loaded. In fairness to Centurion, they warn on their website that only the Winchester 1300 is likely to feed the stubby little shells. The Aguila shotshells are really just a novelty and should not be relied on for any defensive use IMHO.

Your question about a second barrel is a "yes, but.." If you get the Nova Tactical with ghost ring sights, you would probably want to remove the ghost ring rear from the receiver for wing shooting. At least that is what I would do. If you get the Nova with barrel mounted open sights there is no problem.

I really like my Nova Tactical! It came equipped with the ghost ring sights and for $300 was a real bargain. The gun is not drilled and tapped for scopes. The gun benefits from the installation of the optional mercury recoil reducer since recoil is very noticable with heavier loads.

The "ring" that holds the magazine plug and spring in place is called a snap ring and it can easily be removed with a pair of snap ring pliers available at Sears or most automotive supply houses. The pliers do the job without damaging anything and also allow you to replace the snap ring after you've removed the plug.

Somewhere I've read that some Nova users install two pieces of adhesive backed Velcro inside the slide handle to reduce the rattling. I haven't tried this solution, but it seems logical that it would work.

Sensitivity to recoil is an individual thing, and "I never notice a thing" doesn't help people who ARE sensitive! Size, age, shoulder injuries, arthritis, surgery, and a dozen other things can change your attitude about recoil in a hurry.

I guess the first thing to consider is, what are you going to do with your new gun? Hunt, plink, self defense? If you have virtually no experience with firearms, I would suggest starting with a .22 rimfire rifle to learn the basics. If you are convinced that you want/need a shotgun, I'd handle as many possible to get a feel for what fits and just feels comfortable. Go to a couple of gun stores and check everything out! Talk with friends and handle the guns they have. Even better take a few out and shoot them. Nothing beats handling and shooting to help make up your mind! Good luck.

Has anybody actually had any experience cutting a Nova's stock to reduce length of pull? I'd like to shave about 1/2" off, but would like to hear how it was done.

Militiaman: Check out limbsaver's website at : http://www.limbsaver.com/limbsaver/firearms/firearms.aspx They offer a slip-on pad in several sizes one of which will probably fit the Nova.

I vote for the .375 with solids just because I don't know enough about furnaces to predict what might need to be pierced inside. I KNOW the .375 will get the job done - the others MIGHT work OK too!