HerbG

Your unfortunate experience teaches us all a lesson about at least test firing guns before taking them into the field. The gun absolutely should have worked, but that is the nature of all things mechanical.

The slide release is too small, narrow, and sharp - not problems training can easily overcome. It is extremely difficult to operate with gloves or cold hands. It simply needs a redesign in my opinion. Is anybody at Benelli listening?

SamF and Jedd: Thanks for the explanation!

How effective is the Nova recoil reducer system? I've never read a clear explanation of why 14 ounces of mercury is better than 14 ounces of lead placed in the hollow stock.

I haven't added a sling to my Nova, but I read in another post that Uncle Mike's detachable sling swivels will fit the Nova.

The latest Benelli catalog lists a light mount and light for the Nova. It clamps on the magazine tube. In addition, they offer 2 and 3 shot magazine tube extensions, tritium inserts for the LPA ghost ring sights, and recoil reducer-bracket for the Nova. Somebody on ebay lists a side mounted shell carrier for the Nova, but I don't think it is a Benelli product.

I don't have any experience with the 20 ga. Nova, but the 12 ga. version with 20" barrel has what I would call significant recoil. Even with reduced recoil "tactical loads" recoil is very noticable. At least as important as recoil is the fit of the Nova for a 9 year old. Unless Benelli is marketing a model specifically for younger shooters, a Nova is going to be too large for a youngster. Length of pull and overall dimensions are definately adult-sized. Since the Nova has a pull off recoil pad and hollow stock, I don't know how difficult it would be to reduce the length of pull to accommate a child. It would be almost impossible to add any length back to the stock as the youngster got older. The butt stock is not removable/replacable like a traditional stock since it is an integal part of the frame and receiver. My suggestion is to find a dealer who stocks the Nova and let your son try it for fit.

A factory 2 shot magazine extension for the Nova is currently being offered on Ebay: Benelli Nova Ext. Magazine Tube +2 New Item number: 3645659676 Item will be on until Dec 23, and the price is currently $20.

The Benelli Recoil Reducer for the Nova is in stock at: http://www.andreottifirearms.com/ They also have the Nova magazine extensions available.

Given the ridiculous cost of buying Benelli barrels, I'm thinking of having my Nova Slug Gun modified to accept interchangeable choke tubes. Does anybody have any recommendations on who does the best job?

I'm interested in the answer to this question too. Does anybody (other than Benelli) make a scope base that will fit the Nova?