chomponthis

The nova is in a way an elegant tank. It shoots like a semi-auto (not taking into account the recoil). You really don’t need a 3 1/2 gun because if you look at the load data for 3 inch shells they are the same or better then the 3 1/2s because of the tendency of shell manufactures to up play the big payloads which hamper the crucial killing element, velocity. The 3 1/2 is just a feature of this gun along with the shell stop, both of which are nice but don’t really make this gun any better then a Winchester or Remington. What makes this gun so good is it’s extreme durability. I always hear about people who have taken spills in to muddy water and taken shots seconds after. After this they took it home and hosed it of then sprayed wd-40 on it. This gives you an idea about just how strong it really is. Of course you would not want to treat any gun this way if you want it to last or spray wd-40 on it because it kills primers. The other factor that brought so much attention to this gun and is the key to its reliability, its simplicity. You could count the parts that make up the stock fore-arm and receiver on both hands if you don’t count the trigger group. The only downfalls are that the trigger is in no way comparable to an expensive semi-auto and it is a polymer based gun that require much working in. During the break in period you could see potentially a jam as well as a choppy action. After a year I have never had a jam out of either of mine and they just keep getting smoother and smoother. If you treat it good it will return the favor and hold up for unknown generations. It could be thought of as the new 870 in a way, although they are completely different both are willing to stand the test of time. Side Note-One of the joys of Nova ownership is using it against the club hot shots with their Citoris and Perazzis. If you get just one extra target over their score they look so pistoff! And never seem to look you in the eye. First day I got my 20 GA. Nova my mom was using it for the first time and it jammed on the line. After words some smart guy came over and said something how they just aren't very good guns. I went out next line to see that it was working and the same guy was shooting. I got a 24/25 . After getting back in to the club house I saw him again and walked up to him and said I guess it works now, in a sarcastically unsure voice trying to hold back a grin. But after all it’s not competition just fun and games!

Don’t worry about screwing it. There really is no way to screw up the Nova unless you take apart the trigger group. Just play around with it. It isn’t complex once you take it apart.

There is no such thing as lead for ducks and geese. every flock, species and bird flies at a different speed. The major factors that dictate lead are, speed of target, velocity of shot and pattern. A teal will fly faster then a mallard therefore requiring more lead. The higher the velocity, the shorter the lead (keep in mind the drop in velocity over cretin distances, this will help you know what birds can be brought down successfully). If you are using a cylinder choke you will have a much more open pattern and will have a slight give in your lead when compared to an improved modified where a shot within 30 yards will require precise lead but have a much higher density in pellet count. If you want to become a good shot you need to focus of the front of the bird. Always follow threw your target zone because most people forget this and get behind their target. Patterning you gun at different ranges with various loads and chokes will help you know what you throwing out there and really will help your shooting. Most importantly get out to the range or blind because building a feel of your gun on different target presentations will help you build your instinct of lead. Instinctive lead is important to listen to. Just do what feels natural and you will have greater success. If you start to think about it too much you will end up out thinking yourself. Shooting is much more of an art then a science. My argument about this is that science can be done threw procedure by anyone, while art must be honed and refined but never perfected. Every ones art looks different and has a different style. Some people have a natural ability and others draw stick figures but you don't get better unless you practice!

It should say in the manual, my Benelli has it in there. Basically if you take the barrel off along with the retaining nut you should see a horseshoe shaped retainer with two small holes next to the split. You heed to compress this retainer using a pair of needle-nose pliers. Make sure that you are careful because there is quite abit of pressure behind it (you will need to keep pressure on it with your finger until you can slowly start to let it off, probably wear a pair of glasses while doing this just to be safe). when you get it off you should have access to the plug, which is the 3 inch or so piece of plastic. take it out and reassemble and your set! Let me know how it goes

Well a Nova would be a great gun because of its durability, and ability to be a very simple gun yet shoot like a more sophisticated semi-auto at the same time( I bought two I liked them so much). Each choke is has a different wall thickness so as to force choke/compress the shot in to the desired pattern. A tighter choke such as a full or improved modified will have a denser pattern at longer ranges. A cylinder choke will have a less dense pattern so would be used for closer ranges. This all allows you to take shots at varying distances and be able to get the target down. You might also want to take a look at Berettas semi-autos there more in the neighborhood of $500.00 and all shoot great because of their balance and feel. A Nova is a virtual tank; it is indestructible and can handle 3 1/2 Mags well. They do take a bit of working in due to the nature of there polymer construction, so you may hear stories of them jamming, but this is only when they are new and unused but even then it is a rarity. I have never had a problem with mine and if you go with a Beretta expect the same quality because Benelli is part of Beretta. Hope this helps