Got this shotgun about 2 months back, been trying to get to the range, finally did on New Years Eve.
My overall impression of this shotgun is very good. Built very robustly, looks a tad different from other shotty's, but Ive grown to like it now. so here is my list of pro's/con's:
PRO'S:
1. Well made. {in Italy} Beefy bolt, receiver has a polymer "exoskeleton" over it..for lack of a better word.
2. 7+1 Capacity and handles all lengths of 12 gauge including 3 1/2".
3. Chrome lined chamber & bore
4. Safety is in front of triggergaurd, so is bolt release.
5.EXCELLENT LPA peep sights. Night sights available and I will eventually get them. LOVE these sights.
6. Had a button on bottom of pump that when depressed, lets you unload the round in the chamber without another popping up to be loaded. You can close action on an empty chamber, or pop in a different type load. I like this feature.
7. Polymer front/rear stocks. NO extended pistol grip..thank God.
8. Nice trigger
9. VERY easy to field strip.
10. Action is smooth & slick. Not quite as slick as a well used 870, but its new and should slick up more with use.
11. Patterned nicely with military brown box 00 Buck..some old Remington Magnum 4 Buck...0 Buck..and at 25 yards even some dove loads were patterning nice.
12. I shot until my shoulder gave out...then kept on firing from the hip in order to break in the gun and see if any initial problems popped up. None did...gun was 100%.
CONS:
1. BRUTAL RECOIL! The rubber..pad..on the end of the stock, I WILL NOT call it a "recoil pad", was very very hard. It was in the upper 30's for the near 6 hours at the range, and it in no way helped with recoil. Maybe the cold temp made it harder. My 50 year old shoulder was sore this morning I tell you!
2. Aftermarket accessories are not too available yet. I did find a light/sling mount combo..if I can remember where. But there isn't a whole lot out there for this shotgun yet.
3. Going to have to buy a mercury recoil reducer for the stock..AND a Limbsaver recoil pad. May even get the barrel ported some day. But the recoil reducer and Limbsaver are gonna be mandatory.
In all, its a well made shotgun, very pointable thanks to excellent sights, patterns well, but the recoil is something else. Maybe it wont bother some of you as much. Maybe it did me cause I was pretty cold by the time I laid down the other weapons I was shooting and got to the shotgun. Or maybe its just the number of heavy loads I fired.
The Benelli Nova Tactical LE came to me OTD a wee bit under $500. I like it, and will like it more when I install previously mentioned recoil reducing items.
Hope this is useful info.
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