Benelli Nova 3 Review: A Pump-Action Shotgun That Won’t Break the Bank
Benelli is a brand synonymous with high-quality semi-auto shotguns, but did you know they make a pump action? In fact, pump action is now in its third generation. The Benelli Nova 3 is here, and we’re getting our greedy little hands on one!
The Nova – A Polymer Shotgun
Benelli’s take on the pump shotgun was bound to be different. Everyone makes a pump shotgun, so how could Benelli stand out? They took the pump action design and infused a healthy amount of polymer into it!
The design essentially uses a metal skeleton encased in polymer. Watching some videos of the coverage, I was surprised to see people complaining about the design—as if Benelli hasn’t been using polymer in the Nova series for nearly 20 years now.
The use of polymer keeps the price low and allows a 12-gauge shotgun with a seven-shot magazine tube to weigh a mere 5.9 pounds. The Nova 3 might be the lightest tactical pump-action shotgun on the market.
The Nova 3 is predated by the original Nova and the SuperNova series. These guns have been used as defensive, tactical, and hunting shotguns, and the Nova 3 does the same. Today’s review will focus on a tactical variant.
Specifically, the decked-out tactical variant with the full-length seven-round magazine tube and 922R-compliant design is the first of the Nova series to hit America in 922R complaint form. The gun has a multicam black finish that’s eye-catching and fantastic overall.
The Nova 3 is optics ready and comes with a set of adjustable ghost ring iron sights. The pump features six M-LOK slots for accessories and a magazine disconnect button. Benelli retained the rotating bolt idea but is now using the same bolt head they use on the M4 semi-auto shotgun.
A rotating bolt helps with extraction, and the M4 bolt head brings a new degree of strength and rigidity to the design. The Nova 3 offers many modern features not found in competing shotguns like the Mossberg 500 series and Remington 870.
Benelli Nova 3 Specs
- Barrel Length 26″ or 28″
- Caliber 12 Gauge 2 3/4″, 3″
- Capacity 4+1
- Action Pump Action
- Overall Length 47.5″ or 49.5″
The Benelli Nova 3 – Taming the Beast
A universal rule of 12 gauge shotguns is that they are one of the rougher recoiling firearms. Another rule to remember is that the less a gun, the more recoil you feel. Physics are rude that way. The 5.9-pound nature of the Nova 3 could make it a harsh recoiling gun. As the resident shotgun nerd, I’ll confirm that an 8-pound 590A1 has less felt recoil than the Nova 3.
That doesn’t mean the Nova 3 can’t be controlled. It takes a little effort and proper recoil mitigation techniques, but it can be done. I was able to fire two full-powered rounds of buckshot on target in less than one second at ten yards—that’s 18 pellets on target in less than one second.
I’m comfortable saying that’s plenty fast for most defensive uses. If you can make an accurate first shot, you rarely need a second shot when it comes to buckshot and shotguns. I’m not tooting my own horn, but I also do well with shotguns. I’m a big guy with a lot of experience.
I shot the gun without proper mitigation techniques, and the recoil can be jarring. Either come to the Nova 3 trained or ready to train.
I can shoot it quickly, but can I put the lead where it counts? The Nova 3 has a simpel set of ghost ring iron sights. The rear sight is nice and wide, so it’s quick to get behind. Not as quick as a bead, rifle sights, or a red dot, but fast enough for capable defensive use. The gun has a modified choke, which can be swapped but works well with basic buckshot.
At seven and ten yards, the pellets from the cheapest, worst patterning load I have didn’t expand outside an IPSC-sized A-Zone. From a defensive perspective, that’s plenty tight.
Benelli Nova 3 Features
1 Optics Ready Design
2 Ghost Ring Sights
3 M-LOK Slot Pump
4 Beveled Loading Port
5 Magazine Cut-Off Button
Working the Beast
The Nova 3 has an interesting mix of ergonomics. Most of the gun has fantastic ergonomics. The pump is about double the length of most and touches the receiver. A longer pump means you have more pump to grab and manipulate. It also makes the pump easier to grab for shooters with shorter arms. They went to work, making sure the texture was aggressive.
The safety and pump release are huge and easy to press and manipulate. They work easily and function well. Under the gun, the loading port was beveled. This makes it larger and smoother, which makes it faster and easier to load. You can squeeze in doubles with ease or tactically top off without difficulty.
The stock’s built-in pistol grip has a Magpul SGA angle, which mixes the benefits of a traditional stock and a pistol grip. Beyond the pistol is where things get rough. Benelli sticks to this obnoxiously long 14 ⅛ inch length of pull. It’s the same length of pull you use on a bird gun, not a tactical shotgun.
This makes it hard to square up to the target, which is the best way to use and control a shotgun. The Nova 3 desperately needs a shorter stock. If it had a shorter stock, it would be a near-perfect pump-action shotgun.
Running the Nova 3
In terms of running the gun, it cycled, extracted, and ejected everything I put through it. Slugs, buckshot, birdshot, and more disappeared throug the gun without any problems, at least without any problems in terms of operation.
There was an interesting issue where one of the trigger pins walked itself out just slightly—enough to run your hand over and feel. Every fifty to sixty rounds, it would do this, and I’d use a punch to push it back in. It never seemed to drift more than a bit, but it’s notable.
The Nova 3 won’t break the bank. The gun retails for around 500ish dollars for the higher-end models and will likely be cheaper as the more basic models make their way to the mass market. I think the Nova 3 could be a serious competitor, and if they trimmed the stock length or used an adjustable stock, it’d blow out the pump shotgun market.
Benelli Nova 3: Pros and Cons
- Affordable
- Almost Great Ergonomics
- Optics Ready
- M-LOK slots for accessories
- Long LOP
Report Card |
||
Shootability |
Proper recoil mitigation techniques make it easy to handle, but the lightweight can make it jarring if you don’t know what you’re doing. |
B+ |
Reliability |
The gun operated without problems, but the walking trigger pin is worth monitoring. |
B+ |
Ergonomics |
That ultra-long stock takes a lot away from what could be A+ ergonomics. |
C+ |
Accuracy |
The Nova 3 puts the lead where I want it: buckshot, slugs, or beyond. |
A+ |
Value |
As far as Benellis go, it’s downright cheap. It’s not quite Mossberg Maverick cheap, but it’s competitive with other shotguns. |
B+ |
Our Grade
B
Reviewed by Travis Pike
Reader’s Grade
F
Based on 1 Reviews
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Best Ammo for the Benelli Nova 3
Best Accessories for the Nenelli Nova 3
Like I talked about in the review above, there are some parts that you should absolutely get, if you decide you want to purchase this shotgun, you have a couple options for accessories:
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| See Price | |
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| See Price |
How to Care for Your Benelli Nova 3
In this YouTube video, you’ll learn how to completely disassemble your Benelli Nova Shotgun for maintenance using only the most technical of tools.
Important Links And Manuals For Your Benelli Nova 3
Now, if you’re looking for more info on the Nova 3, we’ve compiled a list of extra resources sure to satisfy.
About Travis Pike
Travis Pike is a former Marine Machine Gunner and a lifelong firearms enthusiast. Now that his days of working a 240B like Charlie Parker on the sax are over, he's a regular guy who likes to shoot, write, and find ways to combine the two. He is a "simplicisist" when it comes to talking about himself in the 3rd person and a self-professed tactical hipster. Hit him up on Instagram with story ideas.
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