Benelli Supernova Review [Field Tested]

Benelli might be known to the world for their semi-auto shotguns, but the world’s been sleeping on their pump-action SuperNova. Today we are showing the world what it’s missing with the Benelli SuperNova. In my comprehensive Benelli Supernova review, I’m going to take you through my personal experience with the marvelous gun.

I’ve handled and reviewed a lot of pump guns but this one is truly something special. I originally reviewed this back in 2022 but after spending some time with the gun, my opinions have somewhat changed, so I’m updating the review. Let’s get started.

Seeing a SuperNova! 

As a former Marine, I can attest to the reputation Benelli earned with their semi-auto shotguns, which were so reliable that military and police forces ultimately accepted their superiority. Why would they dive into pump guns? Well, if you can master the semi-auto, why not a pump gun? It’s easier to make a pump-action shotgun than a semi-auto, so the time seemed right. Benelli first released the Nova, and it was a decent pump-action shotgun. However, some features like the monolithic stock and receiver weren’t well received. 

Benelli took the criticism in stride and released the SuperNova. The SuperNova kept the good things about the Nova but made the stock and receiver separate, enlarged the trigger guard, and introduced the Comfortech recoil-reducing stock system. Benelli produces the SuperNova in a variety of configurations, including deer guns, bird guns, and of course, tactical models. The model we are reviewing today is the Tactical variant.  

This twelve-gauge shotgun chambers shells up to 3.5 inches long and comes with a four-round magazine tube. The tube is actually plugged at two rounds to accommodate laws regarding bird hunting, making it a perfect hunting shotgun. Taking the plug out and adding a magazine extension takes no time at all. I did just that, but other than that, this SuperNova is completely stock. 

The SuperNova Tactical comes with a set of ghost ring sights that are very easily adjustable. Pistol grip stock models are available, but I went with the traditional field stock. Out of the box, it’s a very competent defensive shotgun that needs a magazine extension and a light to be home defense ready. 

Benelli Supernova

1 Steel Reinforced Polymer Receiver

2 Reversible Safety 

3 Magazine Cut-Off Button 

4 Rotating Bolt 

5 Comfortech Stock

A Refined Pump Action – Our Take

The Supernova integrates a variety of features I’ve never seen on a pump-action shotgun. Most focus on the gun’s ergonomics. For example, the 3.5-inch shell chambering is great for turkey hunters, but for tactical shotguns, it doesn’t make sense. Most of us will be well served by 2.75-inch shells. However, the 3.5-inch ejection port and loading gate make reloading an absolute breeze. Those ports are huge and accommodate the smaller shells much easier for more intuitive reloads. 

On the bottom of the pump sits a big button. That button cuts off the magazine and allows the user to eject a round from the chamber without a round feeding from the magazine. From a tactical standpoint, that allows users to swap for a different shell. You could swap from buckshot to slugs, to door breaching rounds, or to whatever. It makes slug select drills rapid-fire fast. 

A reversible safety to accommodate lefties is a nice touch, and the trigger guard is huge and well designed for gloved hands. Handling it, the grip stands out – it’s substantial and provides a solid hold, great for my slightly smaller hands. The length of pull is quite long, at over 14 inches. They should trim at least an inch or so off. The stock is adjustable for cast and drop and fitted with Benelli’s Comfortech. See the chevrons in the stock? Those are actually cushions that reduce recoil. 

The length of the pump is different than any other shotgun. It’s nearly double the length of other pumps, and you can always maintain a grip on it. The action is smooth as butter and glides rearward with just a little force. 

On Target

In terms of accuracy, it’s just a shotgun, so accuracy isn’t a huge concern. Regardless it’s worth talking about. The ghost ring sights are quite nice and make it very easy to aim and get on target quickly. Since you can adjust for cast and drop, the sights really are positioned quite well. I find them rapid and easy to get behind without much effort. 

Benelli drilled and tapped the receiver to accommodate a rail and, therefore, an optic. According to the World Wide Web, the Supernova shares the same optic pattern as all other Benelli guns. Red dots on shotguns can be a fantastic addition and add some serious speed to the gun’s capabilities. 

The Comfortech stock seems to work well in taking some sting out of the gun’s recoil. I considered getting rid of the standard stock for a short LOP option, but I’m a big fan of the low recoil impulse. The SuperNova is very shootable and soft recoiling for a pump-action design. The huge pump makes it rapid and easy to cycle, and the rotating bolt actually pushes the bolt rearwards a fair bit after the hammer drops. This makes running the gun and the pump even easier. 

Run and Gun 

Making a pump shotgun unreliable is tough to do. Not impossible, but tough to do. Predictably if Benelli slaps their logo on a gun, you expect reliability. The rotating bolt increases the reliability even more by placing rotational force as well as rearward force on the shell. The gun chews up, swallows, and ejects any standard shotgun ammo. 

Cheap birdshot, high-end buckshot, the crappiest F-tier Rio buckshot I can find, and more have gone through this gun. The Rio stuff, in particular, tends to stick in most guns, but the Benelli SuperNova doesn’t care. It feeds in smooth and ejects just as smooth. 

You expect Benelli to have a premium price point, but the SuperNova isn’t a bank account-breaking shotgun. It seems to be in the same league as Remington’s 870s and Mossberg’s 590s. That’s an excellent value for a very ergonomic and very modern, feature-filled shotgun. They seem to cost about 400 bucks on average, and that’s not a terrible price for a modern, well-made pump-action shotgun. 

Benelli Supernova Pros and Cons 

FAQ

What choke tubes are included with the Benelli Supernova tactical?

The Benelli Supernova Tactical typically comes with a set of three choke tubes: Improved Cylinder (IC), Modified (M), and Full (F). These choke tubes allow shooters to adjust the spread and pattern of their shots according to their shooting needs and preferences.

What ammunition is recommended for the Benelli Supernova?

For range use, you’ll find that Remington Gun Club ammunition is a popular choice. When it comes to defensive purposes, many suggest using S&B 12 Gauge Buckshot. It’s crucial to ensure that the ammunition you select is compatible with your shotgun and suitable for its intended use.

Is the Supernova a reliable shotgun for home defense?

Yes, the Supernova is a reliable option for home defense. Its sturdy build, ample capacity, and overall performance make it a trusted choice for many. However, your individual experience may vary, so it’s wise to test and train with the specific model you plan to rely on for home defense scenarios.

Can the Benelli Supernova be customized with aftermarket parts?

Yes, you have a lot of room to personalize your Benelli Supernova with various aftermarket parts and accessories. From different stocks and forends to sights and magazine extensions, there are plenty of options to tailor your shotgun to your preferences and shooting needs. Just make sure any aftermarket parts you choose are compatible with the specific model and gauge of your Supernova.

Are there any known issues or weaknesses with the Benelli Supernova?

Some users have reported instances of trigger pin breakage or issues with the trigger group after extended use (approximately 1500 rounds). However, this might not be a widespread problem and could depend on individual usage and maintenance.

Great Ammo for the Benelli Supernova

Benelli Supernova Starter Pack

So what’s next? Well, if you decide to get the Benelli Supernova, you’re going to need to pick up some must-have basics. Here’s our recommendation for what you need to get started.

• Gun Cleaning Kit: Otis All Caliber Elite Range Box on Amazon or build your own personalized cleaning kit with premium components.
• Shooting Glasses: All it takes is one piece of rogue hot brass, and you’ll learn the importance of shooting glasses. But not all glasses are built the same. See our recommendations for the Best Shooting Glasses.
• Hearing Protection: Firing a gun without wearing proper ear pro can be very dangerous and detrimental to your hearing. Find out the best hearing protection for you in our full length review.
• Storage: Check out our article on the Best Biometric Gun Safes.
• Targets – If you’re wanting a great resource for shooting practice or zeroing your optics on your optics rifle or pistol, download our FREE Sighting in Targets below.

With the basics outta the way, let’s jump into some cool accessories you might want to consider when purchasing your Benelli Supernova

Benelli Supernova Upgrades and Accessories

There are a bunch of different options available to accessorize the Benelli Supernova. However, if we had to choose only a few options… Here’s our picks.

Benelli Supernova Accessories

1. EOTECH HWS 512		Reliable & Durable Water Resistant	Check Price
2. Leupold Deltapoint Pro		Lightweight aluminum housing Wide Field-of-view Auto-Brightness sensor	Check Price
3. SureFire X300U Weapon Light		1,000 lumens Attaches securely to both Universal and Picatinny CR123A Batteries	Check Amazon
4. Magpul QD Sling Swivels		Push-button quick-detach sling swivel for 1-1/4 in webbing Manganese-phosphate finished steel Compatible with QD sling attachment points	Check Price
5. VTAC Wide Padded Quick Adjust Sling		High-quality, Battle proven gear 100% polyester Adaptable and Comfortable	Check Amazon

Other Shotguns in its Class to Checkout

Two other great pump actions to checkout are the Remington 870 and Mossberg 590.

Benelli Supernova Cleaning

While scouring the internet, we came across this great video on how to field strip, disassemble and clean your Benelli Supernova.

Important Links And Manuals

For more info regarding the Benelli Supernova, check out the following resources:

• Supernova by Benelli
• Benelli Supernova Operator Manual