I’m convincing my fishin’ partner to chase waterfowl with me this fall. He’s rather new to shotgunning. I’ve shot both guns. What say you, hunting bretheren?
Wanted a little more input, so I’m posting on this side of IDO.
I don’t waterfowl hunt much, but the Nova allows 3 1/2″ shells, so that would be my choice. 
Without knowing anymore than he’s new at it I would suggest a used 870. Get started on something cheap and reliable. If he really gets into shooting then step up into an auto, Benelli or Beretta.
Never shot the Nova but have friends that have it and based on their comments and my experience with the 870 that’s what I would recommend – 870 all the way. I personally don’t use the 3.5″ shells in my shotguns though at least one of them takes them.
I love my 870 Super Mag Express! I’ve taken that thing through he!! and back. I really like how smooth its gotten over time, unlike my buddy’s who bought his Nova around the same time and hasn’t really “broke in” yet…still an awkward gun in opinion. Cant go wrong, which ever you choose
You can buy a new parkerized Benelli Nova with a 26″ barrel for $300.00. Helluva price!! Then you have a duck gun & a turkey gun in one. Can’t beat the price OR the quality. My money is on the Benelli………. 
cycle the nova and the 870… one seems solid, the other seems cheap… 
Nova…I love mine, its nice to be able to shoot 3.5 inchers at geese (or anything for that matter).
The 870, I shot a nova and it felt uncomfortable. Another to look at is a stoeger 3000 auto. It’s cheap and reliable
I have a nova that gets shot everyday. I need it in my profession. It gets dropped in the snow left outside at times and I have no problems with it. I also shoot it in the duck blind,turkey blind it gets used. Great gun for the price.
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Nova…I love mine, its nice to be able to shoot 3.5 inchers at geese (or anything for that matter).
Benelli nova can not take 3.5″ shells. The super nova can though. Two different guns and two different prices.
I would choose the 870, just because I shot a nova once and it felt terrible.
Walmart has 870’s with break-up camo for $320. Just the regular 870, not the super mag.
$500 for nova
$550 for camo nova
$550 for supernova
$600 for camo supernova
$300 for 870
$320 for camo 870
$460 for 870 super mag
$550 for camo 870 super mag
Actually the NOVA can take 3.5″
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Nova…I love mine, its nice to be able to shoot 3.5 inchers at geese (or anything for that matter).
Benelli nova can not take 3.5″ shells. The super nova can though. Two different guns and two different prices.
I would choose the 870, just because I shot a nova once and it felt terrible.
Walmart has 870’s with break-up camo for $320. Just the regular 870, not the super mag.
$500 for nova
$550 for camo nova
$550 for supernova
$600 for camo supernova$300 for 870
$320 for camo 870
$460 for 870 super mag
$550 for camo 870 super mag
The SuperNova and Nova 12-gauge pump guns shoot 3-1/2″ ammunition…
That’s straight from Benelli site. 
B BK and Big G, you might both be right. I think when I got my Nova it only came in a 3.5 max, but now they do sell both the nova and the super nova now. I forgot about that.
Either way ill stick with any gun that has BENELLI on the side.
I have a 870 wing master and my 16 year old has the nova. My 870 has given me 30 years of service. My sons nova is only two years old but has been fun to shoot and no problems. There is a diference in quality from a 870 wing master and an express. I think you will do well with eather gun.
Just sold my Nova, it ratteled and made to much noise for turkey hunting it was also big and heavy didnt care for the gun myself I would go with the 870
I have yet to shoot a benelli worth half of what the ask for them. The 870 hands down. Just go to a gun club a look at what people bring to the line, if its a pump 8 out of 10 are 870’s. If you want a good deal on a benelli check the board at a gun club it seems there is always one for sale.
IMO the Nova is heavy on the recoil. That based on thousands of rounds on the trap line with the 870 and just two rounds (50 shot) with a borrowed Nova.
never cared much for bennelli. I would vote 870.
I own a Benelli Nova that shoots 3 1/2 shells and find it a great pump. It does rattle–then again, I don’t know of a single pump that doesn’t rattle. If it is an 870, I wouldn’t go with the express and the standard 870 is as costly as the SuperNova.
Of course. . .The fit of the gun is a much more important consideration than the manufacturer. Have him shoot both and one will feel “right”. That will be the best gun in the end.
Never shot a Nova, but I have an old 870 that is smooth as butter and never had a problem with it.
I shoot both. The new 870s are no where near the quality of the older models.
To be honest I would recommend the Nova. I have not been impressed with the newer 870s.
If he can find a used older 870 that would be the way to go. They are clunky and swing like a 2×4 but they are built like a 2×4 as well. I have beat the living heck out of my Super Nova as well and it still works flawlessly. Same goes for my older 870.
A gun is a long term investment. Spend the extra money and get a Rem 11-87 or a Beretta Silver Mallard if you can find one.
870 Express in the super mag for the 3.5 inchers! I field hunt with that and a Wincinchester SX2 and when the dust is blowing our well below freezing the 870 comes out and never misses a beat! Also if your on the road hunting every hardware store in every town carries a 870 if you get in a pinch with a broken gun. Good luck finding a nova or parts for one while in the middle of no where!
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A gun is a long term investment. Spend the extra money and get a Rem 11-87 or a Beretta Silver Mallard if you can find one.
While i agree i would disagree with this. At least for my hunting style.
My duck guns take a beating. No way would one of my fine autos or doubles find its way into my duck boat.
I don’t usually recommend autos for hardcore duck hunting. More parts, more likely to fail. Pumps are the ultimate gun for waterfowl. Dirt, dust, grass, water, etc don’t usually affect them. Semi autos on the other hand…..i have seen them fail in the field numerous times.
I have had a nova for the past 8 years. You name it I have put it through it. They are super fast to break down and clean there is about 5 maybe 6 part that come off and the gun is striped down.
I also like it cuz you can push in a button on the pump a keep the shells that are in the mag and take out the shell in the chamber so if your duck hunting and a goose comes over you can put a goose load fast and easy for a shot. You can also add a recoil kit into the gun but I think that is around 100 buck.
Go with the nova or super nova hands down a better gun! 
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A gun is a long term investment. Spend the extra money and get a Rem 11-87 or a Beretta Silver Mallard if you can find one.
While i agree i would disagree with this. At least for my hunting style.
My duck guns take a beating. No way would one of my fine autos or doubles find its way into my duck boat.I don’t usually recommend autos for hardcore duck hunting. More parts, more likely to fail. Pumps are the ultimate gun for waterfowl. Dirt, dust, grass, water, etc don’t usually affect them. Semi autos on the other hand…..i have seen them fail in the field numerous times.
X2
I’ve owned both of them for my business and i agree it’s a toss-up. However, if you can find an old WingMaster, you will never be better served. ALWAYS, find the gun that fits YOU. That’s the gun you will shoot better…
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I shoot both. The new 870s are no where near the quality of the older models.
Totally agree. Today’s 870 is not your father’s 870. And that’s NOT a good thing.
With that said, my vote is for neither of the pumps. I’d look at the Stoeger 2000. Full camo version available, Benelli’s very simple and reliable Inertia recoil activated action, all at a very attractive price.
I bought one for bad weather hunting when I don’t want to abuse more expensive guns. It goes bang and birds fold.
I’m not seeing the need or advantage of a 3.5 for a beginner. Not worth the extra weight and the 3.5 just encourages a beginner to do more of what they should be doing less of.
Grouse
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