Rem 870 or Benelli Nova?

The 870 has too many pieces??
Maybe the express is different but on my wingmaster counting the 2 pins and nut on the end of the tube I am coming up with 9 pieces in my head and the only small pieces are the pins.

Barrel, forearm, firing pin housing, firing pin housing seat, trigger mech, receiever, 2 pins and nut.

I have only needed to clean my 870 a couple times while hunting and both times were where I tripped in a swamp and me and my 870 both ended up in the mud and water. I just rinsed everything off to get as much mud out as possible sprayed some oil on the moving parts and went back to killing ducks.

Other than instances like that I can’t imagine why you would ever need to disassemble an 870 in the field, they are bullet proof shotguns.

If I count the 3 chokes and the recoil pad, I can have 9 pieces.

I would recommend the 870 express with a black stock and matte finish on the barrel. Make sure it will shoot 3 1/2″ for waterfowl.

I have shot both in the duck blind and worked for a sporting goods store that sold both. We sold more 870s, but the Nova was fairly new at that time as well. When I pick up the Nova, it rattles and just feels loose to me.

I have a few guns that I baby, but my 870 has been through hell and back and keeps going. If the 870 ever bites the bullet, I’ll get it fixed or buy a new one. In 8 years, I’ve taken that gun apart twice to clean it. Other than that I wipe the outside down with oil and run a couple swabs through the barrel.

I was just suprised to hear someone say the 870 had “too many pieces”, they are about as simple and dependable as you can get when it comes to shotguns that is why they haven’t changed much in 30+ years.

The 870 is kinda like the model 94 Winchester rifle they hit it out of the park the first time so why mess with a good thing.

I don’t know much about Novas, my only experience was with 1 hunting buddy who couldn’t wait to get rid of it….but that was 1 persons opinion and experience.

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I was just suprised to hear someone say the 870 had “too many pieces”, they are about as simple and dependable as you can get when it comes to shotguns that is why they haven’t changed much in 30+ years.
The 870 is kinda like the model 94 Winchester rifle they hit it out of the park the first time so why mess with a good thing.

I don’t know much about Novas, my only experience was with 1 hunting buddy who couldn’t wait to get rid of it….but that was 1 persons opinion and experience.

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No prob. I hear ya. I was just being fiesty. Must be the weather. I think, either way, he’ll be fine at that price point.

No worries Cpetey. Lots of junk going on here at work and just in general too so I’m a little punchy myself.

I need to get out shootin/fishin again…great break from all the BS.

in my opinion, the good old pump is still a work korse and nobody makes them better than mossberg. I have never shot an auto so i really dont have an opinion there. Far as break down goes theres only 3 pieces that i can think of. the stock, the barrel, and the nut that goes on the end that holds the 2 together. ive been duck hunting with buddies in my home town though, and when it was really cold, the auto didnt seem to shoot any faster than my pump. The one i know for sure was a clean gun because the guy was religious about cleanin as i am. but really, its which ever they are comfortable with