 Review:
Benelli Nova Tactical
By Charles Riggs
FWIW, we fired several rounds today through a
Benelli Nova "tactical" with 18.5 inch barrel, 4 round mag
and ghost ring sights by LPA ( I had been saying they were by MecGar
but must have had it wrong ) and the gun is nicely put together.
It had a 4-round TacStar sidesaddle mounted. The
Nova can't use a 6-round type due to the extended forend tail, ala the
M870, that comes under the loading port when it's shucked back.
Recoil wasn't excessive despite its light weight,
and the butt pad was nice. While the gun seemed long, and was found to
be longer in OAL than my 18.5 inch M500, the extra length is in the
receiver and not the length of pull. The sights were easy to regulate
with crisp clicks and well-marked indications of the direction of
adjustment. At 35 paces using Winchester standard slugs we had one
group that cloverleafed two round, so accuracy was adequate, at least
in this very minimal trial.
The owner is going to be using it in the shotgun
class with former SAS trooper Dean Brevitt that I'm hosting here in
April, and we'll see how it holds up then.
The Nova won the 1999 "Best of the Best" award from Field
& Stream
http://www.fieldandstream.com/bestofthebest99/index.html
Features:
- One-piece Polymer Stock and Receiver. First and
only 3.5" 12 gauge slide-action shotgun with a unitised,
synthetic stock and receiver assembly.
- High-strength polymer receiver encapsulates steel
reinforcing cage with a non-corrosive shell that is impervious to
weather and other corrosive factors. Surface to core is one bonded
material eliminating exposed external surfaces that can rust or
corrode. Normal wears and shallow scratches expose bare metal on
conventional receivers with anodised, plated or blued finish. The
NOVA synthetic shell prevents bare metal exposure and eliminate
potential corrosive activity.
- Bolt and action bars slide on integral steel
encapsulated frame.
- High-strength Steel-to-Steel Lockup. Proven
Montefeltro rotating, locking bolt design with two solid steel
locking lugs in barrel extension provide greater steel-to-steel
locking ability and strength. Lugs promote a smooth, no-fault
locking action and release.
- User-friendly Design. Ergonomically designed and
contour-tapered forend promotes a firm grip. Elongated styling
allows comfortable grasp for a wide range of arm lengths. The
deeply moulded horizontal tracks on the elongated forend provide a
secure and comfortable grip when used with or without gloves. The
extended forend covers the action on opening to prevent pinching
the palm when the forend is moved rearward. An additional space at
the front of the forend prevents catching a finger between the
forend and the barrel band when closing the action.
- The twin action bars eliminate the forend from
twisting or binding operation when cycling the action.
- Safety is mounted at the front of the trigger
guard within easy fingertip reach. This safety location is an
extra advantage for the preferred trigger-finger placement
extended along the side of the receiver while carrying in the
ready position.
- Immediately in front of the safety, the action
release is also conveniently located at the front of the trigger
guard for comfortable reach and operation.
- Trigger has little free travel and offers
positive, constant pressure and control when firing.
- Stepped rib equipped with mid-point bead and
front sight for quick target acquisition and precise target
alignment.
- Shooting Comfort. The rubber recoil pad and
optional integrated recoil reduction device installed in the
butt-stock assure recoil reduction and comfort control.
- Easy Disassembly and Cleaning. One-piece polymer
action group includes trigger assembly, elevator and shell latches
that can be removed as a single unit. Once removed, the rotating
Montefeltro bolt assembly easily lifts out of the receiver for
quick disassembly and cleaning. Steel retainer pins anchored
through polymer and steel cage hold action group assembly securely
inside receiver housing.
- Forend cap doubles as a tool for removing action
group retaining pins. Nova can be stripped in 30 seconds.
- Spring-loaded shell ejector for positive shell
ejection of all 2 3/4", 3" and 3 1/2" rounds.
- Non-glare, anti-corrosive finish on all metal
parts.
- Integral sling attachment points on the
butt-stock and barrel hangar for standard "QD" swivel to
prevent noise in the field.
- Vent rib barrels supplied with three choke tubes
and wrench. Tubes suitable for steel shot.
- Limited Five Year Warranty to original owner.
- The cartridge elevator moves freely. Which means
that the magazine can easily be refilled with the left hand while
it's still ready to fire. One doesn't need to turn the gun upside
down in order to press a elevator release.
Visit Benelli's web site at http://www.benelliusa.com/ |
