Most pump shotguns tend to fall into one of three distinct generations of guns. The Benelli Nova series, including the Nova 3, might lead the charge into a fourth. The generational breakdown is relatively simple to understand.
We have the first generation, which includes guns like the Spencer Roper, the Winchester 1893/1897, the Marlin 1898, and others. These early guns were a bit fragile and featured exposed hammers, thin forends, and limited-capacity tubes.
The second generation encompasses the Winchester Model 12, the Remington Model 31, the Ithaca 37, and other pre-WWII designs. These were much more robust guns, often made by craftsmen, and many are now prized legacy guns.
The third generation includes post-war shotguns like the Mossberg 500, the Remington 870, and the Winchester Model 1200/1300. These are known for their dual forend arms, which increase reliability, and their mass-production-friendly designs.
The Nova 3 marks the first big change in pump shotgun technology since the 1950s. Like most technological leaps, it will likely be met with skepticism, but there was only one way to find out for sure.
I asked, and Benelli provided me with a Nova 3 Tactical (complete with extended magazine tube and black multicam finish) for testing and review.
Nova 3 Shotgun – Key Specifications
- Weight: 5.9 lbs (unloaded)
- Chamber: 2¾″ and 3″ shells
- Action: Pump-action with rotating bolt (M4-style design)
- Construction: Poly-Mod monolithic polymer-over-steel frame and stock
- Sights: Adjustable ghost-ring
- Optics Compatibility: Receiver drilled and tapped; includes rear Picatinny optics rail
- Stock: Fixed synthetic stock with 14⅛″ length of pull
- Compliance: 922R compliant (with compliant stock installed)
- Accessory Mounting: Receiver Picatinny rail; Integrated QD and M-LOK Mounts (excluding model #20580)
- MSRP: Starting at $529 (varies by finish and configuration)
The Nova 3: The Glock of Shotguns
The Nova 3 is the third entry in the Nova series: Nova, Supernova, and Nova 3. I would have called it the MegaNova to keep the theme, but that’s just me. The Nova line integrates a substantial amount of polymer in its construction. It’s essentially a lightweight metal skeleton encased in polymer, which does two very practical things.
- It creates an incredibly lightweight shotgun that resists corrosion like few others.
- It keeps the price low.
Benelli isn’t known for making cheap shotguns, but the Nova 3 can get you into a Benelli shotgun for less than $600.
Benelli has released multiple Nova 3 configurations, so the price varies slightly. The Tactical model you see in this review is the most expensive due to its finish and optional accessories.
Nova 3 vs. SuperNova: What Changed?
I’m a SuperNova fan. I’ve found it to be an excellent shotgun with some interesting features. But the Nova 3 introduces some notable updates:
- Reducing the chamber from 3.5 to 3 inches reduces pump movement and helps prevent short stroking.
- Integrates M-LOK slots onto the pump for mounting lights and accessories.
- Includes an optics rail.
- Uses the M4 bolt head for additional reliability and enforcement.
- It’s 922R Compliant.
- Available in multiple finishes.
- Lighter than ever, this model weighs 5.9 pounds.
The Nova 3 integrates a ton of small, useful features that are easy to overlook. The loading port is beveled for quick and easy reloads. The gun has adjustable ghost ring sights but is red dot-ready.
Additionally, a magazine cut-off button on the underside of the forend allows you to eject a round from the chamber without feeding another from the tube. This makes it easy to clear the chamber and conduct slug select drills.
The pump is also much longer than any other pump. When retracted, it covers part of the receiver. This makes it easier to operate and covers you if your hand slips a bit rearward when running the gun.
The stock pistol grip has been slightly redesigned to be more aggressive and a little more vertical, which helps impart some of the benefits of a pistol grip design with the benefits of a standard stock.
At the Range: Shooting the Nova 3
So, how does it shoot? That’s the golden question.
Let’s start with the downside: the stock.
Namely, the stock’s length of pull. Benelli is addicted to the old bird gun standard of 14 inches. In this case, it’s actually 14⅛ inches.
That’s absurdly long for a modern tactical shotgun. It presumes the shooter is shooting in a balanced stance, like most bird hunters would use. This length of pull is a relic.
It’s too long for use in a squared-up shooting position—even for all six-foot-five-inch me. The longer length of pull makes the gun harder to handle and control. The first thing I’d do is switch stocks.
Handling and Recoil Control
Beyond the length of pull, the Nova 3 is a fantastic pump-action shotgun. To me, the lightweight is not a downside. I like a lightweight shotgun. They swing faster, move easier, and reload smoother without breaking a firing stance. The downside? More felt recoil.
This is where recoil mitigation technique matters. That can be harder to implement with the long length of pull, but not impossible.
If you don’t implement recoil mitigation techniques correctly, it can be jarring. The impact is intense due to the lightweight nature of the gun, so make sure you’re pushing and pulling.
The push-pull technique, in case you hadn’t heard of it before, means pulling the stock into your shoulder while pushing the gun forward. Doing this, you can sap the recoil right out of the gun and make it controllable.
This method lets me put three rounds on three targets, two meters apart, in five seconds at 15 yards. I could also put two rounds on one target in less than a second.
And that’s with a full-powered 2.75-inch buckshot. That’s fast, and I couldn’t help but think it’d be quicker if the stock wasn’t so long.
Pattern Testing and Slug Accuracy
Using basic buckshot, I patterned the Nova 3 at 7, 10, and 15 yards. The gun comes with interchangeable chokes, and the included choke is a modified choke that throws a slightly tighter spread that performed well with bare-bones buckshot.
- At 7 yards, the pellets stay in the head of the FBI Q target in a nice, tight pattern.
- At 10 yards, they stick into the chest portion with ease.
- Even at 15 yards, the pattern stays within the torso. It works well with basic buckshot.
If you’re using Federal FliteControl, you’ll want to switch to a cylinder-bore choke. Flitecontrol does not work well with constricted chokes and won’t pattern as tightly as it can.
From patterning, I moved to slugs—simple Federal Low Recoil Truball slugs. I fired from 50 yards in an offhand shooting position and created a 5-inch group. I realized my rear sight needed an adjustment, but it was good enough for testing.
The ghost ring iron sights are sufficient. They are more precise than a bead but slower. A red dot is the real ticket to speed and accuracy with a shotgun.
Reliability Testing
The Nova 3 checks all the reliability boxes. It’s a Benelli. It’s a pump-action. That’s a winning combo for being reliable.
I had no failures to feed, extract, or eject.
The Benelli Nova series is one of the few pump shotguns that still implements a rotating bolt, which helps with extraction. We didn’t have any major reliability problems.
What I did notice was that after 50 rounds of buckshot and five slugs fired, the forward trigger pen had started walking out. It didn’t cause any failures, but was clearly visible and tactile. I used a punch to tap it back in, but it recurred every 50 rounds or so.
It’s an interesting problem to have and one I’d keep an eye on.
Final Verdict: Is the Nova 3 the Next Great Pump Gun?
The Nova 3 improves several aspects of the SuperNova series of guns. It’s nice to see their focus on producing 922R-compliant models. The feature set is fantastic, and the ergonomics are mostly excellent.
The gun’s long stock holds it back, and I’m not sure why Benelli insists on going to the 14-inch line. I’d love to see an LOP adjustable stock, but I’m hoping the aftermarket addresses that sooner rather than later.
Still, the Nova 3 is a rock-solid pump shotgun that brings meaningful innovation to a design that hasn’t changed much since the 1950s. A few things are just holding it back from pump gun supremacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s the difference between the Benelli Nova 3 and SuperNova?
The Nova 3 drops the 3.5-inch chamber in favor of a 3-inch chamber for smoother cycling. It also adds M-LOK accessory slots, a red dot optics rail, and uses the M4 bolt head for added reliability.
Q: Is the Benelli Nova 3 good for home defense?
Yes. The Nova 3’s lightweight design, optics compatibility, and accessory-ready pump make it ideal for tactical or defensive use—though the long stock may require modification.
Q: How much does the Benelli Nova 3 cost?
MSRP ranges between $500-$800, depending on finish and configuration. It’s currently one of the most affordable Benelli shotguns available.
Q: Does the Nova 3 kick more than other pump shotguns?
Its lightweight design means more felt recoil, but with proper push-pull technique, it’s very controllable.
Q: Is the Benelli Nova 3 reliable?
Yes. In testing, it ran flawlessly with buckshot and slugs. The rotating bolt design enhances extraction. The only minor issue observed was a trigger pin walking out after heavy use.
