The Benelli Nova is a standard pump action shotgun

Pump action shotgun

Pump-action shotguns, also called 'slide action repeating shotguns' or 'slide action shotguns' are a class of shotguns that are distinguished in the way in which spent shells are extracted and fresh ones are chambered. The weapon has a single barrel above a tube magazine into which shells are...

, popular among hunters

Hunting

Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...

 and defense enthusiasts. Its most innovative and distinguishing feature is a one-piece receiver and buttstock, made of steel-reinforced polymer.

Hunting

This model is available with a variety of barrel and sight configurations, most intended for hunting and/or trap/skeet shooting

Skeet shooting

Skeet shooting is one of the three major types of competitive shotgun target shooting sports . There are several types of skeet, including one with Olympic status , and many with only national recognition.- General principles :Skeet is a recreational and competitive activity where...

. It is made in both Matte and camouflage

Camouflage

Camouflage is a method of concealment that allows an otherwise visible animal, military vehicle, or other object to remain unnoticed, by blending with its environment. Examples include a leopard's spotted coat, the battledress of a modern soldier and a leaf-mimic butterfly...

 finishes. Due to the polymer

Polymer

A polymer is a large molecule composed of repeating structural units. These subunits are typically connected by covalent chemical bonds...

 coated receiver

Receiver (firearms)

In firearms terminology, the receiver is the part of a firearm that houses the operating parts. The receiver usually contains the bolt carrier group, trigger group, and magazine port. In most handguns, the receiver, or frame, holds the magazine well or rotary magazine as well as the trigger mechanism...

 and stock, along with proprietary coatings on the action

Firearm action

In firearms terminology, an action is the physical mechanism that manipulates cartridges and/or seals the breech. The term is also used to describe the method in which cartridges are loaded, locked, and extracted from the mechanism. Actions are generally categorized by the type of mechanism used...

 and barrel, it is considered impervious to the elements. Barrels may be rifle

Rifling

Rifling is the process of making helical grooves in the barrel of a gun or firearm, which imparts a spin to a projectile around its long axis...

d or smoothbore

Smoothbore

A smoothbore weapon is one which has a barrel without rifling. Smoothbores range from handheld firearms to powerful tank guns and large artillery mortars.-History of firearms and rifling:...

, and are usually 24", 26", or 28" long. This model is available in 12 gauge

Gauge (bore diameter)

The gauge of a firearm is a unit of measurement used to express the diameter of the barrel. Gauge is determined from the weight of a solid sphere of lead that will fit the bore of the firearm, and is expressed as the multiplicative inverse of the sphere's weight as a fraction of a pound . Thus...

 or 20 gauge. Five types of choke

Choke

Choke may refer to:* Choking, obstruction of airflow into the lungs** Choke , a condition in horses in which the esophagus is blocked** Choking game, a schoolyard game involving deprivation of oxygen to the brain...

s are available. Typically sold with improved modified and full, internal chokes. extended aftermarket chokes available.

Tactical

This model is intended for defensive purposes. With an 18½" barrel, and rifle or ghost- ring (diopter) sights, it is easier to wield and quicker to sight than hunting models. This barrel is smoothbore, and unthreaded, (will not accept chokes) rendering it less accurate at longer ranges. A slightly different model labeled the H2O Nova is similar, with the exception of an electroless nickel

Nickel

Nickel is a chemical element with the chemical symbol Ni and atomic number 28. It is a silvery-white lustrous metal with a slight golden tinge. Nickel belongs to the transition metals and is hard and ductile...

 finish replacing the standard black coating, presumably with corrosion resistance in mind. This model is 12 gauge only.

Supernova

This model incorporates a number of recoil reducing features, and has a removable stock that can be replaced by a pistol-grip stock. This model also has a bigger trigger set.

Common Features

• Synthetic Stock and Receiver Cover: for moisture resistance.
• Cross Bolt Safety
• Extendable Magazine: may optionally hold up to 7 rounds in magazine. (2.75in. 12 gauge)
• 3.5in. chamber: will fire and reliably cycle 2.75in., 3in., and 3.5in. shells. (in 12 gauge)
• Recoil Reducer: this optional mercury
  Mercury (element)
  Mercury is a chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic number 80. It is also known as quicksilver or hydrargyrum...
  
   recoil
  Recoil
  Recoil is the backward momentum of a gun when it is discharged. In technical terms, the recoil caused by the gun exactly balances the forward momentum of the projectile and exhaust gasses, according to Newton's third law...
  
   unit is installed via a bracket that is attached to the interior of the stock. The baffled tube holds 14 oz. of mercury, which raises the length of time that the shot's impulse is spread across, thus lowering felt recoil.
• Optional Tritium Sights: for tactical units, to provide constantly illuminated sights.
• Chamber Empty Button: on the forend, allows unloading of unfired shell without releasing additional shells from the magazine.

Recoil Reducer

Recoil without the internal reducer can be harsh using the 3.5 inch shells. The shotgun is very light due to its composite/steel construction. This light weight shotgun lends itself to heavy recoil using heavy loads with high velocities. The recoil reducer helps reduce the felt recoil and allows the shooter to obtain a faster second shot. The recoil reducer is an option and must be purchased separately from a Benelli dealer or any of the more common shotgun web sites, or incorporated in the original sale/order (the recoil reducer is standard on all Benelli Supernova

Benelli Supernova

The Benelli Supernova is a standard pump action shotgun, popular among hunters and defense enthusiasts. Its most innovative and distinguishing feature is a one-piece receiver and changeable stock with shim kit...

.)

The recoil reducer consists of two elements; the apparatus that connects to the stock via the buttstock compartment, and the mercury element that is inserted into the recoil apparatus.