People either love or hate the Benelli Nova series. Benelli is a semi-auto shotgun company that made a pump gun that was certainly different. As the owner of a SuperNova, I put myself in the love category. I have some complaints, but overall, I think the Nova series is a solid shotgun at a great price point and is doing things a little differently. Let’s be real; the 870 and 500 are stuck in the 1960s. Benelli just released the Nova 3, which was a total surprise to me.
I didn’t see it at SHOT. I don’t remember reading any press releases or reviews, but there it was, out and proud. A little research showed scattered reviews that escaped me and that the gun was in stock. After scouring the internet, I decided I wanted one, but while I waited, let me share what I learned about the Nova 3 and how it differs from the Nova and SuperNova.
What They Changed on the Nova 3
Interestingly enough, they eliminated the ability to shoot 3.5-inch rounds. The Nova series has always encapsulated both sporting and tactical guns. For bird hunters, the 3.5-inch rounds were handy. I liked the 3.5-inch loading and ejecting port for the tactical guns because it made them bigger. By reducing the chambering to 3 inches, they created a shorter pump stroke, which they say will prevent short strokes.
Benelli ditched the recoil-reducing stock in favor of a big recoil pad. They also added M-LOK slots to the pump for mounting accessories. The Benelli Nova series has a shell cut-off on the pump action, making the pump proprietary. Attaching accessories has historically been difficult, making things much more manageable. There are slots on both sides and the bottom. They also use the M4 bolt head to keep the rotating action.
The Nova 3 series integrated a QD cup on the stock for slings, which is a nice touch since there aren’t many aftermarket stocks. They also widened the loading gate, which I love and appreciate. All the polymer textures have been updated and made more aggressive and easier to grip. It also seems like several factory guns have a capacity of 7 +1.
This means Benelli ensured these guns were 922R compatible. Historically, Benelli has not done that. You just get a neutered version of the weapon and must figure it out yourself. The Nova 3 has several different configurations, including multiple tactical models.
What’s impressive is that they’ve reduced the weight to 5.9 pounds with the lightest models and 6.1 pounds with the heaviest models. That’s a 20-gauge weight, and it makes the gun quite handy.
What I Like About The Nova 3
I love that they added M-LOK slots on the pump. That smart move makes this a weapon I could use for home defense because I can finally add a light. Numerous variants of the tactical model include a rail for adding an optic, which is nice to see. From what I understand, the gun uses the Benelli M4 optics footprint, which opens you up to some awesome mounting options.
I’m psyched that they widened the loading port. Loading is key to keeping a shotgun running. The 3.5-inch loading and ejection port could have been left even with a 3-inch chambering. The problem there is that people will inevitably load a 3.5-inch round and wonder why it doesn’t chamber properly.
Optic readiness is a solid take, as is making the gun 922R compliant. That makes life easier when upgrading the gun and removes the headache from the consumer. As always, I like the polymer coating, the magazine cutoff, and the ghost ring sights.
Ultimately, the Benelli Nova 3 seems to be a fantastic and highly advanced pump shotgun. However, it has one big flaw that needs to be fixed!
What I Don’t Like
The Benelli Nova 3 features the famed 14 ⅛ inch length of pull stock. I can’t understand why the Benelli Nova 3, in 2025, is still rocking an ultra-long length of pull stock. That length of pull stock is absurd for a tactical shotgun. Most modern shotguns come with adjustable stocks that use spacers to adjust the LOP.
Most people prefer the 12.5 to 13.5-inch length of pull stock for tactical use. The over 14-inch-long stock is way too long for most people. I’m a certified gorilla and feel the stock is too long. Just trim the stock or offer to use adjustable options.
Overall, I want the Nova 3 in my hands. I want to run the gun fast and hard. I can’t wait to get my hands on one. I hope it lives up to the SuperNova I’ve come to love. Hopefully, you’ll be seeing a review soon.
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