re: Cheapest "Beater" Shotgun

I've owned two 870s. Both were manufactured over 15 years ago. The older one I had began having trouble ejecting spent shells, so I sold it to a gunshop. The other one I had shot 3.5" shells, and I never had a problem with that one (other than a bruise on my shoulder for a week and a half after my first goose hunt with it ). I sold the second one to buy my semiauto.

The thing is, I've read a lot about the quality going way down in the recent years. I haven't found nearly as much negative stories from Nova owners. As a matter of fact, the only negative reviews I've read about the Nova are mostly about the look, bulkiness, or the forearm rattling. Nothing really about it malfunctioning in the field. I also know two hardcore waterfowl hunters who, for the life of them, will not give up their Nova for any other shotgun. Remington still produces a solid gun in the 870, but it seems like there is a higher chance you get a "lemon" with Remington, rather than Benelli.

Based on that, I decided to go with the Nova. Sure I could have saved $50 and got an 870 and crossed my fingers that I didn't get a lemon, but I didn't.

Also, I'm such a compulsive buyer, I wanted the gun right then and there, and neither Academy in town had anything other than wood stock 870s, but one of the stores had one black synthetic Nova in stock, which is what I wanted, so I pulled the trigger. Pun intended.