This week on #SundayGunday, we work out the brand-new Benelli Nova 3 pump-action shotgun. The original Nova and its poly-mod construction already was a well-known and well used pump gun, and everyone knew it delivered the news without breaking the bank. This new-generation Nova is lighter and faster and just as economical in 2025. We can remember decades ago when the Nova was introduced and could be had for $300. Now, in 2025, the new-and-improved Nova 3 can be purchased for only $529.
The next-gen Nova 3 features a 3-inch chamber, which is half an inch shorter than the original. That makes the maximum-strength loads you might shoot go easier on your shoulder but lighter and faster to cycle. Benelli brags that the gun is 15 percent faster to operate than older versions. After using it in the field, what we can say is the Nova 3 is just plain slicker to operate than the original Nova. Perhaps the best part of the action upgrade is the presence now of the famous, ultra-reliable Benelli M4 bolt face, which produces greater lockup surface area. In the bottom of the action, the loading port is wider and now beveled for speed. A magazine cutoff button, depression of which allows a chambered shell to be removed without releasing a round from the magazine, is found along the bottom of the fore-end.
The redesigned stock is made of lightweight polymer, and features a deep pistol grip and a kind of “lean forward” design. Raised, wide ribs create what Benelli calls a diamond-grip. The all-new fore-end features an integrated M-LOK system to mount lights or lasers. The butt wears a three-quarter-inch recoil pad.
Barrels are 26 or 28 inches long and cut for Benelli’s Mobil Choke system. A red bar front sight rides atop the muzzle. Capacity is four-plus-one. Every gun regardless of barrel length weighs just about 6.6 pounds. Choose one of three colors: black, Realtree Max 7 or Mossy Oak Bottomland. Manufacturer’s suggested retail prices run from only $529 to $639.
A compact 14 1/8-inch length of pull makes the Nova 3 feel pretty comfortable to us as a turkey gun and tactical gun—and in fact the Nova 3 can be had as a Tactical model with an 18.5-inch barrel. But our hunting version can pull double or triple duty because three choke tubes—improved cylinder, modified and full—and a wrench are included in every box.
You can learn more about the Benelli Nova 3 at benelliusa.com. And to see more #SundayGunday any day of the week, check out our playlist on YouTube, where all previous episodes are archived.
