Benelli SuperNova

SuperNova Construction: Steel Skeleton with Polymer Overmolding

The Benelli SuperNova uses a unique construction where a steel skeleton receiver is permanently overmolded with technopolymer, creating a one-piece stock and receiver unit that cannot be separated. This construction is stronger than traditional separate stock-and-receiver designs because there is no joint at the highest-stress point in the shotgun. The polymer overmolding is impervious to weather, temperature changes, and field abuse that would damage or warp wood stocks. The result is a shotgun that handles rough field conditions better than almost any competitor while remaining lighter than comparable steel-receiver pumps.

Benelli SuperNova vs. Nova: What Changed

The SuperNova replaced the original Benelli Nova in the lineup with several improvements. The SuperNova adds a rotating bolt head for improved lockup, a larger trigger guard for gloved operation, and the ability to safely unload the chamber by pressing the trigger while holding the bolt handle — allowing the shooter to empty the gun without cycling a live round back into the magazine tube. The Nova remains available in some configurations; the SuperNova is the current primary pump shotgun in the Benelli lineup.

SuperNova Configurations: Field, Tactical, and Steady Grip

The SuperNova is available in several purpose-built configurations. The Field version comes in traditional walnut or synthetic with 26 or 28-inch ventilated rib barrels suited for upland and waterfowl hunting. The Tactical configuration ships with an 18.5-inch barrel, ghost ring sights, and a pistol grip or standard stock for home defense and tactical use. The Steady Grip configuration uses a pistol grip only without a buttstock for a compact defensive package. All configurations share the same action and accept Benelli choke tubes.

SuperNova for Waterfowl: The 3.5-Inch Advantage

The SuperNova’s 3.5-inch chamber is a meaningful advantage for waterfowl hunters who want maximum payload from bismuth, steel, or tungsten-matrix loads for high-flying geese and ducks at longer ranges. The 3.5-inch chamber is not available on all pump shotgun models, making the SuperNova one of the relatively few pump-actions that cover the full range from light 2¾-inch upland loads through heavy 3.5-inch steel shot without any adjustment to the gas system (since it’s pump-operated).

Frequently Asked Questions: Benelli SuperNova

What gauge is the Benelli SuperNova?
The SuperNova is chambered in 12 gauge with a 3.5-inch chamber, accepting 2¾-inch, 3-inch, and 3.5-inch shells.

Is the Benelli SuperNova good for home defense?
Yes. The Tactical configuration with an 18.5-inch barrel is a capable home defense shotgun with Benelli’s pump reliability and the SuperNova’s weather-resistant construction. The ghost ring sights and optional pistol grip configurations make it well-suited for defensive use.

Can the SuperNova stock be replaced?
The standard synthetic SuperNova stock is a separate component from the receiver (unlike the integrated Nova design) and can be replaced with aftermarket furniture. The Steady Grip and pistol grip configurations are also available.

What chokes does the Benelli SuperNova use?
The SuperNova uses Benelli Crio choke tubes, which are compatible with a wide range of aftermarket chokes from Carlson’s, Kicks, and others designed for the Benelli/Crio thread pattern.

Browse Benelli SuperNova Shotguns
Shop all Benelli SuperNova configurations at Impact Guns — we ship to your FFL dealer nationwide.

See Also: Benelli Firearms • Pump-Action Shotguns • Mossberg 500 • Remington 870