new shotgun, Benelli Super Nova or Stoeger m3500

[wiley]

Looking for a new shotgun in camo for around $600 - $700

trying to decide if i should stick with pump action reliability of the Benelli Super nova or go for a low end Semi Stoeger m3500

this will be my go to shotgun for Waterfowl and Upland bird

seeing lots of good reviews on the stoeger only bad is some wont cycle 2 3/4, 1 or 1 1/8 loads

don't know anyone with either so im going to you guys for some help deciding, leaning toward the benelli

originally was just looking at the camo standard benelli nova, is the super worth the $100 more for the recoil technology, i will probably never shoot 3 1/2 shells anyway and never had a problem with recoil on my mossy 500

also let me know if i should be looking at something else in my price range

thanks in advance

 

[MJB]

Go used Benelli SBE 1 is in your $ range......3.5 is nice to have for turkey & yotes loads.......better to have and not ever need......

 

[wiley]

Go used Benelli SBE 1 is in your $ range......3.5 is nice to have for turkey & yotes loads.......better to have and not ever need......

Sorry I worded that wrong, meant both take 3 1/2 but may never use it, 3 inch has been plenty, but agree probably better to have and not need

I never do any good buying used, always seem to buy others problems, want to stick with new if possible

 

[Gspman]

i have pumps 500's and 870's However once i stepped up to a semi i never looked back. I have stoeger over unders and they have 1000's of rounds and they shot fine but they are O/U's and only 3" chamber. I do however have escort shottys made in turkeys. ive got 3 kids and a wife that hunts so i cant afford high end stuff but ill tell you our escorts after 5 hard seasons shooting everythign from light dove to dead coyote and 3" bb steel they have zero problems. some are used and some we got new. i just got the escort 3" water fowl semi auto picked it up for 450 brand new from turners. its camoed and shoots light and heavy loads great. Ive personally never needed 3.5" loads not for goose of yote so i dont own any super mag guns.

i know its not much help but its what i can say.

 

[gregg]

I just put in an order for a 28" Benelli Super Nova on recommendation from a good friend that swears by them. He says for the price you can't beat it, you can drop it in the mud, swamp, throw it out or your truck and it won't jam. I'm paying $630 out the door but I had to order it special so it's taking some time, hopefully it's here by Turkey season.

Once it comes in I'll be able to give a better review.

 

[Nicholas909]

I Have the Stoeger M3500. It's my go to gun for all birds. The only time I've had a problem with mine is when I load light 1oz loads. There only running about 1135fps @ very low pressure. Do a good brake in with 2 boxes of 3 1/2in shells and the shotgun wont have any problems with light hand loads. I shoot factory 1oz loads all the time with no problems ever. I know allot of people will talk crap on the Stoeger, because it's not a $1,200 benelli. But I love mine & don't regret it one bit.

 

[Nicholas909]

The Escort Extreme 3" is also a good shotgun. Just like GSPman said, It's on sale at turner's. I've shot these also. They have the same gas system as the remington 11-87.

 

[ilovesprig]

I'll start with I'm a straight up Benelli guy.......With that said, I think the Benelli Nova just wasn't made correctly.......With the 28" barrel, it's extremely front end heavy, the pointability is not good, and the overall feel is cumbersome......The Benelli autos are the polar opposite......Finest hunting guns money can buy IMO......But you pay for that.

The Stoeger is actually a Benelli product that is made in Turkey......The original Stoeger 2000's were not made well and the tolerances were not good......Lots of jamming and poor cycling......They have improved their manufacturing apparently in Turkey. I have 2 friends that shoot the 3500's and they both love them and have few to no problems (I like the feel as well).

For what it's worth......I would buy the Stoeger 3500, hands down......2 cents.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On_Otop9hpM
.

 

[wiley]

Thanks guys,

Funny you mention that, I just got back from shouldering both and ruled the super nova out, just feels cumbersome and awkward, the m3500 shoulders well and feels good but there is a new player in the mix, salesman says here try this Beretta a300 , felt really nice but don't like the safety and wish they offered a 26 inch barrel, and it's about $100 more....,

Any opinions on the a300 vs m3500

 

[NBK]

Staying out of this one...

 

[Nicholas909]

I shot 2 rounds of trap with one a few weeks ago. It was a nice, I just didn't feel comfortable with it. It's a gas system, unlike the stoeger which is an inertia driven recoil system.

 

[ilovesprig]

More 2 cents....... ;D.......The Beretta's are damn nice guns (especially the A-400), but the front safety is just something that I personally can't except.......Same reason I don't care for the Benelli Super Vinci.

ps.......John, don't stay out of it........Your expertise and opinion are much appreciated by many, including yours truly.

 

[wiley]

Thanks everyone for your input, went down and tried a bunch of guns today, escort, winchester, Beretta, Remington. . nothing felt as nice as the Stoeger and the Shootist in Murrieta had one in stock for $649 and in max 5 so I jumped on it...now the wait.. :'(

 

[ilovesprig]

Good choice.......Congrats

 

[Gspman]

Great choice. One if the most important things I teach in my classes is get what feels good. You will shoot better if you feel good about your gun.

 

[Nicholas909]

Congrat's on you purchase. Enjoy

 

[wiley]

Thanks guys for the advice on the Stoeger M3500, cleaned the grease off the tube and spring and ran about 200 shells thru it this weekend 2 3/4 to 3 1/2 without a hitch, when i picked it up they gave me 1/2 off on any aftermarket chokes they had in stock, only turkey choke they had was a hs,strut undertaker super turkey, and it patterned well up to 40 yards with 3 1/2 win long beard #5...

also bought a carlsons extended mod and coyote chokes..

2 3/4 feels like a bb gun after shooting 3 1/2 w/out recoil reducer, WOW... :-\

only thing i don't care for is the front sight, kinda big and distracting or i might just have to get used to it...

 

[tyrkeystalker]

I love my stoger 3500 with the 31/2" Turkey loads that gun rocks the birds

 

[ilovesprig]

If I'm not mistaken, the end barrel sight is red and is about the size of most.....Plus, that sight is really only an indicator of barrel position.

 

[wiley]

If I'm not mistaken, the end barrel sight is red and is about the size of most.....Plus, that sight is really only an indicator of barrel position.

It's probably half again as big as the brass bead on my mossberg 500,

I'm cross eye dominant and it just messes with my site picture, for some odd reason I catch myself staring at it trying to get a site pic, never had that problem with a brass bead

I just ordered a Champion easy hit sight so that I can shoot with both eyes open, they are supposed to help with cross eye dominant, lots of good reviews on them