Benelli Supernova Review

This review of the Benelli SuperNova is based on the decade I have owned it. I've been able to test it in many different scenarios and see what it can really do. 

From this long-term experience, my short conclusion is this shotgun can't be beat for the price when it concerns comfort, adjustability, and versatility.

In this review of the Benelli SuperNova, I go into detail about why I chose it and the most important takeaways I’ve gained from my time with the SuperNova.

Just for reference, what I've done most with the SuperNova is waterfowl, turkey, and upland bird hunting.

History & Origins

Benelli Armi SpA is an Italian firearm manufacturer, specializing in shotguns for military, law enforcement, and civilian use. 

Benelli is a world renowned company for their semi-automatic shotguns, but not a lot of people know that they also make pump-action shotguns. The Benelli SuperNova is a pump-action shotgun that is just as good, if not better, than their semi-automatic shotguns. 

The company is headquartered in Urbino, Marche, and was founded in 1967 as an offshoot of the Benelli motorcycle factory. 

Benelli is perhaps best known for the 12-gauge Benelli M3 shotgun, which is used by American SWAT teams. Since 2000, Benelli and Benelli USA have been owned by Pietro Beretta SpA.

The Benelli Supernova is a powerful pump action shotgun that is perfect for hunting, self-defense, and law enforcement.

The SuperNova was created with the intention of being a better pump-action shotgun than the Nova, and it succeeded in doing just that. It features a separate stock and receiver, a larger trigger guard, and the ComforTech recoil-reducing stock system. 

Benelli created a receiver that can be easily fitted with a rail to allow for the addition of an optic. This makes the gun much more versatile and faster. 

Key Features

ComforTech® System

If you're trying to decide between the SuperNova and the Nova, there are only a few subtle differences between the two. 

The biggest difference is the SuperNova's ComforTech stock. According to Benelli, the ComforTech system reduces felt recoil by up to 48% over the competition. That's why the Supernova is a little more expensive than the Nova.

The recoil reducer does what it is intended to do (lowering the amount of recoil you feel). It does that by being connected to the interior of the stock. This lengthens the time of the shot's impulse to be more spread out.

This makes it a great choice for anyone who wants a shotgun that is easy to handle and has minimal recoil.

Safety

The safety can be found on the front of the trigger on the Benelli Supernova. People with shorter fingers might find this uncomfortable. I would definitely recommend trying one out to see if the length to the safety is good for you before you buy it if you do have small hands. 

If you’re like me and have pretty big hands then it should not be a problem as you can reach it easily. 

In fact, I like it better when the safety is in front of the trigger housing. This is because it feels faster to move from the safety to the trigger when I need to act quickly. You can move from the safety to the trigger in a single, smooth motion. 

When you want to pull the trigger on a gun with a safety behind the trigger, you have to move behind the trigger first, then in front of the trigger, and then back. 

With the SuperNova, all you have to do is move your finger forward to the safety, or put it there ahead of time, and then pull the trigger.

Sights 

The Supernova is already drilled and tapped, so all you have to do is take out the plastic plugs and put some kind of optics mount on it.

The Supernova comes with a set of quality iron sights, a ghost ring in the back, and a big front sight. They are made very well and can be changed for any fit.

While Beads still work well on shotguns, the ghost ring sights and red dots work a lot better. 

A ghost ring rear sight gives you great speed and accuracy. With the big front sight, it's easy to hit the target.

The SuperNova scope mount is the same size as the ones on the Benelli M4 and M2, so you have a lot of options for how to mount it. 

You can attach a standard rail or, better yet, one of the many mounts, such as the Scalarworks Sync mount, which puts the optic so low that it lines up with the iron sights.

Magazine Release

The magazine release on this shotgun is a large button on the bottom of the pump. The tube holds your magazine. When you slightly pull back on the pump and press that button, a round won't go from the tube into the chamber.

This magazine disconnect makes it very easy to use slug select drills. A slug select drill is when the drill goes really fast when you push the button on the Supernova. A lot quicker than any regular shotgun. 

This can be a slow, many-step process with most shotguns. It's quick and easy with the SuperNova.

Why is this important?

During a fight, you might want to switch from one load to another. You might want to change from buckshot to slugs. Well, press the button to get rid of the buckshot, then put in a slug to take that long-range shot in no time at all.

How Does The Benelli Supernova Perform?

Accuracy

It's a shotgun with ghost ring sights and a good trigger. At shotgun ranges, it will miss less often than it hits.

Reliability

Shotguns that you pump are inherently reliable. But the Supernova goes a step further by adding a rotating bolt that sends those shells flying out of the gun with no care.

Ergonomics

When it comes to ergonomics design, the SuperNova is a good choice. The trigger guard is big, so your finger will be able to get in (even with gloves on). It has a push-button safety that is big and easy to use and it can be turned around for left-handed people.

Pros

• Great firepower
• Easy to Reload
• Optics Ready. Can be used with Red Dots
• Ergonomically sound

Cons

• Pull length is a bit too long
• Lack of customizations
• Trouble ejecting certain ammo shells
• Slightly heavier than other shotguns