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The 4+1 Benelli Nova 12-gauge/20-gauge pump-action shotgun debuted in the mid-1990s. Stargazers know Nova is Latin for new. But even now, roughly three decades later, the Nova soldiers on with merit thanks to its once radical one-piece receiver/stock.

The suspiciously good one-piece receiver/stock enveloped a steel skeletal framework with rugged polymer. Overmolding integrated what is normally a metal receiver and a separate stock into a singularly strong single-piece.

In standard guise, the Nova is virtually all matte black. But you can also get the barrel and receiver/stock swathed in Realtree Max-5 or Mossy Oak Bottomland camo instead.

The interesting forend has some swerving contours that stand out from its competitors. The receiver/stock has a nice roughly 135-degree profile as it goes from the long horizontal line of the vent rib to the top of the receiver and then turns down toward the butt. Both the forearm and pistol grip are very nicely textured. Back on top, there is a red bar front sight.

You can get the Nova in a 14 3/8” standard size or 13” length of pull compact size. The barrel length choices are 24”, 26” or 28”. All three are available with the standard receiver/stock, but only the 24” can be had in compact length. The compact, which has the 24” barrel and 13” length of pull spans 44.2” overall and weighs 6.4 pounds. The standard-length guns with their 24”, 26” or 28” barrels measure 45.5”, 47.5” and 49.5” respectively. They weigh 6.6 pounds to 8.0 pounds depending on barrel and gauge.

Benelli chambers the 20-gauge Novas for 2 3/4” and 3” and the 12-gauge Novas for 2 3/4”, 3” and 3 1/2". In all cases, drop at comb is 1 3/8” while drop at heel is 2 1/8”. Each ships standard with IC, M and F choke tubes, and these guns are all right-handed. This Italian pump-action uses an internal tube magazine.

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