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Stoeger is decent, run a box of heavy 3-1/2 inch shells through it and it should be fine. I have a 3" Stoeger that has yet to fail, although I generally hunt with the Benelli

I think I'd let the kid decide by telling him that when he has two cases of ammo I'll buy the gun that it fits and then see how important 3.5-inch capability is to him. Hell I'd even drag him to the ammo aisle at Farm and Fleet and rub his nose in the shell prices. In other words "budget" and "3.5-inch" don't work well together in a sentence.

Let him shoot his mom's gun a few times and ask if he wants one like it.

I've said it before when the weather turns sour or I know I'm going to be busting ice I'll take out my Benelli Nova...

It's by far the best pump out there... I bought it years ago when I couldn't afford the $1600 price tag on the fancy boom sticks and I still use it today... I've dropped in in the drink, used it to paddle the canoe and it always goes boom. No need for the super nova the recoil isn't killer... I'll shoot 3 1/2's all day on geese and no issues and if the kid can shoot he'll only be pulling the trigger a few times anyway... they'll be no need to keep the ortho doc on retainer. Plus when I was younger shooting a auto I'd be out of shells and the birds would still be in range.. the pump will slow'em down and teach'em to focus on you shots rather than rattling them all off....

My vote Benelli Nova all the way... and don't shoot 3 1/2 at ducks

I wouldn't give up on the 3 1/2" he'll want that for shooting NoDak swans or Texas Sandhills....

Benelli Nova running $399 for black synthetic and $499 for camo at cabelas.... Can't beat that price for the quality.

Don't forgot about the 870 expresses. Run some Kent or federal cheap steel 3" and you'll be golden.

Nova all the way, although I myself still use my trusty 870 for just about everything..........

Nova's kick like a mule. The gun is very light. On a good goose day,only time I use 3 1/2's My shoulder will get black and blue from mine. So if he is a big kid go for it,if not,get him a auto. My gold 10 kicks less than than the Benelli. So that's what I use for geese now. However I do like the fact that it will shoot 2 3/4"-3"-3 1/2" shells.

Triumph65 wrote:

DukMan wrote:I wouldn't give up on the 3 1/2" he'll want that for shooting NoDak swans or Texas Sandhills....

Benelli Nova running $399 for black synthetic and $499 for camo at cabelas.... Can't beat that price for the quality.

@dukman - I think that's what I'll do. He uses my old 870 Express and likes it. The camo nova would make a great Eagle gift.

I'm sure he'll love it for years to come!


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