How To Take Apart A Benelli Nova

Alright, so you wanna tear down your Benelli Nova, huh? Brave soul! Don’t worry, it’s not rocket science (unless you’re also a rocket scientist, in which case…carry on!). I'm just kidding, but seriously. Just pay attention, and you'll be fine.

Think of this as a friendly chat over coffee (or your beverage of choice – no judgment here!). We're gonna walk through this step-by-step, and by the end, you'll be staring at your Nova in a bunch of pieces. Maybe that sounds scary, but trust me, it’s kinda fun. Especially when you know how to put it back together… which, of course, we'll cover too!

Safety First! (Duh!)

Okay, before we even think about touching that shotgun, let's talk safety. I know, I know, you've heard it a million times, but I'm gonna say it again anyway. Safety is paramount! Like, seriously. We don't want any accidental discharges turning into… well, accidents. So, follow these golden rules:

1. Clear the chamber: This is crucial. Make absolutely sure there are no shells in the magazine tube or the chamber. Double-check. Triple-check! Point it in a safe direction (preferably not at your foot or your cat).

2. Remove the shells: Take all the shells you have and put them somewhere far away from your work area. That way, your brain won't even think about reaching for one. I'm talking across the room, in another room, heck, put them in the trunk of your car if you're feeling extra paranoid.

3. Wear eye protection: Trust me on this. Little springs and detents have a way of becoming tiny projectiles. Safety glasses are your friend! And, while we’re at it, maybe some gloves too? Gun grease isn't exactly a spa treatment for your hands.

4. Work in a clean, well-lit area: You don't want to lose any small parts, and good lighting helps you see what you're doing. Lay down a gun mat or some paper towels to catch any stray bits.

5. Refer to your owner's manual: It sounds boring, I know. But the manual usually has a breakdown of the parts and some helpful diagrams. Think of it as your Nova disassembly cheat sheet!

Tools of the Trade

Alright, let's gather our arsenal of tools. Don't worry, you don't need a whole machine shop. A few basic items will do the trick:

1. Screwdrivers: A set of good quality screwdrivers (both flathead and Phillips) is essential. Make sure they fit the screws properly to avoid stripping them.

2. Punch set: A set of roll pin punches is super useful for removing those pesky roll pins. Get a variety of sizes.

3. Hammer: A small, non-marring hammer (like a nylon or brass hammer) is ideal for tapping out pins without damaging the finish. Avoid using a regular metal hammer directly on the gun parts.

4. Needle-nose pliers: These are great for grabbing small parts and maneuvering them into place. Especially helpful when you're reassembling everything. Or trying to find a spring that flew across the room and bounced under the couch.

5. Gun cleaning solvent and lubricant: We're gonna clean everything while we're at it, right? A good solvent will help remove any gunk and grime, and a quality lubricant will keep everything running smoothly.

6. A gun mat: It will prevent your workspace from getting damaged and help keep your parts organized.

Let's Get Disassembling! (The Fun Part)

Okay, deep breath. Let’s start taking this thing apart. We'll go step-by-step. And remember: If you get stuck, don't force anything! It's better to stop and figure out what's going on than to break something. Pictures and videos are your friends! Take photos of each step as you go, so you have a reference point when it's time to reassemble.

1. Removing the Forend

This is usually the easiest part. The forend is the part you grip and slide to pump the shotgun. On the Nova, it's usually held in place by a forend nut at the end of the magazine tube.

1. Unscrew the forend nut: Most of the time you can just unscrew this by hand. Sometimes you can grip it with a pair of pliers, but be careful that you don't slip and scratch the forend or nut. Sometimes you have to be very careful because the forend might be really on there.

2. Slide the forend off: Once the nut is off, the forend should slide forward off the magazine tube. If it's sticking, try wiggling it gently.

2. Removing the Barrel

Next up, the barrel. This is also a pretty straightforward step.

1. Check the manual. It might specify how to do this step.

2. Retract the forend: Make sure the forend is fully retracted to the rear.

3. Remove the barrel: The barrel should now slide freely forward out of the receiver. Sometimes it requires a little wiggling, but it shouldn’t require excessive force. Don't start trying to use a hammer here. Seriously.

3. Removing the Trigger Group

Now things are getting a little more interesting! The trigger group is the heart of the shotgun's firing mechanism, so pay attention here.

1. Locate the trigger group retaining pins: These are usually two pins that run through the receiver, holding the trigger group in place.

2. Push out the retaining pins: Use your punch set and hammer to gently tap out the pins. Start with the smaller punch and gradually increase the size if needed. Make sure you're pushing the pins out in the correct direction (usually from left to right, but check your manual!). Don't go full Thor on them! Gentle taps are all you need.

3. Remove the trigger group: Once the pins are out, the trigger group should slide out of the receiver. It might be a little snug, so try wiggling it gently. Be careful not to lose any small parts that might come loose.

4. Disassembling the Bolt Assembly

This is where things can get a little tricky, depending on how comfortable you are with small parts. The bolt assembly is the part that cycles the shells and locks the action, and it has a lot of little components. If you’re not comfortable taking it completely apart, you can just clean it as a unit.

1. Remove the bolt assembly from the receiver: Usually you need to push the forend slightly forward while holding the receiver. This allows you to remove the bolt from the rear. Check the manual, though. Each gun can be a little bit different.

2. Locate the firing pin retaining pin: This pin holds the firing pin in place. It's usually a small pin located at the rear of the bolt.

3. Remove the firing pin retaining pin: Use your punch set to gently tap out the pin. Be careful, because the firing pin is under spring tension and might want to launch itself across the room.

4. Remove the firing pin and spring: Once the retaining pin is out, you can carefully remove the firing pin and its spring. Hold your hand over the back of the bolt to catch the spring if it tries to escape. (They're sneaky like that.)

5. Remove the extractor: The extractor is the little claw that pulls the spent shells out of the chamber. It's usually held in place by a small pin or clip.

6. Disassemble the rest of the bolt assembly: Depending on the design of the bolt, there may be other small parts that can be disassembled. Consult your manual for specific instructions.

5. Cleaning and Inspection

Okay, you've got your Nova completely disassembled (or at least mostly disassembled). Now it's time for the fun part: cleaning!

1. Clean all the parts: Use your gun cleaning solvent and some brushes or swabs to clean all the parts thoroughly. Pay special attention to the bore of the barrel, the bolt face, and the trigger group. Remove any carbon buildup, gunk, and grime.

2. Inspect the parts: Check all the parts for wear, damage, or cracks. Pay close attention to the firing pin, the extractor, and the springs. If you find any damaged parts, replace them.

3. Lubricate the parts: Once everything is clean and inspected, lubricate all the moving parts with a good quality gun lubricant. Don't over-lubricate! A light coating is all you need.

Reassembly: Putting it All Back Together (Hopefully!)

Alright, now for the moment of truth: putting your Nova back together! Don't panic! Just follow the steps in reverse order, and you'll be fine. And remember those photos you took? Now's the time to use them!

1. Reassemble the Bolt Assembly

1. Install the extractor: Insert the extractor into its slot on the bolt and secure it with the retaining pin or clip.

2. Install the firing pin and spring: Insert the firing pin spring into the bolt, followed by the firing pin. Compress the spring and align the firing pin with the hole for the retaining pin.

3. Install the firing pin retaining pin: Insert the retaining pin through the bolt and the firing pin, securing the firing pin in place. Make sure the pin is flush with the surface of the bolt.

4. Reassemble the rest of the bolt assembly: If you disassembled any other parts of the bolt assembly, reassemble them now, following the instructions in your manual.

2. Install the Bolt Assembly into the Receiver

1. Slide the bolt assembly into the receiver: Align the bolt assembly with the rails in the receiver and slide it into place. Make sure it moves smoothly.

3. Install the Trigger Group

1. Slide the trigger group into the receiver: Align the trigger group with the holes in the receiver and slide it into place.

2. Install the trigger group retaining pins: Insert the retaining pins through the receiver and the trigger group, securing the trigger group in place. Make sure the pins are flush with the surface of the receiver.

4. Install the Barrel

1. Slide the barrel into the receiver: Align the barrel with the receiver and slide it into place. Make sure it's fully seated.

5. Install the Forend

1. Slide the forend onto the magazine tube: Align the forend with the magazine tube and slide it into place.

2. Secure the forend nut: Screw the forend nut onto the end of the magazine tube, tightening it until the forend is securely in place. Don't overtighten!

Final Checks and Function Test

Okay, you've got everything back together! But we're not done yet. Before you go blasting away at targets (or whatever it is you do), we need to perform some final checks and a function test.

1. Visually inspect the shotgun: Look over the entire shotgun to make sure everything is properly assembled and that there are no loose parts or screws.

2. Check the action: Cycle the action several times to make sure it's smooth and that the bolt locks up properly.

3. Perform a function test: With the shotgun pointed in a safe direction, pull the trigger to make sure the firing pin strikes the primer. (Obviously, do this with dummy rounds or snap caps only!)

Congratulations! You Did It!

You've successfully disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled your Benelli Nova! Pat yourself on the back! (And maybe treat yourself to that coffee you deserve.)

Remember, this is just a general guide. Always refer to your owner's manual for specific instructions and safety precautions. And if you're ever unsure about something, it's always better to consult a qualified gunsmith.

Now go forth and enjoy your (newly cleaned) Benelli Nova! Just don't blame me if you miss that clay pigeon. That's on you.