Benelli SuperNova Tactical
- Category
- Shotgun
- Barrel
- 470 mm
- Weight, empty
- 3.40 kg
- Introduced
- 2006
About
What it is, and why it matters
The Benelli SuperNova Tactical is a pump-action shotgun designed and manufactured by Italian firearms company Benelli Armi SpA. Introduced in 2006 as an evolution of the Benelli Nova, the SuperNova incorporates Benelli's ComforTech recoil reduction system and an innovative one-piece polymer receiver and buttstock construction. The receiver is built by over-molding corrosion-proof polymer onto a steel skeleton framework, creating an exceptionally strong yet lightweight structure that is impervious to weather conditions. The SuperNova Tactical features a rotating bolt head with dual action bars that lock steel-to-steel into the barrel extension, providing a massive three-lug rotary locking mechanism that safely contains chamber pressures. This rotating bolt design also enhances ejection reliability, flinging spent shells with both rotational and rearward force. Chambered in 12 gauge, the SuperNova Tactical accepts all 2-3/4", 3", and 3-1/2" magnum ammunition without modification, giving it exceptional versatility from light target loads to heavy magnum slugs. The tactical variant features an 18.5-inch barrel with a fixed cylinder choke optimized for close-range defensive use, ghost ring sights for rapid target acquisition, and a reversible crossbolt safety for ambidextrous operation. In 2022, the French Armed Forces adopted the SuperNova Tactical as their standard-issue shotgun in three configurations: 18.5" Tactical, 14" Tactical, and 28" Anti-Drone.
The Benelli SuperNova emerged from Benelli's desire to push the boundaries of polymer technology in firearms. Its one-piece polymer-over-steel receiver construction was revolutionary when introduced, eliminating the weakest point on traditional shotguns: the stock-to-receiver junction. In 2022, the French Armed Forces chose it as their standard shotgun after severe evaluation tests, beating all competitors in three distinct configurations including a dedicated anti-drone variant with a 28-inch barrel.
The SuperNova was developed to showcase Benelli's Rilsan Technopolymer material technology. Its one-piece receiver and stock design eliminates the traditional junction between receiver and buttstock, improving durability and weather resistance. The ComforTech system uses interlocking chevrons in the stock that flex to distribute recoil energy over a longer time period, reducing felt recoil by up to 48% compared to conventional designs. The trigger pull specification from Benelli is between 5 and 8 pounds. Shim kits are included for adjusting drop and cast, and spacers allow customization of the length of pull to 13-7/8", 14-3/8", or 14-3/4". The SuperNova Tactical is available with either ComforTech stock or pistol grip stock configurations. Three-dot tritium inserts are available for the ghost ring sights. The forend is compatible with Nova pump field shotgun forends in 28", 26", and 24" configurations.
Specification
Everything measured
IdentityWhat it is, who built it and when.
- Manufacturer
- Benelli Armi SpA
- Category
- Shotgun
- Country
- Italy
- Status
- In production
- Produced
- 2006
DimensionsAs issued, without a magazine or an optic.
- Barrel
- 470 mm
- Overall length
- 1010 mm
- Weight, empty
- 3.40 kg
ActionHow it cycles, what trips it, and what feeds it.
- Action
- Pump action
- Firing mechanism
- Hammer fired
- Trigger
- Single stage
- Trigger pull
- 29.0 N
- Capacity
- 4
- Magazine
- Tubular
MaterialsEach swatch is the material itself, not a colour chosen to stand for it.
- Frame
- Polymer
- Barrel
- Steel
- Stock
- Polymer
- Finish
- Matte blued
BallisticsFrom the service cartridge, not a handload.
- Effective range
- 40 m
Trajectory
What the round does downrange
Solved from the muzzle figures and the bullet. The dashed rule is the effective range on the record, and the crosses are the steps the solver returned.
No load solved for this record yetThe flight path is computed from a cartridge and a bullet. This record has no ammunition filed against its chambering, so there is nothing to solve.
Features
What it has
What the record lists as fitted, drawn from the catalogue.
Rotating bolt head
Dual action bars
Comfortech recoil system
One piece polymer receiver stock
Ghost ring sights
Adjustable length of pull- Adjustable drop and cast
Fixed cylinder choke
3 5 inch magnum chamber- Corrosion proof polymer overmold
- Steel skeleton framework
Standing
How it compares
Each figure against the firearms of the same type and cartridge that record it, or of the same type where that cartridge has too few. Positions are read to the nearest tenth.
| Measurement | This firearm | Median | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empty weightAmong 622 12 Gauge shotguns | 3.40 kg | 3.29 kg | Heavier than about 60% |
| Overall lengthAmong 570 12 Gauge shotguns | 1010 mm | 1150 mm | Shorter than about 80% |
| Barrel lengthAmong 650 12 Gauge shotguns | 470 mm | 711 mm | Shorter than about 90% |
| Magazine capacityAmong 647 12 Gauge shotguns | 4 | 3 | Holds more rounds than about 60% |
Answers
Questions about the Benelli SuperNova Tactical
How much does the Benelli SuperNova Tactical weigh?
The Benelli SuperNova Tactical weighs 3.40 kg (7.50 lb) empty.
What caliber is the Benelli SuperNova Tactical?
The Benelli SuperNova Tactical is chambered in 12 Gauge.
How many rounds does the Benelli SuperNova Tactical hold?
The Benelli SuperNova Tactical holds 4 rounds, fed from a tubular magazine.
How long is the Benelli SuperNova Tactical?
The Benelli SuperNova Tactical is 1010 mm (39.8 in) long overall, with a 470 mm (18.5 in) barrel.
Who makes the Benelli SuperNova Tactical?
The Benelli SuperNova Tactical is made by Benelli Armi SpA (Italy).
When was the Benelli SuperNova Tactical introduced?
The Benelli SuperNova Tactical was introduced in 2006.
How does the Benelli SuperNova Tactical operate?
The Benelli SuperNova Tactical uses a pump action, and its firing mechanism is hammer fired.
Compatibility
Which parts fit this firearm
Studio
Every part that mounts on this, resolved
Not a list the maker typed out: the answer comes from the mounts this firearm exposes and the interface each part needs, so it stays right when either one changes.
- Every part that mounts on any firearm in the catalogue
- Interface standards, platforms and fit overrides
- The same answers through the API and the MCP server
Requires a signed-in GunSpec account on the Studio plan. The answer is computed per part, so it is not part of the public record.
Provenance
What the record holds
Every figure above was taken from one of these pages. The confidence reflects how much of the record came from a page a claim can be checked against.
In service
- French Armed Forces
- 2022
- Bangladesh Ansar
- Bangladesh
- Royal Thai Police
- Thailand
Provenance
Stockists
Where to buy
Offers link straight to the shop. GunSpec never takes the order.
No shop has listed this firearm yet
Stock and prices come from the shops themselves. If you sell this firearm, you can list it and it appears here.
List a firearmMCP
Ask an assistant about it
The same record, reached the way a person asks for it rather than the way a program does.
Ask GunSpec
Works with
Point an MCP client at GunSpec and it answers from the catalogue rather than from memory. A free key covers the read tools.
API
The call that returns this record
The same fields, in the same units, from the same endpoint the page reads.
curl --request GET \ --url 'https://api.gunspec.io/v1/firearms/benelli-supernova' \ --header 'X-API-Key: your_key'{ "id": "benelli-supernova", "name": "Benelli SuperNova Tactical", "manufacturer": { "id": "benelli", "name": "Benelli Armi SpA", "countryCode": "IT", "foundedYear": 1967, "website": "https://www.benelliusa.com", "logoUrl": null, "description": null, "status": null, "defunctYear": null, "stateOwned": null, "makesFirearms": null, "parentId": null, "predecessorId": null, "createdAt": "2026-02-11 23:44:38", "updatedAt": "2026-02-18 03:43:40", "version": "5f08a63ece0051736f8d9999540da44cdb8fd0ff8028739abfd0a34bd79f0fdc" }, "category": { "id": "shotgun", "name": "Shotgun", "description": "Smoothbore firearms designed to fire shot or slugs" }, "country_of_origin": "IT", "year_introduced": 2006, "barrel_length_mm": 470, "weight_empty_g": 3400, "action_type": "pump_action"}