I grew up on blued steel, wood and leather, I have come to appreciate the positive aspects of polymer pistols like the Glock and Springfield XD. However, my choice of shotgun for 30-plus years in law enforcement has always been Remington’s 870. I have observed first hand the effect a pump gun can have on a suspect when they look down a nickel-sized bore and hear the chilling sound of the pump action being worked. You can’t wear them out and they are exceptionally hard to break.

So, up front, I admit my prejudice toward the 870. With that in mind, it was somewhat of a shock when I read the press release announcing that the Georgia State Patrol, my home state, had awarded a contract to Benelli for 1,000 Benelli Nova shotguns. What is the world coming to?