Somehow all of my past posts were all deleted these past couple days, probably during the server changeover. Anyway, I want to post a few things I found out in regard to the addition of ghost ring sights to my Benelli Nova H2O, and what solution I've decided on to add a better sighting system to the gun (available from the factory only with open rifle sights silver soldered to the bbl).
After finding more information regarding similar issues on other posts in this and the Gunsmithing Forum, and speaking with a few folks, it just doesn't look like a viable project - both technically and cost wise. The main problem is the complication of drilling and tapping the Nova receiver (coploymer construction with an intermal perforated metal insert). There's no way to know if you are drilling into one of the metal insert's perforations until you actually drill (the perforations may not be in the same exact location from gun to gun). If you do hit a perforation then the hole is useless. Then there is the cost of additional gunsmithing to remove the fixed rifle sights, and refinish the bbl.
This all got me thinking about adding a red dot or reflex sight however, and after studying the options I'm going to go with that. B Square makes a saddle-style scope mount specifically for the Nova which does not require any gunsmithing to install. This seems like a good option in favor of permanently mounting a rail (if you can even find a rail for the Nova; plus the problem noted above). So, I'll be using the B Square and plan to mount an Aimpoint Comp C (in favor of the EoTech which I also like, the Aimpoint seems alot more appropriate to the gun's end use as a camp gun for wildlife - grizzly bear - defense). In the end, I should have a great sighting system for just a few more $$ than it would have cost to buy the LPA grs and have the necessary gunsmithing done to the receiver and bbl. No permanent modifications will need to be made to the gun, I can always detach the scope and go back to the rifle sights when desired, and I can use the sight on other guns. I think that this will be a good solution to have a top quality sighting system on the H2O.
I know, I could have just bought the Nova Tactical with the LPA grs from the factory and saved $$, but I wanted the electroless nickel finish and parts.
I'll post a photo when everything is installed.
After finding more information regarding similar issues on other posts in this and the Gunsmithing Forum, and speaking with a few folks, it just doesn't look like a viable project - both technically and cost wise. The main problem is the complication of drilling and tapping the Nova receiver (coploymer construction with an intermal perforated metal insert). There's no way to know if you are drilling into one of the metal insert's perforations until you actually drill (the perforations may not be in the same exact location from gun to gun). If you do hit a perforation then the hole is useless. Then there is the cost of additional gunsmithing to remove the fixed rifle sights, and refinish the bbl.
This all got me thinking about adding a red dot or reflex sight however, and after studying the options I'm going to go with that. B Square makes a saddle-style scope mount specifically for the Nova which does not require any gunsmithing to install. This seems like a good option in favor of permanently mounting a rail (if you can even find a rail for the Nova; plus the problem noted above). So, I'll be using the B Square and plan to mount an Aimpoint Comp C (in favor of the EoTech which I also like, the Aimpoint seems alot more appropriate to the gun's end use as a camp gun for wildlife - grizzly bear - defense). In the end, I should have a great sighting system for just a few more $$ than it would have cost to buy the LPA grs and have the necessary gunsmithing done to the receiver and bbl. No permanent modifications will need to be made to the gun, I can always detach the scope and go back to the rifle sights when desired, and I can use the sight on other guns. I think that this will be a good solution to have a top quality sighting system on the H2O.
I know, I could have just bought the Nova Tactical with the LPA grs from the factory and saved $$, but I wanted the electroless nickel finish and parts.
I'll post a photo when everything is installed.