Nova N2 V2 Dreadnought Overview

[Cdn_Cuda]

Just picked a Nova N2 Dreadnought, so figure I would do an overview of its. Not sure I want to take it apart quite yet, but I’m sure I will get there.

So to start, this is the updated version of the Nova N2 which features a different trigger frame and grips and colour matched barrel. There were some changes to the bolt as well. I have never shot an original N2, so I am ignorant on the changes. But you check out Jigs Salazar’s YouTube video on it as he does a lot with Nova. (Which will not link for some reason….)

[Cdn_Cuda]

So this came with a Nova case, full set of inserts and the optional single trigger.

[RhoXi]

Oooh, looking forward to this.

[Cdn_Cuda]

Bolt easily slides out the back and you can see the two detents in the body:

[Cdn_Cuda]

Under the grips is the airline. And it comes with a replacement.



The front grip is held in with a bolt and is hollow:



And you can see the trigger valve, kinds similar to an Emek or Etha3M.

[Cdn_Cuda]

And finally (for now) the weight on a scale:

[Cdn_Cuda]

I did take a moment at lunch to shoot a few balls balls through the N2 V2 and damn it is fast. I’m not great on the trigger, but could easily walk the marker. And despite using crap paint, no breaks either. I used a Dye Rotor and a barely filled 13/3000 tank which shot almost the entire hopper.

It feels nice in the hands, but the 45 frames makes it hard to reach the trigger if you have smaller hands. If you have big ol’ bear paws you should be fine. I have not swapped to t the single trigger yet. I can fit two fingers on the trigger, but again, those with bear paws may want to stick with the single trigger.

The marker feels nice and light and with a great trigger feel. It felt like the only delay was the speed of fingers and not the marker. It is a true modern speed mech.

I’m going to need more trigger time with the marker but I am impressed so far. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to hit the field before the weather turns. I would have loved to had this marker last scenario game.

[dstud2000]

I just used my N2 at Living Legends at Hell Survivors, it did great. My only problem was my Spire could not keep up if I walked the trigger. I could do bursts walking the trigger, I'll have to try my rotor next time to see if that keeps up. The guys at the Nova tent recommended the new Halo Pro that came out or the rotor. Mine is the newer version with the 45 grip frame also.

[shovelhead]

The anodizing looks good. I like the green to blue. Can't wait to read more about it after more use. I've been thinking about picking one of these up.

[Cdn_Cuda]

If buying new I’d do the green fade with black splash. But could’ve pass up on this deal. The seller’s photos made the color look washed out and not near as nice as it is.

[Cyberpyr8]

I'm glad you grabbed that. I saw it posted somewhere and I was really tempted. It was priced right and the N2 seems to be the better Nova marker.

[Cdn_Cuda]

It was posted the Nova facebook group. I'd seen it for sale for a bit locally, but he dropped the price to a point it was hard to say no. It's great to have the all the inserts included as well. Nova has done a good job making a range of inserts in the .67 range.

[Cyberpyr8]

Yeah unfortunately, they don't have much resale value. If you buy one new and don't plan to keep it forever, prepare to take a big hit. At the price I'm assuming you got it at, you are in good shape if you ever decide to move it along.

[Cdn_Cuda]

Cyberpyr8, that's the game I try to play with all my paintball markers. After last scenario game I played I realized I was missing something that could shoot crappy paint at a decent volume. Paint was too poor to shoot properly in a pump. So this fits that role nicely and is a more interesting than an Emek.

[Pballwiz24]

i just picked one up too!. Does yours vent slightly out the bolt if you hold the trigger? not sure if mine is doing that because its just what they do...

[Pballwiz24]

so if you hold the trigger it shoots, then vents until you release the trigger, correct?

[Cdn_Cuda]

Pballwiz24. No, holding the trigger back it does not leak, when the trigger is moving forward, resetting after shooting, it will leak before being fully reset. It’s something that would only happen if you stop the trigger too early, I suppose short stroking.

[Pballwiz24]

ok ive narrowed it down to the screw thats on the 3way (trigger) valve. The silver one thats going vertical. If i back that out a little, it seems to stop the venting. Is this an SFR screw?

[Cdn_Cuda]

Circling back, thought I’d look at the ball detents. Single piece with a recess for the bolt head. Used eclipse style detents, so readily available. Quick and easy to clean and appreciate the use of a proper bolt with head instead of a grub screw like Minis for Shocker SFTs which you pray not to strip.

[Cdn_Cuda]

Now one thing happened that kind of surprised me. The marker has been sitting for over a week and showed it to a family member and it actually fire without the art tank on. No balls in the breach and was pointed at a wall, but did not realize this marker will hold air and not degass when the tank is removed. Always give it a safe clearing trigger pull after the tank is off to be safe.

I just retested it now and held air for more than 5 minutes. So just something to be aware of for safety. I believe my N1 degassed without issue and does not hold air.

[ChuckLove]

That caught me off guard too. I'm used to it with in some old inline regulators such as CP but not on a modern gun.

[dstud2000]

I believe the reg holds enough air for one shot like some other regs do, it doesn't bleed back. Mine does this as well. Its not an issue, you just have to be aware of it when finishing for the day.

[blauKluger]

I just got around to testing mine out today. I bought the new V2 from the 2025 Black Friday sale. It shot really well.

It's been a hot minute for me since I've had a marker, but is the ASA supposed to vent air while it's in the "Off" position? The gun aired up fine when I swung the lever back and into the "On" position.

Other markers I've had don't vent the tank while the ASA is in "Off" mode. Not sure if that is what you have seen as well with the N2.

[Cdn_Cuda]

I'll have to check when I get a chance. By venting, do you mean purge the air in your marker or the entire tank? If it's eventing the entire tank sounds like there is an oring issue with the tank or the ASA on/off. Reading my comment above, my marked will hold air and not vent at all, even with the tank off.

[ChoSanJuan]

Yes and no... It's based on your tank's pin. If it's too far forward, it will keep it slightly depressed. They used to call it out on some of the ball pin Ninja tanks and a few others.

[dstud2000]

it does this with my immortal Air tank too.

[Cdn_Cuda]

blauKluger tested my N2 and it does not purge when I take turn to turn the ASA to the off position. It still holds air in the marker even. So something is wrong with yours.

[blauKluger]

Thanks for testing that for me. I had a feeling there was an issue.

To clarify, when the ASA is in the “Off” position, when I screw in the tank, it will vent air out of the ASA until I put it into the “On” position.

I have since emailed Nova, but I knew the endless knowledge of MCB would have a quicker answer. Thanks again!

[Riot]

I wanted to love mine… alas… Nova be Nova’ing.
I bought it at Ion directly from them and it proceeded to need repairs straight out of the box.
As always, I love what Nova is doing innovation and price point wise, I just wish they’d spend a little more time on QC instead of rapidly releasing new markers. I think they’d have an amazing line up if they’d just get one marker right before moving to the next.

From what I remember, I loved the look and feel of the n2, but the problem I faced was that it had a huge drop off every fifth ball. They “fixed” it, but it never felt right after that and I don’t know if it was in my head or not.

Best of luck, I hope yours shoots mint!

[Greaterthenjake]

I had the same issue. Bought mine new at ION last year chose to not run it that weekend. Chronod it though it shot very nice. Queue the next weekend the bolt starts backing out into the breach, fixed that with some loctite. Just could never trust it it wound up getting traded off. I was glad I didn't bring it out onto the beach with me that would have been a big big downer on the day.

[dstud2000]

I believe a lot of these issues are addressed and fixed now. I just put 2 cases through mine without a hitch, my spire was my only issue, it couldn't keep up. I was shooting empire evil.