Is anybody still using 70's vintage Mod 916 & 1000 shotguns or Mod 1500 rifle? Just wondering how well they held up over the years? 916 riot guns could be picked up at my local FFL for $60.00 back then because he had to buy matching amounts of other S&W products to get the handguns that were wanted.Used to shoot a borrowed Mod 1000 skeet gun that was real nice,kind of a copy of a Winchester Super-X.The Howa built 1500 rifles never caught on around here due to being built in Japan,never shot one or knew anybody that did.That was most likely our mistake because they looked like a quality gun and were way cheaper than Remington,Winchester etc. at that time.Let me hear from from you "old" shooters.

I don't know about the shotguns but I have a 1500 in 30-06 and it shoots well and seems well made. I still need to take some pictures of it and post them.

Troy

I have an old S&W M-3000 police riot shotgun that does duty as a bedroom shotgun. Gets out and shot a few times a year and is still going strong. I've had it for quite a few years.

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Stay safe people!

I've got a 1500 in 30-06 that was a custom order gun. As most know these where produced at the same time Weatherby was farming work to Howa. Mine is a factory custom with Weatherby wood with the S & W grip cap, custom 18" carbine bbl with Williams sights front and rear. It is the only one that I have ever seen that had iron sights. Mine is NIB. I'll post pictures next week when I get my camera back from the camera repair shop. Note to self; DO NOT TAKE EXPENSIVE AZZ CAMERA AND ACCESSORY LENSES IN BOAT. DIGITAL CAMERAS AND WATER DO NOT MIX WELL!!!

Class III

Edit: If you have a S & W/Howa 1500 there is a recall involving the bolt sleeve. Google to see if your serial number is in one of the blocks covered by the recall

I used a Model 1000 Trap for a year until the nylon bolt bumper broke. I took the 1000 trap barrel and put it on a Model 3000 field type. I have been using it for a couple of years now. I have about 5000 rounds thru it with little or no wear so far. I shot well with the setup so I bought another 1000 Trap barrel. The semiauto trap gun is built a little weak, 4000 rounds broke it. The pump action appears to be as durable as a Remington, I will let everyone know if it gets to 40,000 rounds with out breaking.

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Dennis

I have a M-1500 7MM that still looks and shoots like new.

S&W long arms are a field of S&W collecting that few members are involved it, to my knowledge. However, if you attend the Tucson, AZ., annual meet this year, a display is being prepared by the premier collector of these guns. Examples will range from the first hand made percussion target Rifle, made by D.B.Wesson, Revolving rifles, Light 9 mm.rifles and up to today's modern shotguns being made in Turkey for S&W. Many of the bolt action rifles in the display are in rare calibers, never cataloged, but made for foreign countries. Come and enjoy! Ed #15

I have a 1500 in .30-06 that is still very accurate. They were well-built, high quality guns, later produced as the Weatherby Vanguard (still in production). I sold a lot of Vanguards while I had my gun shop, as well. I don't have any of the shotguns, but I sold several 916s and the S&W semi-auto shotgun (1000? - I don't recall) back when they were new out of my shop, all of my customers that had them liked them.

Love my 3000.
Suspect it is early-80's vintage.

Got the extended mag-tube from Choate after they stop making them for that model, but before inventory was depleted.

I bought a Model 1000 automatic shotgun in the late 1970s and it is still a fine shooting shotgun. I also have a Model 3000 that I picked up a few years ago that is like brand new. It is an excellent pump shotgun.

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195th Session FBINA

My police department bought a bunch of 916s back in the 70s. Within a few years all of the eight guns had pretty much fallen apart. The were not fired a lot but the department policy at the time required unloading each gun at the end of your shift before handing it over to the oncoming officer who then had to reload it before placing in the car rack. We didn't have a department armorer so the guns were traded off for Remington 870s. Some of those 870s are still in service today.

IMHO the 916 seemed to be a cheaply built gun to under sell the 870. It did not come close to the Remington or Ithaca for quality or durability.

I have a model 1500 in .243. Looks great. Shoots better than I do!

I have a Model 3000 police shotgun with factory folding stock that I still shoot. 18" blue. Nice compact shotgun. I like the S&W folder much better than the Remington top folder from the same period.

My Model 1500 rifles, Model 1000 and 3000 shotguns have served me well. All are accurate, well built and good looking.

Photos of some of them here S&W Long Gun Photos

KO

I have 2 1500's, one is in .243 and the other .270. Both are tack drivers.

I used the .243 at turkey shoots in Co., brought home alot of ham and turkeys with it.

The .270 was used to shoot my first elk.......yeehaw

Ponyman

I have four S&W shotguns two 1000's. One 20 ga. the other 12 ga. A 1000 Super which is a 12 ga. 3" magnum. The forth one is a 1000P 12 ga. pump. I also have two 1500's one in 30/06 the other is new in the box .243

Question:Were not some some S&W bolt rifles made by Husqvarna?

Good question much ado.Maybe there is somebody out there with as much knowledge about longguns as there is on handguns that can answer that.

Irad-was your collection something that just happened or did you pursue these guns?

Smith and Wesson sold rifles called Model A and B, C,D and E that were made by Husqvarna back in the 70's. The model A was the standard with each succeeding letter model being a higher grade.

The 1000 20 and 12 ga. plus the 1000 Super I looked for, but they were purchased back when S&W still sold them.

A buddy of mine bought a used 1500 in .308 chambering.

His is a well used and abused rifle, and probably had not been out of the stock for a long, long time(if ever?). Anyhow...the trigger was about to fall of the receiver! Screws had backed out. He cleaned the rifle up....tightened the hardware...and it shoots good as new.

Probably a good idea to check out the trigger screws on any old S&W 1500 you get your hands on.

Hello kshock
I have found very little on the "Husky" rifles that were inported for S&W. I recently came onto what I feel, is a Very Rare rifle. From what I could tell it is a Husqvarna 1640 action and the gun model is a Full wood Two Piece stocked Manlicher style carbine in 30-06 Caliber and the reciever is branded "E" Model. I have been hunting a "Husky" Branded S&W rifle for years but have only seen sporter's before finiding this one.

The seller had it on Gunbroker.com and it was a standard style auction in 30-06 Caliber. I contacted him and asked if he would offer it in a buy it now style auction to end it's open style bid auction that had no bids and had only been on one day ? To my delight he did and I Purchased it for $700.00 shipped to my FFL. The Payment left yesterday and I suspect the rifle to arrive here next week mid week time span.

From the description he gave it was apparent this rifle has not seen much use and the bolt face as shown appears to be clean like it has not been shot much. I have had Two other Manlicher rifles in the past one being a Tack driver Sako rifle and the other being a Fence post, which was a Ruger International model that would not group well at all. I suspect these "Husky" Manlicher rifles with their two piece stock's are tack drivers as well.

I am curious as to how many of these Manlicher style rifle's were Exported from Sweden into the United States to S&W ? below is Pictures of it from the sellers auction and from the serial number I learned it was made in 1967. Any information or links you could provide me with would be greatly appreciated. Regards, Hammerdown

Hello
I got a call from my FFL Telling me that my Husky Mannlicher had arrived. I went to his shop and when I got there he looked like a Deer in the headlights. I asked what was wrong, and he winced as he shared with me that UPS had completely destroyed my Husky in Transit. He opened the box it came in and it made me sick. Apparently some Idiot at UPS had ran over my rifle with what looked to be a Fork-Truck. It had the Gorgeous Beech wood stock snapped in half and the bolt had such down force that the action would not cycle. I contacted the seller and shipped it back to him, but sadly now a Rare rifle was gone forever.

I did locate another Husqvarna rifle this one also was in 30-06 caliber, but came to me Unfired New in the box. It arrived safely last weekend and I hope to fire it this week. It is not a Mannlicher but a Nice sporter style A- Prefix rifle shown below..

The Destroyed Mannlicher rifle that UPS delivered





The Replacement Husqvarna Sporter Rifle

I had a 916 as my first issued shotgun. It and most of the one's we had were very bad about not picking up a round after firing and pumping to eject and rechamber. So bad that S&W gave the dept credit to get the guns off the street which went towards 870's.

Hammerdown-I had to go puke a little when I saw the pictures of the destroyed rifle. The UPS guy finally told me [after the third try to deliver beds for the grandbabies that were destroyed in transit] to request FedEx next time because UPS's system would just do it again. Sorry for your loss.
P.S.-I would of been scared to set the new one on the handrail!

Hello setxn
That is just Pure Lame on U.P.S. Perhaps they need to Fire the ones destroying this stuff. Whoever did this "KNEW" They did it, it had to sound like a Cow Bone Femur snapping when that Beech stock broke in half...

They really don't care-for every one of these screw-ups a bunch make it through unharmed. They are playing the percentages and making a basket full of money.

Hi kshock
I too had always surmised that the Prefix Letter system used by Husqvarna meant the Higher the Letter prefix, the Higher the Grade of that certain rifle, but I did some research and found out much different. The "A" Grade is considered to be the Premium grade with it's High Gloss urethane finish, Monte Carlo & Cheek Piece style stock and Jacaranda dark wood piece {Looks Much Like Dark Rosewood} on the forend area. From what I have read on the web the B-C-D-& E Grades differ from wood selection only with options available as the Monte-Carlo stock, cheek piece, High Grain urethane finished wood, Jacaranda stock tip and white/black furniture on the gun as Husqvarna calls it. They also differ as the higher letter prefix models could have meant Walnut oil rubbed finish, High figure Beech wood Option, Schnable forend's or in the case of the D&E Grade rifles they had a Full Wood Two Piece Mannicher style walnut and or Beech wood stock option. the bluing, action and Machine finish work on these rifles are all a like.. Here is an informative link on these Husky rifles that I have found, that tells about the A,B,C,D, & E grade options and all the civilian Market Husqvarna rifles that were ever built being Non-Export models or Export offerings in them which indicates the ones exported to S&W, Tradewinds and other countries as Canada...





http://www.skydevaaben.com/allhvamodels/info.xml

1500 in .25-06 here. Took a whistle pig @ 475 yards years ago. Overshot the first round, nailed him with the second when he stopped at the edge of the bean field to figure out where the racket was coming from. Chalk it up to luck and a dandy rifle.

I picked up a very nice 1000 Super Skeet during the summer. I shot it, after replacing the rubber bumper. Found the extractor was a bit worn, so replaced it and its spring. After that, shot it again, and it ran like a champ. I did make one additional change. The forend cap weights were a bit wimpy for me, so I added a Gracoil endcap weight. Now it swings smoothly. Took it to the skeet field, and proceeded to break 98/100. I don't normally shoot 12 ga. for skeet, preferring to stay with 20 ga. I just wanted one of these for fun, and am happy to have a fine shotgun.
Semper fi

I had a 3000 as a patrol car gun. I always felt better with it around.

Picked up an old police turn in a couple years ago (you can tell by the parkerizing wear where the locking mount rubbed.

I cleaned up the wood found an extended mag tube online , added a mounted light and laser, and now its my downstairs house gun.

Remarks and info still trickling in-thanks for the continued response.

I've got a 1500 (300 win mag) and a Vanguard (338 win mag). The 1500 has taken a dozen deer (Muley and blacktail) out to over 400 yards, 3 elk (1 was 6x6 and one was 7x8), again out to 400 yards, a couple of dozen feral pigs in central Cali. Besides uncounted numbers of jackrabbits, coyotes and ground squirrels and at least 3 bobcats. The wood stock got replaced and glass bedded and is now camo painted in browns. Same deals except a beautiful wood stock and lower body count for the Vanguard.

Great guns!

I have a M1500 Delux in 222 Rem that I bought new in the mid 1970's. Besides being very nice looking, this rifle still gives me sub MOA 5 shot groups with its pet loads even after thousands of rounds.

Most shooters at my range did not know S&W offered long guns and are quiet amazed when they see mine.

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Jim

i have had them set the rifle out in the open in my front yard in the cardboard box. I have had fed ex loose rifles later found in their depot with bootprints all over the cartons etc.
As to the smith and wessons, by deceased son at a smith &wesson howa in 30.06 that was a tack driver.
I have one in 22.250 with a leupold sight that is turning purple. It too is a tack driver and a nicely built rifle.
Howa made really good rifles.

I have two of the 1000 shotguns in 20 ga (issued to daughters for life.) The only malfunction is the buffer is not adequate. It breaks up and disappears. A savey gunsmith told me to forget it when i went in to get a part when the first one broke. He advised to make one from one of the common gimmie soft plastic key ring tabs( used to print the ads on.) Replaced both and they have lasted for years. Jack

Just joined the forum, had to weigh in here. I have a 1000M "Lightweight" 20ga auto with three barrels to choose from. (fixed chokes) Needs a new buffer again, but its a great shooter and it was my wife's clays gun for years.

I have a 1500 in 30-06 and it still looks like new.

I have a 1000 my wife bought me for our first Christmas together in 74. Never used it much if at all for about 20 years, then I got bit by the Trap bug.
Used it for that for about 10 years and God only knows how many rounds.
Only problem I ever had with it other than it doesn't fit me very well for Trap was some kind of rubber O-ring bumper in the gas cylinder that virtually disintegrated on me.
That forced me to stop using it until after a long and fruitless search for a replacement part, no internet back then. I finally got fed up and replaced it with a cut down plumbing washer.

The stupid washer is still in there, and the gun still works perfectly. But it needed to be replaced for Trap so the wife got me a Browning Citori-Plus.

The good old 1000 is now semi retired and resides in my safe, cleaned, oiled and ready to do whatever may be asked of it, I just don't ask as much these days.

Not to many new post on this thread,surely there are more fine examples out there . Keep them coming, there have been some nice ones so far.

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KMAG YOYO

Hello all,
Just dug out of my attic an old Smith &Wesson 30-06 bolt action made in Sweden.

Not many markings on action.
Top of barrel: Smith & Wesson 30-06
Left side of barrel: letter C then serial number then there is a crown and some type of symbol then the word Nitro

nothing else on the rifle
appreciate any and all feedback
i don't even remember when or how I obtained this rifle

thanks

I have a 1500 Standard in 30-06. Picked it up a few years ago in excellent condition, except for a small scratch in the urethane finish of the stock. It is a very accurate rifle and a joy to shoot. I sold a lot of Weatherby Vanguards when I had my gun shop in the 1970's, but always wanted a S&W rifle. As somebody stated earlier, relatively few know that S&W sold rifles. I sold several 916 pump guns and some of the semi-auto shotguns, too, never heard any complaints from my customers on them.

Hi Butch, we'd love to see some photos of your rifle.

See posts 23, 24 and 29 by Hammerdown in this thread for some more info on the Husqvarna made rifles.

KO

I've been collecting Husqvarnas for years and might be able to shed some light on the S&W rifles. The A is a rifle most people could relate to if they think of a model 70 XTR or a 700 BDL. High gloss and a forend tip. The model B is a lightweight model and compares to a model 70 featherweight with a schnabel forend. The model B also has a monte carlo comb. The model C is like the model B except the C has a straight comb. The D is a mannlicher with a straight comb and an E is a mannlicher with a monte carlo comb. The late 60's S&W Huskies had a claw extractor and the early 70's S&W Huskies had the new push feed action. I see the 1500's like the push feed A model and a 1700 like a push feed C. Nothing wrong with the Howa rifles, heck they used to build the Vanguard models for weatherby.
dan

will post photo's soon.
thanks for the input

There are a couple of mag extensions and a folding stock for M1000/3000 in the Access/Misc section of the classified if anyone is in the market.

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KMAG YOYO

I have been given a S&W 30-06. And from what I've read in this thread, it looks like I have one of the Husqvarna made A grade rifles.

It is mounted with a Redfield 2-7 power scope and seems to be in great shape.

Once I get a chance to photograph the rifle, I'll post a few photos.

Vernon

Hello Vernon
Welcome to the forum, and glad to see that you have a "Husky" They Made Two variations of the A-Grade rifle. The First Variation is known as the 1640 action. It was a down sized Mauser style action that Husqvarna made in their factory. Later on about 1970 time span they came out with the second variation Husqvarna rifle with a 1900 action. This action was a modified one from their first design so that it allowed cycling of the rifle bolt in fire or safe position differing from the earlier ones that only allowed the bolt to be opened in the Fire mode, and the safety actually disconnected the firing pin unlike the earlier ones. These new improved actions had a smoother bolt flow when closing or opening the guns action & They also had a fully adjustable trigger in them, whereas the earlier ones were not adjustable, and the bolt face was now made to completely encompass the cartridge head.





The new 1900 action guns were only made in Monte carlo stock form that shipped into the United states until around 1972 time span. Stiffer Import regulations saw the Husqvarna rifles disappear from the United States market and sadly later on the Factory closed it's doors for good, and that is when S&W started Marketing the Howa Brand rifles made in Japan under the Model 1500 series...

I was given an "Eastfield M916" when I was a kid in the mid '70s. It worked alright for a couple years, but started giving me fits. It made all kinds of mistakes, and after costng me some geese one day I vrtually gave it away--with a presale warning of the gun's problems. Maybe they weren't made so well, I don't know, but while I prize their handguns, I'll never own another of their scatterguns. This was a cheaper SG, but that shouldn't excuse the kinds of foul ups it would make.