Smith & Wesson model 1500 Deluxe

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pwaldrup

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Hello Members,

I have reciently aquired a S&W model 1500 Deluxe, chambered in .270. The rifle is in extreemely good condition, having only a few minor dings in the stock. It is topped with a 40x leapold & leapold mount system. It is my understanding that the Standard model 1500 came with iron sights, and the Deluxe did not. Also that the rifle was only manufactured for 2 years, before being discontinued. I prefer having the option of using either a scope, or iron sights when hunting. My question is : Should i have iron sights mounted, or will it reduce the collector's value of the rifle? ... I do not "have" to have the iron sights, but like having the option of their usage, and will not put them on the rifle if it reduces it's collector's value.
 
It sure won't help the value if you have iron sights installed, quite probably the opposite. S&W 1500s were made for more than two years, probably 8-10, but I don't remember offhand. One question - how are you going to have the option of using either a scope or iron sights on the same rifle, unless you use a set of "see-through" bases, which place the scope pretty high relative to the bore (and your eye when you have a decent cheek weld on the stock). Actually, I have a Model 1500 Standard that has that mount system (on it when I bought the rifle), and I consider it worthless, makes it difficult to shoot accurately with the scope, and limits visibility of and around the iron sights significantly. I anticipate finally having some time to change out the mounts and rings in the next week or two, and will be very glad to do so. I don't know what you're going to hunt with, but a 40X scope on anything but a dedicated target (or long-range varmint) gun is, in most instances, a bit of overkill. You might want to look into a 2-7X or 3-9x scope, which would suit both the rifle and caliber better, especially for hunting purposes. At the lower power settings, field of view is excellent, and the sight picture is superior to that of open sights.

If you really want a 1500 with iron sights (which are very limited in their utility for the .270 or other relatively flat-shooting calibers), they are out their. BTW, the S&W 1500 is a Howa, which is still in production, both under the Howa name and as Weatherby's Vanguard (not the Mark V Weatherby). Good rifles, usually quite accurate, and strong. There is a bolt sleeve recall for all the older Howa's, including all the S&W 1500s, I suggest you google Howa 1500 recall and call the toll-free number. They can tell you if your bolt has undergone the modification (you need to tell them the serial number of the gun), and, if it hasn't been accomplished, they will send you a pre-paid shipping package for the bolt, send it in, and they will fix it at no charge. I had mine done a couple of years ago. The gun may not be safe to fire until the mod is done.

Enjoy your 1500, they are very nice guns.
 
You might want to carefully read the specifications stamped into the front of the scope. I seriously doubt it has a 40X scope on it. The only 40X I know of is the Benchrest and it's an expensive piece of glass that almost no one would put on a .270 sporter. It's much more likely that your rifle has a variable 3 to 9 power scope with a 40mm objective lens, in which case the front may say something like Vari-X II 3-9x40.

If it's properly mounted with good rings and bases, there's no need for back-up iron sights.
 
As i have always used iron sights on all of my rifles, I was in fact considering using a set of "see through" base rings to accomplish the objective of having the option of iron sights/scope usage. I thank you for your knowledge of the difficulty that would come from using such a set up on this rifle. I have re-checked the power of the scope, which was already mounted on the rifle, when i purchased it. It is infact a VX-4-12x40. I know that it might be overkill to keep it on the rifle, but since was already on the gun when i bought it, I will leave it on it. Some of the hunting, that i intend to be doing with the rifle includes mountain ram. Due to the distance of some of the shots that i might find myself taking, i think keeping the scope will be a wise choice. As for having iron sights mounted, I will forgo having them done, considering your expieriance with "see through" ring mounts, & since it could hurt the value of the rifle, . I got the 2 yr. maufacture info., for the S&W brand name model 1500, from the NRA Museum, when doing my research, if this information obtained from there is incorrect, my appologies. Thank you for the advice given, as this is my 1st scope mounted hunting rifle, and was actually purchased, upon the advice of a guide, that i spoke to about hunting mountain ram, on a future hunt. Not to mention, that i really wanted to retire my 8mm mauser (iron sights only), for something a little more modern, although it has truely been great for using on white-tails, here in East Texas.
 
You might want to check to see if the barrel is already drilled and tapped for open sights. If it is, then installing a back up set of irons would be relatively straightforward and easy. If not, having a gun smith drill and tap it would not be overly expensive. I would not be to worried about collector value on this particular rifle, especially if it is going to be used to hunt with.

Forget see thru scope mounts, as they place the scope way to high for proper cheek weld on the stock. A better option would be a set of Warne or Leupold quick detach rings and bases that would allow the quick removal of the scope for iron sight use, and would still return to almost perfect zero when re-mounted.

Might also want to consider using quick release mounts on your scope, and instead of back up irons, have a second scope mounted in QR rings back in camp, pre-sighted to the rifle, in case you damage the primary scope.

Larry
 
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I've had a S&W 270 1500,for years.Harvested many deer with it.It has iron sights,I put the see thru rings for over and under sight. To be honest, I kept forgetting to use the iron sight on those close encounters with deer.Missed a few,took those big bulky rings off.
 
S&W Model 1500 Deluxe

I purchased a S&W Model 1500 chambered in 30.06 in 1984. I have shot many a deer with this rifle. It came standard with iron sights. At first I just used open sights and that was fine. After a few years I put a nice scope 3-9 variable scope on it and had good luck still. Then my father put see through scope mounts on his deer rifle. (a savage model 99C chamber in .308) I shot his rifle and liked the sit up so I tried it on mine and never looked back. I not only like this sit I love it. I have the iron sights sighted in out to 150 yards and the scope out to 400. I think it is all in what you like. I love my S&W 1500 and plan on using it for a long time to come, and yes I have heard about the modification on this rifle and no I have not made it yet and more than likely won't. No trouble yet and I shoot it all the time.
 
A better option would be a set of Warne or Leupold quick detach rings and bases that would allow the quick removal of the scope for iron sight use.
 
Nothing wrong with iron or peep sights on rifles for those that have "Young eyes" and do not need glasses.

When you get older the rear sight,front bead and the target all seem to get "Fuzzy" and that is when the scope will really come in handy for bullet placement!!

I shot peep sights at 950 yards for years before I finally turned 60 and had to go to a scope with rifles.
That "Gold ring" scope is a keeper,take care of it...........
 
310Pilot said:
It sure won't help the value if you have iron sights installed, quite probably the opposite. S&W 1500s were made for more than two years, probably 8-10, but I don't remember offhand. One question - how are you going to have the option of using either a scope or iron sights on the same rifle, unless you use a set of "see-through" bases, which place the scope pretty high relative to the bore (and your eye when you have a decent cheek weld on the stock). Actually, I have a Model 1500 Standard that has that mount system (on it when I bought the rifle), and I consider it worthless, makes it difficult to shoot accurately with the scope, and limits visibility of and around the iron sights significantly. I anticipate finally having some time to change out the mounts and rings in the next week or two, and will be very glad to do so. I don't know what you're going to hunt with, but a 40X scope on anything but a dedicated target (or long-range varmint) gun is, in most instances, a bit of overkill. You might want to look into a 2-7X or 3-9x scope, which would suit both the rifle and caliber better, especially for hunting purposes. At the lower power settings, field of view is excellent, and the sight picture is superior to that of open sights.

If you really want a 1500 with iron sights (which are very limited in their utility for the .270 or other relatively flat-shooting calibers), they are out their. BTW, the S&W 1500 is a Howa, which is still in production, both under the Howa name and as Weatherby's Vanguard (not the Mark V Weatherby). Good rifles, usually quite accurate, and strong. There is a bolt sleeve recall for all the older Howa's, including all the S&W 1500s, I suggest you google Howa 1500 recall and call the toll-free number. They can tell you if your bolt has undergone the modification (you need to tell them the serial number of the gun), and, if it hasn't been accomplished, they will send you a pre-paid shipping package for the bolt, send it in, and they will fix it at no charge. I had mine done a couple of years ago. The gun may not be safe to fire until the mod is done.

Enjoy your 1500, they are very nice guns.
Click to expand...
Great advice on the Weatherby recall I sent my bolt in two weeks ago THEY LOST IT. now they want me to ship the rifle so they can refit a new bolt. Bye the way they won't allow Insurance on the shipment. Sorry for the rant but I'm pretty upset.
 
Great advice on the Weatherby recall I sent my bolt in two weeks ago THEY LOST IT. now they want me to ship the rifle so they can refit a new bolt. Bye the way they won't allow Insurance on the shipment. Sorry for the rant but I'm pretty upset.
Click to expand...

Who is "they"?

Bruce
 
I also have a model 1500 deluxe. It is a beautiful gun. Can anyone tell me what this gun cost new?
 
M1500 Price @ NEW

Hi there Julianscars,

Newbie to the site.

I bought a S&W M1500 from a buddy in 1991. He had bought the gun new 10 years-ish before that. When I acquired it, it was in it's original box and the price tag on it was $319.00. It was a heavy barrel 22-250 varmint gun. I still have the weapon...and the box.

I just found out about the bolt recall. I'll be calling the 800 number in the morning. I haven't shot this weapon in at least 10-12 years and it has never given me a lick of problems and is one of the more accurate guns I own.

I joined this site tonight to determine what the twist rate of this rifle is. Does anyone know of a website that may contain this info?

Thanks in advance,

Retired and loving it!
 
Older thread I know, but I aquired a Howa 1500 imported by Interarms, who is now kaput.

The serial number of my 1993 rifle fails within the range for the bolt sleeve safety recall.

I have tested the action under several scenerios (unloaded) and have not been able to generate a malfunction involving firing pin activaction.

I know Legacy Sports serves as the importer for the units today but they likely would not have a record if my bolt sleeve had been upgraded.

Does anyone know if there is a visable discernable difference in the pre and post recall bolt sleeves that may help me determine if mine was repaired?

thanks
 
I bought my son a S&W 1500 in 270 that came without sights back in the 90's and yes it has a Howa action and it is very accurate. I think I paid just over $200 for it new when I gave it to him for his birthday.
 
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