Model 1000 shotgun: UPDATE 12/6/20

[BourbonCowboy]

In 1983, my dad gave me a S&W Model 1000 shotgun for Christmas. I've kept it all this time, and it's in like-new condition. I probably haven't shot it in almost 30 years - before I went off to college and basically stopped hunting.

I would like to start using it again, but I'm wondering if there's any specific part (or parts) that needs replacing before I do.

Thanks in advance for any tips or suggestions.

Mark

 

[rkittine]

I bought a Smith & Wesson Model 1000 Skeet grade years ago. 25.5" barrel with the bulging barrel end choke. It liked to eat springs.

Bob

 

[edubbie]

I have a 1000 from way back as well. This might be helpful if you cannot find your original:
Model 3000 & 1000 Shotgun, 1500 & 1700 Rifle Manuals

 

[mrchuck]

It is a fine,no frills shotgun.
Mine is made by a company US Repeating Arms, with the S&W Logo. All their shotguns were made by someone else.

 

[silverstateS&W]

check that USRAC gun again... my understanding is that all S&W 1000/3000 shotguns were made by Howa in Japan.Earlier semi autos had fixed chokes,later ones interchangable chokes.
LGS gunsmithing in Texas is the parts guru for these.
enjoy and don't replace anything until it breaks.

 

[cmansguns]

I'm trying to remember......didn't US Repeating Arms take over the Winchester name and then Howa made the guns in Japan?

They were involved with several "private label" deals IIRC.

 

[samnev]

My wife bought me a 1000 for fathers day back in the 70's. IIRC its made by Howa. Fine shotgun for the price. Never had any problems but haven't shot it for 20+ years. Still have the original box a paperwork,

 

[BourbonCowboy]

These are nice shotguns, and the recoil was manageable for a 13-year-old kid. I enjoyed hunting with it for several years. I just wanted to know if 30 years of non-use would cause any problems. I'm a big believe in preventative maintenance.

 

[Texas Star]

These are nice shotguns, and the recoil was manageable for a 13-year-old kid. I enjoyed hunting with it for several years. I just wanted to know if 30 years of non-use would cause any problems. I'm a big believe in preventative maintenance.

Check any rubber seals. If you're lucky, it may use the same as for the Remington M-1100, but I don't know.

 

[Texas Star]

I'm trying to remember......didn't US Repeating Arms take over the Winchester name and then Howa made the guns in Japan?

They were involved with several "private label" deals IIRC.

USRAC replaced Winchester (Olin) ownership, then FN bought them. But only some models were made in Japan. They are of very high quality.

Some Winchesters were made in Japan by Miroku (not Howa) for both Winchester and Browning, but mainly repros, like M-92, M-95, M-12, etc. The Model 70 is made in the FN plant in the USA.

My son has a couple. Quality is on par with my M-70 Classic Fwt. made in New Haven.

I have a Howa 7mm-08. Used to belong to my DIL, who clobbered a nice deer with it at about 85 yards. Quick one shot kill. I got the rifle and the deer head for my wall from them in exchange for a Zeiss binocular. The binocular is worth more, but I have a soft spot for my kids and their spouses...

 

[71Rcode]

Great shotguns. I have three of them. Completely dissasemble the gas system (good youtube videos out there) and clean out with Hoppes 9 and install clean and nearly dry. The seals are readily available. Yours may be gummy/gone, causing the gas piston to bang around in the gas tube. Definitely replace it. I use mine for bird hunting and skeet shooting. They really like the Remington or any traditional "high brass" 1-1/8oz loads best for dove or skeet (cycle more consistently). Pretty much bulletproof.

 

[diyj98]

I'll be the odd man out and say I found the 1000 never impressed me like several of the S&W marked imports that they didn't actually make. There's a black washer o ring that acts as a piston buffer. You'll often find these dissolved as a black goo inside the gun. I've worked on a couple of these that wouldn't cycle because the o ring had dissolved and made a mess inside the gun. Many also don't seem to be reliable with light loads even when the buffer has been replaced.

 

[71Rcode]

Yes. You're exactly right about the goo. And yes, they are very specific about loads. Once you find the right shells and keep the gun maintained well, you're good to go. Very unreliable in my experience with 1oz loads.

 

[cherrypointmarine]

How can you tell if you have a Howa or not ? I posted about the one I bought a while back , and this never came up .

 

[JayFramer]

The Model 1000 is a great stopper when loaded with slugs. Nice job!

 

[Bladeswitcher]

. . . There's a black washer o ring that acts as a piston buffer. You'll often find these dissolved as a black goo inside the gun. I've worked on a couple of these that wouldn't cycle because the o ring had dissolved and made a mess inside the gun. Many also don't seem to be reliable with light loads even when the buffer has been replaced.

This above comment directly addresses the OP's original question about required maintenance. The buffer is this gun's Achilles heel. Stay after the buffer and they're decent guns.

Here's an article that discusses maintenance. Yes, it refers to a Mossberg 1000, but they're the same gun. Both made by Howa . . .

Quick Fix For A Mossberg 1000 | Top Rated Supplier of Firearm Reloading Equipment, Supplies, and Tools - Colt

 

[jebstuart]

I bought a 30" full 1000 many years ago. Beautiful wood, mint condition and I kept it that way. Even found a 26" IC barrel for it. I used it mainly for turkey (card) shooting when I went back home on holidays. That gun would tear a card to shreds. Paid for itself many, many times over - I loved it. Never replaced a part, spring or gasket. Then 25'ish years ago, my business partner who had never owned a gun wanted to go hunting and claying with us. He wanted it and I sold it to him, hoping he would get interested in shooting. He pheasant hunted one time and never used it again. I tried for years to buy that gun back, but his mule-assed stubbornness wouldn't tolerate it, he now had something I wanted. He never did sell me the gun back - still has it and it's probably rusting under a bed. At least the receiver won't rust, damn'it! That 1000 was not an expensive or rare piece in my collection, but I have sorely missed it over the years.

So, why am I writing all this other than just a sympathetic (hopefully) shoulder to cry on? This word to the wise: take on business partners at your peril, and NEVER sell a gun you love, you'll regret it!

Pardon me please, I need to go get a tissue.

 

[BourbonCowboy]

UPDATE: 12/6/20

I picked up the rubber o-ring buffer a couple months ago, and decided to install it. I doubted that the old one was in bad shape, but I was wrong...it looked like a small ball of tar. Eventually (through the use of YouTube videos), I figured out how to get everything cleaned out and reinstalled. It was a bit of a pain to reassemble, but I finally figured out how to get Humpty Dumpty back together again.

So this weekend, I decided to test it with a few rounds of #6 shot. The first round produced a failure to eject, which caused concern, but after I got the shell cleared, it functioned perfectly. It was always a soft-shooting shotgun, but the Limb Saver I added made it a dream to shoot. I think it's about time to take it out hunting.

Thanks to all those who offered advice and encouragement. It feels good to have my old shotgun running again.