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S&W Shotgun
- Thread starter shojin
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Dfariswheel
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The S&W Model 3000 was actually made in Japan by Howa, for S&W.
These were very good quality guns, that were basically a "Clone" of the Remington 870 with an aluminum receiver.
After S&W's disastrous Model 916 shotgun fiasco, S&W was determined to get it right this time.
At the time, S&W was making a run at capturing the bulk of the American police market.
During this time, they already owned the police handgun market, and they were introducing ammunition, holsters, handcuffs, and other police gear.
They thought the shotgun would complete the line-up and they would have it all wrapped up.
Unfortunately, as good as it was, the Model 3000 was unable to stand up to the abusive treatment police shotguns get, and S&W was unable to make a dent in Remington's 95% plus of the market.
After a few years, S&W announced it was dropping the ammunition, holster, shotguns and other lines, and was "getting back to our main business of making handguns".
In addition to the Model 3000 pump, S&W also made a Model 1000 auto, a clone of the Remington 1100.
After S&W dropped the guns, Mossberg picked up the Howa-made guns for a year or two, before they too dropped it.
Apparently Howa imported the guns very briefly under their own name.
Although the Model 3000 was unable to stand up to police issue use, for a time the Model 3000 had somewhat of a cult following among individual police officers.
In the hands of a gun owner who takes care of his guns, the Model 3000 was and is an entirely satisfactory shotgun.
Gun Parts Corporation bought the S&W parts, and they still stock most parts and many police accessories like folding stocks, barrels, and magazine extensions.
So, while the S&W Model 3000 was an excellent gun, it just didn't have anything to offer over the Remington 870, and the aluminum receiver was unable to take the abuse in police service.
These were very good quality guns, that were basically a "Clone" of the Remington 870 with an aluminum receiver.
After S&W's disastrous Model 916 shotgun fiasco, S&W was determined to get it right this time.
At the time, S&W was making a run at capturing the bulk of the American police market.
During this time, they already owned the police handgun market, and they were introducing ammunition, holsters, handcuffs, and other police gear.
They thought the shotgun would complete the line-up and they would have it all wrapped up.
Unfortunately, as good as it was, the Model 3000 was unable to stand up to the abusive treatment police shotguns get, and S&W was unable to make a dent in Remington's 95% plus of the market.
After a few years, S&W announced it was dropping the ammunition, holster, shotguns and other lines, and was "getting back to our main business of making handguns".
In addition to the Model 3000 pump, S&W also made a Model 1000 auto, a clone of the Remington 1100.
After S&W dropped the guns, Mossberg picked up the Howa-made guns for a year or two, before they too dropped it.
Apparently Howa imported the guns very briefly under their own name.
Although the Model 3000 was unable to stand up to police issue use, for a time the Model 3000 had somewhat of a cult following among individual police officers.
In the hands of a gun owner who takes care of his guns, the Model 3000 was and is an entirely satisfactory shotgun.
Gun Parts Corporation bought the S&W parts, and they still stock most parts and many police accessories like folding stocks, barrels, and magazine extensions.
So, while the S&W Model 3000 was an excellent gun, it just didn't have anything to offer over the Remington 870, and the aluminum receiver was unable to take the abuse in police service.
Dfariswheel
New member
It'd have to be in near 95-98% condition to be worth that.
It Depends....
The value of this gun really depends on some very specific information about the condition and features of this particular piece which you fail to mention.
It may or not be worth it depending on whether it's police or civilian, close to new or somewhat used, or have features that are desirable to you like a wood stock or threaded choke. Generally speaking, many gun dealers do follow Blue Book pricing guidelines. Although I have personally seen both police and civilian versions at a cheaper price than you have mentioned, if this particular gun is a police model in 99% condition or a civilian model in 98% condition, it's probably worth it, according to Blue Book retail list prices.
The value of this gun really depends on some very specific information about the condition and features of this particular piece which you fail to mention.
It may or not be worth it depending on whether it's police or civilian, close to new or somewhat used, or have features that are desirable to you like a wood stock or threaded choke. Generally speaking, many gun dealers do follow Blue Book pricing guidelines. Although I have personally seen both police and civilian versions at a cheaper price than you have mentioned, if this particular gun is a police model in 99% condition or a civilian model in 98% condition, it's probably worth it, according to Blue Book retail list prices.
Thanks for all the comments... it is a police model, it looks as new, wood stock on very good shape, I didn't notice if it had a threaded choke. My intended use for an 870 or clone is twofold: 1) berry picking gun in griz country and 2) home protection. I do like to shoot the guns I own, so I am a little concerned to read in Dfariswheel's post that the aluminum receiver did not stand up to hard use, even though I probably would not be able to wear it out... its more of a principle thing.
Matt
Matt
Dfariswheel
New member
Don't take the aluminum receiver info wrong.
There's absolutely NOTHING wrong with an aluminum shotgun EXCEPT, they don't seem to stand up very well to the abusive treatment that police subject them to.
Since the typical gun owner has to buy his own gun and tends to take better care of it, they'll last the average life-time, plus.
It's when you have a gun that's "owned" by everybody and nobody, that the aluminum guns have problems.
The police gun is usually assigned to a CAR not to an individual officer, and since he isn't really responsible for it, it gets abused.
As long as you take even moderate care of an aluminum shotgun you'll have no problems, and frankly, I'd personally rather have an aluminum S&W Model 3000 clone of the Remington 870, than I would a Winchester 1300 or a Mossberg.
Again, the S&W is more or less in line on price, and the gun is a excellent model for most shooters.
If you're the type person who never cleans the gun, and is in the habit of using it as a pry bar or a battering ram, it isn't.
If the gun is a police model, and is in the condition described, it'd be an excellent gun.
The only better deal would be if you can find a used Remington Police gun.
There's absolutely NOTHING wrong with an aluminum shotgun EXCEPT, they don't seem to stand up very well to the abusive treatment that police subject them to.
Since the typical gun owner has to buy his own gun and tends to take better care of it, they'll last the average life-time, plus.
It's when you have a gun that's "owned" by everybody and nobody, that the aluminum guns have problems.
The police gun is usually assigned to a CAR not to an individual officer, and since he isn't really responsible for it, it gets abused.
As long as you take even moderate care of an aluminum shotgun you'll have no problems, and frankly, I'd personally rather have an aluminum S&W Model 3000 clone of the Remington 870, than I would a Winchester 1300 or a Mossberg.
Again, the S&W is more or less in line on price, and the gun is a excellent model for most shooters.
If you're the type person who never cleans the gun, and is in the habit of using it as a pry bar or a battering ram, it isn't.
If the gun is a police model, and is in the condition described, it'd be an excellent gun.
The only better deal would be if you can find a used Remington Police gun.
Dfariswheel
New member
Primarily because everybody else was using a department issued, battered and beat up Remington.
Some people just like to be different, and for some reason the S&W was considered to be "cool".
If you bought your own shotgun, you could have the very latest "in" piece of equipment, while everyone else was carrying the same 870 every Tom, Dick, and Harry had.
Also, the S&W was lighter than the Remington.
Some people just like to be different, and for some reason the S&W was considered to be "cool".
If you bought your own shotgun, you could have the very latest "in" piece of equipment, while everyone else was carrying the same 870 every Tom, Dick, and Harry had.
Also, the S&W was lighter than the Remington.
Dfariswheel
New member
Certainly as good as any other shotgun.
Howa didn't and doesn't build junk, and the Model 3000 IS after all a fairly close "clone" of the Remington 870.
Like the 870, the 3000's bolt locks into the steel barrel extension.
The Model 3000's "problem" was that like a lot of other shotguns it just didn't stand up too good to a abusive bunch of Yay-hoo street cops using it as a pry bar, battering ram, and night stick.
Look, the bottom line here, is if I was looking for a high-quality shotgun, and I found a S&W 3000 in good shape at a good price, I wouldn't hesitate to grab it.
PLUS, Gun Parts Corporation sells police barrels for the 3000 for about $53.00, and magazine extensions for less than $25.00.
THAT'S CHEAP.
http://www.e-gunparts.com/productschem.asp?chrMasterModel=1980z3000
Howa didn't and doesn't build junk, and the Model 3000 IS after all a fairly close "clone" of the Remington 870.
Like the 870, the 3000's bolt locks into the steel barrel extension.
The Model 3000's "problem" was that like a lot of other shotguns it just didn't stand up too good to a abusive bunch of Yay-hoo street cops using it as a pry bar, battering ram, and night stick.
Look, the bottom line here, is if I was looking for a high-quality shotgun, and I found a S&W 3000 in good shape at a good price, I wouldn't hesitate to grab it.
PLUS, Gun Parts Corporation sells police barrels for the 3000 for about $53.00, and magazine extensions for less than $25.00.
THAT'S CHEAP.
http://www.e-gunparts.com/productschem.asp?chrMasterModel=1980z3000
I hate to disagree publicly about things but I have used S&W 3000 shotguns on duty for the past 29 years. I think they're better built than the 870 because of the use of coil springs rather than staked in flat springs. and as for aluminum receivers I don't have a clue what guns you guys are using. My department has 8 of them purchased sometime in the 80's and all have high quality steel receivers. We did purchase a bunch of Mossberg 590's that never lived up to their billing as a combat shotgun for us. As a department we were never satisfied with them. We have recently gone to patrol rifles in the cars and I have purchased a Smith and a Remington from our old shotguns for home defense shotguns.
Let me say that I only purchased the Remington because of the availability of parts. I work as a school resource officer and intend to add a mag extension and halo sight (Most likely an EoTec) to keep in the school.
Let me say that I only purchased the Remington because of the availability of parts. I work as a school resource officer and intend to add a mag extension and halo sight (Most likely an EoTec) to keep in the school.
Mike Irwin
Staff
Daddyo,
First, welcome to TFL. It's always good to have new people here, especially those who appreciate the S&W Model 3000 (I have a very nice condition Police Cruiser model that's my primary house gun).
That said, this thread is over a decade old, and there no purpose to be served in dredging it up again to talk about it as if it was first posted yesterday.
Most of the people involved in this thread dropped out years ago.
Feel free to start a new thread about the 3000; I'm going to close this one as "aged past its prime."
First, welcome to TFL. It's always good to have new people here, especially those who appreciate the S&W Model 3000 (I have a very nice condition Police Cruiser model that's my primary house gun).
That said, this thread is over a decade old, and there no purpose to be served in dredging it up again to talk about it as if it was first posted yesterday.
Most of the people involved in this thread dropped out years ago.
Feel free to start a new thread about the 3000; I'm going to close this one as "aged past its prime."
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