Smith and Wesson 1500

T

Todd Porter

New member
I went gun shop hopping yesterday while the wife was doing wife things in town. I ran across a Smith and Wesson 1500 sporting rifle which was made by Howa (I was hoping it was a husky when I picked it up) Chambered in .308, looks to be in very good condition for around 4 bills. Any one ever owned one of these? Looking for experiences with this model. I understand they only sold these for a couple of years here, and read the recall notice, just wanted opinions on whether or not it's worth buying. Not that I need another 30 cal. rifle, just thought it was a neat gun. Thanks.
 
It depends on the price. They're re-badged Howa rifles, with some cosmetic differences. Howa has a pretty good reputation in these parts and I'm sure that the SW branding shouldn't hurt the way it shoots or the dependability of the rifle.
 
I have one in 7mm Mag. It is one of my favorite rifles. Not sure what kind of price it should be. Some of them had higher levels of finish on them and cost a bit more. I have a total of three that are built on Howa actions and they are all great shooters without having to do any modification. I think they are better than some, right out of the box, because the Japanese tend to maintain tighter machining standards.
 
one

I/ve had experience w/ exactly one, in 30.06. It kicked like a mule w/ factory 180's, something about me and the stock fit I guess, but it shot well.
It had about the best trigger I've seen on a factory rifle.

Dad bought it for my sister (no kidding) in the mid 80's, and she still has it.

I didn't care for the glossy blondy stock and the lines on same, but it was a good shooter.
 
Decent gun, but I've seen the same basic rifle, the Vanguard, selling for as little as $350 new. My brother recently bought one for $200.
 
A few months ago, I paid $299.99 for a nib Vanguard at my lgs. With the advent of "updated" Vanguards, the older designs can sometimes be a bargain.
 
Way too much for the S&W/Howa. $250 would be about right unless it's something special or has a good scope on it.
 
I used to have a Mossberg Howa, and it was almost identical to the S&W Howa 1500, as it was the same gun, just different stamping. It was a rugged, well built rifle. Mine was in .270 Win, and had a basic Simmons 4X scope, but Man would that gun SHOOT! I picked off more frigging woodchucks with that rifle in the early 90's! Clover leafs at 100 yards with 130 grain Remington corelocks. It was the perfect deer / varmint rifle.

And, like a fool, I traded it off for God knows what. I honestly can't remember what I got, I THINK it was a .45 Ruger Bisley, but I remember handing the rifle to the dealer with serious doubts. And now I live with my decision.
 
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