S&W 3000 12ga

[357smallbore]

I bought this gun in 2005. I bought it from a guy in Alaska. The gun was brand new. Said he bought it new in 1983. I am finally going to go shoot it and check the pattern and then Turkey hunting time. I wish it had a longer barrel though. It is a MOD 26in. I am going to use #4 in the field. I love the look and feel of the gun. I know they are not abundant. Anyone have input on this shotgun? Also will try it out trap shooting .

 

[SwampWolf]

One of the best pump guns ever made (by Howa, in Japan), imo. This gun even had an advantage over earlier versions of the fine Remington Model 870 in terms of a certain stoppage situation the Remington shotgun was prone to.
I've always regretted selling the one I had for many years.

 

[22250Rem]

No experience with them but saw one in good shape on the used rack at a LGS a couple years ago. Seemed like a quality piece and I was told there was nothing really wrong with them other than the sales numbers weren't big enough to keep them on the market competing with stuff like 870's and Mossberg 500's, etc.. Can't recall what price they had on it but I remember thinking it seemed like a good deal after inspecting the gun. If they were made by Howa I would rate that as a "plus" IMHO.

 

[357smallbore]

One of the best pump guns ever made (by Howa, in Japan), imo. This gun even had an advantage over earlier versions of the fine Remington Model 870 in terms of a certain stoppage situation the Remington shotgun was prone to.
I've always regretted selling the one I had for many years.

It is made by Howa in Japan

 

[FL-NC]

My uncle had one in the 80's I used once dove hunting, similar to yours. I have always been intrigued by them.

 

[Virginian]

They are decent guns. You could have choke tubes installed fairly cheap.

 

[SwampWolf]

It is made by Howa in Japan

You quoted me for saying what you just said.

 

[dfariswheel]

Back in the 70's S&W decided to make a run at the total law enforcement market.
They owned the revolver market that most all LE carried, made handcuff,s ammunition, holsters, tear gas launchers and other gear, so they thought they'd take on Remington's lock on the LE market with the 870.

First, S&W offered the Model 916 which was a version of the old Noble shotgun.
It was so bad at one point S&W discussed actually recalling therm all and buying them back to protect their name.

After that S&W imported the Howa Model 3000 pump, and the 1000 semi-auto.
As I recall they offered the 3000 and 1000 in aluminum and steel receiver models.
Remington ate their lunch and S&W dropped the guns "To get back to our core business..... revolvers".
Most law enforcement was gun shy of other brand shotguns after the Winchester 1200 and 1300 debacle and stayed with the Remington 870.
The 3000 did have a brief "cult" following among individual police officers.

After S&W dropped the 3000, Mossberg picked it up for a couple of years then they too dropped it.
Howa themselves imported it under their own name a year or two then discontinued it.

The bottom line on the 3000 was that it was a very good quality shotgun, but just didn't have anything to set it apart enough to interest buyers since it was nothing more then a copy of the Remington 870.

Parts and some accessories like stocks and magazine extensions are still available from Gun Parts Corp and LSG Mfg in Texas.