Howa M1500
Encyclopedia
The is a bolt-action
centerfire rifle produced in Japan by Howa Machinery.
4-5 rounds can be loaded at a time. Instead of a box-type magazine, as in the Type 38 infantry rifle, it uses the "magazine floor" system, where the magazine has side-wings and a floorplate. As for the barrel, it does not use the kind of chrome plating seen on arms of the Type 64 pattern. All guns circulating within Japan undergo fire-testing at the Toyokazu Company, and every new gun has its paper test target enclosed with the weapon.
For foreign exports, the barrel and the trigger mechanism are also supplied in a stripped down form to various small arms manufacturers. It is common that a maker will choose and attach its own gunstock to Howa's barreled actions, and then sell it under their own brand. Weatherby Vanguard is such an example, while S&W, Mossberg and Inter-Arms sells them as the M1500.
The M1500, while being comparatively low priced next to other overseas models, has been judged to have all the delicacy and robustness one would expect from Japanese engineering. Spare parts have also sold fairly well, however starting with the incursion of Remington into the domestic market, foreign companies with stronger brand recognition and more competitive prices have caused M1500 sales to become sluggish. For this reason, more than 95% of Howa's M1500 are produced in stripped down form for overseas export.
Bolt-action
Bolt action is a type of firearm action in which the weapon's bolt is operated manually by the opening and closing of the breech with a small handle, most commonly placed on the right-hand side of the weapon...
centerfire rifle produced in Japan by Howa Machinery.
Description
The M1500 is a full-model change of the hunting rifles that Howa Machinery previously produced. The original blueprints were drawn up with reference to the Wetherby Mk. 5. At present, the M1500 is the only large calibre bolt action rifle produced in Japan, and is sold as Howa's representative rifle not only in Japan, but throughout the world.4-5 rounds can be loaded at a time. Instead of a box-type magazine, as in the Type 38 infantry rifle, it uses the "magazine floor" system, where the magazine has side-wings and a floorplate. As for the barrel, it does not use the kind of chrome plating seen on arms of the Type 64 pattern. All guns circulating within Japan undergo fire-testing at the Toyokazu Company, and every new gun has its paper test target enclosed with the weapon.
Markets
There are two main products for the domestic market. The Deluxe model is fitted with open sights. The sightless varmint-hunting model is known as the "Heavy Barrel". Both versions are available either in black or stainless steel, for a total of four models on sale. Calibres available range from .22-250 and .204 Ruger up to .338 Winchester Magnum and .375 Ruger, so the user can freely choose to suit his purpose. Of course Howa 1500 comes with either short action, for shorter rounds i.e. .308 Winchester, .223 Remington, .22-250 etc., or long action for .30-06 Springfield, 6,5x55, .338 Winchester Magnum etc.For foreign exports, the barrel and the trigger mechanism are also supplied in a stripped down form to various small arms manufacturers. It is common that a maker will choose and attach its own gunstock to Howa's barreled actions, and then sell it under their own brand. Weatherby Vanguard is such an example, while S&W, Mossberg and Inter-Arms sells them as the M1500.
The M1500, while being comparatively low priced next to other overseas models, has been judged to have all the delicacy and robustness one would expect from Japanese engineering. Spare parts have also sold fairly well, however starting with the incursion of Remington into the domestic market, foreign companies with stronger brand recognition and more competitive prices have caused M1500 sales to become sluggish. For this reason, more than 95% of Howa's M1500 are produced in stripped down form for overseas export.