Condition: Good

Smith & Wesson Model 1000 12ga Semi-Auto Shotgun 28” Barrel – 1970s/Early 80s Japanese Produced

On consignment, we have a Smith & Wesson Model 1000 shotgun in 12 gauge. Coming from a unique time in American gunmaking, this shotgun was produced by Howa in Japan under Smith & Wesson supervision. This particular example appears to be a standard field model. The shotgun is in Good overall condition, with wear and marks visible on the barrel and wood furniture. All standard factory markings are present.

Condition

Overall Condition: Good condition, with visible wear and some oxidation on the barrel. The action appears to be in perfect working order.

Bore Condition: Excellent – clean, bright, with no pitting.

Furniture Condition: Good – the original wood stock shows nicks and finish chipping on some edges. The forend has two roughly parallel cracks on the left side. The stock appears to have been cut down to reduce the length of pull.

Specific Condition Notes: Receiver and internals are in Excellent condition, showing little wear.

What's Included

  • Smith & Wesson Model 1000 12ga shotgun

This particular piece came about at an interesting moment in American gunmaking. The 1960s had seen major revisions to flagship American guns like the Winchester Model 70 and many others due to skyrocketing labor costs, and gunmakers were keen to bring quality, affordable guns to market. During the early 1970s, Smith & Wesson stepped out of their usual handgun market and contracted with Howa Machinery, Ltd. to produce the Model 1000 semi-auto shotgun. Running from 1973, the Model 1000’s production ended in 1985. Since then, these models have become somewhat of a sleeper, offering excellent build quality and performance at a surprising price. Their gas operation tames recoil and allows for longer shooting sessions.

Japanese machining has always been top notch, and this example is no different. This shotgun offers a familiar layout for American clay shooters used to self-loading shotguns, with the usual tube magazine, side-mounted charging handle, a left-side bolt release button, and a push-button safety in the trigger guard. The Model 1000 is a gas-operated shotgun, not unlike its contemporary Remington 1100. Two small ports in the barrel channel gas against an operating rod that moves the bolt rearward and unlocks the sliding bolt lug out of its locking recess.

Smith designed these guns both be beautiful as well as tough and durable. The delicate scroll engraving on the aluminum receiver is paired with chrome plating on the bolt, gas piston, trigger, and other small parts to give this gun a very long service life. Additionally, the barrel is made of high-quality chromium-molybdenum (chromoly) steel alloy for higher strength. The vent rib on the barrel is also finely checkered to eliminate glare. Front and mid-beads are present for natural alignment when pointing the weapon.

This specific gun is in Good condition. This appears to be the standard Field grade, based on its Modified fixed choke. The aluminum receiver and internal parts show very little wear. The barrel and magazine cap have visible but limited signs of oxidation. The barrel itself is the standard length of 28”. The barrel features expected factory rollmarks indicating its caliber, manufacture, etc., along with a choke marking of “Mod”.

The shotgun’s furniture is factory standard to the best of our knowledge. The furniture is rated to be in Good condition, with a wonderful semi-gloss finish. The wood stock and forend do show some limited signs of finish splitting along some edges. Two roughly parallel cracks are visible along the left side of the forend. The semi-pistol grip has its original blue Smith & Wesson grip cap present. The stock appears to have been cut down in the past to accommodate a shorter length of pull, and has had an aftermarket black rubber buttpad installed.

This Smith & Wesson Model 1000 is a wonderful time capsule of its era, and stands as a testament to its previous owner’s devotion to the shotgun sports, and is in Good condition. Without a doubt, it will serve its next owner on the range for many years to come!

Specifications

  • Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson/Howa Machinery, Ltd.

  • Model: 1000

  • Submodel: Field

  • Caliber: 12 gauge, 2 ¾” 

  • Action Type: Gas-operated semiautomatic

  • Locking mechanism: sliding bolt lug

  • Firing Mechanism: Internal hammer-fired

  • Safety mechanism: Push-button

  • Magazine type: Underbarrel tube

  • Capacity: 4+1

  • Barrel Length: 28 in

  • Barrel Material: CrMo Steel alloy

  • Barrel Features: Factory checkered vent rib; Modified choke

  • Sights: Front and mid beads

  • Scope Mount: N/A

  • Receiver Material: Aluminum

  • Finish: Blued

  • Furniture: Factory standard; shortened LOP stock

  • Furniture Features: Thick black rubber buttpad; S&W blue grip cap; fine checkering on semi-pistol grip and forend

  • Size: Full-size sporting shotgun

  • Country of Origin: Japan

  • Year Manufactured: Late 1970s-Early 1980s