I've never owned a Howa or Vanguard.
That said, the bolt stop doesn't give me the warm fuzzy. Replacement screws are available, and inexpensive, but I'd rather have a more robust design.
And there was a recent thread about the front action screw that is located in the lug. Not an "issue" per se, but something to understand.
Jason
Last edited by 4th_point; 04/25/20.
