Home Forums Birds & Dogs Shotguns S&W Model 1000 pros-cons?

Local gun store has a S&W 1000 12ga in pretty decent shape...not that I need another shotgun..but can anyone give me sme pros or cons on it..never heard of one before...

Sorta same/same as an 11-87, but built by Howa, the same folks who gave us Weatherby Vanguards and such. Actually, it's a good improvement on the 1100s. You can shoot anything 3" and shorter, no adjustments. Load and go.
They did the same thing with the 3000 pumpgun, it came out better and slicker than the 870s it was copied after. Before the 3000 came out, an 870 could lock up if a shell slipped past the magazine stops. Howa engineered the 3000 to work even if that happened, and Remington copied the improvement. Howa/S&W was after the law enforcement $$ when they did that, and sold a bunch of the 3000s to police departments because of that "improvement". We have Kiesler's Police Supply here in town, they sold a schittload of 3000s to police departments, and three of those things to ME. I liked 'em a lot. They were also somewhat more compact and refined than the 870.

I've had a S&W Model 1000 12 ga. since the mid 1970s. It is a very good shotgun.

They're 'ok', but one major item is the bolt buffer.. Most I run into have melted into a tar-like substance (no doubt due to excessive cleaning solvents) that will effectively stop the functioning of that shotgun.. Then, a few are missing, which will cause deformation of the gas piston retainer pin slot on the magazine tube, effectively stopping the function of that shotgun.. Repairs will be needed - best guess is $45-70..

Some parts now are N/A..

IF it's in really good shape - ask if you can take it to a smith for full inspection (especially the buffer and magazine tube).. If all's ok, price should be in the $300 for a 95% condition item..