Howa 1500
 |
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (May 2010) |
| Rifle, 7.62 mm, Sniper rifle, M1500 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Sniper rifle |
| Place of origin |  Japan |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Howa |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 3400g(DX)/4200g(heavy barrel) |
| Length | 1080mm(DX)/1118mm(heavy barrel) |
| Action | Bolt-action |
| Feed system | 5-round internal |
Howa M1500 (豊和M1500, hōwa-M1500) The M1500 is a bolt-action 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 ie .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 from 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. Wetherby 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.
Adoption by the National Police Agency
The M1500 was originally a hunting rifle, but the Japan National Police Agenc has adopted the varmint-hunting model as a sniper rifle. This model was designated "Heavy Barrel" at Howa Machinery to increase stability, and the bigger outside area, compared to a regular barrel, in some ways help against heat.